Hostelling International Canada’s wilderness hostels offer the ultimate Rocky Mountain travel experience.

Words:: Erin Moroz

Looking for a base camp for your next great adventure? Be it a hard-core backcountry objective or a first-time wilderness experience, Hosteling International (HI) Canada has got you covered.

HI Canada’s ten wilderness hostels are scattered throughout the Rocky Mountain Parks which means visitors can experience the world-famous splendor of Kananaskis, Banff and Jasper from an easily accessible overnight base. Drive up to the front door with your groceries and gear and wake in the heart of nature away from modern distractions with only the necessities of life to tend to: food, conversation, maybe a hike, paddle or climb. At the end of the day, return to a fully equipped kitchen for a meal and retell the day’s adventures around a crackling fire circled by interesting and lively hostel guests.

There’s something so darn Canadian about being at a wilderness hostel: the open-hearted friendliness and the coveted morning cup of coffee, the wood-paneled walls and the morning chill, marshmallows and a campfire and stars overhead—hostelling is like being in on a secret.

Regular hostellers know the built-in social aspect of hostelling is not available at any other type of lodging. Sharing space and experiences with the other like-minded adventurers is perhaps the single biggest perk of hostel travel. Where else can you join an impromptu dinner with a random and scintillating mix of travellers from across the globe? Even if you don’t have to stray far from your own backyard to reach one of the HI Canada wilderness hostels, you’re guaranteed a genuine traveling experience—life out of a backpack with nature as your companion.

And, HI Canada’s three degrees of eco-friendly, wilderness experiences means there’s something for every traveler: wilderness light, classic wilderness and wildest wilderness—all insanely affordable and all guaranteed to immerse visitors in the natural world—just depends if you’d like running water and a shower or prefer rustic tranquility. All hostels feature fully equipped kitchens, heat and lights—whether by traditional means or alternative energy sources such as solar—and an on-sight caretaker. Check out which accommodation best suits your fancy here.

If you’re already busy making plans for an all-Canadian adventure this summer, why not take in the grandeur of the Rockies by biking the outrageously beautiful Icefields Parkway? If you arrive in the area sans bicycle, not to worry, HI Canada has partnered with local bike shops to secure rentals (including future plans for e-bikes and charging stations) to facilitate the once-in-a-lifetime bike trip of your dreams. HI Canada’s new Bed & Bike initiative can have you pedaling from HI Canada Mosquito Creek to the foot of stunning Mount Edith Cavell. What’s more, hostel and bike shop staff can help with route planning, ensuring every journey matches the cyclists’ skill level and local knowledge. Check out details on HI Bed & Bike here.

Or, perhaps you’ve always dreamed of your own private cabin in the woods. In that case, HI Canada’s Rent-a-Hostel Program is calling. Anyone can book an entire hostel for their groups private use. So gather six to forty friends, family, a school group or co-workers for an intimate get-away: a rustic wedding, a team-building event or a family reunion set in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.