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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 and, in addition to the non-profit groups dedicated to fostering a sense of community among youthful travelers, there are many small inns and B&Bs that reserve some rooms for dorm style / shared bath living. Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels (HI-AYH) is a non-profit with specially designated Ski Hostels, open for guests all winter long. Don't confuse these with the spartan hostel dormitories that many mountain resorts maintain for local school groups and visiting college teams; those facilities are reserved for groups and ski clubs and are not open to the general public.

We're talking about the 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.

A commercial organization, the Dublin based Hostelworld.com, has catered to students and budget travelers since 1999 and boasts an easy to use website with over 1 million user reviews, customized city guides and downloadable pocket travel guides. They represent places 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.

Family Facilities & Transport for Skiers

Family facilities and amenities vary by location. This season at HI-Mont Tremblant, for example, 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 Tremblant, but nowhere near this low rate. Can't beat it, but 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. Reservations for these locations become a bit harder to come by in the months leading up to winter, so contact the hostels you have in mind to 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. You can use the money you save on lodging for a much-deserved massage!