What is the Comox Valley like in February? As I was driving around on bare roads yesterday while enjoying a bit of sun, I remembered just how much I did not like shoveling snow or driving in it. For most of Canada, the middle of February means snow, frigid temperatures, and having to bundle up to go outside. In the parts of Canada with snow, many highways are covered in salt and weekly drives to a local car wash are required to avoid premature rust out of one’s vehicle. When snow storms hit like they did to Eastern Canada last Friday, it also means treacherous driving on snow and ice covered roads and cancelled flights and travel plans to warmer destinations. Not so in our Comox Valley communities.
Today, the 11th of February, is BC Family Day. For the Comox Valley it is forecast to be a high of 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit to those of us who prefer a bit more precision) and cloudy. Light jackets are needed for anyone planning a daily walk around their neighbourhood. Across the street I can see golfers on the 3rd tee box. There is no snow other than that which can be found covering the ski hill at Mount Washington. The mountain has a 334 cm base with ideal powder and soft packed conditions. For British Columbia Family Day (11 Feb 13) weekend, the forecast is a mix of sun and cloud and an alpine temperature of -4C. As well, there are some great Crown Isle homes for sale near the golf course.
This coming week, there will be a live concert and dance by Steve Elliot who will be presenting his Elvis Elite show – a tribute to Elvis Presley and others like Roy Orbison, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and others. The next day, the Chinese Lunar New Year will be celebrated in downtown Courtenay. This event will feature a walking parade followed by a multicultural fashion show, international food, and live entertainment at the Native Sons Hall.
The following week, the Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association will hold its annual banquet fundraiser at the Florence Filberg Centre. The event will feature a wild game dinner catered by Tria Fine Catering and a dance to the music of “Richard for Heyer”. There will be door prizes, auctions and raffles for prizes. The association will hold its 21st Annual Outdoor Show a few months from now on the 1st and 2nd of June 2013.
Growing season kicks off in the Comox Valley a week later. Yes, it is nearly that time again. We start planting trees, flowers, and other plants while much of the rest of Canada is digging out from the latest snow storm. For those of you who do not live year, maybe you are getting a bit jealous (or even a teeny bit angry!) but it is what it is. This season begins with an event at the Florence Filberg Centre. Exhibits will include booths from our local farms, nurseries, permaculture, landscapers, seed companies, and miscellaneous vendors.
It will not be too long from now until we get things ready for the boating season. The Vancouver Boat Show is being held this weekend at BC Place and Granville Island. The outdoor adventure and travel show takes place in about three weeks at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Locally, the water is calm and the winds are light. As well, the fishing forecast is bright. Soon we will start to see boats being towed to the Comox boat launch on a more regular basis. There are few things as calming and serene as floating around the Georgia Strait on a sunny calm day. Also increasing in frequency will be the walkers, bicyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoying what they enjoy best in this land of much to do.
While many people enjoy the year round activities offered by the Comox Valley, others prefer to take a break out of the area and visit warmer regions like Hawaii. Yes, temperatures hovering around 40-45 degrees F (6-7C) locally in the winter can be considered “harsh” by locals so they think of warmer areas. Hawaii can be accessed via the Comox Valley airport through Vancouver. Leave our airport and less than a normal workday later and you can find yourself on a warm sandy beach thousands of miles away. Yes, there is a lot to do in the Valley year round. But, if you need a break, or want to see something completely different, the rest of the world can be accessed through our local airport.
Need more information on the Comox Valley, relocating here, or our real estate market? Contact Brett Cairns of RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty for info on all varieties and types of homes listings.