Winter
Winter on Vancouver Island is defined by a mild, rainy, and green climate, with average coastal temperatures ranging between 0℃ to 12℃. It is the wettest season, featuring lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and occasional, short-lived snow at lower elevations. While coastal areas see little snow, mountainous regions receive heavy snow for winter sports. Activities include storm watching on the west coast, hiking in rain-soaked forests, and skiing/snowboarding.
Ski & Snowshoe
Valhalla Pure Outfitters
Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Courtenay offers a wide range of outdoor gear including hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. They carry top brands like Arc'teryx, Salomon, and more.
Mount Washington Alpine Resort
Located in the Comox Valley, this resort offers skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, biking, and unique stays. Escape to higher elevations for a thrilling adventure.
Culture & History
Nanaimo Arts Council
Experience the 23rd Annual Nanaimo Artwalk, a self-guided tour featuring over 50 artists in 30 locations. Enjoy great art for sale and meet the talented artists.
Coho Books
Coho Books online webstore offers a wide range of over 20,000 in-store titles, including New Releases, Best Sellers, Used Books, and Bargain Books, all available for order without additional cost.
Salt Spring Arts Council
Salt Spring Arts Council fosters community vitality through the Arts on Salt Spring Island. Discover a variety of arts and cultural opportunities, including the Summer Outdoor Concert Series, Artcraft - BC's longest-running fine art and craft shop, workshops, kids camps, and artist talks.
Coastal Waves Fine Art
Port McNeill's hub for Vancouver Island art, featuring West Coast and North Island themed paintings available as originals or prints.
Maple Leaf Adventures
Explore the rugged beauty of the west coast with Maple Leaf Adventures, offering conservation-focused tours since 1989.
Janet Strayer Art
Janet Strayer Art showcases original contemporary paintings and mixed-media artworks in Abstract and Imaginatively Realistic styles. Explore her engaging art suitable for various moods and decors.
Breweries
Ucluelet Brewing Company
Ucluelet Brewing Company offers craft beer, hearty hand-made food, and scenic views of Ucluelet Inlet. Visit for a cozy, local experience.
Devils’ Bath Brewing Co.
Devils’ Bath Brewing Co. is a Vancouver Island Brewery and Restaurant located harbourside in Port McNeill, offering high-quality craft beers and tasty local creations in a warm, laid-back atmosphere.
Twin City Brewing
Crafting fresh, locally inspired beer in the heart of Port Alberni. Enjoy scratch-made dishes and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Land & Sea Brewing Co.
Land & Sea Brewing Co. is a new addition to the craft beer scene in Comox, British Columbia, offering a unique selection of beers in a vibrant community.
White Sails Brewing
Award-winning brewery crafting modern and traditional beers in a west-coast inspired Taproom. Join us for quality brews and community vibes in downtown Nanaimo.
Mount Arrowsmith Brewing
Providing Mid-Vancouver Island with premium, locally handcrafted beers. Visit our cozy tasting room.
Shopping
Nanaimo Arts Council
Experience the 23rd Annual Nanaimo Artwalk, a self-guided tour featuring over 50 artists in 30 locations. Enjoy great art for sale and meet the talented artists.
West End Gallery
The West End Gallery is a family-owned art gallery specializing in Canadian wall art, sculpture, and blown glass since 1975, with locations in Edmonton and Victoria.
Courtenay & District Museum & Palaeontology Centre
Visitors explore marine fossil exhibits, book fossil tours, and discover the natural and cultural history of Comox Valley.
Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre
Community museum and visitor centre showcasing the human and natural heritage of the Sooke region. Explore exhibits and programs, including a summer night market.
Coho Books
Coho Books online webstore offers a wide range of over 20,000 in-store titles, including New Releases, Best Sellers, Used Books, and Bargain Books, all available for order without additional cost.
Janet Strayer Art
Janet Strayer Art showcases original contemporary paintings and mixed-media artworks in Abstract and Imaginatively Realistic styles. Explore her engaging art suitable for various moods and decors.
Indigenous Experiences
Outer Shores Lodge
Outer Shores Lodge offers all-inclusive experiences with Outer Shores Expeditions for escape, relaxation, education, and connection. Enjoy a remarkable stay in Bamfield, BC.
