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The 100-year-old Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, designed as a 1920s stopover en route to Yellowstone National Park, remains steeped in the grand tradition of the Great Western Lodge with VIP service.

All-inclusive historic Wyoming resort offers uniquely rustic yet luxurious experience The 100-year-old Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, designed.

Dubois, Wyoming – February 22, 2022 – The year was 1922, and noteworthy history was in the making: President Warren G. Harding spoke at the dedication of the newly commissioned Lincoln Memorial. Construction began on the original Yankee Stadium. The Girl Scouts started making their very first sugar cookies to sell door to door, and Prohibition trudged on. And while its implications wouldn’t be revealed for several more decades, the entertainment world scored big when Norman Lear was born.

Meanwhile, the year 1922 also saw the creation of a much-needed stopover for travelers heading toward Yellowstone National Park, a comfortable haven for outdoor adventure fans looking for the perfect mountain destination that would feature an off-grid experience combining rustic charm and lavish pampering. The resulting Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa celebrates its centennial anniversary this July. Initially called the Two-Gwo-Tee Inn, the Shoshone word for “spear,” the lodge offered an ideal location in the Rocky Mountain wilds of Wyoming adjacent to 300-acre alpine Brooks Lake that quickly helped the remote inn transform into a dude ranch and then into the luxury guest ranch and resort it is today.

Dubois, Wyoming – February 22, 2022 – The year was 1922, and noteworthy history was in the making: President Warren G. Harding spoke at the dedication of the newly commissioned Lincoln Memorial. Construction began on the original Yankee Stadium. The Girl Scouts started making their very first sugar cookies to sell door to door, and Prohibition trudged on. And while its implications wouldn’t be revealed for several more decades, the entertainment world scored big when Norman Lear was born.

Meanwhile, the year 1922 also saw the creation of a much-needed stopover for travelers heading toward Yellowstone National Park, a comfortable haven for outdoor adventure fans looking for the perfect mountain destination that would feature an off-grid experience combining rustic charm and lavish pampering. The resulting Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa celebrates its centennial anniversary this July. Initially called the Two-Gwo-Tee Inn, the Shoshone word for “spear,” the lodge offered an ideal location in the Rocky Mountain wilds of Wyoming adjacent to 300-acre alpine Brooks Lake that quickly helped the remote inn transform into a dude ranch and then into the luxury guest ranch and resort it is today.

“From the beginning, the mission of Brooks Lake Lodge has been to offer guests an out-of-this-world escape where they can engage with the outdoors in ways that allow them to relax and recharge,” says Brooks Lodge General Manager Matthew Tousignant. “The fact that we are now delighted and grateful to celebrate 100 years of hospitality is testament to the continuing need for true immersion in the natural world, which is becoming increasingly difficult but more critical than ever before.”

Hidden away in Shoshone National Forest but within easy driving distance to Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole, the 25-acre crowd-free property seamlessly blends its pioneer-era foundation with modern amenities. For instance, the main lodge, constructed in a record four months in a Western Craftsman architectural style in keeping with Yellowstone’s “Parkitecture,” has been carefully preserved. Décor details evoke the grandness of the time – magnificent stone hearths, antler and wagon-wheel chandeliers, plush leather furniture, stained-glass windows – while simultaneously offering current-day comforts such as sink-into feather beds, state-of-the-art spa treatments, freshly prepared and locally sourced gourmet meals and free Wi-Fi.

The views from the property’s perch at 9,200 feet above sea level just one mile from the North American Continental Divide – and including the Pinnacle Buttes, Austin Peak and Brooks Mountain – could not be more jaw-dropping, inviting visitors into the surrounding natural playground for the range of outdoor adventure that is the hallmark of this all-inclusive getaway. The breathtaking setting with its majestic mountains and endless evergreens even compelled Bryant B. Brooks, the seventh governor of Wyoming and Brooks Lake’s namesake, to write in 1889 upon his discovery of the valley, “Among the fir and pine there glistened a lake … what a sight! I stood closer that day to nature’s heart than ever before.” 

