Winter Activities
During the winter, the atmosphere on Vancouver Island changes with the season. The vibrant summer pace slows to a reflective, relaxed stroll creating the perfect time for a visit to Victoria and the Islands. Activities, tours and entertainment still abound, but without the crowds.
Winters are always temperate in Victoria, with snow falling mainly in the mountains and northern regions of the Island. As a result, golf and other outdoor adventure can be enjoyed year-round. Only on Vancouver Island and the coast of BC would a typical winter day include golfing in the morning and skiing in the afternoon.
Skiing, snowboarding and other snow-based activities can be found on Vancouver Island at world-class Mt. Washington Alpine Resort as well as other locations on the Island. Mt. Washington is the third most visited snow resort in BC. Victoria is the gateway to Mt. Washington, which is located a short 4-hour
drive north.
In the winter, surfers brave the chilling waters of the Southwestern coast of Vancouver Island to ride the best waves of the year. These same waves can rise to 20 feet during a winter storm and storm watching on the west coast of Vancouver Island is a thrilling experience packed with power and drama.
From mid-October to mid-December, millions of Pacific salmon forge their way up the streams of the Pacific Northwest to spawn and die. As the spawning salmon die off after their annual return to the Goldstream River in Victoria, over 200 bald eagles move into Goldstream Provincial Park in mid-December. Deemed the “Eagle Extravaganza,” the great birds of prey start arriving late November and remain until the fish are thoroughly picked over in January. Visitors to the Nature House at Goldstream Provincial Park can learn more about eagles and other birds of prey or catch one of the free interpretative programs.
Of course, the winter season also brings Christmas, and a Victorian Christmas is one of lights, magic and charm. Once Victoria’s signature flower baskets come down from the city’s lampposts in the fall, it is not long until they are replaced with Christmas decorations and lights. A visit to Victoria’s world famous Butchart Gardens at Christmas time is an annual tradition for many. Beautiful in any season, the Gardens become a lavish display of lights each December. The Butchart Gardens’ feature attraction is the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Visit our Winter Activities section under the Things to Do area for more great information.
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