Located on the central east side of Vancouver Island, Mount Washington Alpine Resort benefits from a network of well-maintained, multi-lane highways (Highways 1 and 19) connecting the north and south Island.
As part of the Comox Valley which includes Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland, it boasts a bedrock infrastructure.
The Strathcona Parkway winds and climbs up to Mount Washington from Highway 19's Exit 130 (Dove Creek Road). Travelling from the north, Mount Washington is 60km/37mi (one hour) southeast of Campbell River. It is 135km/83.6mi (just under two hours) northwest of Nanaimo, and 245km/152mi northwest of Victoria (about 3.5 hours). Although the fully paved, 18km/11mi Strathcona Parkway is continuously plowed during snowfalls, occasional chain-up advisories are indicated by flashing yellow lights at the parkway entrance.
Chains are available for purchase at the beginning of the Strathcona Parkway and the loading bay area of Alpine Lodge. When motoring the parkway in winter shovels and warm blankets are also advisable.
Ferry Travel
BC Ferries operates several times daily between Comox (35km/22mi from Mount Washington) and Powell River on the BC mainland. Three main terminals service Vancouver Island: Departure Bay and Duke Point in Nanaimo, and Swartz Bay in Victoria. There is frequent daily service between the mainland (Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay) and these terminals. Visitors from the US often arrive via the Black Ball Ferry (Port Angeles, WA to Victoria, BC) or Washington State Ferries (Anacortes, WA to Sidney, BC).
Air Travel
The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is serviced by three major airlines. It receives daily flights from Vancouver and Calgary, Alberta. The Courtenay Airpark has a 548m/1,800ft runway designed for light aircraft and facilities for floatplanes. Budget and National rental cars operate kiosks out of Comox Valley Airport. Local bus and private shuttles are also options.
Public Transportation
The Mount Washington Ski Shuttle operates daily between Courtenay and Mount Washington during the winter season. Smith Transportation offers daily return bus transportation between Victoria and Mount Washington with pickup locations at Mill Bay, Duncan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, and Courtenay. Express bus service operates between Victoria and Mount Washington on weekends during winter with reservations required. IslandLink Bus Service offers express bus passenger service between Courtenay and BC Ferries at Nanaimo-Departure Bay, as well as linking other communities on the island.
Regularly scheduled Greyhound Canada bus service from Victoria, Duncan, and Nanaimo to Mount Washington runs on weekends. Greyhound also makes several scheduled daily runs between Nanaimo/Victoria and Courtenay and provides daily service to the mainland via BC Ferries.
Maps
Pick up maps at the Comox Valley Visitor Centre in Courtenay.
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