WHY A PRIVATE SCHOOL? EXPLORE TOFINO
Drifted Creations
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT’S POSSIBLE
HELIJET CHARTERS
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HELIJET FLEET
Publisher Jim Schneider | jim@ifr-helijet.com
Editor Stacie Gaetz | editor@islandparent.ca
Graphic Design Brent Foote
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ISSN 1916-5080
In-Flight Review
WINTER 2024/25 Vol. 17 No. 4
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The real heart of the Invictus Games
Vancouver and Whistler February 8-16, 2025.
By Scott Moore CEO, Invictus Games
The Invictus Games will be held in Vancouver and Whistler this coming February, marking the seventh time the Games have been held, and the second time they have been held in Canada (Toronto hosted the Games in 2017).
I often get asked what makes the Invictus Games different from every other major sporting event I’ve worked on. The simple answer is the competitors.
I’ve had the good fortune of working on multiple Olympic Games, World Cups, and Commonwealth Games over my career. What I say to people is, the Olympic Games changes lives, but the Invictus Games saves lives.
Working with the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 presented by ATCO and Boeing has filled me with a degree of gratitude and pride I could not have predicted.
Across nine days in February, as many as 550 competitors from up to 25 nations will compete in 11 adaptive sports in Vancouver and Whistler. The competitors are wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and Veterans from across the world who are using the power of sport to recover and reconnect with their families and communities.
This will be the first Invictus Games in its 10-year history to feature winter adaptive sports. We’re so thrilled for our competitors to have a moment of a lifetime, whether they’re scrimmaging in high-energy Wheelchair Rugby matches in downtown Vancouver or racing downhill in Alpine Skiing in Whistler.
In most sporting events, it’s about who gets to the finish line first. At the Invictus Games, it’s about seeing people get to the start line. Because for all the challenges these competitors have faced, it takes a huge amount
of courage to just get there. The real moment of celebration for our organizing committee team will be when they all cross that finish line together.
All our competitors have a deep love of service, otherwise they wouldn’t have been in the armed forces. In Canada, I’m not sure if we’re as grateful for that service as we used to be. Those of us who are of a certain age were brought up thanking those who served in the First and Second World War. I’m not sure the 40,000 Canadians who served in Afghanistan, or the 40,000 that served in Bosnia, or the 26,000 that served in Korea get the same amount of gratefulness.
One of our goals at Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 is to create a legacy of gratitude for service. We want to see 30,000-plus people in attendance at our star-studded Opening Ceremony at BC Place on February 8 as a way of saying thank you, not just to the Canadians who have served, but the competitors from all across the world who have served. We’re asking everyone to be a part of that legacy by going to our website, buying tickets, and being part of something I’m sure you will find inspirational.
If you can’t be there, you can still show your support. On our site you can shop the Invictus Games 2025 Collection or make a direct donation to help us change even more lives.
I want to thank the enthusiastic support of our board of directors and partners for getting us to this point and helping turn our vision into reality. Helijet, as a key sponsor, exemplifies the spirit of that partnership that is at the heart of the Invictus Games—a global community coming together to champion the resilience of those that have served their nation.
Thank you to everyone who is working tirelessly to bring the 2025 Games to life, and to everyone planning to participate. We on the organizing team get the rare opportunity to see the pieces of the puzzle evolve separately and how they form something we believe will be truly special. Something that will save lives.
Drifted Creations
Drifted Creations
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT’S POSSIBLE
By Stacie Gaetz
Vancou V er Island would have a lot fewer interesting creatures scattered around its beaches and towns if Alex Witcombe’s date hadn’t said no to him on Stories Beach in Campbell River in 2016.
“It all started with an idea for a date,” he says. “She was creative like me and I asked if she wanted to build a driftwood dinosaur on the beach and she said no. She would rather go for a walk on the beach with her friend, so I built it myself and received a ton of positive feedback on social media.”
‘Sheila the Velociraptor’ was such a hit, Witcombe saw the potential to create and sell art made from driftwood and has been doing so (very successfully) ever since. Over the past eight years, his driftwood journey has included hundreds of public art projects and commissions for private clients, businesses and communities.
Witcombe collects the driftwood for the impressive sculptures (that are as large as 26 feet long) himself, packing thousands and thousands of pounds of wood from local beaches.
