Winter Tourism on Vancouver Island

Canada’s west coast tourism winter season enjoys a unique array of weather conditions. Because we have some of the best weather conditions in Canada, we on the west coast, can snow ski, snowboard and snow skidoo in the mountain high elevations, while at the same time we could be playing a game of golf, scuba diving, surfing, hiking and kayaking at the lower levels in our communities. A truly prime island environment for any individual who likes adventure and being outdoors.

A big misnomer of information circulating around the world is that all of Canada is snow country everywhere in the winter and spring. Well most of it might be, but Canada is huge so let the truth be known, that if the interior of BC and the rest of Canada has minus temperatures and snow, we often have a whole different weather situation. We are the tropics of the north. Almost every time there is snow, we get most of it at the high elevations on our ski hills, leaving down low mild and many times, sunny. Don't kid yourself we like the snow at sea level during the Holiday Season, but maybe not all the time like other parts of Canada. The island eco-activities are plentiful, varied and often can be experienced at lower prices during the off season rates. Many tourism activities are year round because the Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands enjoys the warmest winter temperatures in Canada, hands down!

The geography of the islands is complex with days and nights spent experiencing many different weather conditions simultaneously. In the same day, it is not uncommon, to have the west of Vancouver Island under the pounding surf of a Pacific Coast storm, the central Vancouver Island waking up to a rainbow in a warming mist evaporating into the morning sunset after a night of drizzling rain while the south of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands is basking in sunshine. And the ski hills received over 8 inches of powder the same night!

Mostly the snow is found on the ski slopes at the higher elevations on the local coastal mountains. Mt. Washington, in Strathcona Park near Courtenay, is our island world class ski resort in the winter season dedicated to entertaining the downhill skier, cross country skier and snowmobiles. Mt Cain, further north is a smaller ski hill, ideal for snowboard thrills and spills.

The definite appeal of the winter activities is the mild temperatures which draws travelers from all around the world to either, play a round of golf at any of the 40+ golf courses, scuba dive offshore shipwrecks, horse back ride rainforest trails, boating the inlets and coves, whale watching from a BC Ferry, off-roading rugged backroads, hiking National and Provincial Parks and fishing year round. Winter specialty activities, excelling here on Vancouver Island, include storm watching, snow skiing, skidoo, snowboarding and snow shoeing to a relaxing mountain chalet.

Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands is a winter wonderland with festivals, galleries, museums and theatres running year round. Relieve tensions with a visit to a west coast spa which will tend to those adventure muscles.

A mild climate, unlimited activities and smaller crowds ensures plenty of quality time exploring and trying new activities on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Everyday could end with a gourmet seafood dinner at any of the fine restaurants located on the islands before calling it a night only to wake up to another day of planned Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands winter activities.