The Comox Valley sits halfway up the east coast of Vancouver Island, a cluster of three small towns — Comox, Courtenay, and Cumberland — nestled between the mountains and the ocean. The geography is what makes it: rolling mountains, alpine meadows, rivers, lakes, and forests, all within a few minutes of each other, with a temperate climate that keeps things green year-round.
The outdoor activities are the main draw. Mount Washington, 20 minutes from town, gets some of the deepest snow in North America, while at sea level you can hike, kayak, mountain bike, dive, or fish in any season. The valley claims you can ski in the morning and golf or kayak in the afternoon, and on the right day it is true. Beyond the resort, Strathcona Provincial Park opens up the alpine spine of Vancouver Island.
The Comox Valley also has a strong arts and food culture. The nearby island of Hornby and Denman have more artists per capita than anywhere else in Canada. Farmer's markets run weekly, and the annual Comox Valley Shellfish Festival and Vancouver Island MusicFest are worth timing a visit around. The Filberg Festival in August brings 140 artisans to Comox's waterfront park.
A small regional airport with flights to Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton makes the valley easy to reach, and it works well as a base for exploring the wider island.