Active Pursuits in Courtenay and Comox

Kayaking

With the Courtenay Estuary and Hornby, Tree, and Denman islands an easy paddle away, sea kayaking is very popular. Comox Valley Kayaks, 2020 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay (tel. 888/545-5595 or 250/334-2628; www.comoxvalleykayaks.com), offers rentals, lessons, and tours. Rentals start at C$20 for 4 hours.

Skiing

Mount Washington Alpine Resort (tel. 888/231-1499, 250/338-1386, or 250/338-1515 for snow report; www.mtwashington.bc.ca) is a 5-hour drive from Victoria and open year-round (for hiking or skiing, depending on the season). The summit reaches 1,588m (5,210 ft.), and the mountain averages 860 centimeters (339 in.) of snow per year. A 505m (1,657-ft.) vertical drop and 60 groomed runs are served by eight lifts and a beginners' tow. Fifty-five kilometers (34 miles) of Nordic track-set and skating trails connect to Strathcona Provincial Park. The resort has seen a massive surge in development, and now has accommodations for 4,000 guests and seven restaurants and pubs. Lift rates are C$62 for adults, C$50 for seniors and students, and C$33 for kids 7 to 12. Take the Strathcona Parkway 37km (23 miles) to Mount Washington, or use turnoff 130 from Inland Hwy. 19.