Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in staying at Northern Skies Resort.
Below you’ll find some answers to our most frequently asked questions that we receive from potential and confirmed guests. Please note these answers are specific to our Resort Cabins and The Nest tent. Click here for more information about our Backcountry Cabin.

  • Our resort amenities include:

    • Onsite Mini Makers Market

    • Wood burning sauna

    • High speed wifi

    • Canoes, kayaks, paddle boards

    • Sand beach and raft for swimming

    • Private dock at each cabin

    • Deck with BBQ and complimentary propane

    • PFDs

    • Shared common firepit

    • Private firepits to rent

    • Boats and motors to rent

    • Local hikes

    • Free use of fishing equipment

  • Dogs are welcome in all accommodations except for The Nest.

    We charge a $25 pet fee per dog for stays of 2-4 days and $50 per dog for stays of 5 days and more.

    Please let us know if you’re bringing a dog on our Guest Reservation Form that will be sent to you via email a week before your checkin date. 

    Dogs are not allowed on the furniture and must be kept on  leash on resort property and cleaned up after.

    There is a large field and beaver pond across the road from the resort where pups love to romp and play.

  • The property map below shows how the resort is laid out.

    We have eight cabins and The Nest tent on the resort property. 

    Each cabin has a good deal of space between it and the next cabin, and most are surrounded by trees to provide further privacy.

    The Nest tent is in a private location in a forested area away from the rest of the cabins.

    Each cabin has its own dock.  The campfire pit, sauna and main beach area are shared by all guests including The Nest.

    Three cabins (Hemlock, Cedar and Spruce) are rented through the winter months.

    Our resort is one of two on a large remote lake, with some private cottages and four year round homes.

    There is no other public access to the lake. It is quiet lake mostly surrounded by forested crown (public) land. It connects to  another large lake which is also sparsely inhabited.

  • All cabins have lake views and lake access, and all but one (Birch Cabin) are directly on the water. Our Nest Tent is in its own private forested area of the resort and is within easy walking distance of the lake.

  • The closest town with a grocery store is Thessalon, approximately a half hour drive from the resort.  Tunnel Lake Trading Post is a 15 minute drive and has gas, bait, ice cream, alcohol, souvenirs, and basic supplies.

  • Your main point of contact during your stay will be our onsite Guest Services and Operations Assistant who can be reached at 705.306.4878.

    Owners Robin and Fred and their family will also be your hosts but may not be onsite at all times. 

    Robin can be reached by cell phone at 705.206.4066 and Fred can be reached at 705.206.1122.

  • The Gathering Place building is a year round space for groups to gather and have  group meals, conversations, presentations, etc.

    It has a propane fireplace, A/V  equipment for movies and presentations, tea and coffee makers, tables, chairs,  dishes and servingware for up to 50 people.

    It can be rented for $150 for a half  day or $300 for a full day. 

  • Yes. We have a portable mini crib, playard, bouncy seat, change pad,  exersaucer, potty, stroller and high chair that can be borrowed for free.

    You can reserve these items using our Guest Reservation Form that will be email to you a week before your check-in date..

  • Please note as an ecotourism based business we we encourage conservation  fishing and catch and release.

    The main species for fishing are lake trout and small mouth bass.  Nearby lakes include Jobamageeshig (accessible from Chub Lake) and Wakomata Lake, which also have lake trout and bass. 

    If you have your own boat and trailer, there are many other lakes accessible nearby that have other species, including speckled trout and walleye. 

    If you do keep fish please use our fish cleaning hut to clean them.

  • We have a small selection of fishing rods and tackle that can be used for free.

    We have lake maps and bathometric maps available. 

    You can purchase a fishing license and live bait (minnows or worms) at the Tunnel Lake Trading Post.

  • Yes. We have four 16’ aluminum boats with 9.5hp motors that can be rented for $100 a day or $500 a week.  They can be reserved using our Guest Reservation form or upon arrival. If you don’t have a boater’s license we will need to go through a Safety Checklist process with you before you are able to operate the boat.  All boaters will need to sign our waiver form. We provide lifejackets.

  • Yes.  The water is drawn from the lake and filtered to a high standard and tested regularly as per Algoma Public Health regulations.  It is drinkable - and delicious!  PLEASE DO NOT BRING BOTTLED WATER as it is not necessary and plastic bottles are harmful to the environment!

  • No.  We provide relaxing family vacations in a peaceful natural setting.  We ask everyone to be respectful of others and refrain from holding large, loud parties or taking part in any behaviour that disrupts other guest’s peace and quiet – including playing music that can be heard outside of your cabin.  Anyone disrespecting this request will be asked to leave with no refund.

  • No.  Please do not smoke anywhere in the cabin including screened in porches.  You can smoke outside the cabin.

  • Our address is 8404 Highway 129. You can find detailed directions here. Please note once you turn onto Highway 129 or 546 you may lose cell  reception if you are using your cell phone to navigate. 

  • Yes each cabin has high speed unlimited wifi, as well as the Gathering Place. The network and password can be found on a magnet on the fridge in each cabin. The Nest tent does not have Wifi but you can connect at the nearby Mini Makers Market.

  • Yes, there is very strong 5G cell phone reception at the resort. We are the last stop for cell phone service on highway 129 before Chapleau, nearly 3 hours north.

  • From July 1 to September 3 check in time is 3pm and check out time is 9am. 

    Outside of these months check in time is 2pm and check out time is 10am unless  otherwise noted.

    We ask that guests adhere to these timelines in order to allow  our cleaning staff time to thoroughly clean between guests. 

  • When you pull into Northern Skies Resort you will see a green house / office.

    Pull  in front of the house and we will come out to greet you and show you to your  cabin.

