Comox, northeast of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, has long been known for the skiing, golf and sailing of its environs. In recent years the region has added a number of more urbane reasons to visit, like gourmet restaurants and cutting-edge spas.

Stay and Rest
Just south of town, the Kingfisher Resort and Spa (4330 Island Hwy. S,
800-663-7929, kingfisherspa.com) started the region’s hotel/spa trend with its spectacular ocean views and aquatic-themed spa treatments. In nearby Courtenay, the Old House Village Suites and Hotel (1800 Riverside Ln., Courtenay, 250-703-0202 or 888-703-0202, oldhousevillage.com), notwithstanding its somewhat Dickensian name, is, in fact, a chic boutique hotel; its new Oh Spa completes the package. If your idea of luxury leans more towards long hikes and sprawling vistas, Coastal Trek Health & Fitness Resort (250-897-8735, 8100 Forbidden Plateau Rd., Courtenay, coastaltrekresort.com), at Forbidden Plateau, ensures that you don’t have to sacrifice thread count, modern design or good food to embrace activities designed to foster your physical well-being.

Eat and Drink
The valley is developing a reputation for cuisine featuring the spectacular local ingredients. At Tomato Tomäto (1760 Riverside Ln., Courtenay, 250-338-5406, tomatotomato.ca), a rambling old house nestled amid lush gardens, chef Drew Noble (late of such hot spots as Victoria’s Zambri’s and Vancouver’s Bin 941) brings a playful touch to West Coast cuisine with such dishes as crispy barbecue duck tacos. Or try his beautiful housemade smoked-tomato chutney with feta and flatbread. Across the river, the main selling point of the Blackfin Pub at the Marina (132 Port August St., Comox, 250-339-5030, blackfinpub.ca) is its view of Comox Harbour, complementing unpretentious pub fare and a decent wine list including a pinot gris from nearby Beaufort Vineyard (5854 Pickering Rd., Comox, 250-338-1357, beaufortwines.ca), the first estate winery (grapes grown and bottled onsite) in the valley.

Play
In the winter, the valley is all about Mount Washington Alpine Resort (250-338-1386 or 888-231-1499, mount
washington.ca), the only great skiing on the island.  Once the snow melts, Strathcona Provincial Park attracts the outdoor set. The oldest provincial park in B.C., its 250,000 hectares offer everything active-you can hunt and bird-watch. For a more sedate activity, the area’s golf courses, like the famed Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community (399 Clubhouse Dr., Courtney, 888-338-8439, crownisle.com), offer a chance to soak in the views without a noticeable change in elevation. The Graham Cooke design is a great risk/reward layout, with plenty of tough choices to make off the tee.

Getting There
WestJet (westjet.ca) has daily flights to Comox from both Calgary and Edmonton. Central Mountain Air (flycma.com) flies daily from Vancouver. For more information on visiting the area check out discovercomoxvalley.com or
hellobc.com.