YHA (Youth Hosteling Australia) has sourced the best hostels for skiing on a budget from its network of over 4,000 hostels worldwide so that skiers can hit the world’s most exciting slopes while leaving more than enough change for a night out at the end of the day.

YHA has been accommodating young travellers for almost a century and has a knack for nabbing great properties at the best locations. A YHA card also gives worldwide discounts on accommodation throughout all YHA and Hostelling International (HI) hostels, as well as at thousands of restaurants, cafes, retail shops, attractions and other travel hot spots.

YHA’s top ten hostels for hitting the slopes around the world
 
1. HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre is nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by majestic mountains and picturesque lakes. Just minutes away from a world class ski resort that offers challenging chutes, vast open bowls, mogul fields and some of the best powder on a continent famed for its snow, HI Lake Louise offers cosy fireplaces under vaulted ceilings and a host of amenities including a sauna.  Beds start from AU$32 per night.

 
 
2. HI Gosau in Austria acts as a gate to Dachstein Mountain. Set in the romantic ski village of Gosau at the southernmost tip of Austria, the quaint hostel is located next to Hornspietz-Zwieselalm ski resort with an indoor pool to relax in after hitting the slopes just a short walk away. Beds start from AU$42 per night.
 
3. Chamonix Mont Blanc YH is set in a chalet offering stunning views of France’s famed Mont Blanc, just two kilometres from the centre of world renowned ski village Chamonix. Equipped with all the amenities to help you warm up and wind a day out in awesome snow, beds in this charming hostel start from AU$29 per night.
 
4. YHA Queenstown Lakefront sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, offering beautiful, tranquil views while being a short 10 minute walk from town. At the heart of New Zealand’s adventure sports capital, YHA Queenstown offers easy access to the area’s numerous ski slopes as well as world class restaurants and bars for the evenings. Beds start from AU$20 per night.
 
5. HI Zermatt offers perfect views of Switzerland’s world famous Matterhorn from its bedroom windows. The modern hostel is situated in tranquil surroundings at the edge of Zermatt village, just ten minutes walk from Zermatt's bustling Bahnhofstrasse, the busy main street of the car free village.  Beds start from AU$49 per night.
 
6. Thredbo YHA offers the best value ski accommodation in Australia's premier ski destination.  YHA’s purpose built lodge in the heart of Thredbo Village has a cosy atmosphere and warm fireplace with great views over the mountain and ski-fields. Beds start from AU$44 per night in ski season.
 
7. Niseko Annupuri YH is located just in front of Japan’s Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort, with traditional Japanese facilities such as hot spring baths to help you warm up after a day on beautiful slopes. Beds at Niseko start from AU$32 per night.
 
8. Argentina’s Marcopolo Inn is located four blocks from the main square, Centro Civico, in Bariloche, a city known for its amazing nightlife as well as its ski slopes. Marcopolo Inn is under 20k kilometres from the main ski destination out of Bariloche, Catedral Alta Patagonia, which offers over 1,400 acres of beautiful skiing terrain. Beds start from just AU$13 per night – the lowest price yet!
 
9. Alaska Backpackers Inn is located in downtown Anchorage, USA just around the corner from the train station and Alaska direct bus. This new hostel with all the comforts of home offers access to some of the most spectacular and accessible backcountry skiing in North America, as well as three choices for alpine skiing in awesome terrain within 45 minutes.  Beds start from AU$27 per night.
 
10. Lillehammer Hostel is located at the heart of Norway’s oldest skiing centre, amongst lively bars, shops, restaurants and nightclubs. The town is surrounded by ski areas from beginners to Olympic grade slopes accessible from a bus stop right outside this hostel. Beds start from AU$67 per night.

(Chamonix, France - Auberge de Jeunesse)

Travellers can check with their hostel to see what special deals and ski packages they offer, or enjoy the freedom of designing their own adventure, knowing they have a nice warm – yet inexpensive – bed to come home to.
 
Get your YHA card and join the 70,000 other Australians currently making great savings as they travel around the country and the world. YHA now offers the option for full-time students and under 26ers to upgrade to a joint YHA/ISIC (student) or YHA/IYTC (youth) card, which offers even more discounts around the world.
 
Visit www.yha.com.au for more information on YHA cards, hostels and bookings.  Follow the link to Hostelling International for further details on hostels and bookings worldwide.

www.ExplorerGirls.com / YHA

Images:YHA