Looking out at the Atlantic

My older brother made a surprise visit from Regina a few days back, so I took him out to the Lawrencetown district and showed him some of the neat little beaches along the coast. Despite how cloudy it looks it was actually a really nice day out. Go warm winter days.

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: 9 years

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: 80 dorm beds and 12 private rooms.  Our dorms are 4, 6 and 8 person dorm rooms. We have one 8 person female dorm.  Our private rooms have one double bed in them and share a interlocking washroom with the room beside then. All of them have cable tv and 9 of them have high def flat screens.  We have a massive kitchen open 7am to 10pm it has all the cooking utensils, fridges and stoves you need. We have a coin-operated laundry room, tv room and patio with bbq out back.  Also have a pool table, bubble hockey table, shuffle board table and foosball table and the big attraction is the new ping pong table.

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

A: We have a activity happening everyday, they range from bbq nights to Kelowna Rockets hockey nights.

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

A: The bbq night or the Thanksgiving & Christmas meal because it is a great dinner and cheap for $10 and $5

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

A: Great location right on the main hwy 97 downtown Kelowna. A short 5 min walk to beach and the downtown Bernard street.

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

A: We do a work for pay which means we pay our staff and then they pay us rent for the staff room.  Need to apply a good month ahead of time.

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

A: We have a pay for two get your third night free if you book on line.  We do a pay for six nights and get your seventh night free right now.

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm:$24 in a 6 or 8 person dorm and $28 in a 4 person dorm

Double:$49 plus tax in winter

Your hostels website: www.samesun.com

Your hostels Facebook page (if available): samesun nation

Your hostels Twitter page (if available): on the website

A big thanks goes out to Jerel, the Manager of Kelowna’s SameSun Backpacker Lodge. Be sure to browse through the photos and get a behind the scenes look at some of the great times being had there. Kelowna’s a beautiful city, and one of my personal favourites in British Columbia. You should have no trouble finding fun in this hip and happening city. Don’t forget to subscribe to i Backpack Canada for more interviews and sneak peaks into life in Canada’s hostels.

For more information on Vancouver’s SameSun Backpackers Lodge, check out:

• SameSun Backpackers Website
• Become a Facebook Fan of SameSun Backpackers
• SameSun Backpackers Twitter page

How long have you been operating your hostel?

6 years

Tell us about your hostel?

We can sleep about 270 people. We have 12 private rooms, some with en suite, some doubles and some twins, 15 6 bed dorms and 41 4 bed dorms. We have a laundry room, tv room, shared kitchen, internet facilities, free wi-fi, pool table, foosball table, common room and daily activities.

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

We offer many activities including poker tournaments, ice skating, open mic night, movie night, trivia night, djs on Saturday night, hockey games, special weekend activities and free walking tours. We book tours of BC and Alberta with Moose Travel and also book hop on/off city tours, walking tours and whale watching.

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

Trivia night. Lots of fun down in the Beaver restaurant. Everyone gets right into it and with 5 different rounds and excellent hosts it is very entertaining. And of course Canucks games.

Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

We are located on Granville St in downtown Vancouver which is the heart of the cities entertainment district and located a short walk to all the attractions and shopping.

Do you offer work for backpackers in lieu of accommodation? When is the best time to apply for work at your hostel?

We do not offer work for stay as that is against the law in Canada. We hire backpackers all the time though and give a reduced rent fare to them.

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

We offer weekly dorm rates where you pay 6 for 7 nights.

How much does it cost for:

Dorm: $26
Double: $70 or 80
Other: weekly dorm is $156, Olympics nightly dorm is $39.50

Judging by all that Vancouver’s SameSun Backpackers Lodge is offering, it looks like you’re destined for a superb time while staying at this beautiful Canadian hostel. A big thank you to Pete for answering all my questions and informing me that it’s actually illegal to work for accommodation in Canada. I’ll be sure to remember that! Be sure to check out all of their pictures and subscribe to I Backpack Canada for more interviews with Canadian hostels.

