Vancouver Island

From sea to sky and in between

Have a four-season experience this winter on Vancouver Island

by Tanya Laing

What if you could golf 36 holes of golf one day, go cross-country skiing the next and go salmon fishing the day after that? What if all three activities were located within two hours? Would you be up for the challenge?

Vancouver Island provides the opportunity to indulge in your favourite recreational pastimes, even in the winter months—a rarity in Canada’s climate. With so many options—and the added bonus of much less traffic than in the summer—it’s the perfect winter getaway for RVers who want it all. So pack your clubs, skis and fishing gear, and head for the Coast. Fore the fun of it

Nanaimo is one of the few cities in Canada that offers year-round golf. The harbour city enjoys a temperate climate, and you’ll have a choice of several first-class golf courses within an hour’s drive of downtown Nanaimo. The coastal weather tends to veer toward rainy in the winter months, so be sure to take along a rain suit just in case.

Even if you’re not an experienced golfer, you can still get 18 holes in before lunch—at one of the many minigolf courses on the Island. As you travel north from Nanaimo along the scenic Ocean Route, you’ll find several fun and fantastical miniature golf courses. Riptide Lagoon Mini-Golf in Parksville has two courses to choose from: the Mountainside and the Lagoonside.

The Mountainside course is slightly more challenging, with more changes in elevation and some tricky tunnels to manoeuvre the ball through. But a couple of deceptive rolls on the Lagoon course can quickly change the advantage for players. At the end of the game, the score doesn’t really matter much; the fun you’ve had will be reward enough. And if you have a sharp eye and a steady hand, you may be able to tap in for a free round.

A peak experience

Mount Washington Alpine Resort, located 25 kilometres west of Comox Valley, is Vancouver Island’s favourite ski hill. Here, snowboarders, downhill skiers, telemarkers and cross-country skiers enjoy amazing snow and spectacular views. Last year, the Island had such fantastic snow on its peaks that snow hounds from BC’s interior were all flocking to the Coast to join the fun. And if the promise of the powder isn’t enough, it’s hard to imagine a more memorable setting than the top of a snow-covered mountain with the Pacific Ocean on the horizon. For a change of pace, Mount Washington also offers snowshoe rentals and guided snowshoeing tours through its wonderland of alpine meadows.

Flip-floppers

Campbell River is world-renowned for its salmon fishing and winter is no exception. Chinook salmon are in play in the winter months and some of them can reach up to 30 pounds—well worth a few fish tales to the folks back home.

There are several fishing charter operations in Campbell River, but it’s recommended that visitors book ahead. Fishing enthusiasts all know of the region’s excellent reputation for record-breaking whoppers and charters often fill up early.

Fresh-water fishing is also popular. Those who like a fish that fights back will want to try their luck with the tenacious steelhead.

No matter what time of year you go, be sure to take the time to walk the shore. The life along the beach is different in every season—there’s always something new and wonderful to see. Parksville has long stretches of sandy beaches with amazing views of Georgia Straight. Farther up island are rocky beaches with tidepools teeming with life, even in the winter months. Sea lions travel through the Strait in the winter, and you’ll hear these massive mammals before you see them. They create quite a ruckus as they clamour on the rocky shores of small islands off the coast. And with all of the various recreational activities, there’s always something to do.

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