MT. WASHINGTON
Come out and play at this year-round resort where the magic of the powdery snow surrounded by pristine nature will truly put you in the seasonal spirit as your soul awakens and your senses elevate. Here you can enjoy alpine skiing, snowboarding, and even snow tubing. The alpine regions of Vancouver Island have many scenic trails for all ages and abilities and between the resort and Strathcona Provincial Park you can enjoy cross country skiing and snowshoeing. To learn more about all the amazing activities visit the Mt. Washington website.
LONG BEACH
The romantic isolation of the beaches at the Pacific Northwest make Long Beach an incredible destination year-round. Winter is one of the most magical times where storm watching, surfing and hiking and then cozying up by the fireplace at the end of the day is so rewarding. The raw force of Mother Nature pounding wave after wave against the rugged coastline is a breathtaking sight to take in. For more information about this mystical area visit here.
NANAIMO TRAILS
With the mild weather hiking and biking is another activity to be enjoyed in and around Nanaimo. We have some of the most amazing hiking trails to explore and discover. The list of trails are endless and it is fun to revisit old favourites and discover new ones. Unlimited fun for the whole family. For a list of some of the best trails visit this amazing guide here.
HORNE LAKE CAVES
Caving or spelunking as it is called by the locals is another unique activity that can be even more enjoyable in the wintertime as the temperature in the caves are often more comfortable inside than out. The Horne Lake Caves are located outside of Parksville and with the variety of guided tours this is a memorable activity to learn about the geography and common cave formations. For more information about this enchanting location visit their website here.
YUMMY HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE
Cooler winter days call for a special treat and what could be nicer than a piping hot mug of homemade hot chocolate to drink! Our recipe is a favourite and can be made with dairy or non-dairy milk! Also it is super easy to make!
Prep time: 15 min Makes 5 cups
Ingredients
½ cup sugar
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Dash salt
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
1. In a saucepan combine cocoa, sugar, salt, and water. Bring to a boil while stirring until smooth.
2. Stir in milk and continue to stir over medium heat to serving temperature (be sure not to boil).
3. Once the cocoa has reached the desired temperature, remove from heat, stir in the vanilla. Whisk until frothy and pour into mugs.
4. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles, whatever tickles your fancy!
Enjoy!