Winter Activities on Vancouver Island

Most people will shiver at the mere mention of the term Canadian Winter. Images of igloos and parkas accompanied by snowstorms and well below freezing temperatures usually prevail when one envisions January north of the 49th parallel, but those who think of Canadian winters as harsh and unforgiving probably haven't spent a winter on B.C.'s Vancouver Island, a destination known for its mild, even warm winter season.

	A Snowy Morning in Strathcona Park Photo Courtesy Spirit of the West

Vancouver Island is a popular summer destination, famous as a marine playground, whale-watching hotspot and outdoor recreation haven. Few visitors know it as a place suitable for year-round travel, but in reality, winter on the island, which runs roughly from December to mid-March, offers many of the attractions of summer without the massive crowds of people that accompany the high tourist season. The climate on the island is so temperate that even in its northernmost city, Port Hardy, the temperature rarely dips below freezing. Vancouver Island is one of those rare places where people can start their day with a round of golf, go skiing in the afternoon and enjoy their evening strolling on the beach.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT VANCOUVER ISLAND

Geography
Vancouver Island is separated from mainland B.C. by the Strait of Georgia, and the capital of Victoria is just over 100 km from Vancouver. The island is commonly accessed by ferry and plane. The main ferry ports on the Island are at Victoria, Nanaimo and Comox. B.C. Ferry rides from Vancouver to either Victoria or Nanaimo take up to 95 minutes (to learn more about transportation on Vancouver Island, Click Here).

Vancouver Island is quite a bit larger than most people tend to think. At 32,261 km² (19,356 mi²), getting from place-to-place can take longer than one would expect. A total of 502 km (312 mi) lie between the southernmost city on the island (Victoria) and the northernmost one (Port Hardy), and driving between the two can take up to seven hours.

The island can be divided into four distinct regions: the South Island, Central Island, Pacific Rim and the North Island. The South Island consists of the communities of Victoria, Sidney, Sooke, Duncan and Cowichan, while the Pacific Rim is home to Tofino, Ucluelet and Bamfield. The Central Island houses the regions of Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and the Comox Valley, and the Northern Island encompasses the communities of Campbell River, Tahsis, Telegraph Cove, Alert Bay, Port McNeill and Port Hardy.

Climate
The climate on the Island, as previously mentioned, is temperate, and the temperatures are rarely extreme, leaning towards cool rather than cold in the winter and warm rather than hot in the summer. In fact, the coldest temperature recorded in Port Hardy was -2.8ºC (26.9ºF) in 1967, a temperature that is considered balmy for winter by many Canadians.

Average precipitation on the island is sparse in the summer months, and moderate to heavy in the winter months, depending on the location.

WINTER WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES

Because of the abundant snow in Central Vancouver Island, the most popular winter activities on Vancouver Island are skiing and snowboarding. The island has two downhill ski hills, Mt. Washington and Mt. Cain. Mt. Washington is legendary for its copious amounts of natural snow, world-class skiing facilities and all-inclusive alpine village. The ski hill has 60 runs, nine lifts, two terrain parks and a half pipe. Mt. Cain is a smaller, community-run facility that boasts no line-ups for ski lifts, even at the height of the season. For the more adventurous, backcountry skiing and boarding is available at Strathcona Provincial Park.

For those who prefer skiing Nordic style, Mt. Washington has over 55 km (34 mi) of cross country skiing trails, and Mt. Cain has 15 km (9.3 mi) of similar terrain. With trails ranging widely in distance and difficulty, Mt. Washington's Nordic facilities can accommodate both fitness fanatics and tranquil trekkers. Strathcona Provincial Park also has an extensive network of maintained Nordic trails in its Paradise Meadows and Forbidden Plateau areas. Skiers in Strathcona Park are required to pay a reasonable maintenance fee, available at Mount Washington's Raven's Lodge.

Snowshoeing in Strathcona Park Photo Courtesy Spirit of the West

With an abundance of natural powdery snow, an easy and fun way to get around in the outdoors is with the help of snowshoes. The Nordic trails at the Vancouver Island ski resorts are ideal for snowshoeing, and snowshoe enthusiasts can even test their skills at the Yeti, an annual snowshoeing event that takes place at ski hills across B.C. Sledding and tubing are also fun ways for the whole family to enjoy the island. Mt. Washington has its own tubing park, complete with a tube lift that keeps physical exertion to a minimum and excitement at a maximum.

Vancouver Island is full of retired logging roads, making it an ideal destination to explore via snowmobile. Snowmobile tours can take visitors on unforgettable adventures through snowy mountains and along wilderness coastlines. Snowmobiling is also permitted in the Mt. Washington area, but not beyond the area boundary, which lies 10 km (6.2 mi) from the alpine village.

