The comfortable and well-equipped hostel with its native decor and mountain vibe must be a real contender for the title of World’s Best Hostel, though a few years ago you wouldn’t have come here for a good night’s sleep. But now this former strip joint has been renovated to an extraordinarily high standard, and its dorms and private rooms are...

Field must still have much the same rag-tag clapboard mountain town feel as it did in 1884, when it was founded. This sense of authenticity probably makes it the region’s most attractive settlement, while the incredible sheer mountain faces that loom over town and the views down the Kicking Horse Valley don’t hurt either. That said, there’s really not much...

The biggest of three HI hostels near Jasper, and located 7km south of town via the Icefields Parkway (Hwy-93) and en route to the Jasper Tramway – whose shuttle, from 611 Patricia Street, you can use to get to the hostel (May–Oct; $8 return). Taxis cost around $20. Check-in operates from noon to midnight when HI members are charged $25–30...

Cheerful hostel the edge of Kootenay National Park, run by keen travelers and with fairly bare-bones dorms and private rooms (some en-suite) that sleep up to six. Facilities include a guest kitchen, small common room, huge deck with great valley views, bicycle storage and rental and free wifi. A continental breakfast is offered for $8.

Cheerful hostel with a slightly ragged bohemian feel and a range of clean dorm and private rooms (some en suite). Facilities include a huge and well-equipped kitchen and common room, laundry and a bar with cheap drink and basic pub food specials.