COMOX VALLEY
  Nestled between the Beaufort Mountains and the Strait of Georgia on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, the Comox Valley is a collection of rolling mountains, delicate alpine meadows, rushing rivers, pristine lakes, lush forests, fertile farms, incredible beaches and more than 40 green parks. This unique geography plus a year round temperate climate, creates an exceptional location for an incredible range of year-round outdoor recreation activities.
In the Comox Valley it really is possible to enjoy the best of all seasons - you can be knee-deep in a winter wonderland, then within half an hour be dusting the snow off your boots on a lush green golf course, or paddling a kayak through sparkling blue waters.
The Comox Valley is also a thriving centre for arts and culture. Four major museums, live theatre, a dynamic music scene, an active artist community and year round cultural festivals and events are just a few of the many attractions the Comox Valley has to offer.
 Gourmet cuisine, unique shopping experiences, galleries and eclectic coffee and tea shops line the streets of the Comox Valley's urban centres. Or head into the quiet farmland, hills and coastlines of the Comox Valley and experience the relaxed atmosphere of rural life.
Awarded the prestigious national distinction of Cultural Capital of Canada for 2007, the Comox Valley is recognized for their ongoing commitment to arts and culture. The Comox Valley is made up of the distinctive and colourful communities of Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland and the surrounding Regional District rural areas.
These communities are all quickly traveled between and each have a special charm that lends itself to the overall magic that is the Comox Valley. With many shared public amenities including sports and recreation centres, theatres, galleries, playing fields, parks and schools, the Comox Valley is a welcoming and friendly place to live and visit.
COMOX VALLEY TOURISM: http://www.discovercomoxvalley.com/default.asp
COMOX VALLEY VISITOR CENTER: http://www.comoxvalleychamber.com/visitor-centre
5 DAY WEATHER FORECAST: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/CABC0068
COMOX VALLEY RECORD NEWSPAPER: http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_north/comoxvalleyrecord/
COMOX VALLEY ECHO NEWSPAPER: http://www.canada.com/comoxvalleyecho/index.html
COMOX VALLEY AREA MAP: http://www.gobc.ca/comox-valley-travel/
BLACK CREEK
 The rural community of Black Creek beckons to visitors passing through the rolling farmlands set off the Island Highway.
This picturesque leg of a journey to Central Vancouver Island is sure to lull the traveller with fresh fragrances, lush greenery and quaint farmyard scenes. The Black Creek Country Market signals your arrival in Black Creek at the northern end of the Comox Valley.
The Oyster River and Black Creek watersheds abound with fish and wildlife populations, co-existing successfully with a small rural population of  local residents. The Oyster River watershed stretches inland into Strathcona Provincial Park on the eastern slopes of the Vancouver Island Mountains, and the Black Creek watershed winds through the lower elevation lands immediately south of the Oyster River.
Location: Located south of Campbell River, Black Creek is accessed off the Island Highway (19A).
BLACK CREEK TOURISM: http://black-creek.travel.bc.ca/
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFORMATION: http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/towns/?townID=46
MAP OF BLACK CREEK: http://ca.maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=8958+Clarkson+Drive&csz=Black+Creek%2C+BC&country=ca&new=1&name=&qty=
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=32
COMOX
 Surrounded by a beautiful valley, and the largest glacier on Vancouver Island, the charming seaside village of Comox is located on the peninsula that forms the Comox Harbour, land originally settled by the Salish people.
With a moderate climate, year-round recreational activities like skiing, swimming and golfing, and all amenities close by, Comox certainly lives up to its name!
Miles of sandy shore lead off both north and south of the quiet little coastal town, whose charm has not been overwhelmed by either the nearby Canadian Forces Air Base or the more recent influx of arrivals that southern Vancouver Island has experienced.
 As you head up island towards the Comox Valley and Campbell River, the peaks and glaciers of Vancouver Island's ranges that rise in the west vie for  your attention, principally the imposing Comox Glacier, Forbidden Plateau, and Mount Washington. The highway winds past well-kept farms - a serenely rural part of the island journey.
