Mount Washington
The biggest Alpine Resort on Vancouver Island, Mt. Washington is the destination for avid snowboarders and skiers. Bordering on Strathcona Provincial Park, Mount Washington is easily reachable from Victoria by car and bus. Although primarily known as a great winter sports destination, Mount Washington is open year-round with many activities taking place during the summer. Get ready to have a bunch of fun!
How to get from Victoria to Mt. Washington?
Getting there by car:
The easiest way to get to Mount Washington is by car. There’s a lot of car rental companies in Victoria that can rent you a zippy car to get there fast. It will take you about 3 to 4 hours to get there, depending on the traffic. Make sure that your car has good winter tires as well as snow chains as both may be required when you’re off to Mount Washington. Check out www.drivebc.ca for current road conditions.
Getting there by bus:
There’s no public transport between Victoria & Mt Washington but you can take the Mount Washington Ski Bus, which will get you there and back. The trip will take you about 3 to 4 hours with the bus departing in downtown Victoria at the bus depot. A one-way ticket is approximately $40 and bus service runs between December and April. Check out their website www.mtwskibus.com for more information, departure times and fees.
What’s there to do at Mt. Washington?
In the Winter:
If you want to ski or snowboard, Mount Washington will be your go-to destination on Vancouver Island. This mountainous area receives some of the biggest snowfall in North America, making the perfect spot for all things winter. There are many easy alpine trails, but if you are an experienced skier or snowboarder you will definitely enjoy their intermediate and advanced trails as well. There are also night ski trails, perfect for that late-night skiing or snowboarding session. In case you are not into skiing or snowboarding, you can try out snowshoeing or the tube park, which are great fun as well.
In the Summer:
A beautiful spot in all seasons, there’s lots to do around Mount Washington in summer as well. You can hike multiple trails, mountain bike all the way down, zip line and also bounce around on a trampoline.
How much are tickets?
In both summer and winter, you’ll have to purchase single tickets or day passes to access the Mount Washington area. The easiest way would be to plan your trip upfront and purchase your tickets online for whatever you want to do. Mount Washington’s website is very comprehensive and gives you a complete overview of all the tickets available. You might be able to snag up discounted tickets if you want to access the area early in the morning or later during the day. For a complete overview of tickets and prices, please check: www.mountwashington.ca
Even though Vancouver Island is pretty much known for its mild climate, winter awaits you at the top of Mount Washington. But even if you come to Vancouver Island in summer, Mount Washington is still a great place to visit.
