Mt. Washington Alpine Resort: 82 runs, 507 metres of vertical, and an average 11 metres of annual snowfall — all 30 minutes from the ocean
Most people associate the island with beaches, rainforest, and whale watching. But there's a legitimate ski resort up there — and it gets more snow than you'd expect.
Mt. Washington Alpine Resort sits in the mountains above the Comox Valley, about 30 minutes from Courtenay. It's been operating since 1979 and is Vancouver Island's only alpine ski resort. It's not Whistler — nobody's pretending it is — but it has genuine appeal: deep snowpack, short lift lines, affordable pricing, and the surreal experience of skiing with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains on the mainland.
The resort receives an average of 11 metres (36 feet) of snowfall annually, which puts it ahead of many Rockies resorts for raw accumulation. The catch is that it's coastal snow — heavier, wetter, and warmer than interior powder. More on that reality below.
For islanders, Mt. Washington is a genuine winter lifestyle asset. For visitors, it's an unexpected side of Vancouver Island that most travel guides overlook entirely.
Vancouver Island's only alpine ski resort — and one of the snowiest in BC by raw accumulation.
The resort operates 5 chairlifts and 5 magic carpets. The main lifts are the Eagle Express (a high-speed detachable quad), the Whiskey Jack Chair, the Sunrise Quad, the Red Chair, and the Hawk Chair. Two terrain parks serve freestyle riders. Night skiing runs Thursday through Saturday evenings plus holiday periods, serviced by the Whiskey Jack Chair.
Base elevation sits at 1,083m (3,558 ft) with a summit of 1,590m (5,216 ft). That base elevation matters — it's high enough to hold snow reliably through the season, but low enough that mid-season rain events aren't unheard of.
Mt. Washington offers a good spread across ability levels:
The Outback (accessed via the Sunrise Chair) is where the serious terrain lives — steeper, less groomed, and often holding the best snow on the mountain. When Sunrise is closed for conditions, the resort feels noticeably smaller.
Linton's Loop is the longest run on the mountain — a meandering green-to-blue cruise from summit to base that's satisfying for intermediates and a good warm-up for everyone.
One of Mt. Washington's genuine advantages: it's meaningfully cheaper than the big BC resorts.
Full-day lift ticket prices for the 2025/26 season:
| Category | Full Day | Night (Thu–Sat) | Family Friday Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (19–64) | $109 | $47 | $25 |
| Youth (13–18) | $99 | $42 | $15 |
| Senior (65+) | $99 | $42 | — |
| Child (7–12) | $64 | $29 | $5 |
| Student/Military | $99 | $42 | — |
| Under 7 | Free | Free | Free |
For context: a full-day adult ticket at Whistler Blackcomb runs $230+ at the window. Mt. Washington is less than half that. Even Sun Peaks and Big White typically charge $140–$160+.
The 6IXPAK is six transferable day tickets that work out to the best value for occasional skiers:
They're shareable, have no blackout dates, and are sold at Quality Foods locations across Vancouver Island — which is the most Vancouver Island thing imaginable.
Season passes typically go on sale in spring for the following winter. For 2025/26:
Compare that to Whistler's adult season pass at $2,000+ and Mt. Washington looks even more appealing for regular skiers.
The on-mountain Rossignol Experience Centre rents ski and snowboard packages (boots, board/skis, poles):
If you're renting for more than 4–5 days per season, the seasonal rental pays for itself. They also sell beginner ski packages (Rossignol skis, boots, poles) for ~$640 — worth considering if you're committing to the sport.
Here's an honest budget for a couple driving from Victoria for a two-day ski weekend at Mt. Washington.
That's roughly $465 per person for a two-day ski weekend, including everything. The same trip to Whistler would easily run $800+ per person once you factor in $230/day lift tickets, $250+ accommodation, and $50+ parking.
If you own gear and stay with friends, a Mt. Washington weekend can cost under $200 per person. Locals with season passes and their own equipment are skiing for essentially the cost of gas — about $15 from Courtenay.
Mt. Washington gets a lot of snow. But it's not the same kind of snow you'll find in the Rockies or the BC interior.
The snow is heavy, wet, and dense — what skiers call "Cascade concrete" or "Sierra cement." It's excellent for building a deep, stable base (the snowpack often exceeds 3 metres by mid-season), but it's not the light, dry powder you'll find at Revelstoke or Kicking Horse. When it's fresh, it's still fun. When it sets up, it's firm.
This is the honest truth: mid-season rain events happen. The base sits at 1,083m, which is marginal for a coastal mountain. A warm Pacific system can push the freezing level above the base, turning a ski day into a wet, slushy mess. It's more common in January and March than the cold snaps of December and February. Check the webcams before you drive up.
