Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Vancouver Island

Mount Washington Alpine Resort: Vancouver Island's Ski Mountain

Mount Washington Alpine Resort sits above the Comox Valley near Courtenay on central Vancouver Island. It is the island's largest ski area and a great weekend escape from Vancouver that combines a ferry ride, deep coastal snow and views over the Strait of Georgia to the mainland mountains.

The mountain

The resort has roughly 1,700 acres of terrain, around ten lifts and more than 80 runs, with about 500 metres of vertical. Terrain ranges from gentle beginner slopes to steep, open faces and trees, and the area is known for some of the heaviest snowfall in the region. Mount Washington also has an extensive Nordic and snowshoe network on the edge of Strathcona Provincial Park, plus tubing and an on-mountain village with condos and chalets.

2026–27 season

Mount Washington typically opens in early to mid-December, depending on snow, and runs into early April. 2026–27 season passes went on sale in spring 2026, and the resort is listed on the Indy Pass. Check the official website for this season's confirmed opening day and operating hours.

Getting there from Vancouver

Take BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) or from Tsawwassen to Duke Point, then drive about 1.5 hours north on the Inland Island Highway (Highway 19) to Courtenay and up the Strathcona Parkway. You can also fly to Comox Valley Airport. Winter tires are required on the parkway, and chains may be needed in storms.

Good to know

• Best for: weekend ski trips, families and Nordic skiing.
• Season: typically mid-December to early April.
• Stay: on-mountain condos and chalets, or hotels in Courtenay and Comox.

Comparing mountains? See our full guide to ski resorts near Vancouver for 2026–27, with opening dates, passes and where to stay.

Photo: Mount Washington Summer by YubYub41, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.