Backpacker Buzz

Victoria is full of old world charm with its historic buildings. It’s also home to the famous Butchart Gardens and boasts Canada’s mildest climate, but there is more to B.C.’s capital than this. Victoria has a number of neighbourhoods around the downtown area that are well worth a visit. Here are a few of my favourites: Read more »

Greyhound’s Discovery Pass offers you unlimited travel across Canada, USA and Mexico for one low cost, and it’s even lower for HI members. With your HI Membership, you can get a free upgrade from the 7 day Discovery Pass to the 15 day Discovery Pass. Think of all the places you can visit in 15 days, you modern day Jack Kerouac, you.

Now you can buy your Discovery Pass online. Purchase it here and start planning your itinerary >>

Sun-Young Kim is from Seoul, Korea, but she is currently studying English in Vancouver. While she is living in Canada, she has been volunteering at HI’s Regional Office and helping out with data entry. She graciously wrote us this report of her recent vacation.

I went to east of America for trip. The trip was so tough.  It was for 8 days and 7 nights. It started in New York and we got there by plane from Vancouver. Read more »

HI staff member and frequent blog contributor Lydia Simpson is a real live Vancouverite.

So you’ve rocked into town and you want to go beyond the guidebook. Sure, you’re going to go to Stanley Park and Granville Island and that, but you’d also like to see some non-tourist sights, go where the locals go. No problem- we’ve got some ideas for you. Read more »

Think you’re ready to tackle one of the world’s premiere ski resorts this winter? From the Rockies to European alpine villages, here is HI’s  pick of the top destinations for your next ski vacation. Read more »

It is said that Penticton enjoys the best climate in the whole of Canada. The city gets over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, so it is no wonder the Salish name for Penticton is “Snpintkth” which means “a place to live forever”. The Syilx People have lived in the Okanagan Region for over 7,000 years taking advantage of the fertile land and pleasant climate. Penticton is nestled between two fresh water lakes and surrounded by vineyards and farmland. October is a great time to visit the city and there are plenty of things going on during the month. Read more »

Hostelling International has launched a new West Coast Passport Campaign. Collect a souvenir stamp at any of the 27 participating locations in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California and post them in your keepsake passport. Collect them all, or just 4 stamps to get a (really cool!) free West Coast Tour T-shirt. Read more »

The only new lift in the BC Rockies will open this winter at the Fernie Alpine Resort. The Polar Peak Lift adds an above tree-line bowl skiing experience with over 22 new runs. The addition of the new runs off Polar Peak will bring the total number of marked runs at Fernie Alpine Resort to 140 – the most ski runs in the Canadian Rockies!

Where to stay: HI-Fernie Raging Elk Hostel Read more »

One of the many great things about Canada is our four distinct seasons. The variance of the seasons means we get to see our country in many different lights and colours - the lush green of summer, the sparkling white winters, the colourful blooms in spring and the burnt oranges, reds and yellows of fall. The East Coast of Canada has some of the most beautiful fall touring in North America and Nova Scotia is one of the top places in Canada to watch the fall colours. Read more »

On Saturday, HI Vancouver Jericho Beach were one of the many ChasePoints dotted around Vancouver for competitors taking part in the Mitsubishi City Chase.

Hundreds of teams of 2 competed to take the winners crown. Winners are put through to the national competition and if they win that, they get a brand new Mitsubishi car and progress to the World Championships! Read more »