The Canadian Forces Base in Comox is an integral part of the community. Having been founded in 1942 as a Royal Air Force base, CFB Comox has played a major role in shaping and supporting the community. The primary responsibilities of CFB Comox are Search and Rescue operations, maritime patrols and support of naval and air force defences. In addition to the essential roles the base plays for the community, BC and Canada, CFB Comox is a large supporter of community events, routinely supplying volunteers and equipment wherever needed.
Population: 13,008
 Location: The Island Highway (Highway 19) now supersedes the old Island Highway (Highway 19A). Highway 19, a four-lane expressway, allows you to move quickly between Nanaimo and Campbell River. Highways 19 and 19A link the Comox Valley with southern Vancouver Island. Approaching from the north, Highway 19 links the Comox Valley and Campbell River with the northern half of Vancouver Island. The Comox Valley is a two-and-a-half hour drive north from Victoria, or a 75-minutes drive from the ferry terminals of Departure Bay and Duke Point near Nanaimo.
BC Ferries operates a route between Comox and Powell River on the British Columbia mainland. The Comox Valley Regional Airport is served by three major airlines, with 12 daily flights between Vancouver and Comox and direct flights from Calgary. Small aircraft and floatplanes land at the Courtenay Airpark near downtown Courtenay. Daily coach lines connect all parts of Vancouver Island with the Mainland, and local bus service is also available in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland. Those travelling by boat will find a full range of facilities including moorage, showers, restaurants and shops adjacent to the Comox Marina.
TOWN OF COMOX: http://comox.ca/
COMOX VALLEY AIRPORT: http://www.comoxairport.com/
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFORMATION: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Regions/towns/?townID=48
MAP OF COURTENAY COMOX: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=13
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=32
COURTENAY
 Located in the heart of some of the most beautiful farming landscape on Vancouver Island, Courtenay is the urban centre of the Comox Valley.
The Tsolum River and the Puntledge River merge to become the Courtenay River. The Courtenay River with its marina and  airpark, and the Puntledge River with its parks and fish hatchery, both run through the city before the Courtenay empties into Comox Harbour, creating a rich tidal estuary teeming with wildlife. The Courtenay River Estuary is considered to be the single most important wintering site in the world for the protected Trumpeter Swan.
Today, Courtenay is one of Canada's fastest growing urban communities. With excellent shopping, accommodation and restaurants, Courtenay is also home to a new Public Contemporary Art Gallery and the Sid Williams Civic Theatre, the north-central Island's major performance centre.
Population: 22,533
 Location: Courtenay is located north of Cumberland. Highways 19 and 19A link the Comox Valley with southern Vancouver Island. Approaching from the north, Highway 19 links the Comox Valley and Campbell River with the northern half of Vancouver Island. The Comox Valley is a two-and-a-half hour drive north from Victoria, or a 75-minutes drive from the ferry terminals of Departure Bay and Duke Point near Nanaimo.
BC Ferries operates a route between Comox and Powell River on the British Columbia mainland. The Comox Valley Regional Airport is served by three major airlines, with 12 daily flights between Vancouver and Comox and direct flights from Calgary. Small aircraft and floatplanes land at the Courtenay Airpark near downtown Courtenay. Daily coach lines connect all parts of Vancouver Island with the Mainland, and local bus service is also available in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland.
CITY OF COURTENAY: http://www.city.courtenay.bc.ca/
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFORMATION: http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=50
MAP OF COURTENAY COMOX: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=13
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=32
CUMBERLAND
 Located in the Comox Valley south of Courtenay, and once Canada's smallest and westernmost city, Cumberland was a bustling coal mining community from 1888, with workers streaming in from Europe, China and Japan.
Cumberland was founded in 1888 by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. The original settlement was named Union after the Union Coal Company. In 1898, the post office address of Union was changed to Cumberland, as many of the town miners were from the famous English coal-mining district of Cumberland in England.
Cumberland remained an active coal mining town until 1966, enduring devasting mine explosions and bitter labour disputes. Cumberland had become an important centre for local trade and commerce, with distinct ethnic settlements having been established. As the coal industry declined, the local population decreased, until Cumberland began to reclaim its history and transform a quiet village into a dynamic tourist centre.
