Outdoor Activities    skiing feature page

Guests are welcome to use the trails for walking in spring, summer and autumn, and to explore while cross-country skiing on groomed track in the winter. (A fair selection of cross-country skis and boots are available if you are without.)

You can drive or hike to nearby Twin Lakes. It's only 3 km away, and affords a unique experience in a balsam fir microclimate. Twin Lakes, maintained by the County of Wetaskiwin, is a favorite spot for scuba divers. The campground maintains 60 campsites from May to September.

The Sauna    sauna feature page

The sauna is also available to guests. A group can fit in nicely with lots of heat to go around. Settle in for a good steam, relaxation and a visit.

It is built from squared timbers in log style and was the first building we erected when we settled here. After all, a wood-fired sauna was the simplest way to have evening fun and scrub a growing family who lived in a little log cabin without power!

The bathhouse, as we call it, is designed in the Finnish style with an outer change room and a barrel stove made by Barbara's Finn grandpa.

Resources & Books

You will find an assortment of books, CDs, videos, puzzles and games in the chalet. If you don’t find something to suit your liking there, the farmhouse has even more to choose from! A 1200-volume book collection, slanted to history, religion and prayer is available at the farmhouse. Guests may sign out books and resources from there.

The Farm    trails feature page

Hidden Springs is a 156-acre family sheep farm. Consider a stay at Hidden Springs during lambing season in March and April. The miracle of new-born life is a helpful antidote to end-of-winter cabin fever. Horses and cows also pasture here in summer.

Approximately 100 acres of our land is parkland forest. We consider this to be an important resource as well. Healthy stands of trees help retain local moisture and support diverse species of birds, waterfowl and wildlife.

Through this unique environment, we have developed a network of trails for two reasons. First, the bush is a woodlot from which we select mature timber and cut firewood. Second, the cleared trails become recreational access to the splendors of the boreal forest.

Retreat for Rest

'We should have great peace if we did not busy ourselves with what others say and do.'
      - Thomas a Kempis

Hidden Springs is more than a place to stay in this area of Central Alberta. Those who would like to come to Hidden Springs for retreat purposes are encouraged to consider what personal questions they are struggling with.

Some will come with a clear idea of what inner work needs to be addressed. Others may find one of our retreat outlines helpful. Intentional times of solitude or reflection often include such activities as prayer, Bible reading, silence, writing, personal worship, walks, recreation and reading from the devotional masters and other literature. These activities stem from the scriptural promises that Christians have held to over the ages: the belief that God is neither aloof nor silent. He may be heard. It is not unlike what we find over at the barn; 'The sheep follow the shepherd because they know His voice'. (John 10:4) In fact, practical lessons for living pour out of the careful observation of creation and the endless interplay of her many elements.

The Chalet

To distinguish it from the farmhouse, the chalet building has been called the guest house after its larger Swiss cousin. Most of the lumber for the chalet was cut and milled right here from our woodlot.

Room Amenities include bathrobes, CD player, ceiling fan, crib available, DVD or VCR, extra bed available, fireplace (wood-burning), full bed, iron/ironing board available, microwave, movie library, private bath, private deck, private entrance, queen bed, refrigerator, shower, television, Wi-Fi access.