If you’re among the lucky Vancouverites blessed with time off during the Games, the question is inevitable: Do you really care about a bunch of lugers? If not, then get the heck out of Dodge – and score some Valentine’s Day points while you’re at it. How to escape the Olympics:
Mount Washington, Comox Valley
215 km from the madness
More than 250 Olympians will be training here during the Games, so you can escape the madness without killing your chances of pairing up with a foxy Swedish skier. (Caution: this might ruin Valentine’s Day.) All runs remain open, but the greatest draw might be the stellar slope-side accommodations.
Surf and Storm Watch, Tofino
280 km from the madness
Located on the edge of Clayoquot Sound, Tofino boasts unreal winter storm watching and surfing. Rock the $200/night Storm Special at the Wickaninnish Inn, and watch the waves swallow the coastline. For surfing, visit the Pacific Surf School.
Free Spirit Spheres, near Qualicum Beach
125 km from the madness
Take a few good books and chill like an Ewok in a rainforest tree house. The handcrafted wood spheres hang from trees, but if the bird’s eye view of the forest ever bores you, head into town for a meal at Fish Tales.
Mount Baker, Bellingham
100 km from the madness
With a strong Canadian dollar, midweek lift passes going for US $38, and stellar deals at the rustic Logs, it’s worth the wait at the border. (Just don’t diss the Olympics on your way home.)
Image courtesy of mananetwork.