 For those who've seen Victoria's Craigdarroch Castle where coal baron Robert Dunsmuir lived, come see where the coal miners  worked. In Cumberland, you'll find heritage buildings and the remains of what once was one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. Whether your interest is in history, culture, recreation or beautiful scenery, Cumberland has something for everyone.
Population: 2,881
Location: Cumberland is located south of Courtenay. Highways 19 and 19A link the Comox Valley with southern Vancouver Island. Approaching from the north, Highway 19 links the Comox Valley and Campbell River with the northern half of Vancouver Island. The Comox Valley is a two-and-a-half hour drive north from Victoria, or a 75-minutes drive from the ferry terminals of Departure Bay and Duke Point near Nanaimo.
VILLAGE OF CUMBERLAND: http://www.cumberlandbc.net/siteengine/activepage.asp?bhcp=1
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFROMATION: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Regions/towns/?townID=51
MAP OF CUMBERLAND: http://www.gobc.ca/cumberland-travel/
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=32
DENMAN ISLAND
 Tranquil and bucolic, Denman Island and Hornby Island sit just off the east coast of Vancouver Island. Denman Island is the larger of the two, known for its pastoral farmlands and its population of talented artisans.
Separated from Vancouver Island by narrow Baynes Sound, Denman Island is fertile, low-lying and lush. Its beautiful sandstone and gravel shores teem with life: oysters, rock crabs, clams, eagles, seabirds and black-tailed deer.
These Gulf Islands are a holdover from a distant time when the entire Strait of Georgia was filled with sand. In more recent geological times, glaciation gouged out the trench that is now filled with seawater.
Because of certain inhibiting conditions - lack of water and garbage facilities, as well as tinder-dry forests in summer months - many islands have  no public campgrounds. In most places, private accommodation must be arranged. In summer, reservations are highly recommended. However, there are public campgrounds on Denman Island.
The islands have attractive parks especially for picnickers, located where you can take best advantage of the seaside environment. Whether you're on the island just for the day or have made arrangements for private overnight accommodation, you'll want to head for these places to complement your visit.
Population: 1,100
Location: Denman Island is located off the eastern shore of central Vancouver Island, opposite Buckley Bay, 12 miles (20 km) south of Courtenay and one hour north of Nanaimo.
DENMAN ISLAND COMMUNITY WEBSITE: http://www.denmanisland.com/
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFROMATION: http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=85
MAP OF DENMAN ISLAND: http://www.gobc.ca/denman-island-travel/
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=32
FANNY BAY
 The tiny oceanside community of Fanny Bay is situated on Baynes Sound, the sheltered narrow strait separating Vancouver Island and Denman Island. The tranquil setting of Fanny Bay overlooks the Strait of Georgia and the Gulf Islands, with the Coastal Mountains of the British Columbia mainland as the backdrop.
None of the numerous explanations for the origin of the name Fanny Bay - comical, romantic, local or historical - can be regarded without a measure of skepticism.
Fanny Bay first appeared in the 1864 edition of the Vancouver Island Pilot, based on surveys by Captain G.H. Richards of the Royal Navy, but exactly who Fanny was remains a mystery.
Modern visitors are likely to be found with white plastic pails, surveying the silty shores in search of the oysters for which Fanny Bay is so well known.
Fanny Bay is on the northern boundary of Lighthouse Country, a stretch of Highway 19A that runs along the oceanside from Qualicum Bay to Fanny Bay.
Location: Fanny Bay is located on Baynes Sound on the east coast of Vancouver Island, an hour north of Nanaimo.
FANNY BAY TOURISM: http://fanny-bay.travel.bc.ca/
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFORMATION: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Regions/towns/?townID=54
MAP OF FANNY BAY: http://www.gobc.ca/fanny-bay-travel/
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=32
HORNBY ISLAND
 Tranquil and bucolic, Denman Island and Hornby Island sit just off the east coast of Vancouver Island. Lying off the south end of Denman Island, Hornby Island is the smaller of the two and offers a rugged, seductive mix of northwest rainforest and magnificent warm-water swimming beaches.
Hornby is somewhat mountainous, and the powerful force of the sea has beaten the softer rock faces, leaving dramatic  cave and hoodoo formations at Tribune Bay and other sites.
