I love Whistler, and I was fortunate to call it home for a while after graduating from university. There’s a local saying that you “come for the winter but stay for the summer,” and that couldn’t be more true. My original eight-month plan of living there turned into almost three years. The skiing, hut trips, and apres bars are incredible in the winter, while the lakes, hiking, biking, and camping are equally impressive in the summer.
But one thing that isn’t quite enjoyable is finding affordable accommodation. Hostels can help you get by whether you’re looking to visit for a few days to weeks or are moving to Whistler but haven’t locked in long-term housing. In this entry of Budget Travel Plans, we’re looking at the best six hostels in and around Whistler, British Columbia.
Note: Whistler accommodation often has pricing fluctuations and is very seasonal. If you want a shot at the best dates and rates, booking far in advance is your best bet.
Coming up in this guide:
- Wallet-friendly accommodations
- Living like a local
- Karaoke, cafes, and microbreweries
- Barcades, saunas, and ski waxing rooms
Quick Answer: What Are the Best Hostels in Whistler?
| Best Location | Pangea Pod Hotel |
| Best Hostel for Solo Travelers | Whistler Lodge Hostel |
| Best Hostel for Couples | HI Whistler |
6 Best Hostels in Whistler
Pangea Pod Hotel
| Address: | 4333 Sunrise Alley, Whistler, BC V8E 1M7 |
| Phone: | (604) 962-1011 |
| Location score: | 9.9 |
| Hostel World rating: | 9.1 |
| Google rating: | 4.7 |
| Shared dorm starting price: | $72/night |
| Private room starting price: | N/A |
Best for: backpackers, staying in the heart of the village, being walking distance of the ski lifts
Arguably the hostel with the best location on this list, stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel if you want the full Whistler Village experience. It’s directly in the main village and less than 250 meters from the lifts. While you pay more of a premium for shared accommodation compared to other hostels on this list, sleeping in a pod is also a really cool experience and more private than you may think. The showers, common areas, staff, and free WiFi are all top-notch but they don’t have a kitchen available to guests for cooking.
Check-in starts at 4:00 pm, and check-out is at 10:00 am.
Local’s Insider Tip
You’re right in the heart of the main village at Pangea. Head to Crystal Lounge for one of Whistler’s best apres. It’s always packed with locals in the winter, and they serve jugs of beer and cheap wings and have daily specials. Want to sing with some locals? Crystal has karaoke on Tuesday nights.
If you’re looking for an outdoor dining option near Pangea, there are plenty of patios with heaters and fires. Try one of Dubh Linn Gate, Longhorn’s, or Tapley’s.
Lastly, if you need ski or bike rentals while in town, you’re really close to evo Village Sports and Fanatyk Ski & Cycle.
HI Whistler
| Address: | 1035 Legacy Way, Whistler, BC V8E 0J6 |
| Phone: | (604) 962-0025 |
| Location score: | 8.2 |
| Hostel World rating: | 8.9 |
| Google rating: | 4.3 |
| Shared dorm starting price: | $53/night |
| Private room starting price: | $136/night |
Best for: couples, living like a local in Function Junction, and being close to microbreweries
You’ll find HI Whistler down in Cheakamus Crossing. The accommodation, amenities, and staff are great, but it’s a little out of the way from any of the ski lifts and gondolas. HI is still a terrific hostel in Whistler, especially if you have a car.
If you’re planning to live in Whistler, HI offers a Work for Stay program where you can work at the hostel and get paid in exchange for a place to stay. The Work for Stay program is a huge bonus, considering how difficult it is to find accommodation in Whistler.
HI Whistler was originally built as part of the athlete’s village during the 2010 Winter Olympics. As such, you can expect great amenities. There’s an outdoor patio and deck with a BBQ, ample lockable luggage storage, ski and bike storage, and even meeting rooms.
Check-in starts at 4:00 pm, and check-out is at 11:00 am.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to the other side of Sea to Sky Highway to Function Junction. Function Junction is one of Whistler’s coolest areas with an authentic local feel – with breweries, cafes, restaurants, and more. If you like craft beer, Coast Mountain Brewing and Whistler Brewing Company serve incredible beers, including seasonal IPAs. If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to swing Purebread for pastries, cakes, and treats.