    If we are not there we can be reached by text or phone at 705.306.4878.

  • Each cabin is equipped with: 

    • High speed Wifi

    • Full kitchen with fridge, stove, oven, microwave

    • Bathroom with shower, sink, toilet, hot water

    • Barbecue with complimentary propane 

    • Deck 

    • Adirondack chairs

    • Access to shared wood burning sauna 

    • Access to free canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and life jackets

    • All cookware and dishes necessary to prepare and eat meals

    • Drip coffee maker 

    • Toaster

    • Toilet paper 

    • Dish cloths and dish towels 

    • Dish soap 

    • Bath mat 

    • Garbage bags 

    • Bedding (pillows, linens, duvet and duvet cover)

    • Hand soap (but not shampoo or conditioner) 

    • Hand towels and bath towels (but not beach towels for use at the beach and in sauna)

  • The Nest includes:

    • Outdoor kitchen with mini fridge, two burner propane cooktop, sink

    • All pans, pots, dishes, cutlery to serve and prepare food

    • Kettle and bodum or stovetop percolator for making coffee

    • Does not include oven, microwave, toaster or drip coffee maker

    • Outdoor shower with eco-friendly shampoo, conditioner, body wash (please use our supplies)

    • Dish soap and hand soap

    • Bath towels and robes (please bring your own beach towels for use in the sauna and at the beach)

    • Queen bed with all linens, duvet, pillows

    • Vintage vertical log outhouse

    • Solar outdoor lighting, one electric light in kitchen, battery-operated lights in the tent

    • Please note there are no outlets, fans or heating in the tent, and our power supply is limited. You will be able to charge your devices in the kitchen.

  • We recommend you bring: 

    • Food and drinks (including condiments, cooking oil, salt and pepper, coffee,  tea) 

    • Toiletries (we provide hand soap only)

    • Paper towel 

    • Coffee filters 

    • Zip lock bags, tin foil, plastic wrap, etc. 

    • Games 

    • Bathing suit

    • Beach towel for sauna and swimming

    • Beach and lake toys

    • Flashlight – there are no street lights here and the nights are dark!

    • Outdoor gear and equipment (hiking boots, fishing rods, bikes, etc.) related to your interests

    • Clothes for rain, bugs and cool summer nights

  • No. Our cabins are housekeeping cottages, meaning that during your stay the  cabin is your home and we will not be cleaning it or changing the bedding. We  thoroughly clean and disinfect cabins between guests. We will collect garbage  and recycling periodically during your stay as necessary. 

  • The occupancy of a one bedroom cabin is 2 adults, a two bedroom cabin is 4  adults and a three bedroom cabin is 6 adults. Visitors that remain within this  occupancy limit are allowed. Please let us know in advance if you will have visitors so we know who is on the property. 

  • The Nest includes a private campfire pit.

    A shared campfire pit with large seating area and picnic table is available for use by all guests on the main beach. 

    We also have three portable firepits (Solo Stoves) that can be rented for $40 a day or $200 for the week including firewood.

    They are available on a first come first serve basis so availability is not guaranteed.

    You can reserve a private campfire pit using our Guest Registration Form which will be emailed to you a week prior to your checkin date.

  • Yes.  There are many beautiful hiking trails, lookouts, waterfalls and scenic drives in the area that we can point you to. 

    Each cabin has a Guest Guidebook that provides details about where the hikes are located, and a description of the hike.

  • Yes.  ATVs and side by sides are welcome as long as noise is kept to a minimum while on resort property. 

    There are many trails accessible right from the resort property.  We recommend downloading a backcountry / topo map that can be used on your phone.

    We do have space to park trailers on the property.

  • We work with a local spa provider to offer on-site spa services including massage, pedicures and manicures.

    A local photographer works with us to provide onsite photoshoots to capture your special memories.

    We can also connect guests with local guides for fishing (lake trout, speckled trout, bass, pickerel, pike), canoeing or kayaking, hiking, yoga and arts based activities.

    You can request these add-ons using your Guest Registration Form which will be emailed to you a week before your checkin date.

  • The sauna is for the use of all guests and can be used any time. 

    It is a wood burning sauna, with the wood box located on the back side of the building.

    We recommend lighting the fire about 45 minutes before you’d like to use it.  If you need help lighting the fire please ask a member of our staff for help. 

    The buckets provided can be filled with water from the lake and used to create steam by pouring water on the hot rocks on the sauna stove.

    Please do not use our resort towels for the sauna – instead, bring your own beach towels.

Still have questions?

Get in touch!

Resort Site Map

Winter FAQs

Do you provide toboggans and snowshoes?

Yes we have a number of toboggans and two pairs of adult snowshoes that are  available for our guests for free on a first come first serve basis. They can be found in the green boat house by the main beach. Please be sure to return them  to the boat house after using them so all guests have access to them.

Do you have snowshoeing and cross country ski trails?

We do not have any groomed trails but there are many beautiful trails and places  to explore around the resort property, on the lake and in the field across the road  which also belongs to the resort. You can also visit the Thessalon Ski Trails which  are just a short drive away. Please check with us about ice conditions if you plan  to go on the lake. There are many beautiful hiking trails in the area that might be  accessible depending on the time of your visit and snow conditions. Information  and directions to these can be found in the Guest Manual in your cabin. 

Can we bring our snowmobiles?

Yes, we welcome snowmobiles. There is a lot to explore on Chub Lake and other  lakes nearby including Jobamageeshig and Wakomata are easily accessible – we  can help you decide where to go if you like. Please check with us prior to arrival  about the ice conditions to ensure your safety. Any areas that are marked by  reflectors or surrounded by fences are off limits for snowmobiles as that is where  our septic systems and water lines are buried. Please keep to the plowed areas of  the resort.