Travel tips for trip to Banff/Lake Louise/Canmore ???

Am planning a nordic ski trip in December in the Banff/Lake Louise/
Canmore area and have a few questions as I'm on a slim travel budget
and need some pointers on places to stay and getting around.

So basically i'm looking for suggestions on cheap accommodations in
these areas (such as b&b's or hostels etc) and would like to know if
there are shuttle buses (or the like) to get around to the various
trails and if there is an airport shuttle from Calgary to any of these
areas. Also interested in hearing about any good ski trails in the
areas that you can recommend. Its the first time out skiing in this
area for me so any info/advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks,
C

wrote:
Am planning a nordic ski trip in December in the Banff/Lake Louise/
Canmore area and have a few questions as I'm on a slim travel budget
and need some pointers on places to stay and getting around.

So basically i'm looking for suggestions on cheap accommodations in
these areas (such as b&b's or hostels etc) and would like to know if
there are shuttle buses (or the like) to get around to the various
trails and if there is an airport shuttle from Calgary to any of these
areas. Also interested in hearing about any good ski trails in the
areas that you can recommend. Its the first time out skiing in this
area for me so any info/advice would be appreciated.

We stayed at the Banff hostel in 2007. We did mainly nordic skiing,
though my daughter did one day of snowboarding at Lake Louise. The Lake
Louise hostel was full. There were four of us, so we rented one of the
little cabins at the hostel, and didn't stay in the dorm part of it.The
Banff hostel is a rather long walk from the town, and many people
without cars used taxis, but many walked as well. It was very nice to
stay at the hostel, and to be able to use the kitchen. It's not just
avoiding the expense of restaurants, it's a huge time savings as well.
Bring a padlock for the lockers in the kitchen.

I can't imagine doing this trip without a rental car, though you might
hook up with other skiers at the hostel (though I didn't see any other
nordic skiers). There are no buses or shuttles for XC places, you would
use taxis.

We went over to Yoho National Park one day, up to Lake Louise one day,
and around Banff. The car will be the major cost you have. I.e. a five
day rental of a compact car from Alamo, via the Costco web site (you
don't have to be a member) will be a bit less than $300 inclusive. You
might find better deals from other agencies. Just think about it in
context, as the shuttle from Calgary to Banff is $55 each way
("http://www.sundogtours.com/transp/banffll.html").

I used the book _Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies_ by Chic Scott.

If you do rent a car, you can buy groceries in Calgary and avoid the
ridiculous prices at the stores in Banff or Lake Louise. Bring a
collapsible cooler. Go to Costco (near the airport) before heading up
the mountains and buy groceries.