I-Hos Gallery
I-Hos Gallery, owned by K’ómoks First Nation, showcases traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast art and crafts. Explore masks, prints, jewelry, carvings, and more.
Access Point Transportation & Tours
Access Point Transportation & Tours is the Sunshine Coast's Local Tourism & Marine Logistics Specialists for Desolation Sound, The Salish Sea & Discovery Islands. They facilitate cargo and passenger movement along the coastal waters of British Columbia.
Cluxewe Resort
Cluxewe Resort offers waterfront cottages, RV sites, and tent camping on ancestral Kwakiutl land. Enjoy nature and history in a peaceful setting.
Best Western Tin Wis Resort Lodge
Tin Wis Resort Lodge in Tofino, Vancouver Island, offers exclusive oceanfront access on Mackenzie Beach. Enjoy a hospitality pioneer's care in a serene West Coast setting.
Wineries
Middle Mountain Mead
Middle Mountain Mead is an artisan honey winery that blends ancient traditions with modern techniques to craft small batches of exquisite mead.
Venturi-Schulze Vineyards
Enjoy natural Wine and Ancient Method Balsamic Vinegar produced at a family farm in Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Seasonal farm products available. Tastings, events, and memberships offered.
Enrico Winery
Enrico Winery, located in the picturesque Cowichan Valley, produces a variety of exceptional wines that have been recognized with medals in Canada and the United States.
Millstone Estate Winery
Handcrafted wines on a family vineyard in Nanaimo, BC. Enjoy unique coastal terroir wines.
Corlan Farm Vineyard and Winery
Certified organic vineyard, farm, and winery offering award-winning wines. Visit for tastings, scenic walks, and enjoy homemade lunches.
Averill Creek Vineyard
Averill Creek Vineyard is a 30-acre winery in Cowichan Valley, known for sustainable farming and low-intervention winemaking. Visit for panoramic views and guided winery experiences.
Spa & Wellness
Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre
Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre in Parksville offers spa, wellness, and luxurious hotel accommodations. Located at 1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC.
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort offers unique stays in Tofino, British Columbia. Enjoy whale watching, bear watching, hiking, and spa & wellness services.
Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa
Located in a coastal forest on Vancouver Island, Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa offers stunning ocean and mountain views. Indulge in spa treatments inspired by the sea and enjoy exquisite West Coast cuisine at Ocean7 Restaurant.
Galiano Oceanfront Inn Spa
Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa is an intimate boutique hotel with spa, restaurant, and wood-fired pizza patio.
O.U.R. Ecovillage
O.U.R. Ecovillage, located in Shawnigan Lake, BC, offers a unique sustainable living experience. Featuring a spa & wellness center, it is an ideal retreat for eco-conscious travelers.
Culinary Experiences
The Pedaler Cycling Tours
The Pedaler is Victoria's oldest bike touring and rental company offering biking, craft brewery, and culinary experiences. Tours, food, and craft beer tours, and e-bike tours are available.
A Taste of Victoria Food Tours
Embark on an award-winning 2-hour walking tour in Victoria, B.C. Indulge in 6-7 local tastings at iconic stops like Fan Tan Alley and Bastion Square.
Outer Shores Lodge
Outer Shores Lodge offers all-inclusive experiences with Outer Shores Expeditions for escape, relaxation, education, and connection. Enjoy a remarkable stay in Bamfield, BC.
Long Beach Lodge Resort
Discover the Long Beach Lodge Resort on Cox Bay, offering breathtaking ocean views and award-winning cuisine sourced from local, sustainable ingredients. Enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere in our Great Room and SandBar Bistro, perfect for a relaxing getaway or exciting adventure at the Surf Club Adventure Centre.
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
BC’s oldest estate cidery and first craft distillery. Sustainably crafting exceptional cider and spirits on our Cowichan Farm. Orchard-to-glass ciders, award-winning spirits, farm-to-table cuisine, seasonal events, and more.
Qualicum Beach Cafe
Qualicum Beach Cafe offers an exceptional dining experience on Vancouver Island, featuring locally sourced ingredients and a blend of West Coast and Italian cuisine.