Summer and winter activities on the property and in the more than 2 million neighboring acres of pristine national forest and mountain-ringed farmland focus on connecting guests of all ages with the area’s natural abundance and include such authentic and immersive experiences as:

• Horseback riding along trails and in the arena with experienced wranglers, as well as on glamping-style overnight pack trips complete with backcountry golf, hiking and fishing
• Hiking for all skill levels, from short nature trails to summitting an 11,000-foot peak
• Year-round fishing for trout in Brooks Lake, complete with the chance for guests to have their catches brought back to the lodge to be cooked up for dinner
• Canoeing around the stunning Brooks Lake
• Archery lessons and target practice with expert instructors
• Skiing and snowshoeing on miles of groomed trails or into the backcountry
• Expert-guided wildlife excursions
• Stargazing tours of the pristine Wyoming heavens
• Snowmobiling into the nearby forests, including 2 million acres of scenic terrain

At day’s end, guests – who are treated to the highest level of service that can only come with a 1-to-1 staff-to-guest ratio – can enjoy a restorative treatment in the relaxing Rocky Mountain Spa, designed to replicate the National Historic Register of Places-designated main lodge and featuring a tranquility room, dry sauna, fitness center and 11-by-14-foot hot tub with incredible mountain views (spa treatments priced separately). They also can peruse the ever-expanding collection of Western fine art and sculpture before retreating to the handful of lodge rooms – individually decorated with handcrafted lodgepole pine furnishings and goose-down comforters – or private cabins sporting wood-burning stoves and inviting sitting areas, each ensuring a quiet and restful stay.

In addition, all guest meals are included: The chef serves hearty Western breakfasts every morning, filling lunches at noon and gourmet dinner nightly in the homey Great Hall, as well as Governor’s Tea with hors d’oeuvres for a pick-me-up in the cozy, fireplace-centered Tea Room. Meanwhile, the Cowboy Bar within the lodge serves up an extensive selection of spirits along with fun and casual nighttime entertainment, echoing the charming and wholesome atmosphere of a bygone era.

Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa will celebrate its centennial with a grand open-to-the-public party that will take place at the lodge on Saturday July 2, 2022 (check the Brooks Lake Lodge website for details).

About Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa

Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, a nearly 100-year-old historic guest ranch is located in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest near Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Surrounded by evergreen forests next to alpine Brooks Lake, the exclusive, all-inclusive Rocky Mountain resort offers five-star service, luxury accommodations and gourmet dining. The lodge enjoys frequent media acclaim, including as a “Top All-Inclusive Family Resort in the U.S. by Reader’s Digest, and one of the “20 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S” by U.S. News & World Report in 2021, a best place to “Lean into Winter” by Travel + Leisure in 2020 and a 2018 “Best Lake Resort” by National Geographic Traveler. Brooks Lake Lodge is in partnership with Shoshone and Bridger-Teton National Forest and an equal opportunity employer and provider. For additional information and reservations visit www.brookslake.com or call 866.213.4022. Follow Brooks Lake Lodge on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact: Amy Stark, Word PR + Marketing, amy@wordprmarketing.com

Wyoming wilderness backcountry excursions feature fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, trail riding

Dubois, Wyoming – May 11, 2021 – Outdoor enthusiasts craving a truly immersive adventure with friends or family this summer can dive deep into the woods of Wyoming with Brooks Lake Lodge exclusive Wyoming Wilderness Pack Trips operated by the Best of the West Outfitters, July 1 – August 30, 2021. Pack Trips are offered for 3, 5, 7 or 9 nights and accommodate a maximum of 12 people to explore the wide-open wilderness on horseback each day, taking in breathtaking scenery and activities including fly-fishing, wildlife viewing and hiking in between memorable evenings at the camp, sharing stories over dinner.

Wilderness Pack Trips by Best of the West Outfitters are tailored to meet guests’ specific interests and provide a superb custom opportunity to explore the wilderness, riding through spectacular scenic landscapes and experiencing some of the finest fishing in the country. To begin the pack trip, guests saddle up and head into the Wyoming backcountry through terrain including high alpine bowls, boulder fields, rocky slides and timber areas ranging from 7,000 – 10,000 feet of altitude. Friendly, expert guides lead the way through rolling open slopes dotted with sagebrush, pockets of aspen trees, forested hills and a wonderful diversity of wildflowers.

Anglers will love fly-fishing in Wyoming’s famously trout-filled rivers and lakes, discovering the finest blue-ribbon waters with help from the Best of the West Guides, who steer guests to a combination of headwater streams and mountain alpine lakes to angle for trout species including Snake River cutthroat, Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbow, brown and the rare Bonneville cutthroat. The remote areas explored on the pack trips are home to a variety of incredible wildlife such as elk, moose, deer, antelope, grizzly and black bear, mountain lions and lynx, with guides providing safe opportunities for viewing the wildlife in its natural habitat, sharing information about this superb ecosystem.

