New Theme Resort in Southern Alberta, Canada
A Fairy Tale Adventure Accommodations
Glamping in the Canadian Rockies – It's brand-new and unlike anything you've seen before in Southern Alberta. Charmed Resorts officially opened in the Crowsnest Pass in 2021, it is the new passion project of luxury playhouse king Tyson Leavitt and social media queen Audy Leavitt. The storybook-themed glamping resort is a one-of-a-kind accommodation experience for an active getaway in the Pass.
Glamping in the Canadian Rockies - Charmed Resorts
If you go out into the woods today, you're in for a big surprise. Rapunzel has let down her hair and the mountain elves have gone out to play! As a result, their quaint cottages are ready and waiting for your visit. Pull up a mushroom and sit down by the caldron fire and I'll tell you all about it.
From Playhouses to Fairytale Accommodations
Six years ago, landscaper Tyson Leavitt began building playhouses. But these were not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill playhouses. These were fantastical creations that raised the fun-meter to a whole new level.
As a result of the national and international attention they received, clients began pouring in from around the world. In addition, the company began receiving orders from celebrity clients such as NBA MVP Stephen Curry. Charmed Playhouses had hit the big times. As a matter of fact, the Leavitts became somewhat of celebrities themselves with their own reality TV show called Playhouse Masters. It was featured on TLC for a season and is still airing internationally.
They can't pinpoint exactly when the idea hit them, but Tyson and Audy wanted to make the magic of their high-end playhouses accessible to everyone. They dreamed big and created a cottage resort in the height of the pandemic.
Who starts a new business during a pandemic? Apparently, dreamers with vision do. And the best part is that because Canadians are not yet travelling to the full extent of what they have in the past, Charmed Resorts has become a unique local destination and tourist attraction. The accommodations are booked almost solid into October. Audy says that guests have already started booking for Christmas and are looking into Summer 2022 to come glamping in the Canadian Rockies.
Visiting the Storybook Enclave
Brad and I were lucky enough to tour the resort and spend almost an hour chatting with Audy and Tyson this past weekend. Guests were loading up cars as we approached. Tyson took time out to talk to everyone walking by, thanking them for their stay. We stood outside in the shade of aspens and one towering, rope-swing perfection of a Douglas Fir tree learning about each of the current four cottages and the journey it took to get here.
The project began with a trial near Waterton Lakes National Park in 2020. They had one building – Midsummer Cottage. Feedback was really positive, but guests wanted to be a little closer to services such as restaurants and stores. Enter Stephan Amonson – a builder and business owner with property available for a long-term lease in the Crowsnest Pass near Blairmore, Alberta.
How It Started
Work began in earnest in October of 2020 and was up and running by spring of 2021. Three cottages were initially available in the Crowsnest location - Midsummer, Rapunzel's and Elvyn – with a fourth named Lia came online in late July. It took about a month and a half just to build Lia alone.
The cottages themselves are like something out a fairytale theme park. They are upsized playhouses big enough for my 6'2" guy to enter comfortably. Each cottage features an electric fireplace – some tucked in massive tree sculptures. There is wainscoting and chandeliers and rustic, quaint furniture – including a tiny fridge, small counter and unobtrusive microwave – and a washroom. Lastly, outside, each unit has a wood-fired hot tub, Blackstone BBQ and grill, picnic table and metal firepit with handmade mushroom stools. Glamping in the Canadian Rockies never looked so good.
As Busy as… the Leavitts!
Both Tyson and Audy are quick to acknowledge their incredible team – from artist Ryan Novelline to interior designer Kyla Hornberger to the team of over a dozen builders in their Lethbridge workshop.
But this busy couple – also parents to three children – are working hard themselves to make sure this venture is successful while still continuing with other projects. They were filming a few more TikTok videos for the resort social media pages after meeting with us. Audy is a social media queen. Really, you have to watch these if you get a chance. So much whimsical and creative fun! Charmed Playhouses Instagram account has 124,000 followers. The Charmed Family TikTok ccount has close to 755,000 followers.
What Does the Future Hold for Charmed Resorts?
Big things are coming this way!
The incredible duo – and their team – are planning to add three more cottages in the Storybook theme area by Spring 2022. What is really cool about next year's additions is an accessible cottage. Guests booking into this cottage will be able to drive right up to the door. Everything from the entranceway to the shower will be accessible.
They are also looking at expanding upslope to a Peter Pan style theme area of cottages possibly sometime next year. Stay tuned for more details because that one is still in the idea stage and subject to change. Audy and Tyson would like to eventually grow Charmed Resorts beyond their Canadian Rockies location to make the experience available for young families and the young-at-heart everywhere.
Glamping in the Canadian Rockies, it's all simply charming.