Vancouver Island XC Mountains are everywhere.. just look up. The logging roads leading up and down and sideways across the mountains, at some elevations, are covered in snow and make for some great cross country ski trips. Some skiers even venture into the backcountry to some of the private recreational warming huts on some of the mountains. And there are some dandy ones!

The west coast mountains are notoriously famous for receiving some of the highest volumes of snowfall in BC, Canada (and in many years in Canada). The snow fall continues into early spring at the higher elevations keeping the snowboard hills open, usually, until the Easter weekend in April.

Because of the mild temperatures and the weather systems blowing in off the coastal mountains from the Pacific Ocean.. down drafts coming off the Strait of Georgia are created.. a combination of systems, a weather cocktail that delivers some of the heaviest snow fall in BC to island mountains.

The local island mountain ranges are often layered in powder snow during the winter months, with two mountain resorts catering to cross country skiers. In the Comox Valley, a community located centrally on Vancouver Island, is where the larger XC resort of the two is located on Mount Washington. Further north up island, south of Port McNeill is the second of the island boarding hills, Mount Cain.

Mount Washington enjoys over 15 nordic trails with 51 kilometres of classic and 51 of skate. The Nordic Centre is open at 8 am and provides rentals, maps and lessons. The nordic trails cater to all skill levels with 2 green trails, 6 blue trails and 7 black diamond trails for the experienced. Most of the trails explore Paradise Meadows.

The closest cross country ski mountain accommodations are located on Mount Washington where you are able to ski to your nordic trail to and from your front door. Next closest accommodations are in the communities located at the base of the mountain. Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River and Saratoga Beach are only a 1/2 - 1 hour drive away but with more amenities and services.

Mount Cain is a smaller cross country resort located further north on Vancouver Island near the community of Port McNeill, BC. It is a scenic 60 minute wilderness drive to the mountain south of Port McNeill or 2 hrs north from Campbell River. The mountain is run by volunteers. It is a beautiful setting with a rural feel.. um... so bring chains or phone ahead for road conditions. There are accommodations on Mt. Cain, although few. Most of the accommodations are located in the northern communities including Port Hardy and McNeill.

Vancouver Island XC Skiing