Back at the camp, an executive chef prepares high-end meals in a homestyle Dutch oven. Guests can request specific cuisine before the trip so the chef can customize meals to fit individual preferences. At night, it’s all about relaxing and recounting the day’s adventures under the stars before a peaceful night’s slumber in one of the spacious tents with comfy beds and wood stoves.

Pack trips from Brooks Lake Lodge and operated by Best of the West Outfitters are offered for a minimum of three nights camping, for $495 per person per night (not including taxes or fishing license). A 25% discount will be given to children and active military/veterans. Guests are encouraged to have some previous experience riding a horse, suggesting that those with no experience take a riding lesson before the trip. An expert guide, a wrangler and a chef accompany each pack trip catering to all guest needs. A phone call prior to each trip helps determine the length and course of the trip to map out a truly personalized trip-of-a-lifetime experience.

About Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa

Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, a nearly 100-year-old historic guest ranch is located in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest near Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Surrounded by evergreen forests next to alpine Brooks Lake, the exclusive, all-inclusive Rocky Mountain resort offers five-star service, luxury accommodations and gourmet dining. Recently named a 2020 best place to “Lean into Winter” by Travel + Leisure, the lodge enjoys frequent media acclaim, including as a 2019 Best All-Inclusive Resort in the U.S. by MSN Lifestyle, a 2018 Best Lake Resort by National Geographic Traveler and a 2017 Western Landmark by Western Art & Architecture. Brooks Lake Lodge is in partnership with Shoshone and Bridger-Teton National Forest and an equal opportunity employer and provider. For additional information and reservations visit www.brookslake.com or call 866.213.4022. Follow Brooks Lake Lodge on Facebook and Instagram.

(Photo: New Thought Digital Agency)

U.S. News & World Report and Reader’s Digest name Wyoming guest ranch to “top” lists (Photo: New Thought Digital Agency) Dubois, Wyoming

Dubois, Wyoming – June 3, 2021 – Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, the historic guest ranch deep in the woods of Wyoming, recently landed on two major lists of best all-inclusive resorts in the country. U.S. News & World Report awarded the lodge top-of-the-list honors on its “Top All-Inclusive Family Resorts in the U.S.” and Reader’s Digest offered a spot on its “20 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S.” Making the media rounds this month just ahead of its popular summer season, July 6 – September 15, 2021, luxury Brooks Lake Lodge is only a few months shy of 100 years of making guests more than comfortable from its lakeside backcountry location in the Shoshone National Forest near Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

U.S. News & World Report searched out the best U.S. resorts where essentials like meals and lodging are covered so families can “focus on cultivating lasting memories with the people that matter most,” and highlighted Brooks Lake Lodge’s expansive seasonal activities – all included in a stay at the lodge – from summertime horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, archery and fishing to winter’s snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding and ice fishing.

Reader’s Digest also emphasized the benefits of controlled costs and having everything you need on site in compiling its selection of the best 20 all-inclusive resorts for readers. Dubbing Brooks Lake Lodge “luxury wilderness camp,” the magazine highlighted the maximum of 36 guests per night that makes it “one of the most intimate all-inclusive resorts in the United States.”

The lodge is known for its elevated dining experience, an especially important aspect of the all-inclusive vacation, which, in Brooks Lake Lodge’s case, has been lauded as “the best meal in the middle of nowhere.” In recent years the lodge has partnered with local farms who provide organic and sustainable regional produce, eggs, handmade cheeses and more for fresh farm-to-table gourmet cuisine, as well as hearty Western classics.

U.S. News & World Report adds that families can choose between lodge rooms or log cabins at Brooks Lake Lodge and “all accommodations sport lots of lumber and rustic decorative elements like wood-paneled walls and lodgepole pine beds,” as well as modern perks like high-speed Wi-Fi access, and log cabins have authentic touches like kettle stoves and clawfoot tubs. And, as Reader’s Digest enthuses, “No matter the season, you’ll appreciate the terry cloth spa robes, on-site spa, enormous hot tub overlooking the Rocky Mountains, and serene atmosphere.”

Brooks Lake Lodge offers unique and authentic Western hospitality in a relaxing nature-filled atmosphere. The lodge is located at 9,200 ft. in a remote mountain setting that creates a truly special place to unplug from the everyday and connect with wilderness and loved ones. With a nearly 1:1 staff to guest ratio, every guest is a VIP and can enjoy any of the lodge’s activities guided or unguided.

The summer season runs July 6 – September 15, 2021, with rates starting from $715 per person per night (4-night minimum). Overnight winter rates at Brooks Lake Lodge start at $500 per person per night, with the winter season opening in December. Brooks Lake Lodge stays include all meals, activities and guides (separate fees are associated with snowmobile rentals and spa treatments).

