CANMORE - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 177

As you raise your eyebrows over hotel pricing in Canmore, consider two things: (1)
Many hotels discount rooms year-round, so use the listed websites to find current deals
and packages; and (2) room rates in Canmore are a bargain compared to Banff, just down
the road.
Outside the busiest summer period (mid-June-mid-Sept.), room rates are slashed con-
siderably (especially at the more-expensive accommodations); with a little bit of searching,
expect to find rates that include two lift tickets (at either the Banff or Kananaskis alpine
resorts) for the same price as the room-only rate during summer.
IN AND AROUND THE TOWN OF CANMORE
Under $50
HI-Canmore (403/678-3200, www.hihostels.ca ) is an excellent hostel-style accommoda-
tion at the base of Grotto Mountain. Affiliated with Hostelling International, the lodge is
part of headquarters for the Alpine Club of Canada, the country's national mountaineering
organization. In addition to sleeping up to 46 people in seven rooms, it has a kitchen, an
excellent library, a laundry room, a bar, a sauna, and a lounge area with a fireplace. Rates
are $30 per night for members of Hostelling International or the Alpine Club (nonmembers
$36). Private rooms are $60 s or d for members (nonmembers $82). Alpine Club member-
ship is inexpensive and includes a discount at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre. To get here
from downtown, follow Bow Valley Trail southeast; it's signposted to the left, 500 meters
(0.3 mile) after passing under the TransCanada Highway.
Along the main motel strip, The Hostel Bear (1002 Bow Valley Trail, 403/678-1000
or 888/678-1008, www.thehostelbear.com , dorms $32.50, from $90-110 s or d) is a newer
building that originally opened as a motel but has been converted to a beautiful facility
for budget travelers. It features eye-catching timber and river-stone styling outside and an
impressive lobby. Amenities include a large living area with an LCD TV and fireplace, a
large modern kitchen, a laundry, wireless Internet, and comfortable beds for 170 guests,
with configurations ranging from dorms with privacy curtains to private en suite rooms.
$100-150
With a little over $100 budgeted for a room, it's hard to go past M Riverview and Main
(918 8th St., 403/678-9777, www.riverviewandmain.ca , $125 s, $145 d), centrally located
half a block beyond the end of the downtown core. The rooms are decently sized and
brightly decorated, and each has access to a deck. The guest lounge centers on a river-
stone, wood-burning fireplace. Rates include a selection of hot and cold breakfast items.