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.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.
4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Mount Washington Snow Report
Snow Report
Updated 4 Nov 2026
1558m
summit
+0cm
new snow · last 24 hours
Partly Cloudy-3°C / 2°C · S 28km/h
Snowfall
24 hours
0cm
48 hours
0cm
7 days
0cm
Base depth
0cm
Season total
0cm
Typical winter 500cm
Total lifts10
Live open status isn’t available right now.
18 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027
Hour by Hour
Next 48 hours· Updated Nov 5, 2026 at 6:32 AM
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
7-Day Outlook
1,467 mUpdated Nov 5, 2026 at 6:32 AMOpen-Meteo
Days 1–7
1.2cm
Days 8–14
1.9cm
Thu, Nov 5
Slight Rain
Temp2° / -3°°C
Snow0.0cm(90%)
Wind28 km/h S
Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Understanding the Mount Washington snow report
See what's happening on the mountain at Mount Washington right now — snowfall, snow depth, and weather data to help you plan your day in British Columbia.
Snow measurements
Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 1105m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 453m higher at 1558m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.
Weather conditions
Wind and temperature swings matter as much as fresh snowfall. Cold, calm conditions hold snow quality well, while wind-loading or a warm-up can change things quickly — especially given the elevation spread between Mount Washington's base and summit.
Data sources
Mount Washington snow data is collected through a combination of on-mountain reports and weather forecasting services, giving you both official resort updates and independent forecast data in one place. The mountain is served by 10 lifts, including 3 quad chairlifts and a 6-person chairlift.
When to check
Conditions can change overnight, so mornings and late afternoons are the best times to check back on Mount Washington.