By Bianca Bujan, Special to the Star.
B.C. is known for natural beauty, and Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, shows off some of its best features. Many are drawn by the call of the wild — ancient rainforests, ocean swells and sandy beaches — and winter promises a more serene chance to take it all in, with smaller crowds and wide-open spaces for a tranquil stay.
A 45-minute direct flight with Pacific Coastal Airlines, from YVR to YAZ (Tofino-Long Beach Airport), will get you there quickly. Or you can make the journey part of the adventure: take the Horseshoe Bay ferry from West Vancouver to Nanaimo, followed by an approximately 3.5-hour drive with stunning views of lakes, rivers, mountains and coastal rainforests — a scenic stretch worth the extra travel time. Once you’ve arrived, here’s how to make the most of a wintry weekend in Tofino.