You care most about being on the slopes, so why burn cash on lodgings? Colorado’s unheralded hostels offer up some cush accommodations.
Perhaps you have Euro-slummed in hostels but if you’ve never stayed in one here in the United States, you’ve been missing out. Case in point: Colorado offers up dozens of boutique bunkhouses and rustic dorm-style lodging options available for a fraction of the cost of a single lift ticket. Don’t be shy: This ski season, save cash and make some new friends at these mountain hostels. And don’t get snobby—these group accomodations have style.
Breckenridge
You’ll pay more for twin-sized bed at The Bivvi, sharing a room with five strangers, than you might elsewhere, but you’ll also get one of the highest-quality hostel experiences Colorado has to offer. The Bivvi is within walking distance from downtown Breck, has an outdoor hot tub, serves beer on tap in the swank lounge, and a hot, homemade breakfast is included with your stay.
Twin bunks start at $59 per night during ski season. 970-423-6553, thebivvi.com
Vail
At most hostels, your only option for privacy is to hang a sheet or towel from the bottom of the bunk above you. But that budget hack’s not necessary at The Bunkhouse, which just opened in downtown Minturn in May, 2016. The main bedroom houses a few dozen people, but each bed sits in its own little cocoon, cordoned off from the rest by a thick wall that runs roughly 2/3 the length of the bed. Bunks start at $68. 970-827-4165; vailbunkhouse.com
Monarch
Indeed, The Simple Lodge & Hostel lives up to its name, but for $27 a night, you can stay in downtown Salida and hit the slopes early at Monarch the next morning. You can save a few more bucks simply by bringing your own sheets or sleeping bag, and by paying in cash. Bunks start at $24 per night. 719-650-7381; simplelodge.com
Crested Butte
You’ll feel right at home at The Wanderlust Hostel near downtown Gunnison. The quirky, colorful digs offers bunks with curtains for a touch of privacy, and private rooms accommodate couples or families on a budget. Bunks start at $25 per night; call the hostel for family room rates. 970-901-1599; thewanderlusthostel.com
Ski Cooper & Copper
You can also save money on the slopes if you spend a night at the Leadville Hostel. Guests can buy discounted lift tickets to Ski Cooper. The hostel lies close to downtown Leadville and just 15 minutes from the lifts at Cooper and 30 minutes from Copper Mountain. Bunks start at $23 per night. 719-486-9334; leadvillehostel.com
Telluride
Downtown Rico, Colorado, may not look like it has much to offer, but how many other hostels sit within easy walking distance of free, natural hot springs? The Mine Shaft Inn is a 40-minute drive from Telluride’s famed slopes and stashes. The comfortable rooms and lounge are decorated with antiques from the early 1900s. Bunks start at $23 per night. 970-967-6463; mineshaftinn.com
—Kassondra Cloos
