Mount Washington
648 hectares, 82 runs near Courtenay. Vancouver Island's largest ski resort, ocean views, substantial snowfall.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
18 Dec 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
114
Annual snow
10m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Mount Washington's summit reaches 1,558 metres, dropping 453 vertical metres to a base at 1,105 metres across 82 runs spread over roughly 648 hectares near Courtenay, British Columbia. Terrain splits 43 per cent intermediate, 22 per cent each for advanced and expert, and 13 per cent beginner, with average annual snowfall of roughly 10.0 metres. Ten lifts, including three quad chairs and one six-person chair, serve the mountain alongside one triple chair and five surface lifts.
Mount Washington holds the distinction of being Vancouver Island's largest ski resort, one of the first master-planned mountain resorts developed in British Columbia. Its considerable snowfall for a comparatively low-elevation coastal mountain, combined with genuine ocean views from the upper slopes, has built the resort's reputation as Vancouver Island's primary winter destination.
Campbell River businessman Alex Linton, an avid skier, was struck by Mount Washington's height and snowpack in 1975, and together with fellow businessman Henry Norie began developing the idea into a resort. Construction commenced in 1977, and Mount Washington Alpine Resort opened in 1979 as one of British Columbia's first purpose-planned mountain resort developments.
The resort moved into its current ownership generation with Pacific Group Resorts in 2015. Mount Washington's exact current pass affiliation is not confirmed in available resort information. Adult daily tickets run from 89 to 105 Canadian dollars, with a separate Family Friday Night ticket available at 25 Canadian dollars.
453m
Vertical
82
Runs
1,601 acres
Skiable
10m
Annual snow
The Terrain
82 runs across 1,601 acres skiable
Mount Washington is Vancouver Island's largest ski area, with 82 runs over about 648 hectares and a 453-metre vertical between 1,105 and 1,558 metres. The grading is unusually hard-edged for a modest vertical: 43% intermediate, 22% advanced, 22% expert and 13% beginner. Pacific moisture delivers around 10 metres of snow in a season, remarkable for a coastal mountain, and the upper slopes look out over the ocean. Because the drop is short, the interest comes from steep, treed pitches and variety rather than long, unbroken descents, and the tree skiing holds snow well.
The Outback, a roughly 160-hectare double black playground of glades, bowls and steep drops, is served by the Boomerang Quad. The Eagle Chair gives early ocean views, the Sunrise area includes runs such as Rainbow and Fantastic, and Coaster and lower East Bull carry quiet groomers. Beginners have several surface lifts to learn on, away from the faster traffic. Mount Washington suits Island families, intermediates, and glade and powder skiers who can handle variable coastal snow. Those seeking big alpine vertical will find it comparatively short, and the weather can change quickly.
Terrain split
82
runs
82 runs across 4 grades
Beginner11 runs · 13%
Intermediate35 runs · 43%
Advanced18 runs · 22%
Expert18 runs · 22%
Time it right
When to visit Mount Washington
The 2025-26 season at Mount Washington ran from 12 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly sixteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 10.0 metres. This considerable snowfall for a coastal, comparatively low-elevation mountain reflects Vancouver Island's exposure to Pacific storm systems.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent, substantial snowfall to Mount Washington's varied terrain. As Vancouver Island's largest ski resort, Mount Washington draws considerable visitation from across the island, including Victoria and Nanaimo, alongside destination travellers.
Mount Washington's Family Friday Night ticket programme continues to draw strong evening visitation from local Comox Valley families throughout the season. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's approachable terrain mix and considerable scale.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Pacific Group Resorts' 2015 acquisition, Mount Washington has continued building on more than four decades of history since its 1979 founding by Henry Norie and Alex Linton. The resort's status as Vancouver Island's largest ski area remains central to its enduring popularity.
Season 2026 - 2027
18 Dec 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
114
Days open
10 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Mount Washington
Daily snow reports at Mount Washington go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
92 cm
Snowiest day
23 Feb 2026
0 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
500 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Mount Washington, and where to stay
Mount Washington sits near Courtenay, British Columbia, in the Comox Valley area of Vancouver Island, with a base elevation of 1,105 metres and a summit at 1,558 metres across a 453-metre vertical drop over roughly 648 hectares. This setting places the resort mid-island, with genuine ocean views from the upper slopes.
Courtenay and the broader Comox Valley offer extensive lodging, dining and services within a manageable drive of the resort, providing Mount Washington's primary local visitor base.
Strathcona Parkway provides direct access to the resort from Courtenay. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice at higher elevations, though the well-travelled road is regularly maintained given the resort's status as Vancouver Island's largest ski area.
Comox Valley Airport, roughly a 30-minute drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying directly to the region, with Mount Washington's considerable island-wide draw supporting visitation from Victoria, Nanaimo and communities across Vancouver Island.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Mount Washington, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Mount Washington's ski season?
Mount Washington's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 18 through April 11. That window is roughly 114 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in British Columbia, Canada often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Mount Washington have?
Mount Washington lists about 1,601 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 82 named runs (648 hectares alongside 1,601 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Mount Washington?
Trail grading at Mount Washington breaks down roughly as 13% beginner, 43% intermediate, 22% advanced, 22% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Mount Washington have?
Mount Washington operates 10 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 5 surface lifts, 3 quad chairs, 1 6-person chair, and 1 triple chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Mount Washington?
Base elevation at Mount Washington is about 1,105 m (3,625 ft), with the summit around 1,558 m (5,112 ft), giving roughly 453 m (1,486 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Mount Washington get each season?
Mount Washington averages about 1,000 cm (394 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Mount Washington lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans CA$25 to CA$105, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Mount Washington before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 3 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Mount Washington so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Mount Washington have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Mount Washington. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Mount Washington located?
Mount Washington sits in British Columbia, Canada. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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