Stay: Most of the city’s hostels are found downtown. Some top rated ones include: Backpackers on Dundas, Clarence Castle and the Canadiana Backpackers Inn.
Visit: Walk to the CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, ROM, AGO, see the Blue Jays, Raptors or the Leafs depending on the season.
Shop: Check out the Eaton Center or if you prefer shopping outside Queen West has many big chains like Club Monaco, Zara and Gap. Chinatown and Kensington Market are great for cheap finds and vintage. Bloor street is for label hounds and designer divas.
Food & Entertainment: The Entertainment district is downtown with the main strip on King West. Check out a musical or grab some dinner all on King or hit a club.  Grab some Indian buffet on Queen Street and stop in at Horseshoe Tavern for a live show. If you want to be seen and spot celebs head up to Yorkville and try Sassafraz, the rooftop patio at Hemmingway’s or the street level patio at One Restaurant.

Toronto West End

Stay: Although there are mixed reviews you can stay in the West end at Marigold International Travellers Hostel
Visit: The Art & Design district is found in West Queen West and there are plenty of galleries including the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art.
Shop: West Queen West is littered with boutiques, keep walking up Ossington to find vintage shops like I Miss You Vintage or keep heading west into Parkdale Village for local jewellery designers at Made You Look.
Food & Entertainment: Get some fish & chips at Chippys across from Trinity Bellwoods Park or head up Ossington for some of the city’s hottest restaurants, and then dance the night away at Sweaty Bettys. Parkdale Village has a few theme bars like Stones Place; get cheap beer at the Rhino.

Toronto East End

Stay: There are a couple of top rated B&Bs just before you cross the Don River, but if you are looking for hostels you can try the Leslieville Home Hostel.
Visit: Once you cross the DVP there are few touristy sights, but you can see the Ashbridges family home and Riverdale farm. Or visit two of Toronto’s multicultural neighbourhoods, Greektown and Little India. Even grab some groceries at East China Town.
Shop: Check out The Danforth for boutiques like Tabula Rasa and Social Butterfly. Or stay along Queen Street for more boutique shopping from Riverside, Leslieville and the Beach. I recommend Studio We in Leslieville there are 2 locations one for women and one for men.
Food & Entertainment: Try Lynn Crawford’s restaurant Ruby Watch Co and live entertainment at the Opera House, both in Riverside. Have an afternoon beer on the Patios in Leslieville and the Beach or ice cream and gelato from Eds Real Scoop.

This guest post was provided by Jane from torontoShopoholic.com. torontoShopoholic.com is one shopoholic’s guide to shopping in Toronto, neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Check out the neighbourhood shopping guides, store reviews, giveaways and style guides.

ISIC Card

The international student identity card is out there for anyone 12 years old and up, in elementary, high school, college, university, or any type of post secondary. If you’re a student somewhere, you’re eligible. This card can be used in over 120 different countries around the world, including Canada. Discounts include anything from restaurants, accommodations, flights, tours, and shopping. The cost of ISIC card varies depending on which country you purchase it in, some schools give them away for free, others charge upwards of $20. Regardless of the cost of the card, the savings can be immense. One of the most popular places to save money with the ISIC Card is Via Rail, they offer some great student discounts for anyone considering traveling Canada by train. Visit ISIC for more information. Not a student? No problem, if you’re 26 years old or under, you’re eligible for the IYTC (International Youth Travel Card), which gives you the same great savings.

HI / YHA Card

The HI / YHA Card can come in handy anywhere there’s a hostel that is part of the HI or YHA Network, which as luck has it, is just about anywhere in the world. In Canada there is over 400 different places that accept the card, including every HI Hostel in Canada. On average you save $4 everytime you book a night in an HI Hostel. You might be thinking, couple toonies saved per night, not bad. But here’s when the big savings come in. When you travel by Greyhound with your HI/YHA card you can save 25% off one way and round trip tickets anywhere in Canada. You can also get 5% off any bookings made with Moose Travel Network. Big savings abound, and with a yearly cost of only $35, the card pays for itself after the first couple weeks. Visit HI-Canada Card for more information.

I’m sure there are a few other cards out there worth trying as well, but these are the only two I’ve ever personally had experience with. They’ve treated me well thus far and saved me a bit of coin on travel and accommodation and such, hopefully they can help you out too.

This four storey hostel

The New HI-Whistler Hostel opens July 1st, so book soon to beat the summer rush! Shared rooms start at $30, and private rooms at $99.

Map to the New HI Whistler Hostel

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: I have been running HI-Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel for eight fabulous years.

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: HI-Castle Mountain has two dorms, one for 14 guys and another for 14 gals, both with their own bathrooms .The beds are very wide and comfortable, a bit like Via rail some say, the only difference is ours don’t move.

