Cheap Places to Stay in Whistler | Hostels, Hotel Deals & More
Since it rose to fame in the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler has become one of the most popular destinations in Canada. After all, it offers year-round adventure, a whole host of family-friendly activities, and stunning mountain views at every turn. It’s not hard to see why so many people want to come and visit! Finding Whistler hotel deals aren’t as easy as they once were.
The downside to Whistler’s popularity is that accommodation can be expensive, especially at the busiest times. That being said, there are definitely ways to plan a cheap vacation in Whistler. Hotel deals can be found – you just need to put in a little extra effort.
So we’ve done some of the hard work for you, by pulling together some tips and suggestions for finding hotel deals in Whistler. We’ve also chosen some of our favourite Whistler hostels and hotels to help you plan your trip.
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3 Tips for Cheap Accommodation in Whistler
- Visit in low season
The low seasons in Whistler are generally May-June and September – November. During these times, you can find Whistler hotels for less than half the price in high season. For example, a night at the Westin Hotel, right at the base of Whistler mountain, will cost $240 for two people in the middle of May. In July, that room will cost over $400. And in December, the price could jump up to over $700!
And don’t worry, there’s still plenty to do in Whistler in the low season. With fewer crowds, deals in some of the best restaurants, and a ton of outdoor activities, the slow season can be a great way to experience Whistler’s beauty.
- Snag great deals by booking early
Of course, there are advantages to visiting Whistler in peak season too. If you’re looking for fresh powder or midsummer heat, you’ll want to be here in the high seasons. If that’s your plan, make sure to get organized and book your accommodation early. Christmas is hands down the busiest time in Whistler, so if you’re here for the holidays, ignore this advice at your peril!
We’ll dig into some great tips to find hotel deals in a minute. The most important thing is: if you start searching months before your trip, there’ll be far more choice and much cheaper prices. Lots of hotels offer early booking deals to visitors to book in advance too.
An easy place to get out of the village for the weekend.
- Go camping instead!
Alright, this tip is no good for the powder-hounds among you. Only the very bravest souls can be found camping in Whistler in the winter. But if you’re visiting from June – September, camping is genuinely a great choice for a cheap stay in Whistler.
Campsites range from full-service RV parks to backcountry sites high in the alpine. The weather in summer is usually hot, dry, and predictable, which makes for great camping conditions. If being one with nature is your thing, head to one of our favourite camping spots around Whistler.
3 Great Whistler Hostels
One great way to get a cheap stay is to stay in a hostel in Whistler. There are plenty to choose from, and they all offer low prices and the chance to get to meet some like-minded travellers while you’re there. Here’s three of the best:
A Whistler staple – Southside Lodge
Southside Lodge
This rustic hostel is a stone’s throw from the Creekside gondola, and smack bang on top of the Southside Diner, one of the best breakfast joints in Whistler. In summer, you’re just a few minutes’ walk from Alpha Lake – the perfect spot for an evening BBQ. There’s a mixture of dorm and private rooms, and all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.
- Location: Whistler Creekside (4km south of Whistler village)
- Price: Dorm beds start at $40 per night
- Amenities: Free Wifi, free parking, shared kitchen, laundry and security lockers
HI Whistler
Looking to make some new friends on your trip to Whistler? The HI Whistler is the hostel for you. Housed in the Athlete’s Village from the 2010 Olympics, the HI is a modern, stylish hostel in Whistler that offers tons of fun activities for visitors. And with over 180 beds, chances are you’ll find a fair few new pals to explore Whistler with! Plus it’s part of the worldwide Hostelling International network, which means discounts for members and connections to people from all over the globe.
- Location: Cheakamus (11km south of Whistler village)
- Price: Dorms start at $60 per night
- Amenities: Free Wifi, Parking, laundry, cafe on site, ski and bike storage, shared kitchen and BBQ, common room and TV room. There’s even a pool table and bike rentals!
Whistler Lodge Hostel
A true piece of Whistler history, the Whistler Lodge was constructed by UBC students way back in 1965. Back then, Whistler village itself didn’t even exist! Nowadays, the lodge is a great 42-bed backpackers’ hostel with an authentic ski lodge feeling. Tucked away in the forest in a quiet neighbourhood, you’ll really feel like you’re in the mountains here. They offer dorms and private rooms that can sleep up to three people.