For more information on Vancouver’s SameSun Backpackers Lodge, check out:

• SameSun Backpackers Website
• Become a Facebook Fan of SameSun Backpackers
• SameSun Backpackers Twitter page

1. Dog Sledding

Take a guided trip and command your own team of dogs. There are several options to choose from in different areas of Canada. Be sure you’re ready to brave the cold. Overnight trips are available as well. Dog Sledding trips are perfect for families and couples, or anyone who wants to see some of the most remote parts of Canada.

2. Tobogganing

Tobogganing (or sledding) is one of the most popular things to do in the winter. Grab a crazy carpet, GT, wooden toboggan, anything that’ll let you slide, and aimlessly propel yourself downhill. Get ready for face washes, snow in your boots, ice burn, and tingling fingers. But like the heat in the kitchen, if you can’t take the cold, stay out of the snow.

3. Snowmobiling

Many provinces, such as Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, have an intricate network of trails for snowmobiles. Many of which are groomed as well. Find your nearest ski doo rental shop and hop on a Polaris. The thrill is that of riding a motorcycling all terrain through the snow. It’s awesomeness won’t let you down.

4. Ice Fishing

Canadians have an unhealthy obsession with fishing. Spring, summer, fall, and even winter, there’s always something to catch. Drive to the nearest lake and expect to see a village of wooden shocks on top of the ice. Many Fishing Supply Stores will have their own shack, and some even rent them out. Be sure to bring coffee or hot mocha.

5. Snow shoeing

Snowshoes are one of those great inventions that made the Settlers in Canada extremely thankful to have. Several parks around Canada offer guided tours, including Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Glacier National Park. Although not nearly as thrilling as snowboarding or skiing, this activity is great for snapping pictures of the Canadian terrain.

6. Skiing & Snowboarding

Most skiing and snowboarding activities take place on the west coast of Canada, between Alberta and British Columbia. Rentals are available at nearly every ski shop once you make it into one of the many mountain villages. Rentals are occasionally done right at mountain as well. Canada has some of the best mountains for skiing and snowboarding, so be sure to give it a go during the winter.

7. Cross Country Skiing

Picture yourself skiing down a mountain. Now picture that there is no mountain and you’re pushing yourself through the flat snow. Doesn’t sound all that awesome does it? Well believe it or not this is still a popular sport in Canada, and can offer some great views of Canada’s winter landscape. Be prepared for a sore body as this is an extreme workout for people who’ve never done it before. Bring a camera along as you should have plenty of time to snap a few pictures while waiting to catch your breath.

8. Build an Igloo / Quinzhee

Having the ability to construct a shelter out of nothing but snow and ice is a valuable skill to have. Despite the fact that it can take a good few hours out in the snow to complete one, once you’ve got everything finished, there is nothing like relaxing in the hollow sound of a Quinzhee or Igloo. As a kid I used to build a couple of these every winter. Until I got bored and put my smash-face on. They make the perfect forts for snowball fights and can keep you warm in the harsh winter conditions of Canada.

9. Snowball Fights

The art of molding a perfect snowball is a skill most Canadians possess. It’s something we acquire from birth really. We can tell you which snow to use, which to avoid, and how to properly remove the frozen sheet of snow which gives access to the hidden ‘good stuff’. In recent years, snowball fights have been banned at most schools, and there are always a few nutty parents screaming devil’s play at the sight of kids hurling snow and ice at one another. This hasn’t stopped snowball fights from happening. Whether it’s getting in a snowball fight with some random kids at a park, or taking part in a drunken snowball fight after a night out of partying, you should always be on your toes and be ready for a snowball fight to break out. Avoid picking up that frozen block of ice to throw, breaking faces is one of the few rules of war. Dirty snowballs are sometimes fair game, just try not to be the first to throw them.

10. Pond Hockey / Skating

By late December, most ponds and lakes have frozen over, and the cities have finished their public skating rinks in the parks, giving people another surface to play on. Whether it’s a quick game of hockey, or just practicing your sweet Elvis Stojko moves, you’ll have a good time out on the ice. There’s something magical about the sound of blades tearing through ice, the sound of pucks hitting the boards, the swish and spray of someone putting on the breaks, and the sight of your own breathe following you wherever you go. Depending on where you are, public skating rinks and ponds are nearly everywhere. Just be sure to watch for signs indicating ‘Thin Ice’, and never skate on pond or lake ice alone.

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