Retallack Lodge
Retallack Lodge is named after the mining town that used to stand on the site where the Retallack accommodation is now located. Hopeful prospectors still flock to the area, but these days they are there to mine for powder.
The lodge provides quality accommodations and in line with the laid back vibe, the décor and furnishings are not swanky or overly extravagant. The lodge attracts a young crowd or those who are young at heart, probably because you have to be fit to ski at
Retallack, so the culture of the lodge is upbeat with an element of a party scene.
An advantage of the lodge is that it’s accessible by car, rather than being reliant on snowcat, helicopter or snowmobile to get you there and back. So you can pack multiple suitcases. If you want multiple bathing suits for the hot tub, or you want to pack your hot rollers for your hair, or even a ball gown – you can!
Lodge Rooms
The lodge sleeps up to 24 guests across 11 different rooms that have single or double beds. The rooms are simply furnished, but most importantly each room has a private bathroom with shower. The beds are very comfortable, which is well appreciated especially if the body is a bit fatigued.
Facilities
The lodge has multiple common areas so after skiing you can chill out if you want, or hang out in the bar and party on.
The facilities are extensive and include an inviting living room with comfy leather armchairs, couches and a gigantic stone fireplace.The dining room is like the social hub where people congregate before and after each day of cat skiing; it has a fabulous vibe and the food is totally gourmet. Centrally located in the lodge there is a cosy little bar where you can buy a range of alcoholic bevies at very reasonable prices.
There is a great games room with pool table and table tennis and an entertainment area with bean bags, a massive flat screen TV and DVD.
If the body needs a bit of TLC, there is an outdoor hot tub (which is also a great place t socialize and have a beer), a sauna and there are massage services available from professional masseurs.
They have fantastic internet access and one phone line however in the
guest manual they state that anyone caught doing work will have to wear a
pink frilly ski outfit the next day – I love it!
The lodge also contains the essential drying room for ski boots and gear and a waxing and tuning room for you to tune up your equipment.
You can't leave Retallack Lodge without a souvenir from their great little retail shop.
Meals
Breakfasts are filling and a great way to get fueled for the day with hot and continental breakfast options.
When ravenous skiers and boarders return from ripping up the powder, après snacks are served outside in front of a raging fire. These might include soup or pizza, or something else to warm up your insides.
And then there’s dinner, the highlight of the Retallack culinary experience. Dinners are three course affairs with reasonably gourmet offerings. Retallack markets the dinners as fine dining, and whilst they are very nice home cooked meals, they might not quite fit into the haute cuisine category.
Grog cannot be BYOed, but Retallack sell a range of great local and imported wines. They also sell a broad selection of beers and spirits.
What Stands Out About Retallack Lodge?
The set up of the inviting common areas is very conducive to the fun culture and atmosphere of the lodge.