Downhill Skiing
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Downhill skiing on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada is enjoyed during the winter months in the mountains near the communities of Courtenay and Port McNeill, BC. Mount Washington is near Courtenay (central Vancouver Island) and Mount Cain is near Port McNeill (north Vancouver Island).

Snow arrives at the higher elevations from late November and continues falling until late April. Snow usually falls only in the mountains on Vancouver Island. But in recent years snow has been falling more regularly at the lower elevations in the communities.

Snow on Vancouver Island mountains is generally wet and heavy. Storms and down drafts coming in from the Strait of Georgia create ideal cold conditions for large accumulations of snow at a time.

Almost every year Vancouver Island ski mountains record some of the highest levels of snowfall of all BC mountains. 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 Mount Washington.

Mount Washington Ski Mountain is the larger ski and snowboard hill on the island. There are accommodations, restaurants, pubs, child care, lessons, gift shops, ski shops and equipment rentals in the village.

The mountain slopes on Mount Washington - front and back combined - are covered with over 60+ ski runs. A T-bar services the green runs. The blue and black runs on the front side of the mountain are serviced by the Hawk High speed, Eagle Express Six Pack Chair, Whiskey Jack Triple Chair and the Sunrise Quad.

The double black runs located on the backside of Mount Washington are accessed by the Boomerang Quad. This chair lift has an interesting dismount including a quick downhill mound and a quick turn into a tunnel. Do not miss the turn. Great tree runs here.

There are accommodations on Mount Washington. The next closest accommodations are only a 1/2 hour to an hour drive away in the communities located at the base of the mountain - Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River and Saratoga Beach .

Mount Cain is the smaller ski hill located further north on Vancouver Island near the community of Port McNeill. It is 60 minutes from Port McNeill to the mountain driving along the highway and dirt roads. 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.

Have a Great Day Skiing Eh !!

The EH TEAM.

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