Self-sufficient adventurers will be pleased to know that there are many camping opportunities in the off-season. Winter camping is permitted in many Provincial Parks, including Strathcona, Cowichan River, Rathtrevor Beach, Miracle Beach and Elk Falls, and also at numerous privately owned campgrounds.

URBAN ADVENTURES

Urban dwellers can still enjoy winter activities on the Island. Ice skating is a fun way to fill an afternoon, and can be done at any of the indoor and outdoor skating rinks on Vancouver Island. After a long day of skating, a perfect way to unwind is to take a scenic horse-drawn carriage tour around historic Victoria. Few things are more idyllic that riding in a sleigh through a Victorian winter wonderland.

	Victoria's Parliament Buildings by Night Photo Courtesy Karen Massier

Victoria is a city famous for its winter displays and events. Legendary Butchart Gardens is a popular place to visit in the wintertime, especially around Christmas. The gardens celebrate yuletide by putting together an exhibit of over 100,000 Christmas lights and garnishing the park displays with decorative balls, plants and ribbons. The Victoria Legislature Buildings are also adorned with nearly a thousand red and green lights, installed by a single person. Just a bit north of Victoria is Ladysmith, a town also well known for its festival of lights.

For those who think the moderate climate is still too chilly, Vancouver Island offers many indoor attractions as well. At Christmas time, the historic Empress Hotel hosts a festival of trees, which displays dozens of Christmas trees decorated by local businesses. As for things to do after the holiday season, the Chemainus Theatre entertains the island with year-round productions of both dramatic classics and contemporary comedies, while The Comox Air Force Museum offers an in-depth look into Canada's broad military history. While in Victoria, visitors should be sure to check out the Pacific Undersea Gardens for a glimpse at life under Victoria's inner harbour, and the Craigdarroch Castle, a Victorian-era mansion that reflects the lifestyle of the wealthy in Canada's early days.

ONLY ON VANCOUVER ISLAND

The opportunity to golf year-round makes Vancouver Island a popular destination among winter-plagued Canadian tourists. This island is sprinkled with close to 50 golf courses, so golf holiday options are endless. The major golf courses are packed into a 250 km (150 mi) stretch, so a new course is always just a short drive away.

Other activities that are unusual for wintertime include kayaking, horseback riding, biking and boating. One activity that should not be missed is scuba diving, since the waters surrounding the island have been recognized as one of the best cold-water diving spots in the world. Numerous naval vessels have met their demise in these waters, including the HMCS Cape Breton, and the artificial reefs that have been subsequently created are unforgettable. Visitors should not let the cool waters keep them from exploring this diver's paradise — local dive operators can ensure that winter diving is fun and comfortable.

	Dogs and Surfers in Tofino Photo Courtesy John Forde - The Whale Centre

Surfing at Tofino, Canada's surf capital, is always a possibility, and die-hard surfers flock to the region in winter to experience the best waves of the year. However, at the height of winter, the waters can be chilly so the sport is best left to extreme surfers. Storm watching is another popular option when in Tofino. The island, specifically on the pacific coast, is prone to some amazing rainstorms during the winter months. Storm watching tours are available, though hotels and B & B's that line this coast are fantastic places to view a spectacular storm while sipping hot chocolate from the comfort of a warm blanket, in some cases in front of a fireplace. Combing the beach the next day promises a variety of treasures to take home.

Salmon fishing can be lucrative in the late fall and winter. Literally millions of salmon flock to the Goldstream River near Victoria to spawn and die. Birdwatchers are also in luck, since the dying of fish brings masses of carnivorous birds, particularly bald eagles, to the area. This annual happening has been dubbed the "Eagle Extravaganza". The raptors are concentrated at the Goldstream Provincial Park, and visitors can learn more about the birds of prey at the Nature House interpretive centre.

	The tail of a Grey Whale Photo Courtesy John Forde - The Whale Centre

The activity that Vancouver Island is most well known for is Whale Watching. While orca (killer) whales are not commonly sighted in the winter, minke, humpback and gray whales are often spotted, in addition to sea lions, porpoises and eagles. There are over 60 companies on Vancouver Island offering whale watching tours, and numerous others that provide hot spring tours, bear-watching expeditions, air sightseeing, farm tours, vineyard tours and much more. Vancouver Island is a true core of activity in any season, and winter visitors have no reason to go home without experiencing an unforgettable adventure of some sort.

To learn more about Vancouver Island, Click here.