Vancouver Island Downhill Ski 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 snow 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.

In many snow skiing circles, Vancouver Island is recognized as one of the top ski hills in BC. In some years the snow fall on Vancouver Island has been record breaking, like in 1995, the snow reached over 600 cm (20 feet) on the Mount Washington ski hill.

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

Mount Washington enjoys over 60 ski runs. The green runs are nicely separated near the T-bar Discovery Platter and the Green Chair. The blue and black ski runs are located throughout the mountain are accessed by the Hawk Highspeed and Eagle Express Six Pack Chair, Whiskey Jack Triple Chair and the Sunrise Quad. The double black runs are located on the backside of the mountain and are accessed by the Boomerang Quad. (prepare for a tricky dismount as skiers must go through a tunnel).

The closest skiing accommodations are located on Mount Washington where you are able to ski 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 ski 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 from Port McNeill. Often the road is not as well maintained by plows as the mountain is run by volunteers.. 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 Downhill Skiing