Tourism Mount Washington

07/25/2025

Gorgeous views await with this route!🥾⛰️

Wondering where to head on your next hike? Try the Helen Mackenzie Lake to Kwai Lake to Croteau Lake loop!

This 15.6 kilometre loop trail takes an average of 4 hours and 46 minutes to complete and is ideal for those interested in backpacking, camping or hiking. With this challenging but rewarding trek, you’ll find there’s no shortage of scenic views, alpine lakes and lush forests. The best times to visit this trail are March through October. Furry friends are welcome, but must be on leash.

This wonderful backcountry loop offers plenty of options to tailor your adventure! The various trails and points of interest offer hikers plenty of opportunities to extend the hike and explore the Forbidden Plateau.

Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 15.6 km
Elevation Gain: 575 m
Route Type: Loop
Time: 4 hours 46 minutes

Visit our website or view our digital guide to see more of the hiking trails on Mount Washington! https://discovermountwashington.ca/things-to-do/hiking/

07/24/2025

Mark your calendars for: Mountain Shadows, a Full Moon Chairlift Event, on Saturday, August 9th!! Experience the full moon from the top of Mount Washington and enjoy the nighttime views. The Eagle Chairlift will be noc'turning until 11pm for guests to enjoy the full moon!🌕

07/21/2025

The Vancouver Island Black Bear 🐾🐻

More than 120,000 black bears are thought to live in British Columbia, with more than 7,000 of them on Vancouver Island. As a result, the island has one of the densest bear populations in the world. This means black bears can be found all across the island. The Vancouver Island population is generally blacker in colour and slightly larger in size than those found on the mainland.

Black bears are omnivorous, even though they are classified as carnivores. These guys will eat just about anything that is available to them; berries, insects, nuts and grasses, meat (like deer and elk) are all on the menu! In BC especially, bears will gorge on spawning salmon in late summer and autumn as they prepare for winter hibernation.

If you happen to spot a bear on Mount Washington you can be assured it’s likely a black bear. To practice bear safety while on the mountain, remember to prevent encounters by making noise, travel in groups and pay attention and stay aware of your surroundings.

More wildlife awareness and safety tips can be found here→ https://www.mountwashington.ca/the-mountain/information/safety.html

Curious about the other wildlife found on Mount Washington? Read more about the other flora and fauna here → https://discovermountwashington.ca/flora-and-fauna/

07/14/2025

In case you missed it - Chek News posted an amazing article on the recent marmot release to Mount Washington!

On June 24th, the Marmot Recovery Foundation released five marmots on Mount Washington. These furry guys were the first of 50 that will be released this year! The marmots came from the Calgary Zoo, Toronto Zoo and the local Tony Barrett Recovery Centre on Mount Washington. With this release, these little guys will learn to adapt to the wild.

The Marmot Recovery Foundation is doing an amazing job, as shown by the growing Vancouver Island marmot population, which now stands at 382.

We happily welcome these little guys and wish them the best of luck out in the wild!

Check out the full article by Grace Miller and footage of the marmot release on Chek News’ website. Look for “Vancouver Island marmots released on Mount Washington: ‘Call it a ski school’”!

07/09/2025

Don't miss the Washy Mountain Music Fair this Saturday, July 12th!

This Music Fair is one day full of free music, free camping and fancy-free fun times here at Mount Washington. Enjoy listening to tribute bands for The Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan, plus more local acts. This event is FREE to attend, and everyone is welcome to enjoy family-friendly entertainment in the mountains, centred around community!

See you there!

07/03/2025

Hike more and worry less this summer with this stellar route at Cruikshank Canyon! ☀️🥾

Generally considered a challenging route, on average, it takes about 6 hours to complete this hike. It’s a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other outdoor enthusiasts while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are between March and October.

This route makes for an incredible overnight backpacking trip that works both for experienced multi-day hikers and is a perfect introduction for new backpackers. It first takes you to Helen Mackenzie, then to Kwai Lake, to the camping spot. It then goes on to Cruikshank Canyon and Beautiful Lake. It’s recommended to spend one night at Kwai Lake, then return to the Raven Lodge parking lot via Croteau Lake and Battleship Lake.

With a steady, gradual incline in elevation and the distance split over two days, this route is considered approachable.

