Building a Destination & Igniting Local Tourism

Adventure Awaits near Manning

Sunny Valley Adventure Lodge | County of Northern Lights, AB

Many paths lead to starting a business from the ground up, and Ethan Hunter’s, 34, is especially unique. Fixing small engines at 14, he would eventually become a heavy duty mechanic. In 2020, he went out on his own and invested in a log processor. Now, he’s shifting gears again—hanging up his logging hardhat in favour of adventure lodging.

“Growing up, I never considered myself really business oriented. I was more interested in how equipment works,” said Hunter. “With my time now more at the lodge, I’ve been really surprised at how much I enjoy meeting customers and getting to know them.”

Nestled in the Peace River valley, a half hour drive southeast of Manning, sits a work of majestic beauty, Sunny Valley Adventure Lodge. With 4,600 square feet of custom-built log cabin space, built by local company Mossy Ridge Lodgeworks, it’s a full package destination.  

“My family has been in the Manning area for many generations, and I grew up really loving the outdoors,” said Hunter. “I inherited the lodge back in 2018 from a friend who shared that love for adventure, so it made sense to me to share his passion and this space with others.”

The lodge can comfortably sleep15 people on three floors and boasts a hot tub, a pool table and luxurious master bedroom.

For groups that need more room, there are nine fully serviced RV sites available included in the lodge’s booking cost of $800 per night, making it the perfect setting for a wedding or family reunion. 

“We are all avid hunters, and the area around the lodge has incredible hunting, which is what really sparked the idea to turn it into a business, but it has really grown beyond that,” said Hunter.

In 2023, they announced they were open for business.

From Day 1, operating the lodge has been a family affair. Hunter’s parents Dan and Kari are co-owners, and his wife Amy is active with the admin and bookkeeping.

This year, Hunter made the decision to step back from his logging business and devote more time to the lodge.  

“It feels great to have more time with my family,” said Hunter. “My kids are small, and I love that this shift has given me the opportunity to spend more time with them.”

With family friend Sydnee Schmidt working to keep the property shiny and clean, the whole team at Sunny Valley pools together to create a beautiful experience for their guests.

“My parents have been really active in building this business since the beginning,” said Hunter. “My mom tends to be the idea person when it comes to improvements and expansions.”

With plans in the works to offer kayaks, paddleboards and e-bikes as well as boat tours and side-by-side tours, there are exciting things on the horizon.

“Sunny Valley Adventure Lodge has something for everyone. Whether you’re an avid outdoors person, a nature enthusiast, someone who enjoys hiking, a person looking to escape the city, or you simply want to come kick back and relax, it’s just an amazing place to be,” said Hunter. 

Recently, the lodge hosted the Junior Forest Wardens for a first aid course last year. 

“We have three weddings already booked for this year, and our fall hunting season is booking up fast,” said Hunter. “Things are definitely getting busier now that the word is getting out. The community has been amazing, supporting us in so many ways.”

Alberta has the fastest growing tourism sector in all of Canada, and although Northern Alberta has been slow to the gate, tourism in the Peace Region is picking up steam.

To learn more visit sunnyvalleyadventurelodge.ca or connect via social media.

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Words by Kelly Pippin | Photography submitted