This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Canmore.
Canmore hostels provide comfortable and high quality places to stay in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. If you are using public transportation, it is probably better to stay close to the town center. If you have your own vehicle or don't mind a bit of a hike between the town and the outskirts, you can stay in a more idyllic forest setting. Whatever decision you make, rest assured that the hostels in Canmore are excellent, welcoming, and very helpful to guests.
The hostels in Canmore are just at the edge of Banff National Park. They can act as a jumping off point for traveling through the mountain parks. Banff itself is within easy reach and makes a great day trip. You can make the longer trips up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper or travel over the Kicking Horse Pass into British Columbia on the Trans-Canada Highway quite easily in one day if you do not stop very often.
You can also use Canmore hostels as a base for a more geographically limited trip. Canmore is a relaxed town. Compared to neighboring Banff, it is less lively. Some people will love this and others will not. The center of town is quite compact and filled with interesting restaurants, pubs, and shops. There is a library with public internet access and a community notice board. Supermarkets and an occasional Farmers' Market are good places to stock up for active days and the hostel kitchens. If you are on a working holiday visa, Canmore might be a good spot to look for employment. There are numerous trails through and around the town. These provide ever changing views up to Canmore's extremely picturesque mountains. For more challenging routes, head up into those mountains. You could easily spend a long time in Canmore if you love the outdoors, so keep that in mind when booking your Canmore hostel.
Written by local enthusiast for Canmore hostels
Jonathan A