Whistler Fireside Lodge
| Address: | 2117 Nordic Dr, Whistler, BC V8E 0A6 |
| Phone: | (604) 932-4545 |
| Location score: | 9.0 |
| Hostel World rating: | 9.6 |
| Google rating: | 4.6 |
| Shared dorm starting price: | $48/night |
| Private room starting price: | $120/night |
Best for: families, being close to Creekside Gondola for a lift up Whistler Mountain
Whistler Fireside Lodge is a family-oriented hostel in the quiet Whistler neighborhood of Nordic. They can accommodate up to 50 guests across 12 rooms: six dorms and six private rooms. There’s coin-operated laundry on-site, free parking, a sauna, two barbeques, and a well-equipped kitchen. While the hostel is within walking distance of Creekside Village, having access to a car wouldn’t hurt to whip around town.
Check-in starts at 3:30 pm, and check-out is at 10:00 am.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to Creekside for drinks, food, and even a workout. Locals will flood to Dusty’s for drinks or Creekbread for pizza.
Whistler Lodge Hostel
| Address: | 2124 Nordic Dr, Whistler, BC V8E 0A6 |
| Phone: | (604) 932-6604 |
| Location score: | 9.4 |
| Hostel World rating: | 9.6 |
| Google rating: | 4.7 |
| Shared dorm starting price: | $55/night |
| Private room starting price: | $110/night |
Best for: solo travelers, meeting people, and après in Creekside
You’ll find Whistler Lodge Hostel across the street and a little up the road from Whistler Fireside Lodge. The wooden interior is gorgeous, and they have both a ski store and even a waxing area. A pool table, coin laundry, and industrial-sized kitchen are also all on-site.
As far as bunk beds go, the ones at Whistler Lodge Hostel are top-notch, each with their own curtain for privacy. They also have a hot tub, which is a particularly nice place to hang out in the winter.
Check-in starts at 3:00 pm, and check-out is at 11:00 am.
Local’s Insider Tip
Similar to Whistler Fireside Lodge, heading to Creekside is a great option for apres when staying at Whistler Lodge Hostel. Roland’s and Dusty’s are classics. If you feel like heading to the main village for a family-friendly dinner, try the Old Spaghetti Factory or Sushi Village.
Crash Hotel
| Address: | 38005 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC V8B 0C3 |
| Phone: | (604) 815-3403 |
| Location score: | 10.0 |
| Hostel World rating: | 10.0 |
| Google rating: | 3.8 |
| Shared dorm starting price: | $99/night |
| Private room starting price: | $150/night |
Best for: modern, clean living, meeting people in the games room, and year-round hikes
If you can’t find accommodation in Whistler, another great option is to stay in Squamish. Squamish is about 50km south of Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway.
Crash Hotel is a great place to stay. Crash Hotel to Whistler Creekside is about a 40-minute drive door-to-door. Still, it can be significantly longer if you drive in the winter with snowy conditions and traffic. The rooms are immaculate and modern, and the facility has really cool art and paintings. Crash has a barcade attached to it where you can drink beer and play arcade games like Mario Kart, basketball, and more. They’re pretty modern for a hotel as they have mobile keys and self-check-in.
Check-in starts at 3:00 pm, and check-out is at 11:00 am.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to Howe Sound Brewing, only a 5-minute walk from Crash Hotel. They serve great food, have fantastic craft beer, and have a fun interior and patio with a great view of Stawamus Chief (or simply the Chief to the locals).
Squamish Adventure Inn
| Address: | 38220 BC-99, Squamish, BC V8B 0A5 |
| Phone: | (604) 892-9240 |
| Location score: | 9.6 |
| Hostel World rating: | 9.3 |
| Google rating: | 4.4 |
| Shared dorm starting price: | $45/night |
| Private room starting price: | $112/night |
Best for: mountain views of the Chief, people with cars, affordable accommodation in Squamish
Squamish Adventure Inn is directly off the Sea to Sky Highway when heading north from the lower mainland. Being so close to the highway makes it a great option if you plan on ripping it up to Whistler to ski or bike. That said, it’s a little secluded from the rest of Squamish since it’s between the east side of the highway and the water.
