Hostel Prices Going Downhill

There is a variety of budget accommodations at, or near, many major North American ski centers. This winter, American Youth Hostels has 34 hostels operating near ski areas. Dormitory accommodations range from $8-$20 per night.

In Colorado, the Fireside Inn, near the Breckenridge Ski Area and the Copper Mountain Ski Resort, is offering hostel lodging for $20-$25 per night. The Winter Park Hostel, next to Winter Park’s Mary Jane Ski Area, will have accommodations available for $12-$50 per night and has arranged discounts for guests renting skis. Other HI-AYH hostels will be operating in Colorado this winter near Aspen, Snowmass and Powderhorn.

For reservations or more information on HI-AYH ski area hostels, contact American Youth Hostels at 733 15th St. N.W., Suite 840, Washington, D.C. 20005; telephone (202) 783-6161 or (800) 444-6111.

With the U.S. dollar worth at least $1.35 in Canada, budget travelers who make their way north of the border should find their funds stretching a long way.

Travel CUTS, the travel service owned by the Canadian Federation of Students has arranged special four- and six-night ski packages in Banff, Canada. Accommodations are at the Banff International Hostel, where there are both dormitory and private rooms. The packages include three- or five-day ski passes, daily shuttle to the slopes, breakfasts and return transportation from Calgary. For members of Hostelling International the four-night package is $199; the six-night, $283. Taxes are extra. You can get details from any Travel CUTS office across Canada. In Calgary, call (403) 531-2070.

The individual hostels near ski centers in Alberta and British Columbia also have packages that combine accommodations and ski lift tickets. You can get details by contacting either Travel CUTS or the hostels directly, or you can get a free brochure with information on the packages by calling Hostelling International Canada at (613) 237-7884.

For example, you can head for the largest ski area on the continent. Packages for skiing in British Columbia at either Whistler or Blackcomb Mountains, plus accommodations at the Whistler Hostel--a 10-minute drive from the ski village--start at $60. For bookings, call (604) 932-5492.

For Alberta-bound skiers, overnight accommodations at the Banff International Hostel, a lift ticket for Banff/Lake Louise, breakfast and shuttle transportation between the hostel and the ski hills is available for $62. To book, call (403) 762-4122.