Vancouver Island Nature Tours

Well, Rainbird is fully into winter mode now! It is -4ºC now and snowing! This is very unusual weather for this time of year. But that’s OK! Because it’s time for the Snow Bus. In addition to offering nature tours and excursions even in the winter, Rainbird operates the Snow Bus taking people up to Mount Washington Alpine Resort.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is the best ski-hill on Vancouver Island. It lies on the eastern edge of Strathcona Park and is only a 1.5 hour drive From Port Alberni. Of course, the towns of Courtenay and Comox are closer.

This area also has magnificent views of the mountain scenery. Just awesome. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, there is a nice selection of cross-country trails and a separate lodge for the cross-country crowd. I think this lodge is much nicer than the downhill lodge. Architecturally, it is very attractive. And it is more laid back than the main lodge but still has the usual amenities, cafe, ski-shop and washrooms.  The main lodge, however, has a pub, a cafeteria and a restaurant. There is also a ski shop, lockers, rentals and even a Starbucks! The Snow Bus is the only public transportation to Mount Washington from Port Alberni. It’s mainly the local skiers and snowboarders that take advantage of this service. And many of them are still in school. Their parents can’t drive them up. We also get a certain number of people who do not want to take their cars up the mountain, or do not like driving in winter conditions. The odd time we get groups who want to go up together as an excursion. Now there’s a concept!The Snow Bus leaves from Buy Low Foods parking lot at the foot of Johnston Road at 7 AM every Saturday and Sunday during the ski season. I’m going to try to put on more trips during the Christmas Break and Spring Break too. The price is $30 each including GST.