BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 148

permitted to use those at the nearby Lake Louise Alpine Centre. Rates are $24 per night
for members of Hostelling International (nonmembers $28). Check-in is 5pm-10pm, and
it's open June-March.
HI-Rampart Creek, a further 64 kilometers (40 miles) along the parkway, is nestled
below the snowcapped peak of Mount Wilson, with views across the North Saskatchewan
River to even higher peaks along the Continental Divide. Like Mosquito Creek, it's near
good hiking and has a kitchen and sauna. Its four cabins have a total of 24 bunk beds.
Members pay $24 per night (nonmembers $28). It's open nightly May-March. Check-in is
5pm-10pm.
$50-150
The Crossing Resort (403/761-7000, www.thecrossingresort.com , April-Nov., $149-219
s or d) is a large complex 87 kilometers (54 miles) north of Lake Louise and 45 kilometers
(28 miles) south of the Columbia Icefield. It's also at the junction of Highway 11, which
spurs east along Abraham Lake to Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer. The rooms offer
a good combination of size and value but lack the historic charm of those at Num-ti-jah
Lodge to the south and the views enjoyed by those at the Columbia Icefield Centre to the
north. Each of 66 units has a phone and television. All rates are heavily discounted outside
of June-September. In addition to overnight rooms, The Crossing has the only gas between
Lake Louise and Jasper, a self-serve cafeteria, a restaurant, a pub, and a supersized gift
shop.
Over $150
Pioneer guide and outfitter Jimmy Simpson built M Simpson's Num-ti-jah Lodge (403/
522-2167, www.sntj.ca , from $320 s or d), on the north shore of Bow Lake, 40 kilometers
(25 miles) north of Lake Louise, as a base for his outfitting operation in 1920. In those
days, the route north from Lake Louise was nothing more than a horse trail. The desire
to build a large structure when only short timbers were available led to the unusual octa-
gonal shape of the main lodge. Simpson remained at Bow Lake, a living legend, until his
death in 1972 at the age of 95. With a rustic mountain ambience that has changed little
since Simpson's passing, Num-ti-jah provides a memorable overnight stay. Just don't ex-
pect the conveniences of a regular motel. Under the distinctively red, steep-pitched roof of
the main lodge are 25 rooms, some that share bathrooms, and there's not a TV or phone
in sight. Downstairs, guests soak up the warmth of a roaring log fire while mingling in a
comfortable library filled with historic mountain literature. A dining room lined with his-
toric memorabilia is open for breakfast and dinner daily ($18-35).