There is an excellent equipped kitchen for 28 people, 2 fridges, 2 ovens, a microwave, out door barbeque, cozy lounge with a wonderful fireplace, front loading laundry, incredible water that is the equivalent of spring water. Indoor toilets, hot showers, electricity, phones, cell coverage are some of other features we have that folks that travel the chain of hostels down from Jasper look forward to when they arrive at the Castle.

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: A food store and gasoline bar is available across the road. In the surrounding area, within a short drive of the hostel there are three superb restaurants that all offer something special in Canadian foods.

Our fire pit sits beside Silverton Creek with a stunning view of Castle Mountain in front of you. We are surrounded in a true wilderness setting, with streams, trees, and fields of flowers. There are frequent animal sightings of bears, moose, elk, deer, coyotes, wolves, lynx, and pine martens. The best time to be here for the flowers is from last week in June to the 1st week in August. The bouquet is out of this world.

Castle Mountain is halfway between Banff and Lake Louise, near the intersection of Highway 1A and Highway 93 south.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: The Castle area offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of adventures, from hiking alpine trails to skiing at nearby resorts or right out the door on groomed X-C ski trails. Cycling is some of the best in the world along the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). Popular Trails in the area are Castle Mountain, Stanley Glacier, Boom Lake, Johnson Canyon, Castle Mountain Lookout.

There is extra room for luggage and bike storage. Plenty of tourism info available for those who want to know what’s going on in the Rockies. Linen is included and of course the parking is free.

Once it’s dark and the skies are clear we offer a wee trip out to look at the stars. I usually track the satellites and the space station and we time the outing with the passing of the space station, which can be quite spectacular considering how bright the station is and how dark it is in our neck of the woods.

If you need a bed anywhere in our hostel network than we will help to book that for you. Or if there is something special in the area that needs doing and you are interested but are not sure what you need, we can help make the right choice to match your sense of adventure.

HI-Castle Mountain is the perfect size to get to know your fellow hosteller. The hostel has musical instruments, a great selection of music, lots of games, a super outdoor library, along with many good reading nooks in our lounge with its huge windows.

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm prices for members is $20, non-members $24

HI Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel Website

Despite how hard these rugged hostels can be to get to, if you have the opportunity to stay at the Castle Mountain Hostel be sure to do so. It may involve some serious hiking, some hitching, some cab sharing, or just meeting the write people heading in the same direction. Whatever the case may be, getting out of the city centres and into the Canadian wilderness can be a great reminder of why you’re backpacking in Canada.

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: The Vancouver Central hostel has been open for almost 8 years. It occupies a heritage building on Granville Street in the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district.

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: We have 4- and 2-bed dorms. There is a large locker for every bed, and every dorm room has a sink. We also have private rooms with ensuite or shared washrooms. The hostel has an express kitchen, TV room, lounge, laundry room, internet kiosks, and free Wifi access. We also have free daily luggage storage, as well as long term storage for $3 per week.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: At HI-Vancouver Central we go out of our way to keep you busy! The hostel organizes daily tours of local attractions such as Granville Island and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. We run nightly activities such as pub crawls, comedy nights, and we also have cheap tickets to hockey and football games. We also sell tickets for public transit, as well as discounted tickets for bike rentals and attractions like the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Vancouver Planetarium.  Our front desk is open 24 hours a day to provide travel information and advice about local attractions. We can also help you book tours and onward accommodation.

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

A: My favorite activity is the Granville Island tour. Micah, our resident tour guide, takes you on a short ferry ride across False Creek to Granville Island. We visit the public market to sample some local treats and explore shops with works by local artists. My favorite part of the tour is the optional visit to the Granville Island Brewery. After a tour of the brewery there are delicious samples of some of Vancouver’s finest micro-brewed beers. Good times!

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: Our hostel is located on Granville Street, right in the center of Vancouver’s vibrant entertainment district. The hostel is a short walk to most of downtown Vancouver’s tourist attractions, public transit, shopping, beaches, and art galleries.

Q: Do you offer work for backpackers?

A: No, unfortunately the hostel does not provide any work for stay programs.  We will hire backpackers who have a work permit, however.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

A: During the November to March winter season we offer a 7 for 6 deal. The 7th night of your stay is free when you book 6 nights at a time. This deal is currently on hold while the Olympics are in town, but will be back as of Feb 28.

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorms from $27 and private rooms from $75.

HI Vancouver Central Website

HI Vancouver Central Facebook page

Your hostels Twitter page: @hostelscanada

HI-Vancouver Central
1025 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC
1.866.762.4122

There’s been a huge amount of hype behind Vancouver in recent days, what with the success of the 2010 winter Olympics. This is one of the most popular destinations to check out while traveling in Canada, so you’d be crazy not to include this on your itinerary. I guarantee you’ll run out of time before you run out of things to see and do.