Cloud cover and fog are frequent. The mountain regularly socks in, giving you that disorienting flat-light experience where you can't see terrain features. Tinted goggles (rose or yellow) are essential, not optional. On the bright side, tree skiing in fog is perfectly fine — and the trees at Mt. Washington are excellent.
When a cold front rolls through — especially a northwesterly flow — Mt. Washington can dump 30–50 cm overnight. A powder day here, with short lift lines and 1,700 acres to play in, is genuinely excellent. The deep coastal snowpack also means the season usually runs a solid December to April. The 2025/26 season ran from December 12 to April 12.
Mt. Washington operates one of BC's best Nordic skiing facilities — and it's often overlooked in favour of the alpine side.
The Nordic area features 55 km of groomed cross-country trails and 25 km of dedicated snowshoe trails, all accessed from the Raven Lodge — a separate day lodge from the alpine base area. Trails range from flat, easy loops to challenging climbs through sub-alpine forest with views of the Comox Glacier.
Trail passes are separate from alpine lift tickets. A Gold Season Pass includes unlimited Nordic access. The trails are well-maintained and regularly groomed for both classic and skate skiing.
Before Mt. Washington existed, Forbidden Plateau was Vancouver Island's original ski area — it operated from the 1930s until the lodge burned down in 1999. Today, it's accessible as a backcountry Nordic destination via the Forbidden Plateau trailhead near Courtenay. The terrain is stunning sub-alpine meadow, but you're on your own — no grooming, no patrol, no warming hut. Bring proper backcountry skills and avalanche awareness.
The area is part of Strathcona Provincial Park, BC's oldest provincial park, and connects to a broader network of winter trails and touring routes.
Beyond Mt. Washington, cross-country skiing opportunities on the island are limited. Some years, the higher-elevation logging roads near Port Alberni and in the Beaufort Range get enough snow for informal touring. But Mt. Washington's Nordic area is the only reliable, groomed option on Vancouver Island.
Mt. Washington is well-connected by highway, but the last 25 km is a mountain road — winter tires or chains are mandatory.
The closest town. Drive up Strathcona Parkway from the Inland Island Highway (Hwy 19). The road is paved and maintained but steep and winding in sections. In heavy snow, chain-up areas are marked. This is the day-trip commute for Comox Valley locals.
Take Hwy 19 (Inland Island Highway) north through Parksville/Qualicum to the Strathcona Parkway turnoff. A comfortable drive, mostly highway. Nanaimo residents can easily do Mt. Washington as a day trip or overnight.
The full length of the island — Hwy 1 to Hwy 19, then Strathcona Parkway. It's a long day trip, so most Victoria skiers stay overnight. The drive is scenic and well-maintained, but add time for winter conditions.
The Comox Valley Airport is about 40 minutes from the resort. Direct flights from Vancouver (YVR) and Calgary (YYC) make it feasible to fly in for a ski weekend. The resort runs a shuttle bus service from Courtenay during the winter season.
Essential: Winter tires (M+S rated minimum) are legally required on Strathcona Parkway from October 1 to April 30. Carry chains even if you have good winter tires — the road can get gnarly after heavy snowfall. Check the resort's road conditions page and webcams before driving up. For more on getting around the island, see our ferries & transportation guide.
You've got three tiers: on-mountain (convenient, pricey), valley towns (cheaper, 30-min drive), or vacation rentals (best value for groups).
Mt. Washington has two slopeside lodges — Bear Lodge and Deer Lodge — offering ski-in/ski-out convenience. They're condo-style units ranging from studios to multi-bedroom suites. Expect $200–$400+/night depending on size and season. Mid-week is significantly cheaper than weekends or holidays. Gold pass holders get 15% off mid-week stays.
There's also a village of privately-owned chalets and condos in the Mt. Washington Alpine Village, many available as vacation rentals through VRBO, Airbnb, or local property managers. A 2-bedroom chalet typically runs $200–$350/night.
The Courtenay/Comox area offers the widest range of accommodation at the best prices. Hotels, motels, and B&Bs start around $120–$180/night. The towns have proper restaurants, grocery stores, and amenities that the mountain village lacks. The trade-off is the 30-minute drive up (and down) the mountain road each day.
For a group of 4–8, renting a house in Courtenay or a chalet on the mountain is usually the best value. A 3-bedroom house in Courtenay might run $150–$250/night, splitting to $40–$60/person. Check VRBO and Airbnb — availability is good outside of Christmas/New Year and spring break weeks.
