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What you need to know before staying in a wilderness hostel.
Wilderness hostels are an attractive accommodation option for families who enjoy being active in the mountains, especially in winter. What is the difference between a hostel and wilderness hostel? The wild variety is short on electricity and plumbing, but huge on location. You get a backcountry experience without having to pack your gear long distances, and in most cases, have more creature comforts than what you would get in a backcountry hut. (Note that some wilderness hostels have electricity and hot water, but others are โoff the gridโ and have neither power nor water.)
HI Mosquito Creek Wilderness Hostel, Banff National Park |
Last weekend, I stayed atย Hostelling Internationalโs Mosquito Creek Wilderness Hostel with Tanya Koob ofย Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies,ย Suzanne Burgman ofย RunBikesYYC, and their families.ย There were six adults and five kids in one dorm. It was my first time staying in a hostel dorm with kidsย and it went better than expected! The mountain air must have made the kids sleep well! To read more about the hostel, please visitย Five Reasons to Take Your Family to Mosquito Creek this Winterย by Tanya Koob.
HI Mosquito Creek Wilderness Hostel, Banff National Park |
Preparing for a wilderness hostel trip is not much more work than a hotel stay, but learn from my mistakes for a fun and comfortable stay! (We actually did well, but I really missed my hut booties.)
How to winter wilderness hostel with kids and have fun
- Before booking, confirm hostel amenities. Many wilderness hostels have appliances and solar powered lights, so you donโt need to bring a camp stove or lantern.
- Bring hut booties. The hostel floors are very cold! If you donโt have booties, bring warm slippers.
- Plan activities your kids will enjoy. Pick trails that suit their skill level, bring treats, play games, and bring a sled. Some ideas for snow fun areย here.
- Bring a headlamp for each person and pack extra batteries. If there is no electricity at the hostel, you will also need a lantern and extra batteries.
Kids love having their own headlamp for evening exploring! - If anyone in your family is a light sleeper, a) bring earplugs, b) commit to only one-night in a dormย (one sleepless night wonโt kill you, but two will make you feel like the walking dead), or c) book a family room/cabin.
- Pack simple meals that the kids will eat. Full kids are happy kids, and simple meals mean less dishes. Do as much meal prep as you can at home as hostel kitchens can be very crowded on weekends and holidays. I pre-washed our fruits and veggies and brought homemade meat sauce for pasta; it made for a quick and healthy supper!
- Bring thermoses and your favorite cocoa/tea/coffee for your daytrips. Most people, especially children, tend to dislike cold drinks on a cold day and wonโt drink much if thatโs all theyโre offered. A warm bevvy will not only warm you up, but keep you hydrated, and being hydrated helps with temperature regulation, so itโs a win-win. If youโre doing a big ski or snowshoe day and donโt want to pack a lot of water, bring a light camp stove, waterproof matches, hot chocolate mix, and a small pot so you can melt snow and make hot chocolate on the go. Donโt forget cups for sharing and stay away from yellow snow!
- Pack plenty of warm clothes and ensure you have extra mitts, socks, base layers, and footwear.
- Bring a fleece toque (not the same one you skied in!), warm pajamas or base layers, and thick socks to sleep in. Even if your cabin is heated, heaters can malfunction (ours didnโt work the first night), or your roommates may set the thermostat lower than youโd like.
- If articles of clothing get wet, change them immediately.ย Check your childโs gaiters regularlyย to ensure that they are keeping snow out of your childโs boots. Dry wet clothes and footwear as soon as you come indoors.
Snow + Kids = Happy Kids (and wet clothes) - Pack fun stuff for the kids. Books, coloring books and crayons, and some favorite toys are good for when you are inside preparing dinner or winding down for bed. For outside, a sled with a tow rope is a must! My trip companions also brought Strider bikes with ski attachments. So much fun!
Ski biking on a Strider balance bike! - Donโt drink too much before bedtime.ย Itโs hard to warm up if you have a full bladder (fact!), and I know from experience that it takes a while to warm up after a late night walk to the outhouse.
- Stay on schedule. If your kids usually go to sleep at 8 pm, put them to bed at 8 pm because they will wake up at their usual time no matter what. Getting enough rest ensures they will be refreshed for whatever adventures you have planned. Bedtime tip: If your child needs a nightlight, a headlamp on low will work well (just remember extra batteries!).
- For comfort and warmth, sleepย on top of a folded blanket and keep an extra blanket close to you in case you get cold in the night.
My oldest tucked in snug as a bug
Would I do it again? Yes, if I could get a family room or cabin. I am too light a sleeper for dorm rooms, but loved sleeping in a prime location in the mountains!
For More Information
ย Five Reasons to Take Your Family to Mosquito Creek this Winterย by Tanya Koob,ย Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies
Winter Camping With Kids Part Two (no tent!!)ย by Tanya Koob,ย Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies
Hostelling International โ Canadaย Wilderness Hostels along the Icefields Parkway
2 comments
Thanks Tanya and thank you for inviting us! It was such a great trip. I still can't believe all the kids slept through the night (with the exception of M coughing Sunday night)!! Maybe it was the 5 km ski… : )
You've turned me into a winter camper! I just need to bring hut booties next time, like you recommended.
Great piece. Informative and full of great tips. Loved the part about putting the kids to bed at the same time – even on a "vacation" away from home. Agree completely. My son definitely wakes up at the same time every morning and 1-2 hours less sleep makes a big difference the next day.
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