Guests of Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa can get the best of town and country in Wyoming this September with a Fall Arts Day Out package. Guests can catch highlights of the culturally-rich Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival with a trip into nearby downtown Jackson, Wyoming, while enjoying the outdoor activities and connection to nature deep in Shoshone National Forest backcountry with a stay at Brooks Lake Lodge. Just a short drive from Jackson Hole, the nearly 100-year-old historical guest ranch is an exclusive, all-inclusive luxury resort complete with a full-service spa perched on the alpine Brooks Lake alongside the Pinnacle Buttes.

The Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale, the only event of its kind, where more than 130 juried artists, craftsmen and fashion and interior designers showcase and sell handcrafted museum-quality functional creations that capture the spirit of the West. The WDC is a shopper’s delight and gives guests a chance to check out best-of-the-West design while mixing and mingling with talented artists and designers.

After exploring the WDC, guests can enjoy the highly popular fall arts festival event known as “Palates & Palettes,” where over 30 art galleries stay open late to showcase magnificent art with complimentary food and wine as art-lovers stroll Jackson’s wooden sidewalks around scenic town square. Brooks Lake Lodge guests also will have the opportunity to enjoy a meal in Jackson’s thriving restaurant scene before returning to Brooks Lake Lodge for a peaceful night’s rest.

Providing each guest with a transformational experience is the mission of Brooks Lake Lodge – ensuring that guests are getting the most out of the sprawling mountain playground, perfect for activities such as horseback riding, hiking, fishing and canoeing while enjoying a variety of gourmet meals served in the historical dining hall and a unique afternoon fireside tea time. Guests can also enjoy a variety of spa services such as a hot stone massage or fruit active glow facial at the on-site Rocky Mountain Spa.

Newsday recently shared a piece recognizing historical luxury Wyoming guest ranch Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa as one of five family travel destinations in the U.S. to “feed your cabin fever,” and the timing could not be better as families begin to make their holiday plans. The cozy cabin vibe can provide the perfect Christmas and New Year’s destination, with the exclusive, all-inclusive Rocky Mountain resort opening December 23, 2018, for its winter season.

As familytravel.com originally put it, Brooks Lake Lodge “may feel just a little like paradise,” which is just one of the many reasons why this elegantly rustic resort is an ideal winter destination. With its setting in the wilds of Wyoming—tucked away in the Shoshone National Forest but within easy driving distance to Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park—Brooks Lake Lodge is perfect for snow enthusiasts looking for the rare combination of nature-rich outdoor amenities and cozy accommodations.

Not surprisingly, the Christmas season brings out Brooks Lake Lodge’s festive best. From the twinkly lighted pines outside to the fully decorated Christmas tree by a crackling fire inside the lodge’s beautiful and aptly named Grand Entrance, to the innovative and creative comfort foods that comprise the Christmas menu created by longtime Chef Whitney Hall—not to mention the pampering-level 2:1 staff-to-guest ratio—this year promises to be the best yet.

Chef Whitney Hall has prepared an excellent Christmas dinner menu featuring Braised Oxtail, served in a port and wild mushroom jus with Yorkshire pudding; Roasted Garlicky Lemon Linguini with cherrystone clams, blue mussels and deep-fried sea scallops and Pumpkin and Asiago Enchiladas with a pepita pesto and a browned butter drizzle. Sides include sautéed spinach with roasted heirloom carrots and herb-whipped sweet potatoes. For dessert guests can enjoy a Molasses Semifreddo in a gingersnap cup. And the chef, whose gourmet offerings have been praised by media including the Los Angeles Times and Food & Beverage magazine, has dreamed up a different but equally tasty special menu for New Year’s Eve dinner.

`The opportunities for appealing snow adventures for the Brooks Lake Lodge winter season, which runs through mid-March, are unparalleled. Most popular: Snowmobiling on the more than 2 million acres of powder-covered backcountry terrain, with panoramic views of the magnificent Pinnacle Buttes, Brooks Mountain and Richard’s Peak (additional fee applies). However, in addition to snowmobiling, the remote and expansive property offers cross-country skiing on groomed trails and in the nearby backcountry, along with snowshoeing, sledding, expert-guided wildlife excursions to see the migratory animals wintering near the lodge, and ice fishing on Brooks Lake.

