Backpacker Buzz

Hostelling International's Board would like to engage our members and encourage them to take ownership of the association by attending our upcoming meetings. We will discuss the results of our ownership survey at these meetings, along with topics such as volunteer involvement, environmental sustainability, and our statement on concentrating on youth.

Snacks and beverages will be offered at the meetings. Please RSVP to dialogue@hihostels.ca no later than one week before the meeting of your choice. Read more »

Can you imagine volunteering to build a hostel? In 1933, hostelling was introduced to North America when sisters Mary Belle and Catherine Barclay put up a 12’ x 14’ canvas tent to accommodate youth travellers. Three years later, a modest wood cabin was built to replace it. It was from these humble beginnings in Bragg Creek, Alberta, that Hostelling International – Canada, and indeed, hostelling on this continent, grew. Read more »

New York, New York; it’s a wonderful town, but hard on your wallet. I’ll give you some tips on how to save in some areas so you can splurge in others. Read more »

Take HI to go. Our iPhone app just launched, and it’s designed to make booking hostels easier than ever. Read more »

Treat your friends and family to a unique Christmas gift this year! Do your friends and family love to travel and enjoy weekends away? Then an HI Membership would be an ideal gift for them. Read more »

It was my second visit to San Francisco in three years, so I didn’t need to go back to Alcatraz or Chinatown. And while I did go back to the Ferry Building for the Saturday farmer’s market and then to Fisherman’s Wharf to look at the sea lions and line up for an hour to take the cable car, I heartily regretted every overcrowded, heavily-touristed, teeth-gritting minute of it.

What I did enjoy…

Your HI Membership card gets you all sorts of fantastic discounts on restaurants, attractions, and more. We want to improve the value you get with your HI Membership, and we need your help to do that. Please take our short survey, and you will be entered into a draw to win a 16 GB iPad 2.

Start the survey >>
Read more »

HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach is an ideal hostel for groups of all sizes. Whether you’re a group of friends getting away for the weekend or coming to the city for a concert, a sports club, school, or social club, HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach is a reasonably priced place where you can all lay your heads. See why more and more groups are choosing HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach over the expensive downtown hotels: Read more »

Hostelling International has announced the top 10 hostels for each world region. Check them out: Read more »

How well do you handle your bike? 

Put your mountain biking skills to the ultimate test on Whistler Mountain, where riders from all corners of the world eat, drink, and breathe adrenaline.

If you’re not quite the expert mountain biker, no worries, Whistler welcomes beginners too.

Just be ready to cut your teeth. Read more »