“I always tell people that I just start with one piece of wood and add until it is finished,” he says. “I like working with these three-dimensional wood pieces and listening to what they want.”
Creating Creatures
The Quathiaski Cove artist has explored many avenues in his career including mural design and painting, graphic design, digital illustration, and writing and illustrating children’s books. However, the tactile element of working with large pieces of wood gained and kept his attention.
Alex Witcombe Quathiaski Cove artist
WWitcombe has created public pieces that include an impressive array of creatures from eagles and bears to aliens and sasquatch. He’s even made a whimsical unicorn.
“Mayhew the Sasquatch (located on Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island) has to be my favourite,” says Witcombe, a graduate of the Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
“I really wanted to do a new public piece, but I was struggling with what to do and where. I had a delivery to make in Penticton and I brought a friend along and, on the way back, we camped in Hope. We had some really strange experiences there that were very Sasquatchy. Then I spoke with the owner of a campground on Quadra Island, and he had an experience with a Sasquatch as well that was wild, so we knew it was a perfect fit.”
One of his largest pieces is a 26-foot-long humpback whale in Campbell River. He says he never keeps track of exactly how long a work takes him, but large pieces can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month.
Other large pieces include a 29-foot-long apatosaurus and a full-sized VW bus named Magnolia located at Zed Hotel in Tofino.
“It is a lot of work,” he adds. “In fact, it is amazing how much wood goes into one of these sculptures.”
Crafting Joy
Another unique aspect about his work is the names Witcombe gives to his pieces. His creations have intriguing monikers like Berta the T Rex, Chadwick the Cougar, McGnarly the Beach Ent, and Ringwald the Mammoth.
“I look at them and I ask them, and they generally tell me what they should be named with their personalities,” he says.
From 2017 to 2020, Witcombe hosted workshops for people of all ages to share his craft.
“Teaching these workshops taught me that anyone can be creative,” he says.
“People would come into the classes and say, ‘I don’t have a creative bone in my body, and couldn’t make a stick man’ but everyone will walk out of the workshop with a beautiful sculpture.”
He adds that although he still has lots of requests for in-person workshops, he plans to move to online tutorials and hopes to set up his own YouTube channel with class es soon.
“I want to show more of the process be cause the most common response to my work is joy and I think more people should be able to create and share that.”
Telling a Story
He says of the dozens of places his work is showcased, the place he is most proud of is Campbellton in Campbell River.
“With the work I have done there, attention has really been paid to where the pieces are placed and how it tells a story,” he says, adding that the story will revolve around
Quinnie the Black Bear Cub, which he made in 2022.
“The Campbellton Neighbourhood Association is working on revitalizing the bicycle loop near the river and it is going to be full of sculptures and art, including three murals and seven sculptures of mine on top of the four sculptures that are already there.”
Witcombe is proud of the work he has done and continues to do but says he plans to get back to his two-dimensional artistic roots as well as reintroducing chalk art and forest creations (using the materials on-hand to create in a natural environment).
“For anyone who is thinking of making the leap into art or using a unique medium, I would say, ‘Don’t be afraid to try new things and explore. Create, have fun, fail.’
“Failing is important because it is a great teacher. Don’t be afraid to fail.”
He adds that his biggest failure was when he built an alien queen on a beach in Tofino without accounting for how high the tide would come in.
“She was just gone and then I had guilt that a bunch of wood was floating around out there in the ocean with all of these screws in it,” he says. “It was awful, but I will never make that mistake again.”
Learn more about Alex Witcombe’s work at driftedcreationsart.ca or follow him on Instagram @driftedcreations.
