about the land
152 acres of forest, meadow, and flowing water in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, held in trust as a gift from God.
Nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Anastara Acres is a place of natural beauty, peaceful stillness, and renewal. Across 152 acres of forest, meadow, and winding trails, the land invites us to slow down, explore, and rediscover the wonder of God's creation. A gentle river borders the property, Strubel Lake lies nearby, and to the west, vast stretches of Crown wilderness extend toward the mountains.
Above all, Anastara Acres is our home—a place where faith is lived out through shared life, where the land is cared for with gratitude, and where others are welcomed into fellowship. Since November 2024, we have had the privilege of stewarding this land, seeking to honour God's provision by caring for His creation and sharing its gifts with others. Our hope is that all who spend time here will find space to rest, reconnect, and experience the quiet ways God works through His creation and through life together.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
Psalm 24:1
Creation
Every corner of the land offers an invitation to slow down, step away from the distractions of daily life, and become more attentive to God's presence in His creation. The river provides peaceful places for prayer and reflection, while the nearby lake invites swimming, paddling, fishing, and refreshing cold plunges. Summer brings long days of warmth, sunlight, and abundance, while winter transforms the forest into a peaceful wonderland for skiing, snowshoeing, and gathering around the fire.
Bordered by vast stretches of Crown wilderness extending toward Banff National Park, Anastara Acres offers a profound sense of openness and connection to the natural world. The beauty and intricacy of creation reveal something of the wisdom, power, and majesty of its Creator, while reminding us of our responsibility to care for what He has made. Here, even the simplest gifts—the warmth of the sun, the crisp forest air, towering trees, flowing water, and the changing rhythms of the seasons—invite us into gratitude, wonder, and renewed awareness of God's presence.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.”
Romans 1:20
Our Story
Built in 1974 as the region’s first Nordic ski lodge, the lodge at Anastara Acres has welcomed people together for more than half a century. At the heart of The Den stands a fieldstone fireplace salvaged from the historic Varsity Hall in Sylvan Lake, following its final “Last Chance to Dance” in 1979. Once a gathering place for music and celebration, the fireplace continues that legacy today, bringing people together in warmth and fellowship through worship, music, storytelling, and the simple joy of sharing life together.
Life Together
Each space at Anastara Acres has a place in the life we share, creating opportunities for fellowship, rest, worship, creativity, and meaningful work together.
The heart of the Wolf Willow Lodge, where a cozy living room and library invite reading, conversation, and quiet evenings by the fire. A place to curl up with a good book, share a cup of tea, or simply rest in good company.
Our shared kitchen and dining space, where meals are lovingly prepared, food is shared, and residents and visitors gather around one table for nourishment, conversation, and fellowship.
A warm and welcoming gathering space for worship, music, teaching, creativity, and celebration. With its historic fieldstone fireplace, community-style lounging area, musical instruments, and art supplies, The Den is a place where community comes together.
A cozy space in the lodge for movie nights, comedy nights, and shared entertainment, with a projector screen and a library of hundreds of films. It also serves as a presentation room for workshops, teaching, and meetings.
A welcoming shared space for rest, refreshment, and relaxation, featuring hot showers, a wood-fired sauna, and a hot tub. A place to unwind, enjoy restorative warmth, and gather with others, especially after a refreshing plunge in the river or lake.
Sunny patios and an open-air gazebo offer peaceful places to pause outdoors, whether for morning coffee, a quiet moment of prayer, or conversation after a shared meal.
Several fire pits around the land bring people together for campfire jams, storytelling, and quiet evenings beneath the stars. Some of our most meaningful conversations happen around the warmth of the fire.
A shared space for collaboration, creativity, and learning, where we gather to study, write, record, and work together on developing online resources, educational content, and ministry projects.
A practical space for carpentry, woodworking, building, and repairs, offering opportunities to work with our hands, share skills, and learn together through meaningful projects that support the community.
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”
Acts 2:46–47
Recreation
Winding forest trails invite walking, biking, and cross-country skiing, with a nine-hole disc golf course woven through the trees and miles of Crown wilderness beyond. Kayaks, paddleboards, and a fishing boat offer opportunities to enjoy the nearby lake, while three outdoor fire pits bring people together for music, connection, and quiet evenings beneath the stars. An open-air gazebo behind the lodge provides a peaceful place to pause, reflect, and simply enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. Indoors, our theatre offers a cozy space for movies, comedy nights, and shared entertainment, while the lodge library invites you to curl up with a good book beside the warmth and glow of the fireplace.
Children will find their own places of adventure and discovery, from a wooden play structure and child-sized chapel to playhouses, games, a teepee, and whimsical animal figures tucked along the forest paths. Anastara Acres is also a paradise for fur babies, with open spaces to roam, forest trails to explore, and endless opportunities for adventure. We are a pet-friendly community, where four-legged companions are welcomed, cherished, and embraced as part of the family.
Here, rest and recreation are more than leisure. They are opportunities to slow down, rediscover the joy of simple pleasures, and deepen our connection with God, His creation, and one another.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Mark 10:14
Wellness
We believe true wellness is more than a service or treatment—it is nurtured through a way of life aligned with God's design. As we reduce the stress, noise, and demands that overwhelm our bodies and minds, we create space for rest, renewal, and restoration. The word health shares its roots with the Old English hæl, meaning whole, reflecting the interconnected nature of our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
At Anastara Acres, we embrace the simple rhythms that support wholeness: nourishing food, restorative rest, natural movement, time in creation, the warmth of the sauna and refreshment of cold water, prayer, meaningful relationships, and a life grounded in faith and community.
Anastara Acres is best experienced firsthand. Walk the forest trails, breathe in the fresh air, share a meal, and experience the warmth of community life. Join us for a free Community Day, or reach out to explore the possibility of a longer visit or partnership. We would love to welcome you.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8