Ucluelet (you-CLUE-let) (pop: 1,559) is one of only a few population centres on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Its name means "safe landing place" in the language of the Nuu-chah-nulth people who have lived here for at least 4,300 years. In its sheltered inner harbour, seals, sea lions and otters pay little heed to the commercial and charter-fishing vessels that perpetually come and go.

Much of the landscape around Ucluelet consists of temperate rainforest, while some of BC's largest stands of old-growth red cedar are to be found here. The area is also famous for its miles of wide, sandy beaches. Several first class lodges with top rated chefs have opened up in the area and have attracted tourists from round the world.

A popular ski destination, Mount Washington Alpine Ski Resort is the largest skiing and snowboarding facility on Vancouver Island. The resort averages one of the deepest snow bases in BC with no snowmaking machines and stunning 360-degree, alpine-to-ocean views from the summit. This year's snowfall is easily the best of the past four years: from January 2 to 25, 2006 alone, the mountain received a prodigious 4 m (13.25 ft) of snow, operating on a base of 3.2 m (10.5 ft). The powder is exquisite, too, with continuous storm cycles ensuring the light stuff six out of seven days on average during the 2005-6 season.

Mount Washington Alpine Ski Resort is located a 20 minute drive west of the Comox Valley and 1 hour and 15 minutes north of Nanaimo. The Comox Valley and Campbell River airports are serviced daily from Vancouver. There's also a daily bus shuttle from Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum.

This has been an all too brief look at Vancouver Island, one of the most scenic areas in all of Canada.