Skiing On A Budget
Hostelling International and many private inns invite families to stay in their comfortable, spotless, and, often, private family facilities at new ski hostels.
Hostelling has come a long way from your youthful backpacking days; in fact, many refer to young travelers sporting rolling suitcases, iPods and netbooks as "flashpackers" because of their aversion to truly spartan accommodations. Today, some of the non-profit groups dedicated to fostering a sense of community among youthful travelers have spruced up their lounges with flat panel TVs, added cybercafes and capuccino makers, and put in large double rooms with ensuite bathing facilities.
Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels (HI-AYH) is the leading non-profit hostel organization, and they have specially designated Ski Hostels open for guests all winter long. They should not be confused with the spartan dorms that many mountain resorts maintain for local school groups and visiting college teams, most of which are closed to the general public.
Instead, we're talking about clean and cheerful youth hostels located close to skiing and snowboarding hot spots like Breckenridge, Colorado; Mount Hood, Oregon; Mont Tremblant, Quebec; and Okemo, Vermont. HI-AYH's ski hostels in North America cater to all ages and provide inexpensive, quality accommodations ranging in price from $17 to $45 per person, per night.
Additionally, there are many small inns and B&Bs that reserve some rooms for dorm style / shared bath living so they can accommodate all ends of the budget spectrum. A for-profit venture, the Dublin based Hostelworld.com lists many commercial options. They boast an easy to use website with over 1 million user reviews, customized city guides and downloadable pocket travel guides. They represent B&Bs like the Rocky Mountain Inn outside Winter Park, Colorado, where families can buy discounted lift tickets, store skis, and hang out in a comfortable common area with other guests, while paying as low as $19 per night for a bed in the inn's dorm facilities.
Picture this: You can use the money you save on lodging for a much-deserved massage!
Family Facilities & Transport for Skiers
What you can expect from a hostel or dorm room? At hostels or small B&Bs and dorms, family facilities and amenities will vary by location. This season at HI-Mont Tremblant, for example, families can enjoy ice skating on nearby Moore Lake, fine cuisine at the base village, a cozy bar right at the hostel, and a warm bed from only US$17 per bed per night. There are many B&Bs at the Tremblant base village, but nowhere near this low rate, so be sure to book far in advance.
Some hostels have family rooms or small dorm rooms where a family can achieve privacy by booking all the available beds, similar to what you would get in a B&B. Bathroom facilities at hostels are typically shared; a public laundry room and kitchen facilities are available at almost every hostel. The dorm facilities in private B&Bs are similar, though a hot breakfast is usually included in rates.
Reservations for these locations are harder to come by in the months leading up to winter, so check on bed/room availability as soon as you know your travel plans.
All of the major HI-AYH, Hostelworld.com, and HI Canada ski hostels (some open in summer for mountain biking and hiking, too) are listed below along with the major downhill and cross-country ski areas located less than two-hours' drive or shuttle bus away.
Alberta, Canada
Alberta Hostels:
HI-Banff Alpine Centre
HI-Lake Louise Alpine Centre
Nearest Ski Areas:
Sunshine Village
Lake Louise
Mount Norquay
British Columbia, Canada
BC Hostels:
HI-Fernie, Raging Elk Adventure Lodge
Nearest Ski Area: Fernie Alpine Resort
HI-Nelson, Dancing Bear Inn
Nearest Ski Area: Whitewater Ski Resort
Golden Dreams B & B
Nearest Ski Area: Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort
Colorado
Colorado Hostels:
Breckenridge Bed & Breakfast and Hostel, Fireside Inn
Nearest Ski Area: Breckenridge Resort
Rocky Mountain Inn & Hostel
Nearest Ski Area: Winter Park
Maine
Maine Hostels:
HI-Bethel, SnowBoarding House
Nearest Ski Area: Sunday River
Montana
Montana Hostel:
HI-East Glacier Park
Nearest Ski Area: Glacier National Park for cross country skiing.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Hostel:
White Mountain Hostel, Conway
Nearest Ski Areas:
Bretton Woods
Attitash Bear Peak
Ohio
Ohio Hostel:
HI-Malabar Farm
Nearest Ski Areas:
10 miles of cross country ski terrain on property
Snow Trails Winter Resort
Oregon
Oregon Hostels:
HI-Portland, Northwest and Hawthorne
Nearest Ski Areas:
Mt. Hood Skibowl
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort
Timberline
Quebec, Canada
Quebec Hostel:
HI-Mont-Tremblant
Nearest Ski Area:
Mont-Tremblant for cross country and alpine skiing.
Utah
Utah Hostel:
The Rocky Mountain Inn & Hostel
Nearest Ski Areas:
Park City Mountain Resort
The Canyons
Deer Valley and many others
Vermont
Vermont Hostels:
HI-White River Junction, The Hotel Coolidge
Nearest Ski Areas:
Killington
Sunapee, New Hampshire
Okemo
Kokopelli Inn
Killington
Comments
If you are looking into hostels and you are a family, call the hostel to get a sense of the character of the place. We went to a hostel once with our elementary age kids(not in a ski area) and it was filled with young 20 somethings and teens having lots of fun - smoking pot in the parking lot, partying, etc. Even though some hostels have family rooms, if the place is full of kids it can be uncomfortable. Some hostels do have older visitors and more families, so it pays to ask.
hi im after going to see the snow this year and ski but we are on a tight budget any ideas of place and accomidation and ski hire????
Alex - you can use this story to see the hostels that are located close to ski resorts. To sleep in them would be about $15-$20 per person per night. You can't get much cheaper, and many have their own kitchens where you can prepare meals.
Most of the small, local ski areas have cheaper lessons and lift tickets. Where are you living, maybe we can suggest a place near your family?
Safe there, safe home!
Kyle