We love this place. This is where our family goes to get an intimate and authentic Rocky Mountain experience. The setting is idyllic: the cabins are located on a terrace above Munn Creek, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, within easy walking distance of gorgeous alpine meadows, crystal lakes, and forested valleys. The entire facility is completely off the grid, and the wood-heated log cabins are clean and cozy. During this trip, our third, we were treated once again to Laura Rutter's warm hospitality and superb cooking. Her helpers, Matt and Elizabeth, accompanied us on a ski tour of the scenic Wild Hay River and Rock Lake, and a snowshoe trip up to the nearby alpine. This is the perfect spot for people who want a more rustic, close-to-nature experience, a great alternative to the more highly developed and crowded tourist attractions in Jasper and Banff.

As part of our honeymoon, we wanted to explore 'off the beaten track' and we are so glad that we did. We stayed with Laura for three nights at the Escape, and it was an experience we won't forget.

Getting to the Escape is not one for the faint hearted! To be honest, the difficulty is played down somewhat - we had a 4 x 4 and were glad of it! If we had had a normal car, we would have turned back - but we are so glad we didn't! (Please note we were unlucky with the weather - it snowed the day before our arrival which made things slightly worse). Irrespective, it is 25km of offroad gravel tracks to get to the Escape so be prepared!

Once at the Escape, it was everything we had hoped for. We had delicious home cooked food every morning and evening, and a packed lunch every day. The activities on offer would suit sightseers or those looking for exercise (we trekked for 3 hours on horseback and hiked the next day). There are endless activities available - Laura is extremely welcoming and knowledgeable and will tailor a package to suit your needs exactly. The two dogs, Mollie and Leo were gorgeous and provided us with lots of entertainment.

The cabin was as expected - wood burner, gas stove for hot drinks and not much else! Ideal for peace and quiet! The one drawback of the cabins is the tap water - described as having 'a faint odor', this was an understatement and not particularly pleasant when washing or cleaning your teeth. However, plenty of fresh drinking water is supplied.

One of the highlights of our stay was looking out of our cabin window to see two deer grazing on the snow covered grass right outside - you don't get that close to nature in a city! Highly recommended for anyone looking for something a bit different, relaxed and as close to nature as you can get.

We moved to Alberta in 2001. We found Rocky Mountain Escape's website when we were looking around for places to go in the mountains. We enjoy Jasper but also a less-touristy experience.

Our first trip was in May 2002 and we have gone every May long weekend since then. We enjoy staying in our favourite cabin and just relaxing for the three days that we are there. Laura is a great host and she always has lots of interesting stories. Each year we go on a long hike - often with other people who are staying there that weekend.

There is no tv, stores or anything else like that at the Escape. What you do get is solitude, peace and quiet, beautiful scenery and some great home-cooked meals. You will have your own log cabin and a wood stove to keep you warm at night. It truely is an escape and we look forward to going there again in May 2010.

It's a shame that Rocky Mountain Escape did not meet the expectations of the previous reviewer. I have recommended it to my friends and everyone has really enjoyed it. It is perhaps not to everyone's style but there are lots of hotels in Jasper for people who like a more urban experience. It is truly unique place.

It is in the Rocky Mountains and not just the foothills!

Our visit to the Rocky Mountain Escape was supposed to be a romantic Christmas getaway but just a few things you may want to know...

- The management is really geared around the needs of the owner who is not suited to service industry. A self proclaimed "anti-social" will tell you of battles with the locals to develop the site, highlights include a local who actually sabotaged her well water by throwing scrap metal down it. Her routines and guiding are suited for her schedule of wolf tracking and avoiding humans.

- The cook shack is basically a plywood shed with a stove. While I have high regard for animals, I did not enjoy the company of a dying dog in the corner, kept in the kitchen for warmth... health regulations? There is no privacy for dining and forced conversations with red-neck strangers does not provide an atmosphere nor a good time.

- Advertised as a bonus, running water and bath tubs in the cabin! But running water is only provided for a couple hours in the morning and after dinner. Plus it reeks of sulfur and is unfit for drinking. I didn't bath or shower for 4 days because I'd gag at the stench. (I don't mind not bathing for weeks if I'm on a back-country trip, but I had not mentally prepared and was disappointed that I could not take a relaxing bath).

- The cabin was actually really well built, very spacious and is the only nice thing I can say about the escape. Make sure you don't follow the advice of the management, one or two logs will not keep you warm at night. Plus homemade afghans are really small when you're freezing in the middle of the night.

- We had a dry spell, so that Christmasy feeling of big white snow was nil. And snow shoeing on rocks is no fun.

- There weren't enough cross country ski boots for the 4 guests that were staying while we were there, so don't rely on what they provide.

- Let's be clear, the cabins are in the foothills not the rocky mountains. Don't expect big mountain views.

- We were entirely unhappy with our stay and wanted to leave a day early. Were unable to get a refund nor any compensation because of "policy" (mind you I don't think it helped that another couple canceled, she muttered about the food waste several times, and I suppose she had to make ends meet... ). To make matters worse, we had relied on their transportation in 4X4 trucks to drive us into the site because we had a very small car. She refused to drive us back to our car without paying for the extra day.

Also, my complaints were taken as personal insult and she retaliated with crude, uncalled-for judgments. It was a really unforetuneate situation because we had been so excited about going to the cabin and it turned out to be a really really big let-down.