For more on the area, see our full Comox Valley and Courtenay guides.
This is arguably Mt. Washington's biggest strength: it's one of the best places in BC to learn to ski with your kids.
The Snow School offers group and private lessons for ages 3+. The Mighty Mites program (3–6) and Mountain Riders (7–12) are structured multi-week programs popular with local families. Kids under 7 ski free with a paying adult. The beginner area has 5 magic carpets — far easier for small children than loading onto a chairlift.
Never skied before? The Snow School runs adult group lessons and private instruction. Gold pass holders get 50% off afternoon group lessons. Beginner terrain is well-separated from the main mountain, so you're not dodging advanced skiers while learning to snowplow.
A standout program: every Friday evening from mid-December, night skiing tickets are just $5 for kids, $15 for youth, $25 for adults. The 3 beginner carpets stay open until 7:30 PM. Rental packages available from $15. It's the cheapest way for a family to try skiing, period.
Don't want to ski at all? The tube park is a dedicated snow tubing area with groomed lanes — fun for all ages and no skill required. Great option for the non-skier in the family, or for kids too young for lessons. Separate ticket required.
The honest family advantage here is the lack of crowds. At Whistler, a beginner family can spend half the day in lift lines. At Mt. Washington, you're rarely waiting more than 5–10 minutes even on a busy weekend. For kids building confidence, that matters — more runs, more practice, more fun.
Not everyone in the group wants to ski. Mt. Washington has enough non-alpine activities to fill a full day.
25 km of dedicated snowshoe trails through sub-alpine forest, accessed from Raven Lodge. Guided snowshoe fondue experiences are available — you snowshoe to a warming hut for cheese fondue. It's cheesy in every sense, but genuinely enjoyable. Trail passes required.
Groomed fat bike trails through the Nordic area. Bike rentals are available on-mountain. It's a growing sport and a surprisingly good workout. The trails are flat to rolling — more cardio than adrenaline.
The tube park has multiple groomed lanes of varying speed. Sessions run on a timed schedule. No skill or fitness required — you sit in a tube and gravity does the work. Popular with families and groups who want a snow experience without the commitment of skiing.
The terrain around Mt. Washington and Strathcona Provincial Park offers legitimate backcountry ski touring. The Forbidden Plateau area, Mount Albert Edward, and the Comox Glacier routes attract experienced tourers. This is avalanche terrain — proper training, equipment (beacon, probe, shovel), and route-finding skills are essential. No guided backcountry tours operate from the resort.
Let's be real about what Mt. Washington is — and isn't — compared to Whistler, Big White, Sun Peaks, and the powder highway resorts.
If you're an advanced skier used to the big mountains, Mt. Washington is a pleasant day out, not a destination. If you're an intermediate skier, a family, or someone who values uncrowded runs and affordable pricing over terrain size, it's genuinely great. And if you live on Vancouver Island, it's an asset that most islanders don't fully appreciate until they've experienced the alternative of ferrying off-island every time they want to ski.
The season typically runs December through mid-April — about four solid months of skiing.
Opening day depends on early-season snowfall, but Mt. Washington typically opens in mid-December and closes in early-to-mid April. The 2025/26 season ran December 12 to April 12. In big snow years, the season can extend into late April. In lean years, March can get thin.
Night skiing operates Thursday through Saturday evenings plus holiday periods, from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM. The Whiskey Jack Chair and one teaching carpet are lit. It's a smaller slice of the mountain but a great way to extend a day trip or get in runs after work if you live in the Comox Valley. Night tickets are much cheaper — $47 for adults, or $25 on Family Fridays.
For experienced skiers with avalanche training, the terrain surrounding Mt. Washington offers some of the best backcountry touring on Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island backcountry is not patrolled and not avalanche-controlled. The coastal snowpack is notoriously tricky — persistent weak layers and rain crusts create unpredictable conditions. Avalanche Canada publishes forecasts for the South Coast region, but specific island data is limited compared to more-travelled areas like the Sea-to-Sky corridor.
If you're new to backcountry skiing, take an Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course before venturing out. Several outfitters on the island offer courses, including through the Comox Valley.
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Read guide →Mt. Washington's home base — mountain biking, beaches, and small-town charm
Read guide →The closest town to the resort — where to eat, stay, and explore
Read guide →What to expect month by month — weather, activities, and crowds
Read guide →Rain, sun, microclimates, and what the weather is really like
Read guide →Getting to and around the island — ferries, flights, and driving
Read guide →What it really costs to live on Vancouver Island in 2026
Read guide →The island's best trails from easy walks to multi-day epics
Read guide →Campgrounds, RV parks, and backcountry camping on the island
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