Backpacker Buzz

By Anthony Brook

When people think of winter in the Canadian Rockies, they usually associate it with skiing. So they should; it’s steep, sometimes deep and the powder is some of the lightest you’ll find anywhere. However, I’ll leave that to the ski hill marketing departments, because there is more to winter in the Canadian Rockies. The thing is, most people don’t look beyond the chairlifts but I know the essence of the mountains lays only a few hundred metres beyond the townsite or parking lot. It’s not hard to get to. Most people will leave without ever knowing they missed it. That’s not a bad thing. Read more »

Sorry to break it to you, but summer’s running out of time. As the final days of August roll by like a dog lazing in the sun, don’t forget about all those summertime activities you swore you would do.

Like hike the Grouse Grind. Or rough it out on the West Coast Trail.

Uh, well, maybe not. Read more »

The popular K-100 Relay will hit the foothills of the Rockies on June 19, 2010. While you've got until the 30th of April to register, you can save $50 by registering by this Friday. 

The K-100 is a 100-mile relay race in Kananaskis Country, Alberta. Every year, 180 teams of 10 race through the hilly terrain. All money generated from the race goes back into Hostelling International Canada Pacific Mountain Region to improve hostels and services for budget travellers from around the world. Read more »

After a long dry patch, the ski resorts in Banff National Park just got dumped on with 17-21 cm of new powder in the past three days. The season ain't over 'til it's over. If you're looking for some spring skiing in the Rockies, book a ski package at HI-Banff Alpine Centre in March for April or May and get some pretty good deals. Read more »

Get a glimpse of life as an HI wilderness hostel manager. From Jasper's The Skinny

Up the Maligne Valley, tucked away next to the river, is a little one-room wood cabin. It’s small and quaint, and has a serene garden beside it – a nice place to sit on a summer evening with a good book and listen to the river water trickle through the rocks. But as I walk up to the cabin, I hear something emerging from the open window that doesn’t quite fit with the tranquil scene… thundering electric blues! This is the home of Volker Schelhas, local naturalist, outdoorsman, and longtime hostel manager at HI-Maligne Canyon Wilderness Hostel. Read more »

The brand new HI-Whistler, opening this July, is now looking for a wise old captain to take its helm. Do you feel up to the task of running HI's newest addition to the family in one of the best places on this planet? Take a break to high five someone close to you and then read on. Read more »

Ten finalists have been selected from the entries into HI's Blog the Games contest. Vote now for your favourite at www.hihostelspm.ca/blogthegames. The two with the highest number of votes will go before HI judges and the winner gets a return flight to Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics, five nights' accommodation in Vancouver, a new camera, $500 spending money and a ski trip to Banff at the end of it. Read more »