Les Ballets Trockadero de
TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR
DECEMBER 6 – 8
Get ready Swifties! The world-famous Eras Tour is coming to BC Place for three nights of incredible music and amazing visuals, and spectacular outfit changes. Tickets may be hard to find, but watch for day-of festivities and other Swiftie events around town to get everyone in the spirit. taylorswift.com
GINGERBREAD SHOWCASE
UNTIL JANUARY 5
Habitat Victoria presents the extremely popular Gingerbread Showcase for its 16th year! Held at the Hotel Grand Pacific in downtown Victoria, this fundraising event helps local families get into housing. Stop by and view the wonderful gingerbread creations from local home-based and professional bakers. Make a donation to vote for your favourites. habitatvictoria.com
THE GIFT OF THE NUTCRACKER
DECEMBER 28 - 30, 2024
Ballet Victoria presents the festive favourite that everyone needs to see at this time of year— The Gift of the Nutcracker —at the Royal Theatre in downtown Victoria. Tchaikovsky’s score will be expertly performed by the Victoria Symphony as the show takes you through this magical, timeless tale. rmts.bc.ca
THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS
DECEMBER 14, 2024
Nanaimo’s Classical Chamber Choir, Island Consort, will be performing a blend of renaissance and contemporary music in the Joy of Christmas at St Andrew’s United Church in Nanaimo. J.S. Bach’s energetic cantana, Gloria in Excelsis Deo BWV191 will be accompanied by an 18-piece orchestra. islandconsort.ca
FESTIVAL OF TREES
UNTIL JANUARY 5
The Festival of Trees is back for another exciting year at the Bay Centre in downtown Victoria. With proceeds supporting the BC Children’s Hospital, this event has been enjoyed by locals and tourists for over 30 years. View trees decorated by local businesses and donate to vote for your favourite. tourismvictoria.com
CANYON LIGHTS
UNTIL JANUARY 19
Explore the enchanting wonderland of the Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver. Cross the world-famous suspension bridge as it’s lit up before venturing into a glittering rainforest. Sip hot chocolate and take in all the festive activities taking place throughout the park. capbridge.com
Photo: Oly Morosan
WHISTLER PRIDE AND SKI FEST
JANUARY 19 – 26
What started out as a small gathering of gay ski-lovers in the early 1990s has exploded into one of the world’s largest queer-focused ski weeks. Visit Whistler Mountain for Whistler Pride and Ski Fest to enjoy great skiing, fun events, yummy eating, incredible performances and a whole lot more fun. whistlerpride.com
BEETLEJUICE
JANUARY 21 - 26, 2025
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! Broadway across Canada is coming to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver to present the hilarious musical based on Tim Burton’s classic film Beetlejuice. An incredible set, fabulous score, and all the other fun memories you remember. vancouver.broadway.com
DINE OUT VANCOUVER
JANUARY 22 – FEBRUARY 9
Join fellow food enthusiasts to explore the best of Vancouver’s food scene with delicious three-course menus. Dine Out Vancouver has grown over its 23 years and now offers more than 100 restaurants, hotel offers, and some extra special food events. Try new things at your favourite restaurants–and hit up some new ones. dineoutvancouver.com
PUSH FESTIVAL
JANUARY 23 – FEBRUARY 9
Don’t miss the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival—the Lower Mainland’s signature mid-winter cultural event. Get your ticket to a variety of events to connect and immerse yourself in innovative, contemporary works of live arts by acclaimed artists from all over the globe. pushfestival.ca
DINE AROUND AND STAY IN TOWN
JANUARY 24 – FEBRUARY 9
The eagerly anticipated yearly Dine Around and Stay in Town event returns to Victoria for another year! Visit your favourite local restaurants–or try some new places–and enjoy their specially low-priced threecourse menus. Make a night of it by taking advantage of the special “local” rates at many hotels during this event. tourismvictoria.com
WHOEVER SAID OPERA IS BORING?
FEBRUARY 8
The Vancouver Island Symphony (VIS) presents the humourous and entertaining performance of Natalie Choquette at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo. This diva/actress is returning due to popular demand to perform with the VIS for a night of incredible music comedy and creative madness. porttheatre.com
INVICTUS GAMES
FEBRUARY 8 – 16
The 2025 Invictus Games are held in Vancouver and Whistler this year! Bringing together over 500 competitors from 25 nations to compete in adaptive sports—both in core sports such as swimming and indoor rowing, and winter sports such as Nordic skiing and wheelchair curling. invictusgames2025.ca
HSBC SVNS VANCOUVER
FEBRUARY 21 – 23
The ultimate festival of sport and entertainment, the HSBC SVNS is coming to BC Place in Vancouver for its 10th year! Get ready to see the best of the rugby sevens players as well as the Olympic medallist Canadian women. It will be an unforgettable weekend! svns.com
LIGHTS AT LAFARGE
UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY 2025
If you love wandering through seas of twinkling light displays, don’t miss the Lights at Lafarge at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam–Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display. This incredible outdoor exhibit features 1.2km of lighted pathways with mesmerizing re-imagined elements. coquitlam.ca
Photo: Matthew Murphy
Photo: Ariane Lagacé
NATALIE CHOQUETT
Why Choose a Private School?
