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Spring is officially in session on the slopes! With a mid-mountain base of nearly 700 centimetres, the lifts at Mount Washington Alpine Resort show no sign of stopping anytime soon. The skiing and riding conditions are at the peak of perfection and with that comes an event-packed April.

Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Spring skiing kicks off tomorrow night (April 1st) with a free nighttime pass in exchange for a non-perishable food donation. This weekend will be dominated by the Full Throttle Slopestyle Competition [details], the Thrifty Foods Dummy Downhill contest [details] next weekend and the crowd-pleasing Barq’s Slush Cup on April 10th [details].

While Sunday, April 10th is the last official day of the full 2010/2011 season, the mountain will be open from April 15 – 17 and for the Easter long weekend from April 22-25. However, something tells me there may be even more weekends, but don’t take my word for it – stay tuned to the mountain’s lift reports.

Are you hoping to make it up for one last ride this season? Mount Washington is offering up a pair of one-day lift passes to two lucky readers, valid until April 25th. You’ve got three chances to win…

1. Leave a comment below. (1 entry)

2. Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I entered to win One Last Ride at @mountwashington from @keiraanne http://tinyurl.com/6flzp7w

I’ll draw one winner at noon on Friday, April 1st and another winner at noon on Monday, April 4th. Good luck!

UPDATE: The winner of the first pair is Jon Suk (@jonsuk on Twitter)! Congratulations! Stay tuned and enter to win the second pair of lift passes on Monday!

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.

If you’re anything like me, you’re already dreaming of crackling fires, gooey s’mores and emerging from a dewy tent to greet the sunshine. Camping season is right around the corner, so the question isn’t “should we?” – it’s “where?”

My earliest camping experiences started on Hornby Island. It was an annual summer tradition for my family, a craft that we perfected as the years rolled on. For our first trip, we’d borrowed a small motor-home and a tent from a family friend and forgot nearly half the gear we’d need. On the first night, at Tribune Bay campsites, the sky opened up and rain poured down. My entire family spent a cramped night in the mini motor-home while every camper in the campground sprinted to the Co-Op store in the morning to snag tarps.

Since then, my camping experience across the Island has expanded – as have my camping skills. I’m now very familiar with tenting it everywhere from Tofino to Parksville to Miracle Beach. However, after all these years, I still can’t start a campfire to save my life!

Photos: jawcey and ciboulette on Flickr

If you’re considering packing up the family or your friends and finding a place to pitch your tent on the Island, now is the time to start scoping out sites and making a reservation. Many campgrounds across the Island fill up long before the summer months even begin, and spring is when the camping season gets underway.

Whether you’re snoozing under the stars after a forest hike or sleeping on a queen-sized bed in an oceanfront Winnebago, there’s a space for you. No matter where you find yourself this spring or summer, here are a few tips I can offer up:

• The Island is home to a vast array of wildlife. Stick to trails and appointed campsites, keep all food well-sealed and use your common sense. You’re in their backyard, not vice versa.
• Unfortunately, forest fires often run rampant in the hot months. Always extinguish your fire and if a fire ban has been put in place, obey the rules. Leave your cigarettes at home.
• Heading into the back country? Leave a map, itinerary and timeframe with a trusted friend or family member.
• If you plan on bringing Fido with you, check the campground’s pet regulations in advance. Many will welcome pets but some don’t.
• Don’t take more than you need but don’t forget the essentials. Food, sleeping bags and cooking utensils are important, but don’t forget bug spray, a first aid kit and waterproof matches.
• With the wild west coast’s unpredictable weather, you could be peeling off layers one day and sheltering yourself from the rain on the next. Be prepared and bring the necessary gear for any and all weather conditions.

If you have any other great tips, please feel free to share them below…

Photo: Alistair Howard on Flickr

The number of campsites, campgrounds and Provincial parks across Vancouver Island is limitless. If you can imagine your dream camping trip, you can make it happen right here. For more information on camping options, a quick Google search will get you where you need to be, or you can check out Super, Natural British Columbia online for more ideas.

