Entire home

Wildcat Ridge Retreat

Photo gallery for Wildcat Ridge Retreat

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Interior
Exterior
Exterior
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Reviews
10

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Washer
    WasherWasher
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor spaceOutdoor space
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Dryer
    DryerDryer
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFiFree WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Cochrane, AB
  • Popular LocationYamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary4 min drive
  • Popular LocationCochrane Arena12 min drive
  • Popular LocationCalaway Park27 min drive
  • AirportCalgary, AB (YYC-Calgary Intl.)53 min drive

Most relevant reviews

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bed

Master Suite

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Main Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Wildcat Ridge Retreat

* All photos are taken on the vacation house property at various seasons in the year.

Location
Situated in the Wildcat Hills on a 20 acre property, this licensed vacation home offers stunning views of Ghost Lake and the eastern slopes of the Rockies! Enjoy easy highway access, with only a 12 minute drive to Cochrane, AB, and all city amenities. Due to the quiet nature of the property, there have been many sightings of wildlife. Some of these include deer, elk, moose, bear, coyotes, foxes, cougars, eagles, and others. It has been quite common to discover deer grazing around the house, and they often bed down in the surrounding trees. Absolutely NO hunting allowed! The acreage provides a very private and relaxing environment and is a great location to enjoy both Calgary and the mountains. For security there is a front door camera that is disabled upon check-in, which occurs when a guest opens the door with their unique code.

Vacation House
The house is a new custom built, 3 bedroom modern style bungalow with vaulted ceilings and exposed wooden beams. The west side of the home is approximately 80% windows. This allows the sun to stream in and ensures that an amazing view is always just a glance away. Tastefully decorated and furnished, the home is very relaxing! The kitchen is equipped with matching stainless steel appliances including a dishwasher. There are two complete place settings with all the necessary equipment to throw together a gourmet meal at your convenience. A natural gas BBQ is steps away on the deck and gives opportunity to those who would prefer to grill. Water for the house comes from a deep well. It is treated and filtered with leading edge equipment to always be clean and safe. There is also a Reverse Osmosis with UV filter connected to the fridge and small sink faucet for ultra purification.

The master bedroom suite is located by itself on one side of the house which creates a very cozy and private atmosphere. The vaulted space has an entire wall of windows from floor to ceiling that make the room bright and provide amazing starlight views. There is also a fan for comfort, and a slider door that opens onto the deck and back yard. Drapes are in place on all ground level windows and can be pulled for privacy. A queen bed and two additional dressers complete the makeup of the room. The ensuite bathroom includes a double wide shower and a small walk-in closet provides room to relax and unpack for your stay. The second and third bedrooms are located off the living area, opposite the master. The second also contains a queen bed with dresser, night table and closet. A vaulted ceiling, an extra upper window, and a fan make this room feel open and relaxed. The third bedroom contains a day bed which can be pulled out to form a king size when required. When the bed is not needed this room is frequently used as a playroom. Toys for younger guests include a play kitchen, and little people set.

Downstairs in the basement you will find a beautiful Clearlight infrared sauna with chromotherapy lighting. The sauna is trimmed in cedar and seats three adults. It can produce both near and far infrared spectrums and is very easy to use. The health benefits of these types of saunas are well documented and they are very relaxing. Saunas do have hot surfaces, therefore children must be accompanied by an adult. A washer and dryer are also located downstairs for your use. Although the basement is planned for future development you will find it a clean, safe place to further enjoy your stay.

Outside of the house you can relax on the deck and lawn while enjoying the amazing views. There is a bin containing outdoor activity items with such things as frisbees, balls, and lawn games for you to use. A covered sandbox awaits with toys for children and a picnic table sits nearby on the lawn. If you would like to enjoy a campfire during your stay, fire tables and chairs are nearby as well as pokers for those who’d like to roast hotdogs or marshmallows. Enough wood is included for a few fires, just be sure to check the county’s web site before building it to make sure there are no fire bans at the time. This information can be found at https://www.rockyview.ca/fire-bans and should always be checked before starting a fire as bans can occur with changing conditions.

Local Activities/Attractions
The Ghost Lake boat launch is only a 4 minute drive from the rental house. There is a lot of outside parking on the property to accommodate those who are bringing a boat to the lake. The activities permitted at Ghost Lake include; sailing, power boating, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, wind surfing, geocaching, and fishing. In the winter you can also find ice boat sailing, and ice fishing. Ghost Lake also has a day use recreation area with fire pits.

Another close attraction is the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary which is only 5 minutes away. They are highly rated and offer Interactive tours that must be reserved. You can also drop in, but the minimum requirement for children to visit is 6 years old. Just north of the rental you can find horseback riding adventures. The company Saddle Peak Trail Rides offers lots of options for size of group and length of rides.

If you are looking for an indoor activity the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Center is a good option. It is in Cochrane which is a 10 minute drive from the rental house. They offer swimming, fitness equipment, climbing, ice skating, curling, and an indoor turf and track. The historical downtown area of Cochrane also has great novelty and antiquing shops. A must stop is MacKay's Ice Cream which is famous for its unique menu of flavours.

