Where to Stay: Whistler Hostels – Updated 2019

At Forged-Axe Throwing, we have a long, long, history of hostel jumping both in Canada and abroad. We wanted to concentrate that breadth of experienced and apply it to the local hostels in Whistler. After all, we have literally seen it all. From a hostel in Nicaragua where every toilet was flooded, to one in Vancouver where you didn’t dare to breathe during the night for fear of making the bed squeak.

Hostels in Whistler tend to be of much higher caliber than those other unfortunate pit stops along our journey abroad. Whistler hostels cater to more than the dead-beat backpacker, they also cater to the budget-conscious traveler. Let’s face it, Whistler isn’t the cheapest place to crash for a week, and a hostel option can give you the little extra room in your funds to say for a little long, and get in a few extra turns. Even if you usually avoid hostels because of the stereotype – the hostels in Whistler might be the best option on the table! The Whistler hostel experience is the perfect

Here’s what you should know for your next trip to Whistler, Hostel hopping.

Whistler Hostels 2019 Update – The Run Down

Pangea Pod Hotel

Not quite a hostel, not quite a hotel – but 100% pod. This is a unique boutique accommodation making the most out of their small space. Stay in one of the small pods, which contain just enough space for you, a bed, and your bags and save massively on the usual cost of accommodation in Whistler. They are located in a prime location, right in the hart of the village, which makes them the perfect location if you value early, easy access to the mountain. Or, maybe you prefer the late night entertainment?

The Pod Hotel offers sleek futuristic designs, a comfortable place to put your head at night, and nearly on-the-hill access to everything you’d ever want.  As with any normal hostel, it comes complete with both mixed ‘dorms’ and female-only ‘dorms’ but don’t be fooled by the word dorm. You’ll still get your own spacious pod to sleep in, with the ability to block out the rest of the room and keep your stuff stored safely.

• Price Range: $100+ (High Season) $70+ (Low Season)
• Why We Love it? Because you get your own space! No sharing a room with a snoring stranger!

HI-Whistler

The newest hostel on the Whistler scene, with top-notch amenities

This another relatively new Whistler hostel, initially built for athletes during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The price indicates it’s a hostel, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way. Hosteling International Whistler is 7 km south of Whistler Village, so you’re nestled in nature and have easy access to Function Junction shops and cafes. If you are a member of Hosteling International, you pay 10% less than the rate advertised.

As the hostel is so new, it was purpose built with many great amenities. It’s the largest hostel in Whistler where individuals and even larger groups can use the self-catering kitchen. There is a theatre-style meeting room and decks if you want to hang out outside.

There are mixed-gender or single-sex dorms that all have Wi-Fi and shared bathrooms. There is also the option of private rooms with private bathrooms. The guest kitchen has snacks, small meals, beer and wine for sale. There’s a game room with a library, pool table, and computer kiosks. On the deck, which overlooks the mountains, has a BBQ space and full storage for all kinds of mountain equipment.

Unlike many of the other hostels on our list, nature access is right on your doorstep. Plus we enjoy how spacious the common areas. One of the nicest features of HI-Whistler is the staff go out of their way to organize daily group activities of all kinds. There is usually a little something for everyone’s tastes, including group hikes and pub crawls. Surprisingly, this is the only hostel that offers this in Whistler.

• Price Range: Private Room: $70+ and Dorm Room $45+ inHigh Season / Private Room: $50+ and Dorm Room $40+ in Low Season
• Why We Love It? The shared spaces! Including outside patio’s, communal kitchen, and full storage for your sports gear.

Alpine Lodge

Feel at home during your stay at the traditional Alpine Lodge, Whistler

One of the coziest Whistler hostels, the Alpine Lodge Whistler has that true ski cabin vibe. The Alpine Lodge Hostel is a Whistler institution. Geoff, the owner, has been running it for a quarter of a century. It’s a legit chalet-style lodge that really gives you that ski holiday vibe. The owner and staff are extremely knowledgeable about the area and they always keen to share their experiences.

It’s located just off the Sea-to-Sky Highway and 4 km from Whistler village. Breakfast is included, and there’s a hot tub steam sauna.

Bonus points for having an open concept shower and Jacuzzi room. It is a favourite place to unwind after a long day of riding the slopes. The ceilings in the lounge are 26′ high, and there’s a massive stone wood burning fireplace. A great spot to get cozy and meet new people.

The rooms are simply furnished with the old school solid wood beds that are expected of a ski chalet. Most of the rooms have their own private bathroom with views of the mountain. More bonus points because there is balcony access from every room. The Alpine Lodge has a shared kitchen and living room area with a terrace and facilities for BBQing. Expect a very social atmosphere with the massive oak dining table that seats 18 people.

Shockingly for Whistler, the hostel offers free parking, free wifi, and a free daily breakfast. Can’t go wrong with these amenities.

• Price Range:  Dorm Room $80 + in High Season and Low Season
• Why We Love It? The unique Whistler aesthetic
• Good to Know: 2-Night Stay Minimum & Books Out Months in Advance

Whistler Lodge Hostel

A drop-dead gorgeous hostel just outside of Whistler Village

The Whistler Lodge Hostel is a little piece of Whistler history. It is a 42-bed backpacker’s hostel located about 3 km South of Whistler Village. The lodge was built in 1965 students in the Varsity Outdoor Club at the University of British Columbia. The Alma Mater Society of UBC ran the hostel for decades, but it is now under new management.

