What a great lodge. Located on "hotel strip" in Canmore, just off the main highway- close to downtown (about one minute drive). New, clean rooms, with unexpected amenities- such as higher-end duvet, pillows and sheets, king sized bed, mini-fridge in room, and good quality soaps and accessories in bathroom.
Great internet rates available at www.bearcountrylodge.com , especially on week days. Canmore is a great value-priced alternative to nearby Banff, and is only a few kilometers from the park's gate.
Another highlight of the stay is the terrific breakfast room. Fresh waffles, three cereal and toast varieties, juice, coffee, tea, fresh fruit- unexpected bonus to allow us to hit the ski slopes with a full belly!
The evening prior we enjoyed a couple glasses of wine visiting with other guests in front of the wood-buring fireplace in the lobby.
The only downside was no hot tub to soak weary bones after a full day's activities. The tub in the room was comfortable and good sized. Some rooms have a jacuzzi tub and fireplaces, but ours did not.
All in all, an excellent value, and I would be happy to stay there again, for a fraction of the prices of hotels in Banff or Calgary. There are some great dining and shopping options in Canmore, too- as well as the Nordic Center, where most of the Canadian Olympic Nordic skiers do their training. There are a few golf courses nearby, too.

We stayed at the Bear Country Lodge for 4 nights in September 2005. Our room was on the 2nd floor and we had a nice view of the mountains. The only fault of this hotel is, as other reviewers have commented, the train track is very close to the hotel and it is noisy! I came prepared though with ear plugs which helped me sleep at night. Beds are very comfy and the comforters are very warm. When we booked the hotel, we were told that continental breakfast was only served during the summer and would not be served in September. When we checked in, we were told that they had changed this and offered a continental breakfast every day (coffee, tea, juice, toast, fruit, cereal and waffles). This was a nice bonus as it was not expected. I would recommend this hotel as it was close to everything (Banff is just a short drive away), clean, staff are friendly and it was reasonably priced.

We stayed 2 nights there on June 26 and 27. Friendly staffs and the complimentary breakfast every morning was great. We are happy with our stay there since we booked through Expedia for US$68.30 per night including taxes and fees. From one of the previous reviews, we asked for a room at the front of the hotel on second floor. Although we still heard the sound of train but not that clear/loud and only once during the night.

Would recommend this place for the great rate and good lodging!

My husband and I stayed at the Bear Country Lodge over the Easter weekend in 2005. Our room was very comfortable and clean however the train track was located approximately 100 feet from our window. The rumble of the passing trains was very loud as it came through up to 5 times in the night, every night. We were told by the staff to shut the window and turn on the fan to stifle the noise. If you want a restful sleep - this is not the place to stay. Possibly a room on the front of the hotel would be quieter.