You tell me: where are your favourite spots to go camping on Vancouver Island?

Earlier this week I profiled some of the North Island’s most picturesque gardens, ready to burst with Spring colour and lush lawns. This morning we’re heading south in search of gorgeous greenery on the South Island.

Hazelwood Herb Farm [website]
13576 Adshead Road, Ladysmith, BC

With five acres of almost every and any herb you can imagine, both foodies and chefs will be charmed by Hazelwood Herb Farm. More than just herbs, however, Hazelwood also features meadows and woodlands. Be sure to stock up on delicious gourmet foods and preservatives in the gift shop, harvested by the very ingredients grown at the farm.

Photo: Hazelwood Herb Farm

Mayo Creek Gardens [website]
6596 McLean Road, Lake Cowichan, BC

Stunning flowers and perennials are the main attractions at Mayo Creek Gardens. The refreshing air of the Cowichan Valley feeds the abundant nature at Mayo Creek Gardens, making it a popular spot for everything from tea to fashion shows amongst the gardens. Mayo Creek Gardens also offers gardening workshops, so call ahead or visit them online for further information on getting your green thumbs dirty.

Photo: Vancouver Island Garden Trail

Organic Fair Farm & Garden [website]
1935 Doran Road, Cobble Hill, BC

The 100-mile diet isn’t a lifestyle that’s new to Vancouver Island. More and more local businesses are dedicated to this movement, and the Organic Fair Farm & Garden in Cobble Hill is certainly one such place. Stocking everything from coffee, tea, chocolate, cheese from Hilary’s Cheese, True Grain bread and wines from Cherry Point Estate, this place has it all. The adjacent organic farm is open to visitors all year round, which is the perfect place to learn just how these certified organic products are made on site.

Photo: Organic Fair Farm & Garden

The Butchart Gardens [website]
800 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, BC

Internationally renowned and locally treasured, the Butchart Gardens have been charming guests for decades. Open 365 days a year with stunning seasonal displays, Butchart Gardens has an array of activities along the winding paths that are spread out over their 55 acres. With ice skating at Christmastime, nightly fireworks in the Summer and Japanese cherry blossoms in the Spring, Butchart Gardens is the perfect place to get lost for a few hours – or a whole day.

Photo: Ian Redan on Flickr

Abkhazi Garden [website]
1964 Fairfield Road, Victoria, BC

Since the first seeds were planted in 1946, Abkhazi Gardens has grown into one of Vancouver Island’s most incredible garden spaces. Landscaped with everything from natural rock formations, Japanese maples and a rainbow of colour in the floral displays, Abkhazi Garden is truly a place that leaves a lasting impression. Now in the hands of The Land Conservancy, Abkhazi Garden is protected from any sort of commercial or residential development.

Photo: Mike Kamermans on Flickr

Beacon Hill Park [website]
Between Douglas Street, Cook Street and Dallas Road, Victoria, BC

Beacon Hill Park is arguably Victoria’s most beloved park that’s a favourite with families and tourists. Featuring stunning vista views and wandering wildlife, it’s also become a favourite with photographers. Belonging to the City of Victoria since the 1880s, it’s since been lovingly cared for and developed, including a petting zoo, dog-friendly trails and is bursting with plants, shrubs and trees that are native to BC. Word has it that Beacon Hill Park was also a favourite playground of artist Emily Carr when she was a child.

Photo: Steven Tan on Flickr

If you missed my profile on the North Island’s gardens, you can find the post here.

Having given birth to a dozen – yep, that’s 12 – puppies, Shiloh is one tired mom. With so many puppies comes so great a need and the people of the Comox Valley generously reached out with donations of food, puppy milk replacement and pet supply gift cards.