Another activity on the outskirts of Cochrane is the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. It has a lot of pathways for hiking, biking, and geocaching. There are also picnic areas to enjoy, and the park offers some great viewpoints as it follows along the Bow river. The Canadian Pacific Railway mainline runs through the park as well.

Just north of the Park and 15 minutes from the rental house is The Links of GlenEagles golf course. It also shares some amazing views of the Bow river and mountains. They are among the top 10 Public golf courses in Alberta, have 18 holes, and you can book tee times online. In the area there are 9 Public golf courses within 20 miles from Cochrane center.

If you enjoy skiing or snowboarding there are some nice hills to the south and west of the property. The closest is Canada Olympic Park in Calgary at 35 minutes away. The next closest is Nakiska in Kananaskis at 39 minutes from the rental house. In Canada’s first National Park there are three world-class ski resorts; Banff Sunshine (1hr 9min), Mt. Norquay (1hr 3min), and Lake Louise (1hr 33min). You can purchase a SkiBig3 lift ticket which is valid at all three resorts for your chosen days.

The city of Calgary is to the east of the rental house. It is 45 minutes to the Calgary Stampede and a bit less to downtown. The Stampede is scheduled from July 5- 14 for 2024 and is open from 11:00am – midnight every day. Other popular attractions in Calgary include Heritage Park (47 min), Calgary Zoo (45 min), and Glenbow museum (43 min). Another amusement park a bit closer is Calaway Park, which is 27 minutes away. It is outdoors and operates May weekend to mid October. All driving times listed are measured with google maps from the property location for accuracy.

Property manager

Adina and Fred
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Mountain view

House Rules

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Highchair, playpen, step stool and training seat

Events

No events allowed
No parties or large gatherings.

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: No parties or large gatherings.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Calgary (and vicinity)

Map
Cochrane, AB

What's nearby

  • Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary - 4 min drive
  • Cochrane Arena - 12 min drive
  • Calaway Park - 27 min drive
  • Canada Olympic Park - 33 min drive
  • Stampede Park - 45 min drive

Getting around

  • Calgary International Airport (YYC) - 53 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Wildcat Ridge Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Where is Wildcat Ridge Retreat located?

Located on the riverfront, this family-friendly holiday home is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Bow River and 9.7 mi (15.6 km) from Cochrane Arena. Calaway Park and Bowness Park are also within 25 miles (40 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 37 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Carol S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot!
Central location with an easy drive from the Calgary airport! Nice touches from the owners with fresh flowers and tasty snacks! It had all the staples and essential elements for preparing meals, etc. We enjoyed many scenic drives in all directions. We saw lots of wildlife including black bear (even two cubs!), grizzly bear, a pine marten, Rocky Mountain goats and Bighorn Sheep! We spotted deer and bald eagles from the house! We thoroughly enjoyed our 36th anniversary here! Great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

April S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything we needed
Beautiful views, everything we needed was there, space was perfect for our family of 5.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spectacular mountain views
Beautiful home with amazing views of the Rocky Mountains and Ghost Lake. We throughly enjoyed our stay on this 20 acre property. It’s remote enough to have a peaceful and quiet holiday away from the city but also close enough to Cochrane for amenities if needed, which is only 12 minutes away. We enjoyed roasting marshmallows in the fire, the infrared sauna, doing yoga on the deck and just basically the the serenity of the property. Would definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Neil W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
NICE OPEN PROPERTY
Beautiful and clean home, responsive owner. Very close to Cochrane and about an hour from Banff. Would recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alex M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home
Extremely prepared to have guests stay at the home. Gorgeous views with an attentive host.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Private location
Was everything that we had hoped for and then some. It felt like a nice welcoming home to spend quality time with family. There was plenty of room , very clean and secluded. We would definitely stay there again in the future. Nicely located between Banff and Calgary.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

ewa o.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Visiting Canada
Very clean. Beautiful views. Really well stocked (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, spices, BBQ utensils, shampoo, conditioner etc etc). Sauna in the basement. Excellent host. Stayed here with my family that visited from Ireland. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house
We had a lively time. The property is well cared for and the home was comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Victoria M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful weekend away
Beautiful views of the mountains and quiet spot ! We had a great weekend at the wildcat retreat ! Everything we needed was there and waking up to the views of the mountains were amazing ! very clean and very accommodating. We would definitely recommend staying here and hope we can visit again soon 😃
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shelly H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family weekend getaway
Wonderful stay! This property is beautiful and was the perfect home for our weekend getaway. The views are amazing, home is spotless. A lovely welcome basket when we arrived to the property, very thoughtful. Highly recommend this home! You won’t be disappointed!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Norman H., Calgary