WITH OPTIONS RANGING FROM BOARD ING SCHOOLS TO UNIVERSITY PREP, THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION TO SUIT EVERY CHILD.
One of the benefits of private schools is that they pro vide challenging educational experiences through enriched academic opportunities. Another draw is smaller class size, allowing teachers to individually help im prove students’ weak areas and advance their strengths. Here are some other reasons why parents are choos ing alternative education options for their children.
Parental Involvement
Private schools encourage open communication be tween parents and administration, and they involve parents in the community. From parent-teacher meet ings, social events and the participation of parent com mittees in fundraising initiatives, families become an integral part of the child’s education.
Dedicated Teachers
Instructors are both qualified and passionate about their subjects, often holding advanced degrees in their field. Also, as mentioned above, small class sizes make teach ers and staff more readily available for extra help or to further challenge individual students.
A Safe Environment
Private schools have reputations for maintaining high standards for discipline and respect. Lower staff-tostudent ratios allow for more observation and control of school grounds, which can greatly improve the quality of the child’s educational experience and achievement.
Community Environment
Former students repeatedly report that the friendships they formed in private school have lasted post-graduation. A strong sense of pride is often instilled in private school alumni, creating networking opportunities upon entering the workforce.
Ample Resources
Private schools offer resources to support student learning in the classroom, sports field, art studio and beyond. Resources and extracurriculars provide students with the opportunity to fully explore their interests and talents.
Extracurricular Activities
While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a well-rounded education. This includes participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts or clubs. This involvement helps stimulate students in their studies, as noted in a study at Stanford University. Extracurricular activities can provide a much-needed break from the stresses of academics.
TYPES OF PRIVATE
There is no such thing as a homogenous “private school system.” In reality, the private school world is defined by choice. There are many types of private and independent schools, and they come in several configurations.
Day schools
This is the traditional model of schooling: a school that students attend from morning until mid-afternoon, returning home afterward and staying home on the weekends.
Boarding schools
At a boarding school, students live at school during the week within the school year calendar.
Single-gender school
In single-gender schools, the student body is all boys or all girls.
Co-educational
school
Often referred to as “co-ed,” this is a school in which the student body is made up of boys and girls attending classes together.
Religious schools
Depending where you live in the country, schools based on world religions can be found: Bahá’í Faith, Christian (specific denominations or non-denominational), Hindu, Islamic, Jewish and Sikh.
Shared Educational Philosophy
There are many approaches to education; finding a school or preschool that matches one’s own perspective can create a positive, productive academic experience for your child. Whether you prefer the student-directed learning method of Montessori or the arts-based curriculum of Waldorf or Reggio Emilia-inspired school, choosing the right private school will not only allow students to thrive in a supportive environment and build independence, but also gain unique skills that fit their learning style.
Development for Tomorrow’s World
Private schools go beyond offering the mandatory subjects required by provincial curriculum; they can offer students a wide range of specializations including arts programs, athletics, math, science. Private schools are responsible for producing many leaders in politics, business and society, with a history of adapting quickly to changes in technology and culture.
SCHOOLS
University preparatory
Also known as a “prep school.” Prep schools focus on preparing students for university and getting them into the programs they want.
Montessori
A student-centred, individualized educational approach.
Waldorf
The philosophy emphasizes experiential learning for the whole child (heart, hands and head). Schools provide a calm, homelike setting.
Reggio Emilia
This is a complex approach that includes emphasizing independent thinking, cooperation, special layout of schools to encourage learning and discovery, and documenting children’s daily experiences.
Specialty programs
Some schools specialize in meeting unique needs, including programs for children with special needs— such as therapeutic programs.
Editor’s Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all types of private or independent schools but rather a selection of some of the most common.
Books to take you to the next level
Atomic Habits by James Clear
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviours that lead to remarkable results.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
This book addresses a single question: Can a good company become a great company, and if so, how? Based on a fiveyear research project comparing companies that made the leap to those that did not, Good to Great shows that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance but largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight
In this instant and tenacious New York Times bestseller, NIKE founder and board chairman Phil Knight “offers a rare and revealing look at the notoriously media-shy man behind the swoosh” (Booklist, starred review), illuminating his company’s early days as an intrepid start-up and its evolution into one of the world’s most iconic, game-changing, and profitable brands.