At the end of a fun-filled (and snow-packed) day, guests can relax in the aforementioned cozy cabins, built in 1922, which are heated and sport wood-burning stoves and inviting sitting and dining areas, some with fireplaces and whirlpool or clawfoot tubs. Meanwhile, the captivating and comfortable lodge rooms have been individually decorated with handcrafted furnishings of lodgepole pine topped with goose-down comforters and including terrycloth spa robes for lounging. For an even more restful stay, the inviting and relaxing full-service spa provides complimentary use of the tranquility room, dry sauna, fitness room, and an 11-by-17-foot hot tub overlooking Brooks Lake and the Pinnacle Buttes. Spa services are available for booking at an additional price.

In addition, all guest meals are included and fit in well with a winter getaway: Chef Whitney creates hearty Western breakfasts each morning, filling lunches at noon, a Governor’s Tea with hors d’oeuvres for an afternoon pick-me-up, and gourmet dinners every night. To keep things lively, the Cowboy Bar within the lodge serves up fun and casual nighttime entertainment, along with an extensive selection of spirits.

The November issue of American Snowmobiler magazine is out, highlighting “3 Dynamo Destinations” for snowmobilers – including a firsthand review of Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, the exclusive, all-inclusive guest lodge deep in the woods of Wyoming. Told from the perspective of a “Sled Head’s wife,” who developed a surprising love affair with snow during a romantic weekend visit with her husband to the nearly 100-year-old resort, the article by Heidi Thompson is titled “Adventure Travel: Brooks Lake Lodge” and includes photography from their adventure by her husband, American Snowmobiler editor Ryan Thompson.

Heidi admits to initial lack of excitement about the trip – until the couple actually made it to Brooks Lake Lodge. “When Ryan asked if I wanted to accompany him on a destination review I put on a happy face,” she writes, “but secretly hoped he would change his mind and ask his brother or another sledding buddy. Then we arrived and my own love affair with snow commenced.”

Heidi’s American Snowmobiler article details highlights of the experience, calling out the snowy terrain surrounding the lodge as a fabulous playground that is not just for pros. A variety of trails and opportunities are available at Brooks Lake Lodge for all levels of snowmobilers from beginner to advanced. The lodge’s 400-600 inches of snow per year guarantee prime riding conditions, and with 2 million acres of scenic territory to explore, there is no shortage of stunning Wyoming backcountry views.

American Snowmobiler also gave a rave review to the gourmet meals at Brooks Lake Lodge, which are included in an overnight stay and thoughtfully prepared by acclaimed Chef Whitney Hall. “Each course of every meal was a mouthwatering delight,” Heidi writes. “Tender venison, unique salads, and delectable desserts were plated beautifully and served on china and crisp tablecloths. To say they hit this one out of the park is an understatement.”

While options for accommodations include cozy cabins or lodge rooms, the Thompsons stayed in one of the lodge’s two cabin suites, which includes a sitting room with a wood stove and, as Heidi described it, “the most comfortable king size bed I have ever slept on.” Hosting a maximum of 36 guests as a time and with the resort’s typical 2:1 staff to guest ratio, the service at Brooks Lake Lodge is described by American Snowmobiler as “nothing short of five stars.”

While snowmobiling is the most popular sport at the lodge, there are other winter activities to enjoy as well, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing, with all gear available for guests of the lodge. The lodge also has an on-site Rocky Mountain Spa where guests can book deep tissue massages to ease muscles after a day on the snow, or soak in the 11-by-17-foot hot tub overlooking the Pinnacle Buttes.

In a sublime setting nestled deep within the Rocky Mountain wilds of Wyoming, luxury guest ranch Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, strives for a beguiling balance of present-day pampering and modern amenities paired with the simpler comforts and pleasures of the past.

Nowhere is that intention more apparent than in the unforgettable homemade meals and gourmet snacks created at Brooks Lake Lodge by Executive Chef Whitney Hall and her talented staff. The culinary team, on a daily basis, serves guests at this iconic Old West destination a staggering variety of creative dishes drawing from an abundance of locally and regionally sourced ingredients and Chef Hall’s formal culinary background, accentuated by her Southern-style upbringing.

In fact, popular travel blogger Rick Howard has raved about the meals at Brooks Lake Lodge, telling Chef Hall during an interview for his heavily trafficked blog Travel with Rick, “You cook up some of the best food I’ve ever had anywhere.”

“Our menu focuses on wild game at its core because I like to highlight what’s readily available and true to the area,” says Chef Hall, a Texas native who received her culinary training at the Art Institute of Dallas. “But I also like to incorporate my Southern roots in our offerings, and so you’ll find things on our lunch menu, which is available to the public during winter, like a buffalo-based Sloppy Joe next to croquettes made from cheesy Gruyère grits.”

