Winter Break Residence Closure

Image of young woman has gaze aside, hands under chin, wears hat and knitted sweater, wears transparent glasses, isolated over purple background

Each year, between the end of December and the beginning of January, Totem Park, Place Vanier and Orchard Commons close for the winter break, in consideration of student safety and security.

During this time, residents must find alternative accommodation.

2023/24 winter break residence closure

Residence closes: Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 12 pm (noon)
Residence re-opens: Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 12 pm (noon)

Places to Stay During Winter Break

Winter break is a great time to catch up on some much needed sleep—but first, you need to know where to sleep. Here are some suggestions to keep you safe, warm and happy during your time off.

Stay with friends

If you have close friends who live in Vancouver, ask around to see if you can stay with them during the break. Spending your vacation with your pals is always fun.

And if you live in or near Vancouver, ask around and make sure your friends from out of town have somewhere to stay!

Stay in an upper year’s room while they’re away

If you know people who live in an upper-year residence who will be away for the break, it’s possible to borrow their room.

Eligible residences include Brock Commons, Exchange, Fairview Crescent, Fraser Hall, Iona House, Marine Drive, Ponderosa Commons, tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ, Thunderbird, Walter Gage, and Ritsumeikan-UBC House.

Don’t know anyone who is able to lend out their upper-year room? No problem! You can try to find someone on our Room Switch and Sublet Forum on Facebook. Be aware that you need to apply to lend/borrow a room at the front desk of an upper-year residence.

Whether you’re staying at a friend’s or borrowing from an upper-year resident, remember to keep it clean and water their succulents—everybody wins.

Holidays Residence Guide

Staying in residence over the holidays? Check out the Holidays in Residence Guide to see how you can make the most out of your winter break.

Hostels, Airbnb and VRBO

Hostels are a simple and affordable way to get off campus but remain in Vancouver. The city has lots of options at varying prices and lots of different locations. Check out HI Hostels and HostelWorld to see what’s available. Once you’ve found something promising, it’s worthwhile to contact the accommodation directly to book—they’ll often give you a discount for skipping the third party.

For something that’s more cozy and homey, see what’s available on Airbnb or VRBO. The options vary significantly, from entire homes to tiny rooms in apartments, so you can find something suited to your needs. Make sure to pick a verified host and read lots of reviews before making your choice.

If you’re (almost) out of options

If you have tried all of the above options, but still need to find accommodation, contact your Residence Advisor or Residence Life Manager right away.