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: I started working at the front desk in 1995, became Manager in 2004. In my 15th year at HI-Penticton. (wow)

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: The hostel sleeps 52 people in total. There are fourteen rooms – three of the rooms are larger dorms and sleep six people, one room, ideal for families, sleeps five, three of the rooms sleep four people, three rooms sleep three people and four of our rooms sleep two. There is a large self-catering kitchen for guests, dining room, coin-operated laundry facilities, a quiet living room and separate TV area. The backyard features a covered patio with a barbecue – a great place to unwind each day. There is also free on-site parking.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: Yes. We work closely with local tour operators and can book a tour at a moment’s notice for our guests. Most of the time the tour operators will pick up guests at our front door.

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

A: Hard to nail it down to one favourite. Our Hockey Night In Penticton runs October – March and has always been a huge success, despite the fact that is traditionally our off season. The Kettle Valley Railway / Trans Canada Trail clean-ups in the Spring are very successful. Wine tours (April-October) are always a hit; wine, beautiful scenery and sunshine! How can it not be?!

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: Penticton is located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley in a semi-arid desert setting and is nestled between two lakes. The shores of Okanagan Lake line the north end of the city, while Skaha Lake borders the south end.  One side of the valley is lush and lined with orchards full of fresh fruit during the summer months. The opposite side is dryer and perfect for vineyards that produce the grapes to supply the vast number of wineries in the area with the necessary product needed to produce award-winning and world-renowned wines. We are fortunate to experience all four seasons in Penticton. In the winter Apex Mountain is the place to be. A 30-minute drive west will take you to the mountain with 1112 skiable acres, a high-speed quad chair taking you to 7200ft, and 58 runs to pamper and challenge all levels. Apex is a world class mountain without the pretentious attitude or outrageous costs of most ski areas. In the Spring and Fall the Skaha Climbing Bluffs (this area was recently designated as a Provincial Park) offers world class climbing and breathtaking views. I am only scraping the surface mentioning this stuff; the opportunities, terrain and scenery surrounding Penticton are vast and varied.

Q: Do you offer work for backpackers?

A: No. BUT we can assist those looking for work in orchards and vineyards in connecting with the right people.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

A: We offer multi-day discounted rates year round, free BBQs in the summer and fantastic service all the time!

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm: from $20.00/night
Double: from $52.50/night
Other: Multi-day discounts are available in shared (dorm) rooms.

Your hostels website: HI-Penticton
Your hostels Twitter page: @hostelscanada

I’ve been to Penticton several times, this part of Canada is one of those unique places where you have to see it to believe it. When most people think of deserts, the last place they think is Canada. Warm weather, wine, and some beautiful beaches and water… can’t get much better than that. Penticton’s a superb place to hangout in the summer, be sure to check out the Penticton River Channel for some serious floating tube action. Big thanks to Lisa for taking the time to tell us about HI-Penticton. Don’t forget to subscribe to i Backpack Canada for more interviews and sneak peaks into life in Canada’s hostels.

HI Hostels recently announced that they still have rooms! A large block of beds have just been released at HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach. Dorms start at only $31.50. HI also has some room before and after the games at all three Vancouver Locations, Jericho Beach, Vancouver Centrail, and Vancouver Downtown.

So if you’re looking for last minute accommodations for the the Winter Olympics, call HI’s Central Reservations at 1-866-762-4122. Be sure to read their special booking policies -  – which apply for February 12 through to the 27th. So jump on it while it’s still available!

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: I’ve been managing the Hosteling International hostels in Jasper National Park since March 2009, but HI-Jasper has been here since the 1979. The building used to be a ski lodge.

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: HI-Jasper is a great place to start your Rocky Mountain adventure.  Our hostel gives our guests every opportunity to meet new people, whether it be in one of our large dormitory rooms or else in our open kitchen and common room.  We have a guest laundry room, a TV room as well as 4 private rooms (if dorms don’t tickle your pickle).

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: We have great deals on year round activities in Jasper National Park.  In the summer months we sell rafting trips at our front desk and in the winter we offer discounted tickets for Marmot Basin as well as Maligne Canyon Ice Walks.  At night, join us by the fire pit for a few drinks and share stories with other travellers.

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

A: I would say the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk.  It is a great deal (about $50) and takes our guests to places not normally seen anywhere else.  Your tour guides take you along the canyon floor where you navigate along a frozen river all the while staring up at some incredible glaciers that line the steep walls.  There is a free pick-up and drop-off service at the hostel as well.  For those of our guests seeking some real adventure, I would suggest hiking the Skyline Trail.  It’s pretty amazing but its 45km route is certainly not for everyone.

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: You have to see it to believe it!  We are located 7 km outside the town of Jasper on the side of Whistler’s Mountain.  Directly out the back door of the hostel our guests look up at the peak of the mountain (which has a gondola running up to the top during the summer months).  For those people who want a little adventure, the trailhead to the top of Whistler’s mountain is also located in our backyard.  We are also in an area that is home to many wild species so it is not uncommon to see elk, deer, bears, wolves and coyotes roaming our property.