And, of course, there’s the always popular deep-fried chocolate chip cookie dough for dessert. “I toyed with taking the fried cookie dough off the menu at one point, but I got so much backlash from the regular guests that I had to keep it,” Chef Hall says. “It’s based on the state fair fried foods of my childhood in Texas, and it’s crispy and gooey — the perfect finale to enjoy in our warm, comfy dining room, with the snow swirling around outside.”

Overnight guests can enjoy evening feasts with a focus on local trout, elk and venison, as well as pork and beef from Idaho’s Snake River Farms and seafood overnighted from Hawaii — all of which is enhanced by inventive side dishes, such as a wedge salad dotted with fresh pomegranate seeds and wasabi-spiced mashed potatoes. New dinner entrees this winter include honey-glazed duck breast with a persimmon and date chutney served with roasted Brussels sprouts and parmesan smashed Peruvian potatoes; roasted buffalo prime rib with a Wyoming Whiskey au jus horseradish whip, cream sautéed haricots verts and loaded mashed potatoes; and a peach wood-smoked brisket with braised seasonal greens and duck confit roasted red potatoes.

Chef Hall has been with Brooks Lake Lodge for 11 years, providing a deep understanding of what guests crave from the resort’s kitchen. Hearty Western breakfasts each morning are a must, as well as filling lunches and an afternoon Governor’s Tea with innovative hors d’oeuvres and freshly made crumpets and shortbread cookies — the baked goods created by a pastry chef in-house and offered as a daily pick-me-up next to a crackling fire.

Immersed in pioneer-era ambience and its peaceful surroundings, the remote Brooks Lake Lodge — accessible in winter only by snow coach, snowmobile or cross-country skis — sits hidden away in Shoshone National Forest, but within easy driving distance to Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Nature-rich outdoor activities and sumptuous accommodations combine for an indulgent escape in this easily reachable winter wonderland with an off-the-grid feel.

Winter at Brooks Lake Lodge is indeed particularly inviting, with its endless opportunities for appealing snow adventures from mid-December to mid-March, including snowmobiling on the more than 2 million acres of powder-covered backcountry terrain, with panoramic mountain views. In addition, the secluded and expansive property offers cross-country skiing on groomed trails and in the nearby backcountry, along with snowshoeing, sledding and expert-guided wildlife excursions to see the migratory animals wintering near the lodge, all provided as part of the all-inclusive plan (additional fees apply for snowmobiling).

At the end of a fun-filled, snow-packed day, guests can get right to relaxing. Built in 1922, Brooks Lake Lodge features cozy, quiet, tucked-away cabins sporting wood-burning stoves and inviting sitting and dining areas, some with fireplaces and whirlpool or clawfoot tubs. The captivating rooms have been individually decorated with handcrafted furnishings of lodgepole pine topped with goose-down comforters. To keep things lively, the on-site Cowboy Bar serves up fun and casual nighttime entertainment, along with an extensive selection of spirits, including locally distilled Grand Teton Vodka and Wyoming Whiskey. Meanwhile, for an even more restful stay, the full-service spa features an 11-by-17-foot hot tub overlooking Brooks Lake and the Pinnacle Buttes.

Dubois, Wyoming – The greatest holiday gifts don’t come in a box wrapped in red-and-green paper and tied with a bow. And the greatest holiday memories arise not from something material but by experiencing something meaningful – sharing special moments in special places with loved ones. Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa aims to ensure that every guest that walks into their nearly 100-year-old lodge leaves with those lifelong memories, having created a deeper connection to loved ones and nature, especially during the holidays.

Like stepping into a real-life snow globe, there is no need to dream of a white Christmas at Brooks Lake Lodge; a snow-filled holiday is guaranteed as the lodge sits high in the mountains at 9,200 feet, receiving an average of 500 inches of snow each winter. Indoors, a giant Christmas tree stands tall in the lobby next to the cozy welcome of a gigantic stone fireplace – one of three in the main lodge. Guests sip eggnog by the fire in the onsite Cowboy Bar, while kids play Candyland, shuffle ball or foos ball and snowflakes gently fall outside, blanketing the dramatic surrounding mountainscapes. There are no car horns, no sirens, no ringing phones or blaring TV’s – just the crackling of the fire and the soft sounds of holiday music.