Restaurants
Brown’s Bay Resort & Marina
Discover the beauty of Brown’s Bay Resort & Marina, located just North of the Seymour Narrows in Campbell River, BC. Immerse yourself in nature, enjoy breathtaking ocean views, and witness marine wildlife in their natural habitat.
Off The Eaten Track
Off The Eaten Track is the original Victoria food tour company, offering unique guided tours showcasing the best local flavors. Enjoy walking tours with stories, history, and exclusive discounts.
The Butchart Gardens
The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC offers a breathtaking display of floral landscapes, dining options, and attractions. Visit to experience the beauty!
Westview Marina
Located at the head of Tahsis Inlet on Vancouver Island, offering world-class fishing for Tyee Chinook & Halibut. Full facilities include Grillhouse Restaurant, marine services, and more.
Wickaninnish Inn
The Wickaninnish Inn offers magnificent views of the open ocean against old-growth forest. Services include wildlife viewing, fishing, ocean sports, and cultural experiences.
Tahsis Supermarket & Ocean View Restaurant
As the only general store in Tahsis, Tahsis Supermarket offers gasoline, diesel fuel, liquor, groceries, ATM, and more. Ocean View Restaurant serves Canadian and East Indian food with a view of Tahsis Inlet.
Spirits & Distilleries
Arbutus Distillery
Craft distillery in Nanaimo, B.C., producing unique, flavour-forward spirits and cocktails. Visit the Tasting Lounge for tastings, bottle sales, and weekend cocktail service.
Ampersand Distilling Co.
Explore the family-founded craft distillery in the Cowichan Valley, offering a range of spirits and merchandise.
Wayward Distillery
Wayward Distillery in Comox Valley on Vancouver Island is known for leading in honey-based spirits since 2014. Their sustainable honey-based spirits are perfect for cocktails.
Shelter Point Distillery
Established in 2011, Shelter Point Distillery crafts high-quality single malt whiskies with unique coastal influences. Explore their range of award-winning spirits.
Stormwatching
Wickaninnish Inn
The Wickaninnish Inn offers magnificent views of the open ocean against old-growth forest. Services include wildlife viewing, fishing, ocean sports, and cultural experiences.
Long Beach Lodge Resort
Discover the Long Beach Lodge Resort on Cox Bay, offering breathtaking ocean views and award-winning cuisine sourced from local, sustainable ingredients. Enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere in our Great Room and SandBar Bistro, perfect for a relaxing getaway or exciting adventure at the Surf Club Adventure Centre.
Outer Shores Lodge
Outer Shores Lodge offers all-inclusive experiences with Outer Shores Expeditions for escape, relaxation, education, and connection. Enjoy a remarkable stay in Bamfield, BC.
Valhalla Pure Outfitters
Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Courtenay offers a wide range of outdoor gear including hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. They carry top brands like Arc'teryx, Salomon, and more.
Crystal Cove Beach Resort
Nestled in Tofino, Crystal Cove Beach Resort offers genuine log cabins with stunning views, hot tubs, and more. Stay in comfort or camp in style at our RV park. Family and pet-friendly near MacKenzie Beach.
Bostrom’s Bed & Breakfast
Oceanfront B&B offering amazing amenities like hot tub, sauna, fire pit, games room, and gourmet breakfasts. Enjoy stunning ocean views and outdoor activities.
Surfing
Sea Otter Lodge
Sea Otter Lodge is a hand-crafted coastal lodge located on a private 7-acre island in Kyuquot, British Columbia. Offering all-inclusive kayak fishing holidays and customizable wilderness experiences, it's the perfect destination for adventurers seeking genuine hospitality and luxury in the wild.
Valhalla Pure Outfitters
Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Courtenay offers a wide range of outdoor gear including hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. They carry top brands like Arc'teryx, Salomon, and more.
Long Beach Lodge Resort
Discover the Long Beach Lodge Resort on Cox Bay, offering breathtaking ocean views and award-winning cuisine sourced from local, sustainable ingredients. Enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere in our Great Room and SandBar Bistro, perfect for a relaxing getaway or exciting adventure at the Surf Club Adventure Centre.
