VANCOUVER ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Westward ho for snowbirders

Vancouver Island is an appealing option for long-stay winter escapes

by MARGO MALCOLM

More than 37 years after Anne Murray sang Snowbird, the phenomenon of flying away from the cold shows no sign of waning.

Beach

SAND AND SURF:With the country’s mildest climate and low annual rainfall, along with 19 kilometres of sandy beaches, the Parksville-Qualicum region has also been called the Canadian Riviera. —Ocean Side Tourism Association photo

Like their avian counterparts, baby boomers are also taking their annual southern winter escape migration. However, those winds are blowing more southwest these days and landing many a migratory traveller on the soft sandy shores of Vancouver Island, in the year-round seaside destination of Parksville and Qualicum Beach.

Migration of the Silver-Tufted Boomers

Thoughts of shovelling snow, soggy mittens and sub-zero temperatures turn many a retiree’s thoughts to a cold-free winter and a carefree lifestyle.

People retiring earlier and living longer have swelled the ranks of potential snowbirds longing for warmer climes: snowbirds being the term coined to describe those northern people who live away from home for more than a month and up to six months in winter.

According to the 2006 Census, of Canada’s population of 32 million, approximately 8.2 million are aged 55 and over, with 3.7 million aged 55 to 64 and 4.5 million 65 and over. That’s more than a quarter of the Canadian population looking to escape the cold.

Long-stay far away

While not all human migrants want to head to warmer climes when the winter wind begins to blow, many do. It’s estimated that between 300,000 and 700,000 people annually travel for long-stays in winter. The Canadian Snowbird Association, which began as a lobby group to protect out-of-country health insurance benefits, has a membership of around 70,000.

We all know somebody or somebody’s parents with a mobile home in Arizona or a condo in Florida. Traditionally the snowbird market concentrated in the southern U.S. and the west coast of Canada, but it has recently opened up in the last few years to include Mexico, Central America, Portugal, Australia and Southeast Asia. However, more and more Canadians are flocking to a closer, safer Canadian location that lies slightly below the 49th parallel.

Snowbirding: a summer camp for adults

Snowbirds enjoy a holiday camp-like atmosphere. Socializing with fellow retirees, who have ample free time and want to escape the winter storms back home, is part of the story of why Parksville-Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island is becoming such a long-stay hot spot.

The 2006 census showed that the median age of Parksville is 56.4 years with 33.8 per cent of the population 65 or over. Qualicum Beach was considered the retiree capital of Canada with 41 per cent of its population 65 and over. That means all the services, amenities and activities a snowbird could want—including lots of company—are already there.

Camp activities include an abundance of, and easy access to, such amenities as golfing, hiking, sightseeing and organized bridge groups. Some take time to volunteer at their winter destinations and others expand their knowledge or take up creative endeavors such as painting or writing. The opportunity to meet active and friendly new people is what makes snowbirding so enjoyable.

Red tape, ecological footprints and Montezuma’s revenge

It’s not always easy being a snowbird, however. While more airlines are flying to more destinations at affordable prices, air travel is not getting any easier. Ask anyone who had to stand in line at a passport office (many times not even in their own town) or had to pay extra for their overweight baggage on their discount flight. And your grandchildren may comment on the size of your ecological footprint, while you look down at your feet, puzzled.

While the Canadian dollar is currently strong, the cost of out-of-country medical insurance rises with age, pre-existing conditions and a foreign destination. Some exotic destinations may offer great value for a fixed retirement income but they have language, cultural, safety and health-care availability differences that might take a bit of getting used to.

Canadian Riviera

Until someone actually convinces the Canadian government to adopt the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean, the only homegrown snowbird beach destination is Vancouver Island. Warm winter temperatures, a lack of snow and year-round outdoor pursuits add up to an attractive alternative to travelling internationally. There are no currency, language or cultural adjustments to make either.

On Vancouver Island, the Parksville-Qualicum Beach region, commonly referred to as “Oceanside,” is gaining reputation as Canada’s long-stay playground.

With the country’s mildest climate and low annual rainfall, along with 19 kilometres of sandy beaches, it has also been called the Canadian Riviera.

A nest for every species

Whether you are the rugged outdoor-adventure types or relax-in-the-spa people, you can find the accommodation that suits you best. The region has 33 resorts, hotels and motels, nearly 30 bed and breakfasts and 32 vacation rental homes to choose from. There are also time-shares and condos for sale. And the shoulder season from October to April offers attractive rates. You’ll also find a restaurant to satisfy most culinary cravings—from casual to gourmet, from Asian to Irish.

Fore the birds

Parksville-Qualicum Beach has impressive scenery; small villages filled with restaurants, libraries, theatres and community centres; and first-class resorts with spas and golf courses galore. In fact, there are six golf courses in the area, from nine-hole to PGA calibre and seven more courses are within an hour’s drive.

Mother Nature has blessed the region and made it a natural playground. There are beaches for beachcombing, bird-watching and boating. The protected waters of eastern Vancouver Island have been rated the number one spot in the world “for value and healthiest marine environment” by Scuba Diving magazine.

Also nearby are Horne Lake Caves, Cathedral Grove with its old-growth forest giants, and 20 provincial parks with trails, waterfalls, rivers and lakes.

When the instinct to migrate whispers to you this autumn, remember the world is your oyster! But also remember that sometimes a westerly flight path can be as rewarding as a southerly one.

Pack the shades and golf clubs–OldMan Winter here I come!

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Margo Malcolm is a freelance writer based in Victoria, B.C., who has written travel articles on a wide range of topics from surfing in Tofino to the island of Curacao.

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