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
a view to die for
second time back and just as impressive as the first time. it's quiet, just remote enough to enjoy the privacy without being too far that if you forget something you have a small gas station nearby or Cochrane a short drive away. we'll be back for a third time that is for sure.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sylvie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect retreat
Perfect place for a home away from home. The owner is very responsive and caring. Upon arrival we were greeted with muffins, scones and short bread. The house was equipped with everything. The views were breathtaking. Only 15 minutes to Cochrane. Would definitely stay at this location again.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Todd B., Heritage Pointe Alberta Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic Accommodations!
The accommodations were fantastic with a great view of the Mountains and Ghost Lake. Close proximity to Cochrane and Kananaskis made this location ideal for the wedding venue we attended. The Owners were very responsive to the few questions we had. We highly recommend this well appointed house in the hills!!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hugh G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for our needs
Really loved our stay at Wildcat Ridge - very comfortable house with everything we needed.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Joe M., Coaldale, Alberta

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family getaway
When we arrived at our family getaway, we were greeted with treats at the door as a welcome. I had told the hosts we would be accompanied by my 2 year old granddaughter and we’re pleasantly surprised with not only treats for her but a variety of toys that she enjoyed using with her grandparents and uncle and aunt. The house was spotlessly clean and everything was new or almost new and nicely furnished. Every day the temperature rose over 30 C so the fans came in handy. AC would have been a nice plus especially when we were putting the 2 year old to bed bed before the evening cooled down. Instead of the usual westerly winds the breeze was from the SE so her bedroom didn’t cool until late Cochrane and Ghost Lake were nearby. We enjoyed walking around the Historic downtown which had lots of statues and even ‘stuff’ that entertained our toddler so mom and dad could enjoy the shops.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bikrant D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful nice renovated place with all facilities
It's just awesome. Words cannot describe. Beautiful nice renovated place with all facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exactly as listed
This was a well stocked home and the owners thought of everything. The kitchen is well appointed with enough spices, pots and pans and cutlery to create a great meal. Sitting out by the fire at night was a good way to end the day. Enjoyed the sauna after a long hike at Lake Louise. Definitely recommend this place.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Murray F., Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect spot for Mountain Biking Trip
We rented wildcat Ridge for a boys mountain biking trip. Perfect spot for a boys weekend, situated between Canmore and Bragg Creek. House was clean, well-stocked, lots of dry firewood for a fire. About the only thing missing was air-conditioning, so we sat outside and enjoyed the view. Will definitely be booking again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lauren N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
AmazIng Stay
This was a fantastic stay! Conveniently located, beautiful home. It had everything we needed, and we would stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachel H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Property!!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this property. Our family (4 adults, 1 teen, 2 children) loved the layout of the home as it provided a common living space and well-spaced privacy for the bedrooms. We found the description of the home to be accurate - it exceeded out expectations! The host communicated well in advance of our arrival and was available as needed throughout our stay. And the mountain views were stunning! This was our home base as we made day trips to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore and Cochrane through a 5 day stay. We would absolutely stay here again. Highly recommend!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth H., United States

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A vacation in and of itself!
When we booked this vacation to Calgary and Banff, we were hoping to find a home base to come back to, exhausted, at the end of the day’s adventures. This house was so much more than that! The pictures don’t do this property and its beautiful views justice. The wide flat yard with the majesty of the Canadian Rockies as a background are unparalleled. My “I’m an indoor kid” children loved playing outside with the toys, sports equipment and sandbox. The deck was perfect for sitting and looking at the mountains, and the yard with the fire pit, outdoor seating and after-sundown fairy lights was a dream come true. I was there with my husband, my husband’s parents, and our two boys, ages 8 and 9. The house was spacious (we NEVER felt crowded or cramped), well thought out, and had absolutely killer gorgeous views from almost every window. Adina was a wonderful host! The house was clean as a whistle and comfortable with very clear instructions for everything (TV, dishwasher, HVAC). Beyond that, she was super responsive to questions or concerns. She also left us wonderful breakfast treats and had sweet charming outdoor toys for my boys, which was wonderful as we flew in from the US and didn’t have the suitcase room to bring things like kites or footballs. On vacation, you expect to have to make do at mealtimes, but not here! This place had a big fridge, great cooking appliances, beautiful eat-in space, and plenty of pots/pans/dishes. My husband and his mother LOVE to cook and being able to have their home cooked meals saved us money, was so much healthier than restaurants, and made mealtimes so much better for all of us! This was the vacation of a lifetime. This house helped make it so. Thank you so much, Adina, and you may be hearing from us again in a few years!
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

ROSE L., Edmonton

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stay at Wildcat Ridge Retreat
A great place to stay with awesome views. Very peaceful and quiet. Would go there again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shaun P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Better Than Excellent
The description and photos don't do this property justice. It is an amazing property. The Host goes above and beyond in providing the best possible experience for your stay. As a film student, I stayed here to shoot my final short film project. The location is stunning. Highly recommend staying here! I will definitely be back!
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

David A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay
Well run, clean, beautiful location, worked for us!!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marta J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Getaway
The photos do not do the house or the views justice. Fantastic views of the mountains and Ghost Lake. Super clean accommodation. Perfect for 3 friends celebrating a milestone birthday.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

About the host

Hosted by Adina and Fred

Host profile image
We fell in love with the property once we took in the amazing views. It is very peaceful and relaxing yet close to amenities. One of our favorite activities is to fly kites on the property. There is lots of space to fly and the west wind coming over the ridge makes for an easy launch.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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