Picture a Christmas day snowmobile ride with an expert guide leading the way through snowy forests and up the mountains to peaks with some of the most spectacular views of untouched Wyoming wilderness. Or maybe a little exercise on snowshoes or cross-country skis exploring the scenic wilderness surrounding the remote mountain lodge that sits 5 miles from the nearest road. Kids can enjoy a day of extreme snow tubing, considered a must by Park City Magazine. After a day in the snow, perhaps a long soak in the 11-by-17-foot hot tub overlooking the Pinnacle Buttes and Brooks Lake is in order – or maybe a hot stone massage before a well-earned Christmas feast.

This year Brooks Lake Lodge’s Executive Chef Whitney Hall is offering an incredible holiday dinner menu for guests on December 25 starting with roasted acorn squash soup with a thyme and rosemary crème fraiche and toasted papitas as an appetizer, followed by an entrée choice of herb encrusted pork roast with a grilled apricot and cranberry chutney, steamed blue mussels with a curried sweet potato sauce or caramelized onion tart with a warm roasted corn relish and with sides including roasted garlic melting potatoes and creamed spinach. And for dessert, Chef Whitney will offer a scrumptious eggnog semifreddo with a gooey house-made shortbread.

Every meal at Brooks Lake Lodge is included for overnight guests and each menu has an incredibly thoughtful and delicious assortment of dishes to choose from. Fuel the day with hearty Western breakfasts, notoriously filling lunches that locals will ride miles in for via snowmobile, skis or fat bike (the only way to reach the lodge and the only meal at the lodge open to the public). Then relax over decadent dinners all served fireside in the large historic dining hall. And with a maximum of 36 guests at a time, there is no waiting, no crowding, every guest is a VIP and the 1:1 staff to guest ratio promises all requests are immediately addressed.

There’s still time to reserve a lodge room or private cabin for the holidays this year, and Brooks Lake Lodge guarantees a memorable experience for guests who will feel right at home while enjoying the benefits of an all-inclusive luxurious, snowy mountain getaway.

Dubois, Wyoming – March 10, 2020 – After 17 years at Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, General Manager Adam Long is stepping away in March at the end of the 2020 winter season. Long started at the lodge as a front desk agent and hiking guide in 2003 after graduation from Northwood University in Michigan with a hotel, restaurant and resort management degree. Promoted to general manager in 2007, he has enjoyed a remarkable run at the all-inclusive, exclusive guest resort tucked deep in the woods of Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest, creating memorable stays for new and returning guests over the years while managing a staff of over 250 employees.

Long’s deep-rooted personal connection to the lodge began with his first sighting of the nearly century-old building in 2003. “I still remember my first drive up the five-mile road to the lodge and I was so in awe of what I was getting into,” he says. “Then meeting my amazing wife, Julia, at the lodge and getting married on the front lawn will always be an incredible memory. Watching our family begin and grow with the birth of our two beautiful daughters has been the best.” Other special memories for Long include viewing the 2017 total solar eclipse with guests and staff from the lodge’s place on the path of totality, as well as managing the rebuilding of parts of the main lodge’s grand dining hall following a devasting fire last summer from which Long, with his quick thinking and actions, helped save the historic structure.

Looking back over the years, Long recognizes the crucial role of the lodge’s dedicated and hard-working staff, noting that “without them the lodge wouldn’t function. My success is owed to the staff and many others who have trusted me and put forth the effort day in and day out,” he adds. His successor notes that, “Adam has cultivated a crew of wildly devoted and loyal employees and professional colleagues. Which speaks volumes to the effort he has put forth as the leader of this operation.”

Long is an avid hunter, snowmobiler, angler and all-around Western wrangler. He has always been hands-on with the lodge’s many popular activities and enjoys sharing the immersive outdoor lifestyle with guests. His next move will be to manage another ranch closer to town to allow him to spend more time with his growing family, taking with him nearly two decades of special Brooks Lake Lodge experiences and memories.

As Long says goodbye to Brooks Lake Lodge, a new general manager has stepped in. The two have been working together through the winter season to facilitate a smooth transition for both guests and staff. With 17 years in the tourism industry, working in some of the most beautiful places around the globe, new General Manager Matthew Tousignant’s passion is for creating unforgettable experiences in the most awe-inspiring natural landscapes Earth has to offer. Brooks Lake Lodge, known for its stunning Wyoming backcountry lakeside setting among the mountain peaks and Pinnacle Buttes, promises to be a great fit. Coming to the lodge from his most recent position as location manager of Roosevelt Lodge, Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park, Tousignant is honored to take the reins at yet another historic lodge.