Every island is invested with magic. Those who visit Hornby Island have really bought into the dream, as it takes two ferries to reach. There are no provincial campgrounds on Hornby Island, but there are a number of commercial campgrounds, resort lodges, and B&Bs.
These Gulf Islands are a holdover from a distant time when the entire Strait of Georgia was filled with sand. In more recent geological times, glaciation gouged out the trench that is now filled with seawater.
Because of certain inhibiting conditions - lack of water and garbage facilities, as well as tinder-dry forests in summer months - many islands have no public campgrounds. In most places, private accommodation must be arranged. In summer, reservations are highly recommended. However, there are public campgrounds on adjacent Denman Island.
 Even though there are no public campgrounds on Hornby Island, there are attractive parks especially for picnickers, located where you can take best advantage of the seaside environment. Whether you're on the island just for the day or have made arrangements for private overnight accommodation, you'll want to head for these places to complement your visit.
Population: 1,000
Location: Hornby Island is located off the eastern shore of central Vancouver Island, east of Denman Island and opposite Buckley Bay, 12 miles (20 km) south of Courtenay and one hour north of Nanaimo.
HORNBY ISLAND WEBSITE: http://www.hornbyisland.com/
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFORMATION: http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/towns/?townID=90
MAP OF HORNBY ISLAND: http://www.hornbyisland.com/Map/map.htm
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=3
MERVILLE
 A friendly hamlet at the northern end of the Comox Valley, Merville was named after the location in France where Canadians set up their initial field headquarters during World War I. Merville B.C.'s first inhabitants were a Group of soldiers and their families resettled by the government immediately following that war.
As you drive the Island Highway (Highway 19) through the Comox Valley, it's always a treat to look across the Strait of Georgia at landmarks on the mainland, as the spires of the Coast Mountains rise on the eastern horizon.
As you head towards Courtenay and Campbell River, the peaks and glaciers of Vancouver Island's ranges that rise in  the west vie for your attention, principally the imposing Comox Glacier, Forbidden Plateau, and Mount Washington. As the highway winds past well-kept farms, this is a serenely rural part of the island journey.
Location: Merville is located at the northern end of the Comox Valley. Highways 19 and 19A link the Comox Valley with southern Vancouver Island. Approaching from the north, Highway 19 links the Comox Valley and Campbell River with the northern half of Vancouver Island. The Comox Valley is a two-and-a-half hour drive north from Victoria, or a 75-minutes drive from the ferry terminals of Departure Bay and Duke Point near Nanaimo.
MERVILLE TOURISM: http://merville.travel.bc.ca/
VACNOUVERISLAND.COM INFORMATION: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Regions/towns/?townID=57
MAP OR MERVILLE: http://www.gobc.ca/merville-travel/
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=32
ROYSTON
 A rural, seaside village directly across the bay from Comox in the Comox Valley. In the early 1900s, Royston was the major port for the Comox Valley logging industry. Logs were shipped here by rail, boomed in the harbour, then towed across to Fraser Mills on the B.C. mainland to be made into lumber.
William Roy and his family settled here in 1890, collaborating with a real estate promoter named Frederick Warren to lay out a townsite that they named Royston.
The settlement could have been named as "Roy's Town" but could also have been named after Warren's home town of Royston in Cambridgeshire - or both.
Location: Royston is located south of Comox, in the Comox Valley. Transportation links to the Comox Valley include rail, bus, car, ferry, and air service, including floatplane access. BC Ferries operates a route between Comox and Powell River on the British Columbia mainland. The Comox Valley Regional Airport is served by three major airlines, with 12 daily flights between Vancouver and Comox and direct flights from Calgary.
ROYSTON TOURISM: http://royston.travel.bc.ca/
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFORMATION: http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=224
MAP OF ROYSTON: http://www.gobc.ca/royston-travel/
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=32
UNION BAY
 The small seaside community of Union Bay on the east coast of Vancouver Island was formerly a major shipping port (1888 to 1960) for the Union Coal Company mines at nearby Cumberland (previously called Union). Huge docks were constructed at  Union Bay to accommodate both the rumbling coal trains and the seagoing freighters.
