I consider myself a decent boarder - for the first few hours - and then my knees go numb from a hundred shock absorbing turns. I grabbed the last lift for the day at Big White Mountain ski resort, two hours east of Vancouver, and enjoyed one last wobbly-legged run. Like lemmings to the cliff, a group exodus of boarders and skiers took the last turn at the bottom of the hill, and started unbuckling, unstrapping, unlayering, packing, stacking and changing for the ride home.

I, however, carved over to the entrance of a lodge on the mountain, snapped off my bindings, opened the door, and stepped inside for the night. Welcome to Same Sun Big White Ski-In Hostel.

The idea of a ski in-ski out hostel began just a few years ago, but it's flying higher than Powers, Kass, and Thomas on an Olympic half pipe. Craig Kelley, the founder of Same Sun Hostels group, figured that young boarders, skiers, and even families would huddle up in dorm style accommodations at $20 CAN a pop rather than pay bank to stay at a typical high-end ski lodge.

Kelley, a ski bum turned Big Cheese (says so on his business card), quipped in a strong Canadian accent (think of the lingo in Fargo with 'eh' after each sentence), "We offer champagne style on a beer budget, eh."

Young snowboarders jammed into the 70 bunks at the hostel in Big White. It was packed, mainly with season pass holders itching for a big dump of snow. Mornings were met with sleepy eyes and free pancakes for all, the breakfast of champions in Canada. Days were spent fulfilling the motto of Same Sun, "Steep, deep and cheap!" Nights were reserved for pool, foosball, videos (guys and girls hucking sick drops on local runs) and the deep thump of house music in the huge common room. Keg parties are a special occasion, but because one of the staff, Nick, had found a new pool cue, it was time to celebrate.

What started as one hostel at Kelowna, the lake-side town at the base of Big White Mountain, has turned into six Same Sun Hostels, and the idea is spreading fast. Some of the hostels, including the Big White location, are seasonally open and sometimes sold out, so check out www.Canadianskihostels.com in advance. Same Sun hostels are also located in Silver Star, Kimberley and Fernie, all in British Columbia . In the land of mounties and hip-deep powder, they know a good idea when they see one; ski-in hostels are on nearly every slope. What else do you expect? Any self-respecting snowboarder, skier, and traveler would rather spend money on lift tickets than four-poster beds. Give me a dorm cot and deep powder any day.