“My successes have come from two key factors: I have had some of the greatest leaders in my career who have been more than generous with their time and knowledge. Secondly, my strongest asset as a leader is my ability to surround myself with passionate people who take charge, have an earnest desire to grow and want to be the best at what they do,” Tousignant says. “It is truly an honor to take on the role of General Manager of this majestic and stately property nestled among some of the most rugged ridgelines North America has to offer. My aspiration is to bring Brooks Lake Lodge into the next century from a literal point of view while preserving and highlighting the heritage from which it comes.”

The beloved bygone era of the Old West endures at Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, a 96-year-old exclusive and all-inclusive luxury resort nestled in Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains near Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park. The historical guest ranch takes guests back to a simpler time while still providing the modern conveniences of a pampering, present-day getaway.

An endless sea of stars in a night sky undiluted by city lights, and daylight hours spent meandering through meadows and woods on foot and on horseback, eyes peeled for the birds and beasts that call expansive forests home. A quiet, dewy early morning canoe paddle across a cliff-framed lake. Trout plucked from a cool, clear mountain stream, with the day’s catch grilled up moments after being pulled from the water. Freshly baked bread topped with melting squares of butter, served in a dining hall lined with hardwood flooring and filled with log furniture spread with white linens, a river rock fireplace at one end and soft lighting emanating from wagon wheel chandeliers overhead.

“Our aim has always been to provide up-to-date amenities in an atmosphere that stays true to the lodge’s real Western history and provides guests with a truly rare experience only possible in our remote Wyoming setting,” says General Manager Adam Long. “We draw daily on the lodge’s nearly hundred-year history of gracious service, comforts and outdoor activities to give our guests a meaningful blending of old and new.”

By 1922, when Brooks Lake Lodge was built, gas-powered cars had just begun to replace the horse and buggy, which meant that Americans could more quickly and easily explore a country in the throes of fast and meaningful changes. It was the perfect time for a destination ranch to establish itself as a premier getaway for newly minted city folk, and that’s exactly what was happening in this breathtakingly beautiful rural enclave, the ultimate result of a chance encounter just a few decades earlier between Wyoming’s seventh governor and this verdant valley that leads straight into Yellowstone National Park, just 45 miles away.

“Among the fir and pine there glistened a lake… what a sight! Tracks of elk and deer abound,” former Governor Bryant B. Brooks wrote of his first views of the lush area that would eventually house the lodge, which sits by the 260-acre Brooks Lake named for him. “Where I sat on my horse stretched a broad, peaceful valley. I stood closer that day to nature’s heart than ever before.”

The historic guest ranch started as a stopover for travelers headed to Yellowstone, but it soon became a haven for those looking to escape into “nature’s heart,” a setting and mindset that exists to this day in this comfortable and living history lodging – listed on the National Register of Historic Places – tucked away atop the Continental Divide.

Nowadays, travelers make a beeline for the unique type of historical experience that Brooks Lake Lodge provides, a top trend that travel sites such as TripAdvisor say will continue into 2019. In fact, in a recent survey, the travel crowdsourcing site reported that “bookings for ‘historic and heritage experiences’ saw the most growth in 2017.” The same survey also revealed that aquatic activities dominated the top ten fastest-growing travel-related categories for U.S. travelers, including canoeing and fishing.

Both activities are among the many outdoors opportunities offered by Brooks Lake Lodge on picturesque Brooks Lake, with its alpine setting and Pinnacle Buttes backdrop, along with horseback riding or hiking deep into the surrounding Shoshone National Forest backcountry, and the chance to practice or receive instruction on the lost art of archery.

After a day of exploring and relaxing, guests can enjoy an appealing variety of gourmet meals served in the historical dining hall, as well as a relaxing afternoon fireside tea time and cocktails in the Cowboy Bar, a Western-style saloon complete with hewn-log furnishings, period antiques and games like darts, and shuffleboard. A full range of spa services – such as a hot stone massage or fruit active glow facial – are available at the on-site Rocky Mountain Spa, with its tranquility room, two spa service rooms, and an oversized outdoor hot tub overlooking the Pinnacle Buttes.

The handful of spacious yet cozy lodge rooms and private cabins ensures that Brooks Lake Lodge can host only a limited number of guests at any one time. The elegantly rustic lodge rooms are individually decorated with handcrafted lodge pole pine furnishings and goose-down comforters, while private, heated log cabins sport wood-burning stoves and inviting sitting and dining areas. An overnight stay includes lodging, all meals, tea time, outdoor activities, guided or unguided, and access to the on-site Rocky Mountain Spa facilities such as the gym and hot tub. Spa services are billed a la carte.