When it comes to dining in the Bow Valley, sometimes the scenery is as delicious as the food. This is especially true when it comes to the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen atop Sulphur Mountain. As a casual and family friendly complement to Sky Bistro, Northern Lights offers lunch and dinner buffets that offer as much variety and flavour as there are things to do in the Rockies.
The fun starts with the gondola ride up the mountain, which reveals sweeping vistas of the Bow Valley, which are magical any time of year. Once you arrive at the top, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff and seated at a table with an incredible view. There isn’t a bad seat in the house as floor-to-ceiling windows flood the dining room with light and world-renowned scenery.
The buffet itself is staffed with a knowledgeable and friendly culinary team that will guide you through the vast array of options from salad to dessert and everything in between. We began at the brisket station, where a smiling chef sliced off a piece of tender, juicy slow-braised brisket we couldn’t wait to try. We topped up the protein with some delicious maple barbecue chicken drumsticks. At the salad bar, we had a hard time choosing which colourful and fresh salads to try. We went with some mixed greens topped with whole grains, crispy vegetables and the Saskatoon vinaigrette. We also could have chosen tomato bocconcini, dill cucumber, orange fennel and others.
Off to starches and veg, where we treated ourselves to a delicious Gruyere and bacon spaetzle, some roasted red baby potatoes and some seasonal veg. The kids will love the pizza station (we did too!) where you will find warm rolls, alpine flatbread and a delicious charcuterie flat bread.
Having enough on our plates, we enjoyed our salads and mains while taking in the sight of families enjoying a beautiful late-winter day on the mountain with the stunning Rockies forming the backdrop. Of course, we couldn’t pass up dessert with so many sweet options to choose from. We were tempted by lemon tarts, seduced by strawberry shortcake and coaxed by cookies. In the end, we settled on a chewy chocolate cookie and a flaky croissant. Because everyone deserves two desserts!
Fountain drinks are included in the buffet, or you can order beer, wine and cocktails to wet your whistle.
For a fun, affordable family meal at the top of a mountain, reserve your table for lunch or dinner at Open Table.