MOUNTAIN BIKING AFTER 50
TThinking about taking up mountain biking after 50? While there are some things to be careful of, it’s not as intimidating as it might seem.
As a 57-year-old who rides a couple of times a week, I’m happy to share some insights to help get you on the trails.
First, let’s tackle the most common question that seems to come up—is mountain biking too dangerous?
The answer to this is “it depends.” Like many highconsequence activities (highway driving for instance) it doesn’t have to be overly dangerous if you respect what you’re doing.
I strongly believe that mountain biking is dramatically safer than road riding as you are the one who decides on your level of risk and you’re not in danger from other factors like cars.
From a practical perspective, if you don’t want to risk injury, you’ll want to be careful when trying new obstacles and skills and make sure not to push yourself too far too quickly.
Taking a lesson or two from a professional coach is an excellent way to safely learn some skills and identify what you need to do to be careful. I can say with certainty I’m a much better and safer rider for having taken lessons over the years. Most recently, I did a four-night dirt jumping class with a local company called Nolan Riding. This helped me finally get the confidence to do larger jumps safely and consistently.
Here are some things to consider before taking to the trails:
Flexibility & Fitness
You don’t need to be in top shape to start mountain biking but, like any sport, the fitter and more flexible you are, the more fun you’ll have and the less likely you will be to hurt yourself. The odd spill will be way less likely to cause injury if you’re strong and flexible!
Equipment
Mountain biking technology has come a long way in recent years. That said, riding in the woods is fun on any bike with suitably big tires with some good grip, so don’t let your bike hold you back from getting out there. If you do get more serious about the sport, you’ll eventually want to get a bike that suits you—consult a trusted bike shop for advice on getting the right type of mountain bike for your style of riding.
On the safety front, at minimum, get a helmet that fits well and offers good protection. This is typically enough to safely ride mellow trails. Although, if you want to ride more aggressively or learn to do jumps and drops, you’ll need to consider gloves, knee pads, elbow pads and possibly a full face helmet.
By Rob Cooper
Trails
Living on Vancouver Island, we’re blessed with an abundance of great trails for every level. For beginner riders, getting comfortable on many of the local gravel commuter trails is a great start. Once you’re feeling good on the bike, the next logical step is to go to one of the bike parks and try some of the green-rated trails or seek out some more challenging multi-use trails. If you’re nervous about hitting the trails, find a mountainbiking friend who will take you out or consider a class or clinic appropriate for your skill level.
Community
One of the best things about mountain biking is the great community around it. Mountain bikers are generally a happy and welcoming bunch and there’s a lot of camaraderie and friendly support out on the trails.
Getting involved in a mountain biking club is also a great way to engage with the MTB community. Volunteering to help build trails through a club is a great way to meet other bikers. The South Island Mountain Biking Society manages the Hartland MTB Park and is a great resource in the South Island. Most other island cities have clubs as well.
Mountain biking is one of the most fun sports out there and can provide great challenges both physically and mentally as you gain skills.
So, what’s keeping you from getting out there?
Art ofthe
Creating flavourful cocktails at home
Whether you are celebrating with friends or winding down from a busy day, the flavours of a classic cocktail can be just what you are looking for.
While most people don’t hesitate to uncork a bottle of wine or crack a beer at home, many reserve indulging in a cocktail for restaurants and bars because making mixed drinks can be intimidating at first. But creating a flavourful concoction doesn’t have to be hard work.
You can use things you already have around the house or go as “fancy” as you would like with a trip to the store to select the perfect ingredients for your delicious drink. That’s the beauty of it—it’s up to you!
The History of Cocktails
Cocktails have been around for a long time and have an important place in history.
The first definition of a cocktail as an alcoholic beverage appeared in The Balance and Columbian Repository (Hudson, New York) on May 13, 1806. At this time,
the cocktail was a simple mixture of spirits, sugar, water and bitters, served as a morning pick-me-up for patrons of bars and taverns.
We have all seen movies about their popularity in the 1920s and can picture the image of flappers and sheiks in a speakeasy with their cocktail-filled crystal glasses in hand.
There was a noticeable surge in the sales of classic cocktails in the early 2000s. The Cocktail Renaissance is a term for the period at the beginning of the twentyfirst century, from roughly 2004 through 2019, when the classic art of mixing drinks was reconnected with its traditions and reprioritized in bars around the world.
