Outdoors and Recreation

Sea kayaking around southern Vancouver Island offers endless exciting and beautiful adventures.

You could spend a lifetime paddling here! Endless kayaking adventures await on southern Vancouver Island

Southern Vancouver Island is a world-class kayaking destination, with options along its…

  • Mar 21, 2023

 

Sara Ellison looks at a basket star while snorkelling off the coast of northern Vancouver Island. (Courtesy Sara Ellison)

UVic astronomer writes ultimate Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands snorkelling guide

The same sense of curiosity that first inspired Sara Ellison to look…

 

Sara Ellison looks at a basket star while snorkelling off the coast of northern Vancouver Island. (Courtesy Sara Ellison)

UVic astronomer writes ultimate Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands snorkelling guide

Snorkelling Adventures Around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands hits shelves March 11

 

Greg Barber, formerly of Montrose, took four months to complete the 4,200-km hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn to page 10 to see more photos of his epic journey. Photo: Submitted

Kootenay native reflects on 4,200-km trek on pacific trail

Greg Barber hikes from Mexico to Canada over Sierra and Cascade Mountains

Greg Barber, formerly of Montrose, took four months to complete the 4,200-km hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn to page 10 to see more photos of his epic journey. Photo: Submitted
Young golfers learn proper swing techniques at Cedar Hill Golf Course.

Cedar Hill Golf Course tees up programs for young golfers

Community course sparks a love of the game that’s ideal for all ages

  • Jul 25, 2022
Young golfers learn proper swing techniques at Cedar Hill Golf Course.
George Johnson shows off a tub racing hat from the early 1970s. The hat is fitted with ear phones and has pockets that contained a radio and batteries, so safety crews and race officials could listed to reports on the race progress. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Rub-a-dub-dub: Nanaimo family keeping up 55-year tradition of tub racing

Johnson family’s old racing tub being refurbished to enter Sunday’s Nanaimo bathtub race

George Johnson shows off a tub racing hat from the early 1970s. The hat is fitted with ear phones and has pockets that contained a radio and batteries, so safety crews and race officials could listed to reports on the race progress. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
The United Way of South Island announced that it will provide $20,000 for Take A Hike in Saanich, and for a program in Sooke which will begin this fall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

United Way takes a hike to Sooke

Youth program receives funding for programs in Saanich and Sooke

The United Way of South Island announced that it will provide $20,000 for Take A Hike in Saanich, and for a program in Sooke which will begin this fall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
One day after celebrating a very warm Canada Day in Trail on Friday, Brenda Haley and her hiking pals set out on a trek through the snow to take in the majestic views of Kootenay Glacier Provincial Park. Photos: Brenda Haley

Got snow? Summertime in the Kootenays sure does

PHOTOS: Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is one of the oldest major parks in the provincial system

One day after celebrating a very warm Canada Day in Trail on Friday, Brenda Haley and her hiking pals set out on a trek through the snow to take in the majestic views of Kootenay Glacier Provincial Park. Photos: Brenda Haley
Mark Pavesic reels in a small mouth bass from Elk Lake, near Victoria, BC. Kelsey Pavesic photo

Let Outdoors West be your guide to the great outdoors this summer!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

Mark Pavesic reels in a small mouth bass from Elk Lake, near Victoria, BC. Kelsey Pavesic photo
Tim Sangha, a member of the Nanaimo-based business partnership that has owned the Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant since November 2020, presents a carving by woodcarver Rick Rotar of the Ibis business logo to Patricia Gwynne who owned and operated the Island’s most remote pub for more than 40 years. (Scarlet Ibis image)

New business partners breathe new life into Vancouver Island’s most remote pub

Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant in Holberg is edge of civilization for wilderness adventurers

Tim Sangha, a member of the Nanaimo-based business partnership that has owned the Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant since November 2020, presents a carving by woodcarver Rick Rotar of the Ibis business logo to Patricia Gwynne who owned and operated the Island’s most remote pub for more than 40 years. (Scarlet Ibis image)
The search for additional pickleball facilities on the Saanich Peninsula continues after the Victoria Airport Authority said no to the idea of courts in Rotary Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria Airport Authority grounds plans for pickleball courts in Rotary Park

Memorial Park Society considering options at Blue Heron Park in North Saanich

The search for additional pickleball facilities on the Saanich Peninsula continues after the Victoria Airport Authority said no to the idea of courts in Rotary Park. (Black Press Media file photo)
Lorne Carnes, a member at the Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling Club in downtown Victoria, delivers a bowl at the club. Open houses at the 11 clubs around Greater Victoria are being hosted on various weekends throughout April, welcoming newcomers. (Black Press Media file photo)

Flexibility of play, fun offered at Greater Victoria lawn bowling greens

Upcoming open houses around region designed to introduce newcomers to sport

Lorne Carnes, a member at the Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling Club in downtown Victoria, delivers a bowl at the club. Open houses at the 11 clubs around Greater Victoria are being hosted on various weekends throughout April, welcoming newcomers. (Black Press Media file photo)
Physical forces conspire against Dustin Haracka and his ‘Batmobile’ as he tries to navigate a downhill slalom course during the first Vancouver Island University Engineering Soapbox Race on Thursday, April 7. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo engineering students come to grips with gravity at soapbox derby

VIU Engineering Club holds race day, hopes to make it an annual event

Physical forces conspire against Dustin Haracka and his ‘Batmobile’ as he tries to navigate a downhill slalom course during the first Vancouver Island University Engineering Soapbox Race on Thursday, April 7. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
The LIFE program gives Saanich residents the opportunity to participate in fitness and recreation, and feel a part of their community, regardless of the resources in their bank account.

Program brings fitness + recreation to LIFE for Saanich residents

Income shouldn’t be a barrier to fitness, recreation and social engagement

  • Feb 14, 2022
The LIFE program gives Saanich residents the opportunity to participate in fitness and recreation, and feel a part of their community, regardless of the resources in their bank account.
Fernie local Dave Richards with his latest carving creation - an ice bear carved from ice from Crowsnest Pass Lake. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

(Ice) bear spotted in Fernie

Local wood carver in training Dave Richards is the artist behind the ice sculpture

Fernie local Dave Richards with his latest carving creation - an ice bear carved from ice from Crowsnest Pass Lake. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Biking the trails in Revelsotke. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

Outdoor group urges B.C. government to expand budget for recreation

Recreation Sites and Trails BC manages recreation resources on public lands

Biking the trails in Revelsotke. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)
From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.

Enjoy the great outdoors this winter with Outdoors West!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.
Birding can can be a great family activity in explore and develop our Natural Intelligence.

Birds of a feather discover together!

Introducing junior birders to the natural world all around Saanich

  • Sep 13, 2021
Birding can can be a great family activity in explore and develop our Natural Intelligence.
Victoria resident and accessibility consultant Steve Bertrand accesses the rocky beach off Dallas Road. (Photo courtesy of City of Victoria)

New accessible amenities unveiled along Victoria’s Dallas Road waterfront

City takes action to support residents with mobility challenges

Victoria resident and accessibility consultant Steve Bertrand accesses the rocky beach off Dallas Road. (Photo courtesy of City of Victoria)
Saanich boasts more than 170 parks, with an Official Community Plan policy of having five hectares of parkland for every 1,000 people, and having a park within walking distance of most homes within the urban area.

What’s in a park? Lots of community ideas!

Balancing needs for Saanich’s different parks … and different park users

  • Sep 6, 2021
Saanich boasts more than 170 parks, with an Official Community Plan policy of having five hectares of parkland for every 1,000 people, and having a park within walking distance of most homes within the urban area.