The Whistler Lodge offers modern rooms with dorm-style bunks, as well as private, and semi-private rooms. They also provide free parking, free wifi and have laundry service available. The best part of this hostel besides its lengthy history are how absolutely stunning it is from top to bottom thanks to a recent renovation… plus did we mention the are the hot-tub and sauna options!

• Price Range:  Dorm Room $30 + in High Season and Low Season
• Why We Love It? Access Whistler Blackcomb from Creekside, and avoid the crowds

Southside Lodge 

Southside Lodge comes with a Southside Breakfast option – count us in!

This smaller lodge has six rooms in total that sleep four to six people. Every room has a washroom with a shower, cable TV, VCR, small fridge, microwave, a teakettle and a locker. They have a limited range of amenities, due to their small size but they still offer a communal kitchen and a computer terminal.

Again, Southside Lodge is basic, but it’s relatively close to Whistler Village and at the very base of Creekside. It’s actually just a mere 200 meters from the Creekside Gondola. It’s attached to the famous Southside Diner, and as a guest, you get to enjoy a weekday $5 breakfast. Take it from us; this breakfast is killer whether or not yo are staying upstairs; we’d hit up their daily breakfast. They also typically offer killer daily specials lunch and dinner. The Southside Lodge works with Whistler Snowboard Tours to give you great lift discounts if you happen to be staying for a while.

• Price Range:  NA – Booked SOLID until 2020
• Why We Love It? Roll out of bed and right into some of the best breakfast in Whistler.
• Good to Know: 3-Night Stay Minimum & Books Out Months in Advance

Fireside Lodge 

The charm of the Fireside Lodge is the peace and quiet

Fireside Lodge is a member-owned lodge that offers family-oriented accommodation. It’s not for the party crowd, but it does provide a cheaper option for families or people who appreciate peace. They have a BBQ area, sauna, games room, and storage for any gear you bring. They have recently updated their kitchen and lounge. The kitchen has a lot of space with plenty of appliances so guests can cook a homemade meal. Consider it a home away from home.

The lodge accommodates up to sixty-four people. There are regular rooms that have a mixture of single and queen-size beds. There are loft rooms that have queen beds downstairs with double or bunk beds in the loft. The dorm area was recently renovated to provide for better privacy to their guests.

According to one customer review, you can’t go wrong with the Fireside Lodge, “This hostel is definitely one of the best equipped I have ever stayed in! The kitchen was enormous and had anything you could imagine. Communal areas are big but cozy with loads of huge sofas to sit on and a fire which would be perfect in winter (there’s a good games room too). Rooms were nice and again, bathrooms probably the best I’ve stayed in – really clean and good showers!” Based on the state of some hostel bathrooms we’ve experienced, count us in for the Fireside Lodge amenities!

• Price Range: Private Room: $85+
• Why We Love It? The spectacular kitchen – designed to make epic shared meals.
• Good to Know: 2-Night Stay Minimum

Hostels Near Whistler

Sometimes, you may opt to stay in towns like Squamish because the Whistler hostels are fully booked. Take it from us, during peak season it’s sometimes impossible to find accommodation in Whistler Village itself.

The benefit to this is that you have access to cheaper groceries, coffee, and meals. It’s a lot more relaxed. The downside? It’s about an hour to get to the base of Whistler or Blackcomb. However, some hostels offer shuttles to the mountain, or the Greyhound bus is close and cheap enough to make it easy.

We also recommend the ridesharing service Pop Ride. Its saved us some hassle over the years, and also saved us tons of money on transportation.

Squamish Adventure Inn 

A perfect place to lay your head in beautiful Squamish, BC

Squamish Adventure Inn is a well-established hostel located off Highway 99, close to the city center of Squamish. One of the cool features about this hostel is they have adventure options that they organize for you, including their shuttle service to the Vancouver and Whistler Village.

One of the newest hostels in Squamish, they are also remarkably setup amenities-wise. This includes free wifi (of course), laundry service and a full kitchenette for guests to use. Plus, unlike many hostels around the world, they cater to families! They have family rooms suitable for couples with children.

• Price Range: Private Room: $85+ and Dorm Room: $40+ High Season /  Private Room: $65+ Dorm Room: $34 + Low Season
• Why We Love It? Squamish is the “Adventure Sport Capital of Canada.” This hostel is the perfect home base for hiking, skiing, climbing, and more.

Squamish Oasis Hostel 

A home-away-from-home, the Squamish Oasis Hostel makes you feel like family

This sweet little hostel is considered a micro-hostel. It consists of a two bedroom cottage that has a garden, fireplace, free Wifi, free breakfast and Zen meditation Monday to Friday 8 to 9 pm. The Oasis Hostel is located in downtown Squamish and close to all the shopping, sailing, mountain-biking, fishing adventures.

Out of all the hostels on the list, this may be the closest feel to a guest house or family stay.

If you’re looking for a super reasonable place to stay away from Whistler, this might be your go-to. And they will make you a vegetarian or vegan supper for just $5.

• Price Range:  Dorm Room: $26+ High Season /  Dorm Room: $26 + Low Season
• Why We Love It? Breakfast included and a homey-comfortable feel.