Details for Organizing the HikeAccommodation in CalgaryCalgary, Alberta (population about 1 million) is the home town of i-NEEDtoKnow.com & a wonderful jumping off point for outdoor mountain sport. Check a general travel guidebook for up-to-date accommodation recommendation & prices. E-mail or call a few days ahead to reserve a bed, especially during the summer. If you are on a budget, the main hostel is HI Calgary City Centre <website> but it is small & situated in a questionable part of town. In fact, we formerly recommended you avoid this hostel — but it has been renovated. Might be worth taking a chance. Dorm beds start at C$24. Discounts if you stay 3 or more nights. If short on time, skip Calgary. Head directly to the mountains. Accommodation in WatertonWaterton townsite, in the middle of the Park is quaintly undeveloped, deer wandering the streets. We prefer it to infested Banff, where herds of tourists wander the streets. Buy a giant icecream cone & walk the windy lakeshore up to the Prince of Wales hotel. Unfortunately, accommodation in Waterton is often booked-out during the summer, especially the few low cost options: HI Waterton Alpine Centre, dorm beds cost C$35 plus tax. Not recommended. This very average facility wins our most overpriced hostel in Canada award. We are still looking for the lounge area with TV advertised on their brochure. Waterton Townsite campground is your cheapest option (403) 859-5133, Parks Canada operated. Open May - October. Sprawling with 238 car camping sites. Very old fashioned. Washrooms, showers, sewage disposal, camp kitchen. No reservations. We have stayed here in a pinch, but get to any other campsite if you can. Our favourite campground close to Waterton (you need a vehicle) is Crandell Mountain (403) 859-5133, Parks Canada operated. Open mid-May to Labour Day. 129 sites, unserviced, washrooms, sewage disposal, camp kitchen. No showers. No reservations. A walk-in wilderness section called Crandell Lake offers the best sites. Other options?
Accommodation in Many GlacierMost hikers, like us, tent in the free Backcountry Permit shared camp, part of the huge Many Glacier campground. But we were tempted by the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn across the street. It is reasonably inexpensive, 1-bedroom cabin less than $US50 / night. To splurge, book into the Many Glacier Hotel — rooms priced well over $US100 / night.
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