Photo: BC-SPCA Comox Valley Branch

The Comox Valley Branch of the BC-SPCA is holding an open house fundraiser to help raise money for Shiloh, her pups and all the other animals at this very busy shelter.

What: BC-SPCA Comox Valley Shelter fundraiser
Where: Whistle Stop Pub, 2355 Mansfield Drive, Courtenay, BC
When: Friday, March 25th from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.

The evening features prize games, a 50/50 draw and a silent auction with amazing items including a Krupps grinder, a deluxe espresso machine and a one-month membership to the Comox Valley Boxing Club.

If you can’t make it to this fundraiser, feel free to drop by the Comox Valley shelter at 1668 Ryan Road in Comox – or the shelter in your community – at any time with your donation of food, toys, money or gift cards. Please let Shiloh and her dozen pups be a reminder to have your pets spayed or neutered.

Each summer, shellfish lovers converge on the Comox Valley for the BC Shellfish Festival. Happening this year on June 17th and 18th, organizers are gearing up well in advance for this wildly popular event.

The highlight of the weekend is always the Chefs’ Dinner and tickets have already gone on sale. 200 guests will meet at the Filberg Lodge & Park on Friday, June 17th for al fresco dining prepared by some of the coast’s greatest culinary masters, including Andrew Springett, Executive Chef at Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet, and Richard Verhagen of Salt Spring Island’s Raven Street Market Café. Each of the six featured chefs has been paired up with a BC shellfish grower as well as delicious wines from Hester Creek Estate Winery. Tickets sell for $120 each and always sell out before the event. Get yours by e-mailing the organizers directly. (Rumour has it that the tickets are already half gone!)

Photo: Jason Crane on Flickr

Also that weekend is the food fest that’s open to the entire public on June 18th. Shellfish vendors will be setting up shop at Marina Park in Comox from noon until twilight greeting thousands of shellfish fans. This tasty afternoon features cooking demos, an oyster shucking competition, a beer and wine garden, live music and tons and tons of shellfish to sample and slurp.

To find out more about the BC Shellfish Festival, including a full schedule of the events, visit the festival’s official website. You can also “like” the BC Shellfish Festival on Facebook or follow their active updates on Twitter.

Discover Comox Valley wants to make sure that Islanders and Mainlanders alike have the opportunity to take part in this exciting and delicious weekend. Two prize packages are available to be won and include two nights at Crown Isle Golf Resort, two ticket to the Chefs’ Dinner gala event and tickets to the BC Shellfish Festival Day at Comox Marina. Contestants who reside somewhere other than Vancouver Island also have the chance to win roundtrip airfare between downtown Vancouver and downtown Comox. To enter, please visit Discover Comox Valley’s contest page.

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks – at least not until next week. Spring Break has arrived and the conditions at Mount Washington Alpine Resort could not possibly be more perfect for this week’s Chek News Spring Snow Jam. With a mid-mountain base of over 700 tasty centimetres, there’s no shortage of epic adventures waiting for you this week at the resort.

Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Dairyland Milk Run presented by Saputo
Tuesday, March 22 – Noon until 3:00 p.m.

Whatever your skill level, the objective is to ski or ride every run within your ability. When you’re done your day, turn in your check card to be entered for a secret grand prize. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m.

Old Dutch Dodge Ball
Wednesday, March 23 – Starts at 1:00 p.m.

For just a buck, enter your team of six or enter yourself to bring your A-game to schoolyard dodge ball in the snow. The last person standing will be crowned King or Queen of the Dodge and snag a prize courtesy of Old Dutch potato chips. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m.

Klondike Bear Scavenger Hunt
Thursday, March 24 – 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Ice cream lovers are required, so if that’s you, start the hunt for Klondike Bears hidden at various points across the mountain. Once you find them all, turn in your score card to win some tasty prizes!

Beavertails Tail Eating Contest
Friday, March 25 – Starts at 1:00 p.m.