Squamish Adventure Inn has dorms and private rooms, a sizeable kitchen, a lounge, and on-site laundry.
Check-in starts at 3:00 pm, and check-out is at 11:00 am.
Local’s Insider Tip
Support local and head to Caffe Garibaldi. It’s a mere 500m walk from Squamish Adventure Inn and is a staple among the locals.
FAQs about Hostels in Whistler
What is the average price for a hostel in Whistler?
The average price for a hostel in Whistler can vary depending on factors such as the time of year, location, and amenities offered.
Generally, you can expect to find hostel prices in Whistler ranging from:
- $50 to $60 per night for a bed in a shared dorm room
- $110 to $150 per night for a private dorm room
Prices might be higher during peak tourist seasons like winter for skiing or summer for mountain biking.
Where can I book Whistler Hostels?
Our favorite place to book Whistler hostels is through Hostelworld and Booking.com to compare prices and read additional reviews.
Things to Do in Whistler
Whistler is a haven for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re looking to ski, bike, zipline, golf, and more there’s something for everyone.
Ski & Snowboard at Whistler Blackcomb
Renowned as a ski and snowboard mecca, Whistler was a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Whistler Blackcomb offers various passes, with 2023-24 prices listed below (in CAD unless otherwise stated):
- Unlimited Season Pass: $1,388
- Epic Pass: $969 USD (~ $1,400 CAD)
- Edge Cards: $247, $493, $848 (2-day, 5-day, 10-day, respectively)
- 1-Day Whistler Blackcomb Day Pass: $139 (only available to purchase in advance of winter season)
- 1-Day Lift Ticket: $299 (available throughout the winter season)
While the single-day lift tickets have increased dramatically, Edge Cards remain the best deal for a 1-2 week vacation. It’s important to note, however, that Edge Cards are only available to residents of Canada and Washington state.
The Epic Pass allows you unlimited access to Whistler Blackcomb and various other resorts in the Epic family.
And if you are planning to live in Whistler, the obvious option is the Unlimited Season’s pass. Some employers even offer the pass as a perk.
Biking
Come summertime, Whistler offers world-class biking, from downhill and cross-country mountain biking to road cycling.
Downhill mountain biking at Whistler Blackcomb is an adrenaline-pumping activity as you take a lift up with your bike and ride flowy and technical terrain down.
If you’d prefer to bike the ups but remain on the trail, there are incredible XC trails, including Pinocchio’s Furniture in Lost Lake’s trail system and the 19km Comfortably Numb route.
The RBC GranFondo Whistler runs every September if you want to participate in one of North America’s largest road cycling events. There are various distances, with its flagship being a 152km ride on the Sea to Sky from Vancouver to Whistler.
Golfing
Whistler is home to world-class golfing during the summer designed by golf greats, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and more.
Choose from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, Nicklaus North Golf Course, and Whistler Golf Club.
There’s also Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton if you can make the 30-minute drive from Whistler.
Green fees vary based on season, but expect to pay around $200 a round from June to September. For better deals, tee off after 1 p.m. or during low season in April and May.
Hiking & Camping
Aside from skiing, hiking and camping are among my favorite pastimes in Whistler. There are endless trails to explore and camping spots.
A few of my favorite hikes are Black Tusk, Panorama Ridge, Wedgemount Lake, and Whirlwind Peak.
You can also book camping permits through BC Parks to make them into multi-day adventures.
Given the snowfall and altitude of some of the hikes, it’s important to check trail conditions. To get a mostly snow-free hike of Black Tusk, for example, it’s best to go in August or September.
HikeInWhistler and All Trails are great resources to plan out hikes.
Ziplining
Whistler is also home to two zipline tour companies – Ziptrek and The Adventure Group (also known as TAG).
Ziptrek operates year-round with different tours depending on the season. Their Sasquatch Tour takes you on the longest zipline in North America! Their other tours include the Ziptrek Bear Tour, Eagle Tour, and Winter Apres Tour.
Superfly Ziplines by TAG also operate in both summer and winter. They take you across Cougar Mountain and the Whistler Valley.
Guided Tours via GetYourGuide
If you’re looking to make plans ahe
ad of time, GetYourGuide is a great website that curates local tours and activities. Check out their tours below:
Leave a Comment