End of an Era.
HI-Whistler Hostel on Alta Lake closes July 1, 2010.
Hostelling International first established itself in Whistler almost 40 years ago, when HI took over an old fishing lodge on the shores of Alta Lake in 1969. Formerly known as Cypress Lodge, HI originally leased the property and purchased it outright in 1972. At the time the HI Hostel on Alta Lake opened, the Whistler ski area was only three years old and featured just three lifts and the hostel registered 2,000 overnights.
Over the years, demand for hostel accommodations would greatly outstrip supply. Today, Whistler/Blackcomb's 38 lifts hoist more than 60,000 skiers and snowboarders per hour and the 25-bed home of HI-Whistler on Alta Lake can no longer meet the demand of budget travellers visiting the all-season destination.
On July 1, 2010, Hostelling International is opening a brand new 188-bed hostel in Cheakamus Crossing, located 8km south of Whistler Village. With the new hostel's opening, the Alta Lake hostel will cease operation. The Resort Municipality of Whistler has purchased the land and property from Hostelling International and plans for its future use are unknown at this time.Hostelling International wishes to thank all the thousands of guests and staff who have stayed with us at our beautiful hostel on the lake these past 40 years.