Difficulty: Hard, Long
Distance: 20.8 km
Elevation Gain: 717 m
Route: Out & Back
Time: 6 hours and 10 minutes

📸 AllTrails

06/30/2025

This is so heartwarming!🤎 Wishing these 10 little marmots the best as they explore their new mountain homes. May they dig happily, stay safe, and grow strong! It’s amazing to see such thoughtful care going into helping them transition. What amazing work the Marmot Recovery Foundation are doing!🥰 🐾🏔️

06/24/2025

The Helen Mackenzie to Battleship Lake Loop Trail is a scenic yet rugged trail worth every step! 🌲🥾

This moderately challenging trail passes through lush forests, over swamps, around ponds, and passes by two beautiful lakes. It takes an average of two hours and thirty minutes to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, snowshoeing, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

The best times to visit this trail are March through October. It can become a bit muddy in the fall and spring, no need to worry, the boardwalks have you covered for the worst sections. Bring along your furry friends as dogs are welcome, just make sure to keep them on a leash.

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8.5 km
Elevation Gain: 285 m
Route Type: Loop
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Visit our website or our digital guide to see more of the hiking trails on Mount Washington!

(Helen Mackenzie pictured first, Battleship Lake pictured second)

06/23/2025

Looking for a cozy place to stay on Mount Washington this summer? ⛰️

Vrbo has a variety of rentals to choose from. On the mountain, enjoy a selection of funky a-frame cabins, cozy cabins, colourful chalets, townhomes, and condos available for rent!

With VRBO’s user-friendly site, easily browse a selection of accommodations available at a glance. Reviews, pricing and distance from Mount Washington Village are all clearly listed for quick and easy comparisons.

Visit www.vrbo.com to book your mountain getaway today!!

📸Cristian Oriak

06/21/2025

Happy International Yoga Day!🧘

For all the yogis out there, celebrate yoga by booking your 3-day retreat today! The 3rd Annual Elevate Wellness Weekend event is happening September 26th to 28th, 2025. Early bird pricing is available now until September 1st.

During the wellness weekend, enjoy over 30 unique session options provided by 12 gifted practitioners, with a special guest keynote speaker, a comedy show, and the perfect blend of group workshops and participants' choice of breakout sessions. Meals are included as well, with gluten-friendly varieties available. Additional certification classes will be offered along with prizes to be won!

To add to the experience, Mount Washington will still be open for the end of its summer season. Throughout the wellness weekend, enjoy free access to the Eagle Chairlift, along with activity discounts on the ZipTour and Bike Park. Additionally, Slopeside Accommodation deals are available!

For all details on this rejuvenating and relaxing weekend, check out Mount Washington Alpine Resort website → https://www.mountwashington.ca/elevate.html

Destination British Columbia Experience Comox Valley Tourism Vancouver Island

Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Explore Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Vancouver Island's largest year-round family resort.

06/19/2025

Mount Washington is more than just a winter destination; discover the summer fun waiting for you with a day trip!☀️😎

Ever wonder what the mountain has to offer during the off-season? While it’s mainly known for its stellar slopes and winter activities, Mount Washington transforms into a lush and vibrant outdoor playground, suitable for all ages and interests. Enjoy a fun-filled day trip to the mountain, packed with some of your favourite summer activities!

For those looking for a more relaxed visit, consider wildlife watching, stargazing, a scenic chairlift ride, or maybe a leisurely hike around Strathcona Park! Those looking for more of a thrill can enjoy ziplining, mountain biking or hiking a more advanced trail. There are so many things to discover on Mount Washington. Check out more details here → https://discovermountwashington.ca/things-to-do/.

06/18/2025

Endangered and found only on Vancouver Island, this marmot is one of the rarest mammals in the world.

Meet a very special species, the Vancouver Island Marmot! These furry creatures are one of just five land mammals endemic to Canada. They can be easily recognized by their rich chocolate brown fur with contrasting white patches on their nose, chin, forehead and chest.

They live neither in the forest nor on the rocky mountain tops, but on the south and west-facing slopes of alpine meadows, usually above 1000 meters. Keep an eye out for them on the slopes of Mount Washington in the summer months! You’ll miss them in the winter, as they hibernate from mid-September until late April or early May. Hibernation helps these uniquely Canadian species survive the alpine winters when food is not readily available.

To find out more and help save a species from extinction, you can visit https://marmots.org/, where you can report sightings, donate, and adopt to help marmot recovery.

📸Marmot Recovery Foundation