Edelweiss Village + Resort

Prologue · Our Story

The History

More than a century of mountain history lives here.

Built between 1910 and 1912, Edelweiss Village began as home to the legendary Swiss mountain guides hired by the Canadian Pacific Railway to explore, guide, and help shape mountaineering culture throughout Western Canada. Long before the Rockies became the internationally recognized destination they are today, these guides were navigating the terrain, leading first ascents, building alpine routes, and introducing generations of visitors to life in the mountains.

That spirit still feels present here. There is a certain energy that comes from a place with this much history behind it. From knowing that people have been gathering, exploring, skiing, climbing, and building lives connected to these mountains for more than a century.

Guests arrive at Edelweiss for many different reasons, but whether someone is deeply familiar with mountain culture or experiencing the Rockies for the first time, there is often a shared sense of wonder that emerges once they settle in here. The mountains have a way of doing that.

At Edelweiss, honouring the past has never meant remaining frozen in it. The village continues to evolve carefully and intentionally, balancing preservation with new experiences, restored spaces, and a vision for what this property can continue to become for future generations.

The history matters deeply here. So does what comes next.

Historic Swiss Edelweiss Village photograph

A Brief Timeline

  1. 1899

    The Canadian Pacific Railway hires its first Swiss-certified mountain guides, Christian Haesler Sr. and Eduard Feuz Sr., from Interlaken, Switzerland. Their arrival marks the beginning of what would become known as the “Golden Age” of Swiss mountain guiding in Western Canada.

  2. 1900

    The Rockies are heavily promoted by the CPR as “50 Switzerlands in One,” attracting international attention and helping establish mountain tourism throughout Western Canada.

  3. 1901–1911

    Swiss guides lead the vast majority of first ascents over 3,000 metres throughout the Rockies and Selkirks, including many of the region’s most iconic peaks. Their influence helps establish the foundation for modern mountaineering culture in Canada.

  4. 1910–1912

    Construction begins on Swiss Edelweiss Village in Golden, BC. The six Swiss-style chalets are built by the CPR as permanent homes for the Swiss mountain guides and their families.

  5. 1912

    The chalets officially become home to the Feuz, Haesler, Aemmer, and Bohren families. The village quickly becomes one of the most important mountaineering communities in the Canadian Rockies.

  6. 1922–1923

    Swiss guides connected to Edelweiss Village help construct the iconic Abbot Pass Hut between Mount Lefroy and Mount Victoria near Lake Louise, now recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada.

  7. 1925

    Swiss guides have successfully led more than 250 first ascents throughout the Rockies and Selkirk Mountains without a single fatality, helping establish international respect for Canadian mountain guiding.

  8. 1954

    After 55 years, the “Golden Era” of the CPR Swiss mountain guides comes to an end. In honour of their achievements, 15 mountains are named after them. Numerous historical memorials are established throughout the Rocky Mountains to remind us of their contributions.

  9. 1959

    Walter Feuz, the last Swiss guide living in the village, purchases the six chalets and surrounding property from the CPR. The properties are modernized while maintaining much of their original character.

  10. 1978

    A lodge-style addition is constructed on the property for Walter Feuz’s daughter Jean and her husband Allan, continuing the family’s connection to the village.

  11. 1984–1987

    Walter Feuz passes away, followed several years later by his wife Johanna. Ownership remains within the family, and the descendants continue preserving the chalets and offering occasional public tours of the historic property.

  12. 2013

    Local community members form the Edelweiss Heritage Village Project with the goal of protecting the village as a recognized heritage site.

  13. 2021

    The village and surrounding 50 acres are listed for sale. With no formal heritage protection in place, concerns grow that the historic chalets could be demolished for redevelopment.

  14. 2022

    Swiss-Canadians Dr. Ilona Spaar and Dr. Johann Roduit establish the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation (SEVF), launching an international grassroots campaign to preserve the village. That same year: Edelweiss Village is named one of Canada’s Top 10 Endangered Places by the National Trust for Canada; international media attention brings global awareness to the village; digital preservation work begins in partnership with the University of Calgary, creating detailed 3D scans and models of the chalets; conversations begin with future ownership groups committed to preserving the site.

  15. 2023

    Montayne purchases Edelweiss Village, securing the future of the property and eliminating the risk of demolition. Soon after acquisition: restoration and renovation work begins across the property; FireSmart and land stewardship initiatives are implemented; long-term plans for preservation, hospitality, wellness offerings, and future expansion begin taking shape; the descendants of Walter Feuz donate the original Swiss Guides artifact and furniture collection to the SEVF; additional phases of digital preservation and documentation continue. For the first time in decades, the village enters a new chapter with both preservation and thoughtful evolution at the center of the vision.

Adirondack chairs overlooking the valley at Edelweiss

Honouring The Past While Building The Future

The history of Edelweiss Village is not treated as something frozen in time. The goal has never been to turn the property into a museum disconnected from modern travel and hospitality. Instead, the focus has been on preserving what makes the village historically important while allowing it to continue evolving naturally.

The original chalets have been carefully restored rather than replaced. Historical research, preservation efforts, and collaboration with the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation continue to shape decisions across the property.

At the same time, Edelweiss is actively investing in the future of the village through new guest experiences, expanded wellness offerings, additional accommodations, and long-term stewardship of the land itself.

The result is a property where history is not simply displayed. It is still being lived in.

Montayne & The Village Today

Under the ownership of Montayne, Edelweiss Village has entered a new chapter focused on thoughtful restoration, hospitality, and long-term preservation.

The vision for the property is rooted in respect for what already exists here. Rather than dramatically reshaping the village, the goal has been to carefully restore the chalets, improve the guest experience, and continue building a place that feels connected to both its history and its surroundings.

Today, guests can stay in restored Swiss chalets while experiencing a property that continues to evolve through wellness offerings, shared spaces, curated experiences, and future phases designed to strengthen the village without losing the character that makes it unique.

Edelweiss remains a historic place, but it is also a living one.

Chalet directional signposts at Edelweiss

Stay Here

Stay In A Piece Of Rockies History

The original Swiss Guide chalets continue to welcome guests more than a century after they were first built.

Explore the restored chalets and experience one of the most unique stays in the Canadian Rockies.

A standing invitation

Experience the village for yourself. Stay a while.

Availability is limited and the seasons move quickly. We'd love to host you.