Vancouver, Whistler & Vancouver Island - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 825

Information

Visitor Centre ( 250-725-3414; www.tourismtofino.com ; 1426 Pacific Rim Hwy; 10am-6pm
May-Sep, reduced hours low season) A short drive south of town, has detailed information on
accommodations, hiking trails and surf spots.

Getting There & Around

Orca Airways ( www.flyorcaair.com ) Flights arrive at Tofino Airport from Vancouver Inter-
national Airport's South Terminal ($174, one hour, up to five daily).
Greyhound Canada ( www.greyhound.ca ) Services (operated by Tofino Bus) arrive from
Port Alberni ($29, two hours), Nanaimo ($46, four hours) and Victoria ($69, six to seven
hours), among others.
Tofino Bus ( www.tofinobus.com ) 'Beach Bus' services roll in along Hwy 4 from Ucluelet
($17, 40 minutes).

TOP OF CHAPTER

Comox Valley
Comprising the towns of Comox and Courtenay and the village of Cumberland, this is a
region of rolling mountains, alpine meadows and colorful communities. A good outdoor-
adventure base - this is a mountain-biking hotbed - its activity-triggering highlight is Mt
Washington. Drop by the slick Vancouver Island Visitor Centre ( 885-400-2882;

www.discovercomoxvalley.com ; 3607 Small Rd, Cumberland; 9am-7pm) for area tips.

Sights & Activities
The main reason for winter visits, Mt Washington Alpine Resort
( www.mountwashington.ca ; winter lift tickets adult/child $75/39) is the island's skiing mecca,
with its 81 runs, snowshoeing park and popular night skiing. But there are also great
summer activities here, including some of the region's best hiking trails.
With a life-size replica of an elasmosaur, a prehistoric marine reptile first discovered
in the area, the excellent Courtenay & District Museum & Palaeontology Centre
( www.courtenaymuseum.ca ; 207 4th St, Courtenay; admission by donation;

10am-5pm Mon-Sat,

noon-4pm Sun) also houses pioneer and First Nations exhibits.