British Columbia’s abundant mountains and many ski resorts make it a popular destination for snow sports vacationers. Vancouver Island is known for comparatively warm and inviting alpine conditions. Mount Washington Alpine Resort receives some of North America’s most substantial snowfalls each year, but there are a few other island spots for skiing and snowboarding and backcountry access well worth the adventure.
Spend a Day at Mount Washington Alpine Resort
Campbell River is an excellent place to base yourself if you want to spend a few days on the slopes of Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Thanks to Highway 19, it’s just a 40-minute drive from Campbell River to the resort, or if you want to get the resort’s bus or car pool up and down Strathcona Parkway, it’s only 25-minutes to Mount Washington’s base parking lot!
Once at the resort, enjoy not only skiing and snowboarding on the alpine runs (there’s 81 of them), but nordic trails, snowshoeing, fat biking, and a tube park too. Sign-up for a lesson or participate in the adaptive snowsports program—make sure to make arrangements to join before you arrive. Warm-up in one of the resort’s eateries, take advantage of Night Skiing on Fridays and Saturdays, and keep an eye on events listings for all the aprés and seasonal festivities.
Experience the Community Spirit of Mount Cain
North of Campbell River, Mount Cain is a smaller mountain equally known for its incredible powder conditions, as well as its intimate, community feel. There are no lifts here, only t-bars, and for the experienced rider the 21 runs are accompanied by expansive backcountry terrain. Mount Cain is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, as well as extended hours during school holidays. Annual events like Vikingfest and the Cain Cup are particularly popular, along with the good vibes of aprés at Turks Tavern.
It’s vital for travellers to be prepared for the lack of cell service and rugged, snowy roads on the way up to Mount Cain. Limited accommodation is available at Mount Cain. Many camp at Mount Cain for a night or two, before heading back to Campbell River to spend a day or two warming up and rejuvenating at local restaurants and oceanfront accommodations (some with hot tubs and spas on-site).
Access the First-Class Conditions of the Backcountry
For the experienced backcountry skier or snowboarder, Campbell River is also the gateway to Strathcona Provincial Park. There are many routes to explore in and nearby the park, but it’s vital to be prepared for winter conditions both on the roads and in the mountains, and have completed avalanche training.
Local guides are available to take visitors into the backcountry and demonstrate just how fantastic Vancouver Island winter conditions are for skiing and snowboarding. Campbell River helicopter companies like 49 North Helicopters also offer heli-accessed ski days with experienced guides.
Experience the Unique Ocean-to-Alpine Access With a Campbell River Stay
One of the most unique parts of a Vancouver Island winter getaway is the chance to enjoy an ocean-to-alpine experience from your home base in Campbell River. After a day on the mountain, you can return to sea level to watch the waves in Discovery Passage or stroll the shoreline with snow-capped peaks as your backdrop.
Campbell River offers a wide range of accommodations for every type of traveller, from oceanfront resorts and cozy boutique hotels to modern vacation rentals and family-friendly lodges. Many properties feature fireplaces, hot tubs, and on-site spas perfect for relaxing after a day on the slopes. Winter is also an ideal time to book, with excellent availability and quieter stays that make it easy to enjoy the best of both worlds—powder days in the alpine and peaceful nights by the sea.