Getting Started
Whether it’s the complex history or logistics of mixology that is intimidating you, the easiest cocktails to make are highballs. Highballs are a spirit lengthened with a bubbly, non-alcoholic mixer typically in double the amount of the spirit. What could be easier?
But you don’t have to stop there. Why not kick it up a notch? By adding citrus juice, simple syrup or an egg white, you’ll find yourself sipping a rickey, a Tom Collins or a fizz and marveling at how simple it was to make.
One of the most interesting aspects of the cocktail is the garnishes that can go along with it. Anything from the simple (a slice of lemon zest on a French 75) to the extravagant (an entire sandwich on a Caeser), can be that special something that makes your cocktails stand out.
Making It Your Own
As you can imagine, a beverage that is more than 200 years old has grown and evolved quite a bit since conception, which means it can be whatever you want it to be.
Unlike wine, beer or cooler-type drinks, the cocktail is a creation. Something that is mixed with love and care and not just poured out of the bottle or can it came in. This gives you free rein to add whatever you like to the drink.
Not all creations will be great (or even good) but there is no harm in experimenting, and this will help you learn one of the most important lessons a mixologist can glean—which flavours you like best!
Don’t be scared to think outside the box and come out of your comfort zone to explore new creations. You may even come up with a signature cocktail of your own!
Glassware
You don’t need fancy glassware to make great drinks— but it is fun!
Part of the Cocktail Renaissance is the resurrection of the intricate crystal glassware that our grandparents’ basement was full of. The glasses no longer need to be crystal (glass will do just fine) and are inexpensive and easily found at many houseware stores and online.
No matter what vessel you put your cocktail in, it will be delicious, but it is always fun to sip from a sparkling, interestingly shaped glass.
7 Classic Cocktails
Here are our top seven cocktails we suggest you try to make at home:
1. Martini 5. Manhattan
2. Negroni 4. Old-Fashioned
3. Gin & Tonic 7. Daiquiri
4. Margarita
Prefer a Mocktail? No Problem
If you don’t drink alcohol, mocktails are a great alternative to their boozier brothers. Mocktails have come a long way from Shirley Temples or a “virgin” version of other popular cocktails.
There are so many incredible recipes online. In fact, there are over 22,000 Google searches for mocktail recipes per month. Mocktails can be as interesting, and well balanced as drinks with alcohol and companies are starting to come out with non-alcoholic spirits that come close to mimicking the same flavours as the originals.
Here’s our favourite mocktail recipe that doesn’t sacrifice on flavour or pizzaz.
Mojito Mocktail
1 English cucumber, sliced
10 mint leaves
1⁄3 cup lime juice
2 tsp monk fruit sweetener
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
1⁄2 cup sparkling water or as needed
1 cup ice, or as needed
Cucumber Mint
Explore Tofino
Sset amongst the beaches, rainforest and islands off the tip of the Esowista Peninsula, you’ll find Načiks, also known as Tofino, on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast.
Tofino invites you to experience less—a place where quieter moments and slower rhythms let you connect more deeply with the world around you. Here, the everyday takes on new meaning. Enjoy the solitude of a sunrise beach walk, the calm of a bike ride through town, the freshness of seafood harvested nearby, and the peacefulness of a surf check with your morning coffee.
Storm Watching
The force of nature is on full display in the fall and winter months in Tofino. Watch and listen for a complete symphony: the wailing wind, the tympany of waves crashing on rocky shores, and the percussion of rainfall.
The power of a winter storm is awe-inspiring. Witnessing one from a safe vantage point is captivating, but confronting the lashing rain and billowing sea foam on the beach is unforgettable. Plan your visit for winter and experience the contrasts of storm season with the
warmth of cozy fireplace vignettes and welcoming locals. An exposed coastline, with no landmasses between here and Japan, allows the wind to build up the size and power of the waves, producing gigantic barrelling deep blue waves that will roll in at up to 20 feet in height. You can see these forces in the landscape too: even on calm days, the beautifully bent krummholz-shaped trees are reminders of past storms, making the most exposed trees hanging from rocky cliffsides look windswept. Safety is key when storm watching. Visit tourismtofino.com for safety tips.
Indigenous Experiences
Learning about the roots of the place you are visiting is part of experiencing the culture. In Tofino, that means taking time to hear the generational teachings of the Nuu-chah-nulth.
