Best time to ski Mount Washington Alpine
From Courtenay / Nanaimo via Strathcona Pkwy. Status: Likely not open yet (resorts here usually open around Dec 5, an estimate).
Quietest: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, especially in February. Busiest: Saturdays, plus Christmas to New Year's, New Year's weekend, Family Day weekend.
This week at Mount Washington Alpine
Crowds by day of the week
Typical non-holiday weeks this season, from the SkiWhen crowd model.
Holidays and school breaks to know
| Period | Dates | Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter break (BC) | Dec 21–25 | Busy |
| Christmas to New Year's | Dec 26–Jan 1 | Packed |
| New Year's weekend | Jan 2–3 | Packed |
| Family Day weekend | Feb 13–15 | Packed |
| Spring break (est.) (BC) | Mar 15–26 | Busy |
School break dates marked (est.) are estimates.
Month by month
| Month | Quiet days | Packed days |
|---|---|---|
| December 2026 | 14 | 2 |
| January 2027 | 20 | 1 |
| February 2027 | 20 | 1 |
| March 2027 | 21 | 0 |
| April 2027 | 12 | 0 |
Questions skiers ask
When is Mount Washington Alpine least busy?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays outside holidays and school breaks, especially in February.
Is Mount Washington Alpine busy on weekends?
Yes. Saturday is usually the busiest day of the week at Mount Washington Alpine. Arrive before the lifts open or go on a weekday.
When is Mount Washington Alpine busiest?
Saturdays, plus christmas to new year's, new year's weekend, family day weekend.
Will Mount Washington Alpine be busy this weekend?
Check the live 7-day crowd forecast for Mount Washington Alpine on SkiWhen. It updates every morning with snow and weather.