Outdoors and Recreation

Hecht Beach cabin in ashes. (Submitted)

Beloved secret cabin lost to fire on the North Island’s west coast

The trappers cabin was shared with locals, but kept mostly secret

 

Money from the Government of Canada allowed Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club to hire nine full-time workers to work on trails in the Doumont area. (Brandon Williams photo)

Federal funding helps Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club hire winter trail crew

Nine youths hired to work on Doumont and other trails through March

 

An man from Errington died when his ATV went over an embankment on Northwest Bay Logging Road on the weekend. (File photo)

Errington man dies in ATV crash southwest of Parksville

Incident happened on Northwest Bay Logging Road on Saturday afternoon

 

Construction is underway on Chilliwack’s new pump track, seen here on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 beside the Chilliwack Curling Club. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. city set to become home of the largest pump track facility in North America

Custom designed pump track with crossover tunnel will be geared to riders of all abilities

Construction is underway on Chilliwack’s new pump track, seen here on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 beside the Chilliwack Curling Club. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Island Outfiitters’ new store on Island Highway in View Royal. (Michelle Cabana/Black Press Media)

Outdoors store operators happy in new West Shore home

Island Outfitters opens the doors this week on Island Highway in View Royal

Island Outfiitters’ new store on Island Highway in View Royal. (Michelle Cabana/Black Press Media)
The Mount Cain Board is planning ahead for a safe winter season. (Zoe Ducklow)

Mount Cain planning a modified winter ski season

Skiing is a COVID-friendly activity, but shared public spaces require adjustment

The Mount Cain Board is planning ahead for a safe winter season. (Zoe Ducklow)
Some hard to access places in northern Vancouver Island will be a little easier to get to once the North Island/Central Coast FLNRO Engineering department is through. (Zoë Ducklow photo)

Side Bay access confirmed as North Island forest service roads get a minor facelift

Remote beach route no longer ‘up in the bureaucratic air’ thanks to COVID-19 recovery funding

Some hard to access places in northern Vancouver Island will be a little easier to get to once the North Island/Central Coast FLNRO Engineering department is through. (Zoë Ducklow photo)
A shot showing the location of a Qualicum Beach hiking group’s most recent trip to Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park. (Submitted photo)

The journey never ends for these ambitious hiking seniors

Qualicum Beach seniors hiking group tackles alpine trails

A shot showing the location of a Qualicum Beach hiking group’s most recent trip to Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park. (Submitted photo)
Vandalism saying ‘go home’ was found at Clint Beek Recreation Site near Port McNeill on July 17. (Tammi Beek photo)

North Island campsite vandalism message targets tourists

Despite Alberta licence plates, all campers have been B.C. residents, according to caretaker

Vandalism saying ‘go home’ was found at Clint Beek Recreation Site near Port McNeill on July 17. (Tammi Beek photo)
The longest zip line on Vancouver Island opened at the end of June on Mount Washington. Photo by Erin Haluschak

VIDEO: Soaring above Mount Washington

Longest zip line on Vancouver Island officially open

The longest zip line on Vancouver Island opened at the end of June on Mount Washington. Photo by Erin Haluschak
Arrowsmith Cycling Club vice-president Roy Kregosky uses a golden pickaxe to cut the ribbon of the new cycling trail at the Englishman River Falls Provincial Park on June 18, 2020. (Michael Briones photo)

Family-friendly mountain biking trails a new attraction at Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

New facility officially opened June 18 with ribbon-cutting ceremony

Arrowsmith Cycling Club vice-president Roy Kregosky uses a golden pickaxe to cut the ribbon of the new cycling trail at the Englishman River Falls Provincial Park on June 18, 2020. (Michael Briones photo)
Plugging up free camp sites with long-term trailer parking means less access to the parks for everyone else. (Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)

North Island recreation sites are not your summer home, officer says

Long-term trailer parking ruins viability of free recreation camp sites in the north Island

Plugging up free camp sites with long-term trailer parking means less access to the parks for everyone else. (Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)
The next chapter of your summer adventure begins here

The next chapter of your summer adventure begins here

All the amenities, none of the crowds: Discover Sugar Lake

  • Jun 8, 2020
The next chapter of your summer adventure begins here
One ruined picnic table at Marble River Campground. (Zoe Ducklow)

North Island recreation camping site closed indefinitely due to vandalism

Ruined picnic tables are the main damage

One ruined picnic table at Marble River Campground. (Zoe Ducklow)
Telegraph Cove Resort will open June 1 to self-contained campers only

Telegraph Cove Resort will open June 1 to self-contained campers only

Washrooms, showers and all other amenities will remain closed for now

Telegraph Cove Resort will open June 1 to self-contained campers only
Discover your dream staycation at this hidden gem!

Discover your dream staycation at this hidden gem!

North Okanagan’s Sugar Lake offers four seasons of memory-making opportunities

  • May 18, 2020
Discover your dream staycation at this hidden gem!
Ammonite Falls. (File photo)

Ammonite Falls staircase and viewing platform project gets $100,000 boost

Island Coastal Economic Trust provides funding to assist with $668,000 Nanaimo-area project

Ammonite Falls. (File photo)
City of Victoria outdoor recreation facilities will reopen to the public May 14. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Recreation facilities begin to reopen across Vancouver Island

Physical distancing, health and safety protocols still in place

City of Victoria outdoor recreation facilities will reopen to the public May 14. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Cadboro-Gyro Park remains closed along with Saanich’s other playgrounds and recreation facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich playgrounds, sports courts, recreation centres won’t reopen right away

District following advice of province on safe, gradual plan for reopening

Cadboro-Gyro Park remains closed along with Saanich’s other playgrounds and recreation facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Your family staycation could look like this

Your family staycation could look like this

At Sugar Lake, find all your favourite Okanagan amenities, without the crowds!

  • May 4, 2020
Your family staycation could look like this