There is a long history and active present-day Indigenous population in Tofino (known as Načiks) and surrounding territories. For the Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht Nations, storytelling is a big part of how
Photo: Melissa Renwick
Photo: Tourism Tofino
Photo: Hideaway Creatives
Photo: Marcus Paladino
Photo: Tourism Tofino
teachings are passed down through the generations. Take part in the Indigenous experiences on offer, from art galleries to wildlife tours and gain a rounded perspective of this surf town.
Here are just a few places you can go to uncover the story of Tofino through an Indigenous lens:
• Ahous Adventures
• Tin Wis Resort
• Clayoquot Wild Tours
• House of Himwitsa First Nations Art Gallery
• Naas Foods
• Roy Henry Vickers Gallery
• Long Beach Nature Tours
• Spirit Eagle Experiences
• Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum
• Tsawaak RV Resort & Campground
Great Eats
Tofino is a true food lovers’ destination. Culinary talent is drawn to the coast for the plethora of ingredients that inspire the elevated dining experience found here.
The commitment to local produce and sustainability is evident in the spirit of many local growers, producers, and chefs. Tasting menus rotate with the seasons, sea-
Warm up after a cold plunge with locally roasted coffee, feast on burgers at a seaside grill after beach-hopping by bike and get cozy on covered patios after wandering through an old growth cedar forest.
The diversity of culinary options is unique for a small town with Japanese street food, Mexican fare, and traditional seafood staples served up daily. At the end of the day, gather friends for après-surf at the brewery or celebrate with cocktails at another locale.
Get a taste of Tofino at one of their many cafés and bakeries, restaurants, breweries and distilleries, and dessert shops.
Resorts & Hotels
Resorts and hotels in Tofino all share one thing in common—breathtaking backdrops. Revel in the scenery from oceanfront restaurants, warm up in saunas and hot tubs after a day in the elements or book a spa treatment for the ultimate self-care day. From fireside comfort and ocean views to rustic, cozy lounges, Tofino’s resorts and hotels focus on all the details so that you can relax.
Whether you stay in a beachfront condo so you can fall asleep to the sound of the breaking waves, enjoy a cozy cabin nestled in the forest, or hang out under a canopy of green in a campground, you will not be disappointed.
Arts & Culture
The small community has a rich art scene, with artists, carvers, musicians, painters, photographers, and ceramicists injecting soul into the everyday. Indigenous culture and art thrive and are at the heart of Načiks (Tofino).
TOFINO, BC
Situated within the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Tofino is surrounded by the breathtaking expanse of the UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region–cherished for its profound biodiversity. Tofino savours the acclaimed food scene and delights in the creativity of the coastal arts community, while treading softly and sharing respect for all who call Tofino home. Because here, everything is connected.
A reverence for nature surrounding Tofino inspires artists and makers who call these far stretches of Vancouver Island home. A vibrant arts and culture scene thrives with open mic nights, markets, independent storefronts, concert series, and annual festivals. Here, the creative spirit is truly free.
Learn more at tourismtofino.com
Self-expression is woven into the built environment of Tofino. From upcycled marine debris to Nuu-chahnulth carvings and striking sculptures, the art installations here make a statement. Follow an Art or Culture Walk around town or along the ʔapsčiik t ašii MultiUse Path, created by the Tofino Arts Council, to find the public art displays that speak to you.
A vibrant music scene thrives with open mic nights, concert series, and annual festivals.
Health & Wellness
Visiting Tofino is often described as a transformative experience because the energy of this place invites introspection and rejuvenation.
Grounding practices like yoga, massage, breathwork, meditation, sauna sessions, and cold plunges are sought after here. Imagine closing your eyes and focusing on your breath with the sound of waves lapping the shoreline. Feel the sun dance across your face as you sit on a yoga mat resting on the sand.
For those who like to get their heart rate up, check out a local gym, or fitness studio, or take a long run on the beach or through the rainforest. For true relaxation, boat through Clayoquot Sound towards a floating bathhouse and renowned Hot Springs Cove, or book a sauna session on the beach for cold dips in the ocean after lounging in a warm, cedar-sided barrel sauna.
Winter in Tofino is storm watching, cozy comforts, great eats, and quieter days that welcome inward contemplation.
Photo: Marcus Paladino
