Wilderness Retreat in Foothills of the Canadian Rockies

Beaverfoot Lodge is situated quite literally off the beaten path. You have to travel on an unpaved, 8-mile (13 km) road to get there. Around mile 4 (6.5 km) you’ll see a lodge signpost that reads, "Don't give up yet!" And it’s worth the trip. Once you arrive at the lodge, you’ll take in astounding views of the surrounding meadowlands and the snow-capped peaks in Yoho National Park, which tower over a 2-acre lake.

There’s a sense of pioneer-like independence here. The lodge and cabins run on electricity generated by a nearby stream. During the day, you can sled down slopes into the onsite camp meadow or go ice skating (weather permitting) at Beaverfoot’s outdoor rink, which is located in a forest glade.

Though the property has a back-to-basics mentality, it doesn't skimp on the finer things. There are two wood-burning saunas on the property. Home-cooked meals are made fresh daily. Lodge rooms are made from hand-hewn wood and feature down duvets on all the beds. Set apart from the main lodge, rustic and executive cabins and dream chalets offer more privacy and extra bedrooms.

The film-school package includes an eight-day program designed as a crash course in moviemaking at the adjoining film school, Really Making Movies. The school focuses on empowering students with the knowledge necessary to produce films. At Really Making Movies the student filmmaker is immersed in a hands-on experience, collaborating with a real director and producing real movies. Participants will learn about everything from location scouting to working with actors, and will discuss the works of legendary auteurs such as Stanley Kubrick and Akira Kurosawa. Click here for a day-by-day itinerary.

Golden, British Columbia: Mountain Wilderness Bordered by Stunning National Parks

Bordering Beaverfoot Lodge to the north is Yoho National Park. Yoho is a Cree word used to express wonder and awe, and understandably so—the park has 28 towering mountain peaks amid thunderous rivers and quiet forests. More than 400 miles of hiking trails wind through the park, and it's not uncommon to see wildlife such as mountain goats, elk, moose, and coyotes here.

Rising about 8,040 feet (2,450 m) in elevation, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is easy to spot across the valley just west of Golden. It boasts North America’s second-highest vertical rise and a year-round gondola that showcases a 360-degree panorama at the summit. In the winter, four lifts transport skiers and snowboarders to hidden bowls and runs, some of which take nearly an hour to traverse. While you’re in the area, don’t miss grabbing a bite at Eagle’s Eye, the highest-elevation restaurant in Canada.