- Location: Nordic (4km from Whistler village)
- Price: Dorms start at $39 per person
- Amenities: Free Wifi, sauna, laundry, kitchen and dining area, ski and bike storage, patio, lounge and ski waxing area
3 Affordable Whistler Hotels
If hostels aren’t your thing, or you’d just prefer something a little more upmarket, there are plenty of affordable hotels in Whistler too. Like we said, book these early to avoid disappointment!
Pangea Pod Hotel
No need to lose style points, just because you are on a budget – check out the Pod Hotel
An ingenious solution to the limited space available in Whistler, the Pangea Pod Hotel combines the comfort of a boutique hotel with the affordability of a hostel. Instead of dorm beds, everyone gets their own private pod in a suite. The pods contain everything you need for a great nights’ sleep, including memory foam mattresses, hangers, lock boxes and individually controlled fans. There’s a great bar downstairs that offers some serious apres deals, and even a rooftop patio that’s perfect for people watching.
- Location: Village Stroll (200m from the ski lifts!)
- Price: A private pod starts at $72 per night
- Amenities: Free wifi, on-site laundry, gear storage, lockers, shared bathrooms, cafe, bar and patio. Underground parking is available for a small cost too.
Crystal Lodge
Crystal Lodge is another affordable, but more luxurious option right in the heart of Whistler village. With an outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna and fitness centre, there’s no end of apres ski options here. And because the Crystal is right by some of Whistler’s best shopping, you also get a discount on stores like Roots and Lululemon! Their rooms range from singles to three bedroom suites, and they come with all the features you’d expect in a great hotel.
- Location: Village Stroll (200m from the ski lifts)
- Price: Double rooms start at $170 per night
- Amenities: Pool, hot tub, sauna, wifi, underground parking, ski and bike valet and full concierge services. The hotel is dog-friendly too – a whistler hotel deal for dogs!
Aava Hotel
The Aava describe themselves as “the basecamp for your next adventure”. And we have to say, they’ve done a great job of fitting in loads of amenities that will make your trip easier and more comfortable. There’s a ski rental shop on site for a start, and they all offer free snowshoe and fat bike rentals in winter so you can explore Whistler off the beaten track. Another cool little perk is free GoPro rentals for all guests, so you can capture some insta-worthy footage of your adventures. Plus they’d love you to bring your four-legged friend along, and can even help around dog-sitting while you’re out on the slopes.
- Location: Whistler Village
- Price: Rooms start at $115 per night
- Amenities: Pool, hot tub, sauna, bike, ski and snowshoe rentals, bike and ski storage, free GoPro rentals, laundry and dry cleaning, wifi, concierge and dog-friendly packages!
3 Great Places to Find Whistler Hotel Deals
We’d argue there is nothing better than Whistler in the low season
If you’re serious about finding the best deals on Whistler hotels, there are some clever ways you can bag a low price. Here’s three that we love:
Hotwire
You can save a lot (up to 60%!) by booking Whistler hotels through Hotwire. Why? You don’t know the name of your hotel when you book. But don’t worry, you can choose your neighbourhood, comfort level and amenities, and Hotwire will find you the best deals that fit the bill. It’s always worth checking Hotwire before you book a hotel direct. And if you’re willing to take a chance, you could net yourself an amazing deal! Like all hotel deals in Whistler, Hotwire does sell out during the busy season, so book ahead (have we said it enough times yet?!)
Accommodation and Ticket Packages
It makes sense to try and save wherever you can on your Whistler trip. One of the best ways to do this is to buy a package, especially in winter. For skiers and snowboarders, buying your accommodation, lift tickets and rentals together could save a significant amount of cash (to add to the apres fund). This is especially true if you – guess what – book early! Right now, Whistler Blackcomb is offering up to a 40% discount on packages for winter 2020. Even if you only book a couple of weeks in advance, you could save a few dollars by packaging everything together.
Event Packages
Whistler’s calendar is packed with amazing festivals and events: like the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Crankworx and GO Fest, to name a few. And if you’re in town for a festival, chances are you can get a discount on your hotel too! Festivals like the Whistler Film Festival, Wanderlust (a yogi’s dream) and Whistler Pride all offer exclusive deals at top Whistler hotels like the Westin, Delta and Aava. Visit the festival websites to get a taste for what they have to offer. You might even find some great dining deals too!
Whistler Hotel Deals….Know Where to Look
While some people will pay high prices for Whistler hotels, if you’re savvy there are loads of great choices for a cheap stay. Do some digging, book in advance, and take advantage of all the amenities included with your stay! And now you’ve found a cheap place to stay, carry on the good work with some affordable dining options and free parking. It’s only as expensive as you want it to be!