Plan a trip for Vancouver Island skiing
British Columbia boasts some of the best skiing in Canada, and 2 of its top resorts are on Vancouver Island. Located between the Strait of Georgia and the Pacific Ocean, Mount Washington Alpine Resort and the Mount Cain Ski Resort receive an abundance of natural snowfall that creates ideal ski and snowboard conditions for memorable experiences on the mountain. Whether you want to find adventure on the slopes, you enjoy exploring the backcountry, or you want to fit some skiing or snowboarding into your winter island vacation, Vancouver Island skiing ensures you’ll have a trip you won’t forget.
About Mount Washington Alpine Resort
Mount Washington Ski Resort is a premier resort in the Comox Valley that receives an abundance of snow that lasts from early winter to mid- to late spring. This is a huge part of what makes the resort so popular for all types of winter sports, not just skiing and boarding. Learn all about the Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
Skiing and snowboarding on your family vacation
With its snowfall, mountain face, and spectacular coastal views, it’s no wonder that Mount Washington Ski Resort is a top destination for skiing and snowboarding. The resort features 82 runs and over 688 hectares of skiable terrain and 507 metres of alpine terrain, perfect for diverse and challenging skiing and snowboarding experiences. These areas are divided into beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert, so any skill level can take advantage of the unique alpine landscape. If you like adventure, the advanced and expert areas have a mix of glades, cut runs, combo of trees, and open slopes for an interesting and challenging experience. Snowboarders can also find more thrills with the snowboard park, which includes a half pipe and 2 terrain parks for freestyling and stunt riding.
Backcountry skiing
Both cross-country skiing and cross-country snowboarding are available at Mount Washington Ski Resort. The backcountry terrain traverses steep, rugged mountains, mellow hills, and carpeted meadows, giving you plenty of variety for your experience. The trails are also open for snowshoeing or a winter hike. If you want a more demanding experience, you can take the track-set trails in Strathcona Provincial Park.
Snowmobiling for everyone
Snowmobiling at the resort is one of the best experiences you can have at Vancouver Island. The tracks are found in remote wilderness and on mountain peaks, so you’ll be charting new territory with panoramic coastal and valley views. The resort also offers snowmobile rentals and guided snowmobiling tours to make the most of your experience.
Resort amenities for the family
Mount Washington Ski Resort is an all-season resort, so it has a lot to offer beyond skiing and snowboarding. The resort offers winter camping for experienced skiers and riders and trails that explore the area around Lake Helen MacKenzie and Battleship Lake. There’s also a rental shop that offers rentals for equipment, accessories, and other gear. If you have the kids, the resort has a snow-tubing park with lifts, night options, and 3 chutes.
Mount Cain Ski Resort is family-friendly
Found in Mount Cain Regional Park, Mount Cain Ski Resort is a division of the local park society and offers a diverse mix of family-friendly experiences and challenging terrain. Learn all about what you can expect from a trip to the community-operated Mount Cain Ski Resort.
Skiing and snowboarding
Mount Cain Ski Resort receives dry powder snow that falls naturally in the area, creating the ideal snow conditions for the slopes. The resort has 18 downhill runs with a vertical drop of 250 metres and 15 kilometres of untracked cross-country trails. Many of the runs are ideal for beginners and intermediates, while the natural runs are perfectly suited to confident advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders.
Family resort amenities
Mount Cain Ski Resort has many unique amenities to maximize your experience. There’s a lookout point at the upper T-bar that provides panoramic views of the mountain terrain and backcountry trails. The cross-country areas also have a variety of challenges, including alpine bowls, pillow lines, cliffs, and chutes. If you have the kids, Mount Cain Ski Resort has a ski school to teach beginner kids to ski or snowboard.