Today, only a raised rail bed and a few old pilings remain to remind us of those once busy wharves, and Union Bay's economy is now dependent upon by oysters, and mighty tasty ones too!
Population: 100
Location: Union Bay is located in the Comox Valley on the east coast of Vancouver Island, 9 miles (15 km) south of Courtenay and 56 miles (90 km) north of Nanaimo.
UNION BAY TOURISM: http://royston.travel.bc.ca/
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFORMATION: http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=64
MAP OF UNION BAY: http://www.gobc.ca/union-bay-travel/
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=32
MOUNT WASHINGTON
 Welcome to Mount Washington, located in central Vancouver Island, west of Courtenay. Imagine a place where everyone is smiling, the sun is shining, the snow is sparkling and you don’t have a care in the world, all you can think of is the rush of gliding down a mountainside.
Known for its spectacular ocean to alpine views, Mt. Washington Ski Resort is one of British Columbia’s finest alpine and nordic winter sport resorts and summer alpine destinations.
Warning! Visits to the Snow Zone can be addictive. Watch for signs of a rosy complexion, a steady smile and a general feeling of well being. Don't be unduly alarmed - this is normal on Mt. Washington!
The snow here is often deeper than anywhere else in British Columbia, and occasionally deeper than anywhere else in the world! That was Mt. Washington's claim to fame in late 1995. Try as they might, no matter where the staff called, no one could beat the 21 feet of snowpack that kept falling and falling. Mt. Washington has long been known for having good snow conditions from early in winter to well past Easter, despite the fact that the top of the mountain isn't as high as the peaks of Blackcomb or Whistler Mountains. In 1995, Mount Washington had more snow than any other ski resort in the world. This accounts, in part, for Mount Washington being the second-busiest winter recreation destination in B.C., behind Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort.
Along with an abundance of snow, the hill is blessed with mild temperatues, an average of -2C. The Comox Valley is so mild in general that you  can ski in a light jacked all morning, then drive down to sea level and mountain bike, sail or golf all afternoon. At Mt. Washington, you can do all the basics, its highspeed quad whisks skiers to the summit in six minutes (supplemented by a fixed-grip quad, two triples, a double, a platter and a rope tow) to varying starting points for its 60 alpine runs. The runs follow a nice, consistent fall line from the summit, down through gladed bowls and wide trails, through the trees, then levelling off into open runs nearer the bottom. By far the majority of BC visitors come from Vancouver Island, primarily from the Victoria area, a three-hour drive south of Courtenay. Visitors from the Lower Mainland account for about 10 percent of the total. Visitors can arrange to stay in either the on-hill accommodations or in the nearby Comox Valley. It doesn't take long to discover why this part of the province continues to attract new arrivals from across the country. With a temperate coastal climate, it's possible to ride bicycles on local trails year-round, yet be up in the snowfields with a half-hour drive.
And what a drive. The steep, winding Mount Washington Road leads 19 miles (31 km) west from Hwy 19 in Courtenay to Mount Washington. Not that other winter play places don't also have such roads. Most of them just don't have the snowfall in such quantities. If you're not into driving, shuttle buses to the mountain run from a number of hotels in Courtenay.
A great deal of Mt. Washington's charm comes from its location. On a clear day, visitors look out across the Strait of Georgia at a panorama of the Sunshine Coast, from Powell River to Sechelt, with the peaks of the Coast Mountains rising in a long march behind. Closer at hand, the many peaks adorning Strathcona Provincial Park's Forbidden Plateau region look suitably magnificent.
Location: Mt. Washington is located 25 km west of the Comox Valley and 100 km north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
Highways 19 and 19A link the Comox Valley with southern Vancouver Island. Approaching from the north, Highway 19 links the Comox Valley and Campbell River with the northern half of Vancouver Island. The Comox Valley is a two-and-a-half hour drive north from Victoria, or a 75-minutes drive from the ferry terminals of Departure Bay and Duke Point near Nanaimo.
MOUNT WASHINGTON TOURISM: http://mt-washington.travel.bc.ca/
MOUNT WASHINGTON APLINE RESORT: http://www.mountwashington.ca/
VANCOUVERISLAND.COM INFORMATION: http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townid=309
MAP OF CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISALND: http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=58
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