The Urban Retreat Hostel – Big White, Big White, Канада

The ultimate ski in, ski out location in the heart of Big White village. You can ski/ride right to the front door! We have the best and most enjoyable place you can stay at on the mountain. Our staff are knowledgeable, friendly and are from all over the world. We all live on site and many guests choose to spend the entire season with us which creates a unique hostel experience unlike any other. Come and join us this season for the fresh turns and the great people at Urban Retreat hostel.

The Urban Retreat hostel is a snow lovers dream come true. Our hostel is perfectly located in the heart of the village with everything you'll need from groceries, rentals, pubs and restaurants within a 2 minute walk. We have a ski in ski out location giving the ability to access most of Big White's ski lifts and the terrain park from our backyard. We also have our own mini terrain park, sledding area, parking lot and BBQ pit right next to the hostel.

Inside you'll find everything you would need to be comfortable and relaxed. We have renovated and repainted the entire hostel since we took over August 1st 2009. We offer a TV room with brand new furniture, a front desk/reception that calms you as you enter, free internet kiosk and wi-fi, a wax station, ski locker, day storage, a massive kitchen/common area big enough for the whole hostel to take part in dinners or a hockey game. The kitchen is equipped with TVs, everything you'll need to cook , lots food storage, 4 fridges, 2 deep freezers, 3 cooking areas and 2 sink areas. It’s just about the biggest common area a hostel can have without being a bar! We have coin operated laundry facilities, 4 fully functioning and huge bathrooms, a safe at the front desk for safe storage and a staff that will help with anything and everything.

Our rooms have 4 to 8 beds which we provide all your linen, lockers and clean up. 2010/2011 will see us having theme rooms. We have already had 3 street artist do murals at the hostel. We believe the hostel needs to be covered in art to truly bring out the image we wish to deliver. If security is an issue, don't worry! We had zero reports of theft last year. Most of our guests leave their skis/boards right in the hallway or out front by the entrance. Our office staff is on from 7am to 10pm. Then we have security from 10pm to 7am. Never mind our security cameras!

We strive to bring you the best and we feel confident that we have done it!

We have 16 dorm rooms with 4, 6 or 8 beds. 6 private rooms with kitchenette, a double and single bunk bed and TV. Our dorm rooms are separate into mixed, girl's only, weekly stays and season long dorm rooms.

The dorm rooms have linen, lockers, mats for your boots, and lots of space for everyone's gear, new paint jobs and some of them our theme rooms or have been painted by local artists.

Our hostel is fully cleaned every day!

Big White Ski Resort offers a daily shuttle and more information is available at The Big White Ski Resort Website

You can also take a City Taxi. Costs will range from $100-$150 CAN.

From the Kelowna Greyhound Bus Station. When you arrive at the Greyhound station in Kelowna, for public transit, simply walk over to Orchard Park Mall and catch the #10 or #11 bus to Queensway and then walk south to Harvey and the hostel is located at Harvey and Abbott. Or hail a taxi immediately outside the station. Then, spend the night at our Kelowna location, load up and take the shuttle up to Big White in the morning.

By Car:

If driving to Big White, from Kelowna, follow Highway #33 for approximately 55 kilometers. Along Highway #33, you will see the sign for Big White Ski Resort. Turn left onto Big White road and follow for 15 kilometers. Our lodge is located just above the main village at 7470 Porcupine Road at the base of the Moguls building.