Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/910948
Wickaninnish Inn WINTER 2017 BCA A .COM 19 Tofino TRAVEL Five spots to watch the sea lash the rocks in BC's capital of awe-inspiring squalls BY CATHERINE TSE W hen the winds start whipping and the skies turn dark, everyone gets excited here. Welcome to Tofino, where the raw force of a storm rolling in off the Pacific Ocean beckons to a particular kind of visitor: storm watchers. Storm season for this tiny community on the west coast of Vancouver Island begins in October. Winds can gust up to 100 km/h and waves can reach nine metres high. It is a spectacular phenomenon, whether you choose to experience it outdoors or from somewhere warm and dry. INSIDE A LUXURY INN The Wickaninnish Inn is credited with coining the term "storm watching" and elevating it to bucket-list status. Set on the exposed tip of Chesterman Beach, this prime spot is a highly coveted location for storm watching. Settle in for a cozy afternoon at its On the Rocks Bar and Lounge, warming up with a hot toddy and steaming bowl of clam chowder. Follow with a hot-stone massage in its Ancient Cedar Spa before retiring to your room, nestling beside the fireplace as the storm lashes outside. Marvel at a Tofino storm from the cozy Wickaninnish Inn Canopy Suite (above), or from the rocks on Chesterman Beach (here). Tofino by Storm