This annual event challenges those daring enough to stuff their faces with sweet and tasty Beavertails. If you think you can hack it, register at the Beavertails hut on March 24th and 25th and prepare for some fierce competition.

Full Throttle Friday
Friday, March 25 – 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

This completely free event will have you jamming with the best of them. Grab your board, hit the Stomping Ground Terrain Park and register for your chance to snag some swag while shredding under the stars.

For more information on these and other Spring events at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, visit their events calendar. You can also “like” the mountain on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

With yesterday’s Spring Equinox, today is officially the first full day of one of the brightest seasons. The sun is in the sky longer, dormant flower bulbs start to bloom and trees begin budding gorgeous green leaves. As Spring has now sprung, here is part one of my guide to Vancouver Island’s most breathtaking gardens.

Ronning’s Garden
Old San Josef Wagon Road, Holberg, BC

In 1910, a Norweigan by the name of Bernt Ronning build his homestead around what is now a garden named in his honour. Featuring exotic trees, bulbs, shrubs, flowers and even Monkey Puzzle Trees, it’s well worth the trek. Find Ronning’s Garden about 65 kilometres west of Port Hardy along the road to Cape Scott Provincial Park.

Photo: Joel Tullock on Flickr

The Shephards’ Garden [website]
Port McNeill, BC

Kissing the banks of the Nimpkish River, Shephard’s Garden is a four-acre flora and fauna paradise. This is the time of year when the garden really begins to bloom, growing everything from perennials to berry bushes and everything in between. Watch for signs on Highway 19 when heading south out of Port McNeill.

Photo: Shephard’s Garden

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens [website]
6183 Whitaker Road, Courtenay, BC

I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up near Woodland Gardens for most of my life, so it holds a special place for me. Featuring gorgeous colours in the summer, a twinkling Santa Claus woodland in the winter and a fantastic art festival each Spring, Woodland Gardens is a must-see.

Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park [website]
61 Filberg Road, Comox, BC

Overlooking the Island’s majestic mountain spine and glassy blue ocean water, the Filberg Lodge and its surrounding park has long been the pride of Comox. Originally a homestead, the park is now nine acres of lush grass and towering trees while home to deer and squirrels. The annual Filberg Festival draws tens of thousands of people to enjoy some of BC’s best artisans and entertainers every summer. (Personally, I go for the fresh-squeezed lemonade.)

Milner Gardens and Woodland [website]
2179 West Island Highway, Qualicum Beach, BC

I was both surprised and delighted with what I found in this majestic park tucked into the woods off the highway. Whether you’re interested in wandering amongst giant fir trees or nibbling on dainty sandwiches and sipping tea while overlooking the ocean, Milner Gardens will provide. Also interesting is the Children’s Food Garden, designed to give local kids an appreciation for the environment in a hands-on experience.

Tofino Botanical Gardens [website]
1084 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC

Not knowing what to expect at the Tofino Botanical Gardens, it turns out I found much more than I could have imagined. Winding trails to the waterfront, a botanical wonderland for children, incredibly sculptural displays and even a cafe with fresh-baked goods were a part of my experience at the gardens. Plan ahead and give yourself ample time to explore the entire 12 acres that the Tofino Botanical Gardens will enchant you with.

Stay tuned for part two of the series later this week, covering the South Island…

Between the wind, rain and gray skies that have plagued coastal BC in recent days, my mind has been wandering to sunshine, water that’s as blue as the sky above and toasty warm sand. Though Vancouver Island is essentially surrounded by one big beach, there’s only one place to find that tropical feeling.

Tribune Bay Provincial Park – found on the southeast corner of Hornby Island – will dazzle you with its lush green forests, powdery white sand and aquamarine water. In fact, its main beach has long been lovingly nicknamed “Little Hawaii”.

