THINGS TO DO
MOUNT WASHINGTON ALPINE RESORT
Located about 25 kilometres from the Comox Valley, this resort has more than
690 hectares (1,700 acres) and 505 vertical metres of alpine terrain, 55 kilometres of cross-country skiing, 25 kilometres of snowshoeing trails, a Nordic lodge, tube park and fat bike trails. A new 2.3-kilometre Ziptour opened this summer, along with lift-accessed mountain biking, quad bungee trampoline, scenic chairlift rides, disc and miniature golf, boardwalk chess and checkers, shopping and dining. mountwashington.ca
KINGFISHER OCEANSIDE RESORT AND SPA
A recent renovation has only increased this Courtenay resort’s attractions, including ocean and mountain views; the Pacific Mist Spa with therapies focusing on ingredients of the sea; yoga by the sea; new Serenity Gardens in the centre courtyard, complete with pond, streams, landscaping, winding pathways, Adirondack chairs and gas fire bowls. kingfisherspa.com
FILBERG FESTIVAL
For more than two decades, hundreds of artists, craftspeople and entertainers gather at Comox’s Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park in August to display and sell their works. It’s Western Canada’s largest juried outdoor arts show. filbergfestival.com
CRAFT BEER
Craft breweries include the new Land and Sea Brewing Co., landandseabrewing.ca, that just opened in Comox, offering everything from upscale pub food to beers like Wildflower Witbier, Comexico Pale Ale and Breakwater Bitter.
MOUNTAIN BIKING CUMBERLAND
Events, competitions and just great riding is available in what’s known as the epicentre of mountain biking on Vancouver Island. More than 80 kilometres (most through private land) of forested singletrack (Space Nugget), fast, bermed descents (Bear Buns), man-made features like boardwalks and A-frames (Thirsty Beaver), or technical cross-country rides (Queso Grande). cumberland.ca/ mountain-biking