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    British Columbia, Canada

    Mount Washington

    648 hectares, 82 runs near Courtenay. Vancouver Island's largest ski resort, ocean views, substantial snowfall.

    Open in the app

    Live Mount Washington conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

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    Season 2026 - 2027
    Opens
    18 Dec 2026
    Closes
    11 Apr 2027
    Days open
    114
    Annual snow
    10m
    Snow record
    0cm
    2026-27 so far
    0% of a typical winter500cm
    Explore 2 winters of snowfall→
    The Overview
    MF
    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
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    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%
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    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
    Explore historical snowfall →
    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.

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    Mount Washington Lift Tickets

    Mount Washington lift tickets & passes

    Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 18, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Mount Washington typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.

    Day passes start from CA$25, with peak rates up to CA$105.

    Prices on the go

    Check Mount Washington lift tickets anytime. Opens to this page.

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    Prices on the go

    Check Mount Washington lift tickets anytime. Opens to this page.

    Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
    6 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Adult Full Day Lift Ticket

    CA$89up to CA$105 peak

    Full day skiing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Vancouver Island's largest ski resort with 82 trails and 10 lifts. Save $5 by purchasing in advance online. Experience over 11 meters of annual snowfall across 1,601 acres of varied alpine terrain.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–99

    Senior Full Day Lift Ticket

    CA$75up to CA$89 peak

    Discounted full day skiing for seniors 65+ at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Enjoy spectacular ocean and mountain views from Vancouver Island's premier resort. Mount Washington receives some of the biggest snowfalls in North America.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–18

    Youth Full Day Lift Ticket

    CA$75up to CA$89 peak

    Youth lift tickets for ages 13-18 at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Perfect for teenage skiers exploring diverse terrain from gentle cruisers to challenging expert runs. Great terrain parks and 505 meters of vertical drop.

    Buy pass
    Child 6–12

    Child Full Day Lift Ticket

    CA$59up to CA$75 peak

    Children's skiing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort for ages 6-12. Kids enjoy excellent beginner terrain and comprehensive ski school programs. Vancouver Island's premier family-friendly mountain experience with Bears Den Daycare available.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Family Friday Night Ticket

    CA$25

    Special Family Friday night skiing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Child lift tickets just $5, youth $15, adult $25. Every Friday night from December 20th. Includes family-oriented events and dinner specials at Ted's restaurant.

    Buy pass
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    Multi-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    6IXPAK Tickets

    CA$539

    Pack of 6 deeply discounted lift tickets plus 1 FREE bonus April ticket at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Save 25% compared to single-day rates. Use any day throughout the season with no blackout dates. Perfect for sharing with friends and family.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Mount Washington day pass cost?+
    Mount Washington day passes range from CA$25 to CA$105 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Mount Washington lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Mount Washington lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Mount Washington, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Mount Washington lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Mount Washington - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Mount Washington lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Mount Washington offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Mount Washington directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Mount Washington.

    More Mount Washington intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.

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