Q: Do you offer work for backpackers?

A: We do offer a “work for stay” to our guests on occasion.  This is done on a first-come, first-served basis and only when we need an extra set of helping hands around the hostel.  We usually ask for a bit of help in the summer months so make sure to keep your eyes peeled to our notice board at the front desk for any opportunities.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

A: We have great deals on our dormitory rooms in the winter months. You can stay three nights for the price of two until the end of March. We also have great packages in the summer so make sure to inquire when you arrive at the hostel. Our ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ packages let you pick and choose to combine any number of overnights with the activities you like for a good deal.

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm: $20 – $26
Double:  $58 – $63

Your hostels website: www.hihostels.ca/jasper
Your hostels Facebook page:  HI-Jasper
Your hostels Twitter page: @hostelsCanada

HI-Jasper Hostel
1 Skytram Rd, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0
(877) 852-0781‎

Thanks again to Ryan and HI Canada for taking the time to answer some questions. HI-Jasper has all you need to get your Rocky Mountain Adventure started, so be sure to swing by Jasper National Park and stop in for a night or two. Don’t forget to subscribe to i Backpack Canada for more interviews and sneak peaks into life in Canada’s hostels and be sure to check out HI-Jasper on Facebook & Twitter.

HI-Whistler will begin taking online reservations on February 1st. Dorms are starting at $30 for HI members in the low season, which includes taxes. Rates will peak at $35 in the summer and busy winter seasons. And according to Backpacker Buzz, private rooms with ensuites will range from $99 to $150 for HI Members.

Many people have been wondering what will happen to the old HI-Whistler. At the moment it’s still open and taking reservations, but will be closing once the new hostel opens. The Regional Municipality of Whistler purchased the property, however HI hasn’t heard much about what is in its future.

I’m really looking forward to checking out this new Canadian hostel during the summer. I have no doubts that the new HI-Whistler will live up to HI’s reputation as a clean, good quality place to stay for cheap.

Check out the new HI-Whistler website for more information.

If anyone makes it to Whistler for opening day, I would love to hear from you!

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: We’ve been running seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day for 10 amazing years!

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: We have a huge spectrum of room choices to suit any budget; from 4 to 6 bed dorms to mini-privates to hotel-style rooms with ensuite bathrooms. We have a large, recently renovated,  communal kitchen and dining area and if you’re feeling too lazy to cook, our licensed Café Lounge is open daily serving Thai and Indian curries, as well as burgers, paninis and fresh salads at backpacker prices. We also offer free wireless, cheap internet access, parking, bike and bag storage and on site laundry facilities. Our staff are on hand 24 hours a day to answer your questions and make sure you’re safe and happy.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: We have a Games Night, a Quiz Night and a very popular Open Mic Night. We book whale watching trips, Lizard Adventure Travel day trips(www.lizardaventuretravel.com) and sell dicounted tickets for the Royal BC Museum and Imax Theater. We’ve partnered up with lots of local businesses to give our guests amazing discounts for kayak rentals, bike rentals, sailing trips, fishing trips and so much more!

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

A: Open Mic is a lot of fun and it has a strong community following too, so it is a great way for travellers to meet locals. It makes for eclectic music from sitar players to West Coast Blue Grass!

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: We’re right in Victoria’s downtown core, so guest can walk to Chinatown, access to public transit, theatres, inner harbour, bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, Beacon Hill Park and the Empress Hotel within 15 minutes.

Q: Do you offer work for backpackers? When is the best time to apply for work at your hostel?

A: We often hire travellers as full time staff. Spring is generally the best time to apply but we welcome resumes all year round.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

A: We offer great discounted 3 day, weekly, biweekly and monthly rates on dorms and private rooms. We also do an amazing $4.75 meal special and our 24 hour $5.00 breakfast special is a hit! Our prices are staying the same during the Olympics too!

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm: $19-$28
Double:$39-$79
Other: We have a second location in a heritage house in James Bay. Our fully furnished one bedroom suites are available from $ $95-$125

Your hostels website: www.oceanisland.com

Your hostels Facebook page: Ocean Island Backpackers

Your hostels Twitter page (if available): @oibi

A warm and happy thank you goes out to Adam of Ocean Island Backpackers Inn. Be sure to stop by Ocean Island Backpackers Inn when you travel to Vancouver Island. Victoria is a very cool town with lots to see and do and is one of my favourite locations on Vancouver Island. It’s the perfect hub to get started on seeing as much of Vancouver Island as possible. Remember to subscribe to i Backpack Canada for more interviews and sneak peaks into life in Canada’s hostels and be sure to check out Ocean Island Backpackers on Facebook & Twitter.

Interview Questions: