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Thanks to the weather phenomenon known as La Niña, the Island’s skiers and snowboarders are waiting on pins and needles to hit the slopes of Mount Washington as the mountain gears up to open a week earlier than expected. The combination of cooler temperatures and above average precipitation has proven to be the key to perfect conditions – the mountain is already boasting a 100 cm base with more snow falling by the hour.

Come Friday, December 3rd, the Sunrise, Eagle, Hawk, and Green chairs will be towing skiers up the slopes. The mountain’s popular Ozone Tubing Park will be in full swing and an additional 100 acres of fluffy white snow will be yours for the taking when Mount Washington opens Gold Rush Glades below Little Washington peak this weekend.

Whether Mount Washington Alpine Resort is your go-to mountain every winter or you’ve never before explored its slopes, I want to give you the opportunity to experience it for yourself. The awesome people at the mountain have agreed to give away a pair of alpine lift passes to two lucky readers (two winners will each nab two passes) who are ready to get amped. There are three ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment below telling me what you’re most looking forward to this season. (1 entry)

2. Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

RT to win a pair of @mountwashington alpine lift passes from @keiraanne http://tinyurl.com/38a5mle

3. Go to Mount Washington’s Facebook page and “like” the mountain – then send me an e-mail telling me you did so. (1 entry)

I’ll draw one winner at noon on Friday, December 3rd and another winner at noon next Friday, December 10th. Good luck!

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located on the Strathcona Parkway in the Comox Valley. For more information, visit the resort online or call direct at 250-338-1386 or toll free 1-888-231-1499. You can find Mount Washington Alpine Resort on Facebook or follow their active updates on Twitter.

Whether we intended it or not, tea was certainly a theme of our girls’ getaway to Nanaimo and Victoria, so it seemed only fitting that Rebecca and I take some time to visit Silk Road in Victoria’s downtown core. A fixture of the local culinary scene for almost two decades, Silk Road has grown into something of a local phenomenon.

Since my last visit to Silk Road, the shop has grown into the breathtaking space next door, complete with a workshop bar, expansive wall space for all of the teas, trinkets and teapots as well as ample room for their nurturing spa products created entirely on site.

Created by two women who are both Chinese Tea Masters and Herbalists, Silk Road honours the centuries-old tradition of tea preparation and drinking. Each and every blend that lines the walls of this Chinatown treasure is unique to Silk Road with organic ingredients being especially chosen from all over Asia before being hand-blended in Victoria.

In addition to tea blends, Silk Road has also become increasingly famous for their aromatherapy and spa products. Using essential oils and only the purest of ingredients, the shop offers a complete line of body and skin care. These products are used extensively throughout Silk Road’s spa.

Being that we visited Silk Road on a Saturday afternoon, Rebecca and I were fortunate enough to partake in one of their popular tea tasting workshops. Think of it as a wine tasting but for tea buffs. Not only were we able to sample a number of the shop’s best selling teas, we – along with the 10 other participants – learned how to festively blend teas with hot chocolate. Mixing the Westcoast Peppermint with milk cocoa was undoubtedly my favourite.

Further, the workshop also proved to be interesting and informative. We were explained the differences between white, green, black and herbals teas, some of the health benefits of each and even the importance of varied steeping times. Brewing an exceptional pot of tea is truly a time-honoured art and a tradition to be respected.

Silk Road’s tea tasting workshops at the Tea Tasting Bar are held each Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. from now until the end of June. For more photos and fun from our Silk Road visit, please head over to Miss604.com and read Rebecca’s post.

Silk Road is located at 1624 Government Street (between Fisgard and Pandora Streets) in downtown Victoria. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. During the holidays, Silk Road is open for extended shopping hours, so please phone ahead at (250) 704-2688 (press 2) or visit their website to find more information. You can also find Silk Road on Facebook or follow their updates on Twitter.

There is perhaps no icon more synonymous with Victoria than the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Built between 1904 and 1908, its ivy-covered walls have been standing watch over the Victoria Harbour while hosting everyone from musicians and movie stars to dignitaries and royalty.

Walking through the halls, the deep history of the Fairmont Empress Hotel – or simply The Empress as it was formerly known – is abundant in the wooden architecture and Edwardian finishing. Afternoon Tea is a tradition steeped in the hotel’s history, having been served for more than a century to its guests.

With delicate napkins draped across our laps and a delightful bowl of strawberries and cream in front of each of us, Rebecca and I found ourselves starting our Afternoon Tea experience by sipping mimosas. Our host for the afternoon was a kind gentleman by the name of Yousef – he has been impeccably serving tea at the Fairmont Empress for nearly three decades.

Once finished our starters, Yousef brought out a three-tiered tray adorned with finger sandwiches, home-baked scones with Jersey cream and English-made preserves and an array of sugary sweets created by Award-winning Pastry Chef D’Oyen Christie. The salmon pinwheels, fluffy raisin scones and shortbread that tastes like grandma used to make were my absolute favourites.

The tea itself is something to behold. While normally I would load mine with milk and sugar, this blend was perfection all on its own. Featuring organic components from Assam, Kenya, South India, Ceylon and China, this famed tea is worth its weight in gold.

It’s close to impossible to be embraced in such an environment without daydreaming what life may have been like a century ago when a relaxing Afternoon Tea was a part of daily life. The experience was, for me, the epitome of refinement and luxury – and about as close as I’ll ever get to feeling like royalty for a day. The Fairmont Empress’s parting gift of a small box of their tea allowed Rebecca and I to take a part of the day home.

Please visit Miss604.com to read Rebecca’s post regarding her Afternoon Tea experience at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress is served after 12:00 p.m. in the Tea Lobby. Reservations are strongly recommended. The cost is $44-55 per person with Prince and Princess Tea for children, priced at $18. For more information on this and other delights at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, please visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook or follow the Fairmont Empress on Twitter.

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For far too long, Nanaimo has been a “drive through/drive thru” city for me: I would only ever “drive through” Nanaimo to get to the Comox Valley while hitting up a “drive thru” for some nosh on my way. As part of our escape, Rebecca and I took some well overdue time to explore the aptly-named Harbour City.

Our tour guide was the ever-lovely Chelsea Barr with Destination Nanaimo who was pleased to show us some of the revitalization that downtown Nanaimo has been undergoing in recent years. What was once at the epicentre of economic activity on Vancouver Island is now one of the most historical and informative places to visit.

With progressive campaigns to promote both tourism activity and business within Nanaimo, the city – and particularly its downtown core – has quickly become one of the Island’s fastest growing communities. Though modern amenities and facilities can be found on every corner, the charm of the city’s past is hard to miss. City streets are lined with everything from quaint diners to decades-old travel agencies and barber shops. Much of the original architecture is nearly a century old and something worth marveling at.

More than a decade ago, the Malaspina Hotel was demolished only to unearth some of Vancouver Island-based artist E. J. Hughes’ most elaborate murals hidden behind years and years of drywall. In 1938 Hughes depicted Captain Malaspina sketching Gabriola Island. This mural was lovingly and painstakingly restored and is now on display – free of charge to the public – at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Gordon Street.

Along the way, Rebecca, Chelsea and I escaped the cold rain by ducking into Tea Leaf Specialty Tea & Cafe. After carefully selecting a tasty blend, Rebecca and I each met with psychologist, life coach and psychic Deborah Jones for a tea leaf reading.

Deborah has been reading angel cards and tea leaves for more than 30 years and though I was unsure of what to expect, my meeting with her was nothing short of amazing. The skeptic in me melted away when I quickly realized that she was spot-on with so many things about me without even opening my mouth. Tea leaf readings with Deborah are a truly unique experience and are available by appointment. You can also find Tea Leave Specialty Tea & Cafe on Twitter.

The final leg of our tour through downtown Nanaimo was spent weaving in and out of specialty shops, boutiques and artisan galleries. Gone are the days when Nanaimo’s shopping destination is only the mall; the city’s quarters are filled with rare finds and covet-worthy items any girl would gush over.

Some noteworthy shops worth popping into included Quintessential Accessories and the Barton & Leier Gallery. While Barton & Leier is stocked with gorgeous treasures for the home, Quintessential will only make you wish there was more room in both your jewelry box and closet. Their clothing, shoes and accessories have definitely cornered the local market. As an added bonus, Quintessential also sells accessories for your pup – a major plus for dog lovers such as myself.

Perhaps my most loved stop was at McLean’s Fine Foods. The unassuming awning boasts a wide selection of cheese and speciality foods, but it’s oh-so-much more than just that. Opened 19 years ago by an exuberant Scotsman by the name of Eric McLean and his wife Sandy, McLean’s stocks everything from sauces and jellies to Scottish soda by the can and squid ink pasta imported from Italy. The foodie in me was in utter heaven.

And yes… McLean’s is now taking Christmas orders!

Downtown Nanaimo should undoubtedly be a key stop on your next drive up or down Vancouver Island. Christmas festivities will be kicked off this Friday, November 26th with the lighting of the Harbourfront Library Christmas tree. For more information on this and other downtown events, visit the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association online.

To stay up-to-date on what’s hot and happening in Nanaimo, make sure you follow Chelsea Barr on Twitter. Word has it that she’s got the scoop on when Santa will make his first appearance in downtown Nanaimo!

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There comes a time in every girl’s life when a weekend away with friends graduates to something with a bit more style and sophistication than in younger years.

Rebecca and I recently escaped to Vancouver Island for some rest and relaxation and found ourselves at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa in downtown Victoria. From the moment one enters the lobby, it’s clear that this four-diamond hotel is a true gem within the capital city.

Travelers are greeted with prompt service, smiles and the tinkering of a baby grand piano. While the winter weather outside was frightful, complimentary sugar cookies and hot apple cider in the lobby proved to be most delightful.

Our room, complete with hers and hers queen-sized beds, featured a glittering view of the Parliament Buildings and a sliver of Victoria Harbour. Though the hotel is less than a decade old, the decor of both the common area and each of the rooms is exquisitely styled in a manner that’s both refined and undoubtedly comfortable. Neither Rebecca nor myself hesitated to swap our winter boots for the luxe robes and slippers.

What is perhaps most magnificent about the Magnolia Hotel & Spa is its perceptibility toward the smaller details. From the tantalizing wine and cheese platter that awaited us upon arrival to the sumptuous selection of Aveda bath and beauty products stocked in the bathroom, no feature has been overlooked.

If I’m honest with all of you, the majority of my time in our hotel room was spent submerged in the soaker tub. The bathrooms at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa are a bather’s paradise.

No attempt at rest and relaxation would be complete without an indulgence at the spa. The Spa Magnolia, adjacent to the hotel’s lobby, features seven serenely-appointed treatment rooms and a menu of services certain to please everyone.

Rebecca and I each chose what the Spa Magnolia is perhaps most famous for – their facial treatments. Using customized Aveda products, the Outer Peace brought utter relaxation to my body with a better and better complexion in the hours that followed my treatment.

On our final night in Victoria, we found ourselves in the Prime Steakhouse & Lounge. With half a dozen phenomenal cuts of Alberta beef on the menu, Chef Batty and his team have turned the average steak into something utterly tantalizing. Prime’s dining room features ambient lighting and decor that straddles the line between art nouveau and art deco, creating an environment that evokes that classic kind of sexy.

Though Prime shakes up more cocktails than you can twist at, Rebecca and I selected a half-litre of Burrowing Owl pinot noir to accompany our meal. We each started with a succulently creamy lobster bisque to warm up our palates for the star of the show.

My 8-oz. New York cut steak was cooked perfectly medium rare, accompanied by roasted seasonal vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes that I couldn’t shovel into my mouth fast enough. The steak itself was a true treat, each bite quite literally melting upon touching my tongue. (Foodie tip: ask for a side of the brandy peppercorn cream sauce and smother your cut in it.)

They say that it’s hard to top perfection, and nothing could be more true of my visit to the Magnolia Hotel & Spa. While I would have liked more time to spend soaking in the bathtub (perhaps while simultaneously indulging in more steak), my stay has given more than enough reason to return again in the very near future.

The Magnolia Hotel & Spa is located at 623 Courtney Street in downtown Victoria. Please visit their website for more information on the Girls’ Getaway package and other great packages You can also find the Magnolia Hotel & Spa on Facebook and follow their updates on Twitter.

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It’s been almost half a year since Rebecca and I have had a chance to get out of town together and indulge in some R and R, so this weekend couldn’t come at a better time.

Photo: Raul P on Flickr

This time around we bowed out of a heart-pounding experience like New York City and have opted to spend three tranquil nights on Vancouver Island. We’re starting things off in the seaside city of Nanaimo before exploring the charm of Victoria. I’ve had the opportunity to spend quality time in neither city in quite a while, so it’s most certainly something I’m looking forward to.

Enjoy your weekend and make your way back here on Monday morning for tales – and photos – of our adventures together!

Now in its 22nd year, the Yellow Point Christmas Country Tour returns to the Cedar and Yellow Point area of Nanaimo once again this weekend.

Photo: City of Nanaimo

An increasingly popular event, the Christmas Country Tour allows for a wide variety of local artisans to showcase their wares and creations while invoking a sparkle of Christmas spirit.

Photo: City of Nanaimo

This self-guided tour [map] covers Cedar and Yellow Point, slightly south of downtown Nanaimo, and includes more than two dozen celebrated Vancouver Island artisans. This special weekend each year welcomes the public into studios, onto farms and into shops to peruse everything from handcrafted pottery, paintings, mosaics, First Nations jewelry, quilts, photography and mouth-watering incredible edibles. Scrumptious food and beverages are available at various stops throughout the tour to keep your energy up!

The Yellow Point Christmas Country Tour starts today, Thursday, November 18th and runs through until Sunday, November 21st. All stops on the tour are open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and admission is free. Beat the Christmas rush and plan to spend some time exploring the quaint Cedar and Yellow Point area this weekend. For more information, please visit the Cedar Yellow Point Artisan Association online.

After the holidays last year, my family decided that we would not be buying each other Christmas gifts this year. We’re all adults and the exchanging of copious amounts of gifts only causes us to lose the true meaning of the Christmas season. I’d rather lay around in my pajamas, stuff my face with food and spend genuine quality time with the people that I love more than anything else.

Photo: Mandy_Jansen on Flickr

That said, I do understand that gift giving is a huge component of the holiday season. Because she’s still a toddler and has many years ahead of her before the Santa illusion fades, my niece will definitely be getting spoiled! One thing she won’t be getting is a puppy. It isn’t because she rips around the house like hell on wheels, chasing Jordy and trying to grab at his fur. It’s because I don’t want any puppy to end up like Wesley.

Last year Wesley was purchased as a gift for the holidays before being surrendered at the BC-SPCA only days later. Thankfully Wesley was adopted out in a short period of time, but there are countless other animals that weren’t as fortunate. Owning a pet – any pet – takes a great deal of time, dedication, patience and even money. Jordy costs me between $50-100 every single month.

On November 9, 2010, city council in Richmond, BC became the first jurisdiction in all of Canada to ban the sale of puppies in pet stores. This decision should be applauded and was made after city council received numerous complaints about the link between backyard breeders and pet stores. The Canadian Kennel Club prohibits registered dog breeders from selling to pet stores, so that cute little puppy you spotted in the window came from none other than a puppy mill. [source]

The Oprah Winfrey Show – Exposing Puppy Mills

This Christmas season, I urge you not to gift animals as gifts in the first place. If you and your family have decided together to bring an animal into your home to improve its quality of life, please choose the SPCA or another reputable rescue group to adopt from.

There are few places on Vancouver Island where the Christmas season feels more magical than in Victoria. With its cobbled streets, British architecture and vibrantly coloured lights on every corner, it’s near perfection. I couldn’t be more excited to be heading that way in a few short days to partake in some early holiday cheer.

A modern Christmas tradition is soon returning to the capital region with the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort‘s Starlight Cinema series. Film lovers will be flocking to the waterfront resort for holiday movies under the stars, winter style.

Photo: Derek K. Miller on Flickr

Whether opting for a family night out or a romantic and cozy date night, Starlight Cinema promises to provide new memories while evoking ones from childhood. This year’s movie line-up is as follows:

November 30 – Miracle On 34th Street
December 1 – White Christmas
December 7 – The Grinch
December 8 – The Santa Claus
December 14 – Home Alone
December 15 – A Christmas Carol
December 21 – Elf
December 22 – It’s A Wonderful Life

Fill your thermos with hot chocolate, pull a toque over your head, a scarf around your neck and clutch your favourite fuzzy blanket and head to the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. Heaters will be on site for added warmth and the movies are free for all.

In the true spirit of Christmas giving, the resort is graciously accepting donations for Victoria’s Santas Anonymous charity – dedicated to helping area children for more than three decades. For more information on Santas Anonymous, please visit their website. If you can’t make it to any of the Starlight Cinema nights, donations can also be made online through CanadaHelps.

It’s no secret that Canadians are passionate about hockey. We’re raised to be stick toting, puck chasing, goal cheering fans whether we play the game or not. From the bantam level to the NHL, it’s Canada’s sport and we don’t let anyone forget it!

Photo: Banff Lake Louise on Flickr

Each year Kraft Canada kicks off the NHL season with a little friendly competition between communities, allowing towns across this great country of ours the opportunity to win up to $100,000 for arena upgrades. There are also prizes of $25,000 for four runner up communities.

Vancouver Island is home to more arenas than you can shake a stick at, so it seems to me that naming one of our Island’s communities as Kraft Hockeyville would be a no-brainer. If you want to give your town a shot at winning the grand prize, simply log in at Kraft Hockeyville Online to nominate your community. Nominations must also include a short essay (maximum 4,000 characters) and between one and three accompanying photos showing your town’s hockey spirit. As in past years, a handful of NHL players have signed on to represent as ambassadors. Vancouver Island and the Pacific region are being represented this year by Calgary Flames forward Brendan Morrison!

Entering communities have until January 30, 2011 to submit their application. The top ten communities will be announced on March 8, 2011 on the CBC’s Kraft Hockeyville show before viewers can vote on the five winning communities. In addition to the generous cash prizes, the top community will also win a 2011/12 NHL® pre-season game played at their local arena plus a special CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast from their community! Get your entries in now!

Find Kraft Hockeyville on Facebook or follow the event on Twitter.