HI Canmore Alpine Club

SECLUDED IN THE MOUNTAINS

Located outside the centre of Canmore town centre, HI Canmore Alpine Club is a superb lodge style hostel and it is an ideal base for those who want to explore Banff National Park and Canmore which is home to glaciers, lakes, mountains and wild animals. It is also a short drive to the local shops, bars, restaurants and attractions which are surrounded by beautiful countryside. Complete with a fully equipped kitchen, pool table, library and much more, this is a great place to stay!

Here nestled in the mountains, you will find yourself in an atmosphere completely derived from typical alpine, rustic and unique decor making it extremely comfortable, homely and stress free. The cabins are brilliant, offering cosy furnishings and amenities, designed with your comfort in mind.

If you find yourself in Canmore, Canada then I would highly recommend booking a few nights stay at HI Canmore Alpine Club.

Highlights

Super friendly and welcoming staff
Comfortable, cosy, clean cabins & rooms
A fantastic fully equipped kitchen
Chill out area with books and sofa chairs
Nicely secluded away from the hustle and bustle

Private Room (Boswell Cabin)

During our stay at HI Canmore Alpine Club we opted to stay in the Private Room which was perfect for our needs and provided a very comfortable night’s sleep. With fantastic mountain views, aesthetically pleasing decor, spacious and comfortable furniture we almost didn’t want to leave to explore the National Park.

Furnished with a large window overlooking the mountains, it was a brilliant way to wake up in the morning and seeing those views. It comes with a large double bed and 1 single bed that were honestly so comfortable we really did struggle to get up in the mornings. We had a shared ensuite bathroom, sofa, chairs, table, air-conditioning/heater, plenty of power points, coat hooks and mirror.

What you get

The lodge comes equipped with free toiletries, strong Wi-Fi, fluffy pillows, clean towels, soft linens, coffee making facilities, terrace with chairs, BBQ, fully equipped kitchen, and plenty of space for two-four people to relax in.

To view all their other rooms click here.

Activities

Relax in the living room

While the shops and bars aren’t too close to the hostel, there are plenty of spaces for you to relax in and hang out with friends or just grab a book and chill out. Equipped with a fireplace you will be sure to stay warm during the colder weather and with a nice cup of tea or coffee you won’t be able to get out of the comfy chairs.

Grassi Lakes

These lovely lakes at found in Canmore and are a short 30-45 minutes walk with either an easy or a hard route for you to take. The hard route does offer more views, but nothing special to be quite honest. The lakes themselves are beautiful though with crystal clear water, surrounded by mountains and lush green trees.

Lake Louise

One of the more famous lakes and destinations within Banff and Canada, Lake Louise is certainly highlight and a natural wonder. With breath taking crystal blue water, gorgeous mountains in the background and dense lush foliage this is certainly a great place to explore. With many trails, canoes and viewpoints you can create some awesome photos and memories here. Be sure to pop into the Fairmont for a cup of tea and look out over the lake views.

Have a soak in the Upper Hot Springs

The unique properties of these springs make them one of the best tourist attractions in Banff, and they’re a great spot to visit all year round. The Springs are pretty much laid out like a public swimming pool, in that they’re equipped with all of the latest modern amenities, such as railings, ladders, lockers, and even a café.

What sets them apart though is that the pools are fed by natural hot springs, and this is the main reason they’re so relaxing. Coupled with the fact that the surrounding scenery is stunning, these hot springs can easily relax both the body and the soul.

Head to Moraine Lake

I have to say that in all of my years of travelling, Lake Moraine is hands down one of the most natural beautiful places I have ever laid eyes on. The wonderful natural landscape and terrains means that no matter where you go you’ll be greeted by unforgettable beauty, and one of the most gorgeous destinations is Moraine Lake.

The hikes are relatively easy, and the best view being at the top of rock hill which takes about 10 minutes to climb and presents a stunning view of the lake and mountains. It is one of those places in which photos simply cannot do it justice and you simply have to see for yourself.

Ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain

In Banff, there is a very unique and scenic viewpoint to be found in this part of the Rockies, and that picturesque place is most accessible when looking at it from high atop the mountains. By taking the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain you will be able to witness these amazing views of the surroundings mountains, valleys, waterways and forests.

Its 7,500-foot tall peak includes interactive exhibits, a gift shop, places to eat, and even a 360-degree observational deck with views of Banff and the Bow River Valley below.

Cruise Lake Minnewanka

Cruise around Lake Minnewanka, Banff, Canada

This is one of the largest lakes in Banff at an astonishing 21km long and protected by the National Park it is in perfect tip top condition. While jumping on the cruise you will get to experience the surrounding mountains, calm waters and tranquillity which you really can’t find anywhere else.

Fun fact is that scuba divers regularly visit in the winter to dive down to an abandoned town which was submerged years ago and you can still visit the hotel and a few other foundations that are left over.

Emerald Lake

Another popular lake for tourists to visit but one that is well worth it is Emerald Lake. From the name and photo, you can probably already establish that the water is indeed a beautiful emerald turquoise blue, much like Moraine and Louise, surrounded by mountains and forests. The great part? You can rent a canoe here for a fraction of the price at $70 USD per hour as opposed to $120 at Moraine and $150 at Louise.

Peyto Lake

Other than Lake Moraine, Peyto Lake was also a huge highlight for me as the views were honestly just so incredible I couldn’t quite believe it. From the main tourist view point, which takes around a 15-minute walk it really does look like a superb oil painting. However, for the more adventurous, if climb a bit higher and go off the beaten track you will come across a much better vantage point.

Huge boulders stacked on the edge of the mountain, provide a more unique and quieter viewing platform of this stunning lake (see photo above).

Bow Lake

This was more of a quick visit for us, but one that was well worth it. Again, this was swarmed with tourists, as it is a really easy 5 minute walk to the lake from the car park, however it is well worth it. If you get right down onto the beach you can view the mountain opposite reflected in the calm waters of Bow Lake.

How to get there

Address: 201 Indian Flats Road, Canmore, Alberta, T1W 2T8
Tel: 1.403.678.3200
Email: [email protected]

Open: Year-round
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 11:00

Prices

The prices will vary depending on what time of year you stay – to check out the pricing click here.

We stayed in September 2019 and for our Private Room it would cost $100 CAD (£60) per night.

Extras

Wi-Fi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Tours are available to book at reception
Vending machines on-site
Luggage storage
24-hour reception
Free onsite parking

Summary

This cabin is a great place to stay due to its uniqueness, and the perfect place to stay while in Canmore. I am so glad that we chose to stay here for a nights – it’s the chillest place in the town with the most secluded views of the Three Sisters mountains.

The lodge was fantastic, we had a super comfortable night sleep and really enjoyed watching the surrounding mountains from our bed and large window. The location was my favourite feature as it was super secluded and private and you really felt close to nature here. The staff are also so friendly; they can honestly not do enough for you to make your stay that little bit more comfortable than what it already is.

You will want to spend longer

The town is very sleepy but there are plenty of things to do. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and countryside which are absolutely breath-taking and you will find yourself soaking them up the whole time you’re there. When you throw in the close proximity to the shops, bars, restaurants and all of the other attractions you are onto a winner!