Map: Google Maps

Almost every summer of my childhood was spent paddling in the translucent water and building enchanting castles in the sand of Big Tribune Bay beach. Bathers who are happy to leave their swimsuits at home might prefer the adjacent Little Tribune Bay beach as it’s designated as being clothing-optional.

Photo: Calypso Orchid on Flickr

Photo: Tyler Ingram on Flickr

More than just luxe sunbathing, Tribune Bay Provincial Park offers a large number of recreational opportunities. Perhaps the most interesting feature is the rock formations that run alongside the western shore of the bay with tidal pools to explore and views that will take your breath away.

Photo: olicanae on Flickr

The park also features boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking on designated trails and picnicking. A nearby privately-run campground is available for those wanting to make a week of it.

As a former student of Comox’s Brooklyn Elementary, I was fortunate enough to visit the park’s outdoor educational facility with my schoolmates. We enjoyed running through meadows and falling asleep to the sound of the gentle waves.

Photo: olicanae on Flickr

Photo: ecstaticist on Flickr

For a province known for its parks with old growth forests and towering mountains, it’s surprising to find such a gem so far north of the Equator. As BC celebrates 100 years of parks, highlighting the diversity of park landscape in our province is an important part of that celebration. While it’s certainly impossible to chose the most beautiful, it’s not difficult to pinpoint Tribune Bay Provincial Park as one of the most unique – and one of my most favourite.

Photo: Proggie on Flickr

Hornby Island is accessible by ferry via Buckley Bay to Denman Island and on to Hornby Island. Tribune Bay Provincial Park is a day-use only park and campfires are not permitted in the park at any time. There is no drinking water available at the park and dogs must be kept on a leash at all times (though they are not allowed on the beach). There are no lifeguards on duty so swimming is at your own risk. Please remember to take all garbage with you. For more information on Tribune Bay Provincial Park, please visit BC Parks online.

For more than two decades, tourists and locals have been celebrating the annual migration of grey whales off the coast of Ucluelet and Tofino. Each year, close to 20,000 of them make their way from the Baja Peninsula in Mexico and past the West Coast en route to Alaska.

Photo: Creestof14 on Flickr

Now in its 25th year, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival promises that 2011 will be the biggest year yet in the festival’s colourful history.

From March 19 – 27, 2011, the festival will present a week chalked full of events in both Tofino and Ucluelet, including speakers, storytelling, performances, education initiatives and delicious dining opportunities all designed to pay homage to this yearly natural phenomenon. While some may choose to simply stroll the beaches of the Pacific Rim, others may wish to take part in interpretive walks and learn the history of the importance of grey whales to BC’s coastal region.

For more information on area accommodations, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship and a full list of events, visit the Pacific Rim Whale Festival online. You can also “like” the Festival on Facebook or follow Tofino Festivals on Twitter to stay in-the-know on the comings and goings of the whales.

Between skiing, hiking, boating, rock-climbing, swimming and surfing, you’d be hard-pressed to name an outdoor activity that you can’t do on Vancouver Island. Our home is an adventure lover’s true paradise and there is always something to keep you busy no matter which day of the year it is!

Photo: Snorri Gunnarsson on Flickr

The Vancouver Island Outdoor Adventure Expo – now in its second year – will encourage attendees to explore all activities from sea to sand to sky through a number of exhibits and booths. The expo is also the very best opportunity on the entire Island to buy and sell your outdoor adventure gear under one roof. The show is happening on two weekends:

Victoria
April 1 – 3, 2011
Pearkes Rec Centre – Tillicum Centre
3100 Tillicum Road

Nanaimo
May 7 – 8, 2011
Nanaimo Curling Club
106 Wall Street

Tickets are $8 for adults (or $10 for a weekend pass), kids are $4 each and a family of four will cost you $20.

Applications are still being accepted for show exhibitors and there’s also a chance to win tickets, so visit the Vancouver Island Outdoor Adventure Expo online. You can also like the Expo on Facebook or follow their updates on Twitter.