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
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.
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.
Culture & History
Kaatza Station Museum & Archives
The Kaatza Station Museum in Lake Cowichan showcases the history of the Cowichan Lake area, featuring permanent displays of early settler life and natural resource extraction. The museum archives hold records dating back to the late-19th century.
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.
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.
Nanaimo Museum
Discover Nanaimo’s fascinating history in our museum located in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Explore the main gallery showcasing Nanaimo's earliest settlers and the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Visit the replica coal mine exhibit and shop unique items at our gift shop.
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.
Treewind Studio
Treewind Studio in Nanaimo offers a collection of artwork featuring arbutus trees, water images, and imaginative creations. Discover a blend of arts and culture in this quaint studio.
Breweries
Ace Brewing Company
Ace Brewing Company in Comox Valley offers a range of signature lagers and unique varieties, committed to quality and authenticity.
Mayne Island Brewing Company
Mayne Island Brewing Company, founded in 2016, offers over 15 styles of bottle-conditioned Ales and Lagers in small batches. Visit for tastings and unique brews!
Mile Zero Brewing
Mile Zero Brewing offers a range of craft beers in Metchosin, BC. Enjoy quality brews in a cozy setting.
Love Shack Libations
Love Shack Libations is a beloved Nano Brewery crafting award-winning beers in Qualicum Beach, BC. Visit our tasting room and experience our killer Kolsch, crafty cream ale, D.P.A., and precious porter!
Shopping
Island Clayworks
Explore the beautiful pottery work of Anita and Neil Lawrence at Island Clayworks. Their e-commerce site offers a user-friendly experience with shipping calculations and frequent updates.
Artful: The Gallery
Artful: The Gallery showcases talented emerging and mid-career B.C. artists in downtown Courtenay. Explore a variety of art pieces in different styles and media, including the studio of artist Kristina Campbell.
Crowfoot Collective
Indigenous Owned Business in Cowichan Bay offering handcrafted goods sourced locally and globally. Specializing in fair trade items, including an all-natural Apothecary line.
Beyond the Usual
Beyond the Usual in Chemainus offers a distinctive shopping experience with surf and skate lifestyle apparel for all ages. Located in Mural Town Chemainus on Vancouver Island.
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
Klahoose Wilderness Resort
Discover an award-winning Indigenous-owned eco-resort offering a rare Canadian wilderness experience in Desolation Sound, British Columbia.
T-Bird E-Bike Rentals
T-Bird E-Bike Rentals offers Indigenous Experiences in Ucluelet with a large fleet of OHM 2 and VELEC 3 electric bike models.
Inbound West Destination and Event Management
Join Explore Songhees for seasonal cultural walking and canoe tours, tasting traditionally inspired foods in Victoria Inner Harbour.
Songhees Wellness Centre
Discover the Songhees Wellness Centre, a 55,000 sq.ft multi-purpose building offering various services and facilities, including sports amenities, an industrial kitchen, Elders center, and more.
Maple Leaf Adventures
Explore the rugged beauty of the west coast with Maple Leaf Adventures, offering conservation-focused tours since 1989.
Cluxewe Resort
Cluxewe Resort offers waterfront cottages, RV sites, and tent camping on ancestral Kwakiutl land. Enjoy nature and history in a peaceful setting.
Wineries
Hornby Heart Vineyard
Explore our vineyard on Hornby Island, where acres of vines produce exceptional wines. Join us for a unique wine-tasting experience.
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.
Sea Star Vineyard and Winery
Sea Star Vineyard and Winery, located on Pender Island, British Columbia, offers a picturesque setting by the shoreline. Named after the colorful sea stars in the area, their wines feature artist-rendered labels.
Deol Family Estate Winery
Deol Family Estate Winery is a family-owned winery in Cowichan Valley. With over 30 years of experience, we craft exceptional wines from our estate-grown grapes.
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.
Raven's Moon Estate Winery and Cidery
Raven's Moon Estate Winery & Cider Worx offers a variety of ciders, wines, fruit, jams, and flowers inspired by organic fruits from Vancouver Island.
Spa & Wellness
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort offers unique stays in Tofino, British Columbia. Enjoy whale watching, bear watching, hiking, and spa & wellness services.
The Haven
The Haven on Gabriola Island offers a transformative experience on 7 acres of waterfront, focusing on personal growth through programs like the Come Alive program.
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.
Villa Eyrie Resort
Rated as having one of the best views in Canada, Villa Eyrie Resort offers a stunning location in British Columbia. Perched atop Malahat Mountain, it provides breathtaking views of Finlayson Arm, Olympic Mountains, and Mount Baker.
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.
Culinary 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.
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.
Maple Leaf Adventures
Explore the rugged beauty of the west coast with Maple Leaf Adventures, offering conservation-focused tours since 1989.
Make Cheese with Paula
Join Paula on Gabriola Island to learn the art of cheesemaking. Discover the history, techniques, and flavors of crafting cheese in a unique experience tailored for budding cheesemakers.
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.
House of Boateng
House of Boateng offers an award-winning brunch experience in Victoria, BC, blending culinary artistry with inviting ambiance. From classic brunch staples to innovative creations, each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients and served with hospitality.
Restaurants
Villa Eyrie Resort
Rated as having one of the best views in Canada, Villa Eyrie Resort offers a stunning location in British Columbia. Perched atop Malahat Mountain, it provides breathtaking views of Finlayson Arm, Olympic Mountains, and Mount Baker.
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.
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.
Telegraph Cove Resort
Discover one of the best kept secrets on Northern Vancouver Island. The small, historic village of Telegraph Cove Resort is the center for world-class eco-tourism activities and marine adventures, including kayaking, whale watching, grizzly bear and wildlife viewing, and sport fishing.
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.
Spirits & Distilleries
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.
Victoria Distillers
Victoria Distillers in Sidney, BC, crafts top-quality handmade spirits, including award-winning gins. Retail space open for tastings.
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.
Island Spirits Distillery
Distillery Barrells offers a unique and authentic distillery experience with a variety of spirits to enjoy.
Ampersand Distilling Co.
Explore the family-founded craft distillery in the Cowichan Valley, offering a range of spirits and merchandise.
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
Wild Pacific Trail Society
Explore the stunning 9km+ trail in Ucluelet, BC, with ocean views and ancient rainforest. Wheelchair accessible at Lighthouse Loop.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
