Skiing On A Budget

Mountainside hostels at ski areas — as well as some private inns and Airbnbs — make skiing on a budget possible. These cozy, new style ski hostels invite families to enjoy snow sports in cheap, comfortable, spotless and private facilities.

Hostelling has come a long way from your rustic youthful backpacking days. In fact, many refer to young travelers sporting rolling suitcases, iPhones and tablets 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. If you’ve never done hostelling, don’t worry — just follow these useful tips.

Extended families have other options with surprisingly low rates, especially midweek at the smaller resort areas, by searching for condo rentals and Airbnbs with multiple bedrooms, so the rental costs can be shared. Here are some favorite options for those who want to invest in snowsports lessons, not lodging.

Resources for Cheap Ski Lodges & Hostels in North America

Hostelling International USA (HIUSA) 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 Yosemite National Park, California; Park Rapids, Minnesota; Mont Tremblant, Quebec and White River Junction, Vermont. HIUSA’s ski hostels in North America cater to all ages and provide inexpensive, quality accommodations ranging in price from around $40 to $75 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 lists many commercial options and boast an easy to use website with over 10 million user reviews. They represent hostels like The Bunkhouse in Minturn, Colorado, where families can take shuttles to Vail or Beaver Creek, hang out in a comfortable common area with other guests and cook while paying around $112 per night per bed in the inn’s dorm facilities. (Sounds high but not bad value in the Rockies.)

While Airbnb doesn’t offer dorm accommodations per se, they have many huge ski houses where you can pack in several families and relive your college days — another great way to save. You can use the money you save on lodging for a much-deserved massage!

Family Facilities & Transport for Skiers

What can you expect from a hostel or dorm room? At hostels or small B&Bs and dorms, family facilities and amenities will vary by location. Some offer ice skating, a cozy bar, and a warm bed from under US$20 per bed per night.

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 most every one. 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. Airbnb has hundreds of listings — many private homes or condos — so be sure to check what’s available there, and get in touch with owners to verify the proximity to your ski area of choice.

All of the major HIUSA, Hostelworld 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.

Here are some of the best mountain lodgings that accommodate families and small groups with low cost housing options and often, ways to purchase lift tickets at a discount.

Alberta, Canada Ski Hostels And Ski Areas

HI-Banff Alpine Centre
HI-Lake Louise Alpine Centre
HI-Canmore
Nearest Ski Areas:
Sunshine Village
Lake Louise
Mount Norquay

British Columbia, Canada Budget Lodging & Ski Areas

Raging Elk Hostel
Nearest Ski Area: Fernie Alpine Resort

Kamloops B.C. Airbnb’s
Nearest Ski Area: Sun Peaks Resort

HI-Nelson, Dancing Bear Inn
Nearest Ski Area: Whitewater Ski Resort

Golden Dreams B & B
Nearest Ski Area: Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort

Kelowna B.C. Airbnb: 3BR House sleeps 7, swimming pool & hot tub, $645/N
Nearest Ski Area: Big White

Colorado Mountain Lodgings & Ski Areas

Fireside Inn Bed & Breakfast plus Dorms in Breckenridge
Nearest Ski Area: Breckenridge Resort

Saint Moritz Lodge & Hostel
Nearest Ski Areas:
Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Snowmass

The Bunkhouse
Nearest Ski Area: Vail

Montana Ski Hostels & Ski Areas

lFlathead Lake Hostel
Nearest Ski Areas: Glacier National Park for cross country skiing.
Whitefish Mountain Resort

New Hampshire Ski Hostels & Ski Areas

Bunkhouse at Northeast Mountaineering
Nearest Ski Areas:
Bretton Woods
Attitash Mountain Resort

Oregon Inns, Hostels & Ski Areas

HI-Portland, Northwest
Nearest Ski Areas:
Mt. Hood Skibowl
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort
Timberline

Quebec, Canada Ski Hostels & Ski Areas

Auberge Manitonga
Nearest Ski Area:
Tremblant for cross country and alpine skiing.

Vermont Mountain Inns, Hostels & Ski Areas

The Hotel Coolidge
Nearest Ski Areas:
Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire
Lake Morey Resort for cross-country skiing.

Turn of River Lodge
Nearest Ski Areas:
Killington
Okemo

Mountain Retreat at Northernshire
Nearest Ski Area: Smugglers Notch

Wyoming Ski Hostel & Ski Area:

HI Jackson -The Cache House Hostel in the Anvil Hotel
Nearest Ski Areas:
Jackson Hole
Snow King

Please add any ski hostels and cheap lodges you find on your travels to the Comments section below.  Happy Trails!