From the Beach to the Mountain: A Winter Day at Mount Washington
We were staying down on the beach in Parksville over the holidays, one of those rare winter stretches where the air is clear and the Island feels quiet. Looking east, it was hard not to notice how close Mount Washington really is. Ocean in front of you, snow-covered peaks not that far away. The proximity alone made the decision for us.
It also happened to be my four-year-old son’s first real trip to the mountain, and only the second time he’d ever seen snow. Living in Victoria, winter usually means rain, grey skies, and damp trails. Snow still feels like a novelty.
The drive up was part of the experience. You leave the coastline behind and climb steadily into a completely different landscape. Forests get thicker, the air sharpens, and then suddenly everything is white. Snow-covered trees, open alpine terrain, and long views stretching back toward the Island and the ocean beyond.
We didn’t plan perfectly. For anyone heading up for the first time, learn from my mistake: buy tickets in advance. Showing up without a plan during the holidays is a rookie move, and Dad definitely felt that one. Thankfully, we managed to get him into the tube park for a bit, which turned out to be exactly what he needed.
That first run down the hill was all it took. The kind of laughter that only comes from something completely new. Snow flying everywhere, boots soaked, cheeks red from the cold, and zero interest in leaving. He got a taste of winter up there and immediately wanted more.
The day itself couldn’t have been better. Clear skies, crisp light, and that quiet brightness you only get in winter. Between tubing runs and wandering around, I took the opportunity to put the drone up for a few quick flights. Nothing complicated. Just letting it rise above the base area and take in the scale of the place.
From the air, Mount Washington really shows itself. Snow-covered forests wrapping around open runs, buildings tucked neatly into the landscape, and the Island stretching away in every direction. It’s one of those spots where the sea-to-alpine contrast becomes very real, very fast.
Those aerial moments were calm and unhurried, the kind that fit naturally into the day rather than interrupting it. Just enough time to capture the setting as it was: winter light, clean lines, and a mountain that feels surprisingly close to home.
By the time we headed back down toward Parksville, the decision had already been made. This wouldn’t be a one-off trip. A beach stay paired with a mountain day felt like the perfect Vancouver Island combination, especially with a kid who’s just discovering snow for the first time.
So that was it. A Christmas trip that quietly turned into a tradition. Parksville below, Mount Washington above, and a reminder of how much variety you can pack into a single winter day on the Island.
We’ll be back next year. And the year after that.
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