Ski-to-Sea in B.C.: a Winter Adventure with the Mitsubishi Outlander
What follows is an adventurer’s guide of how to make the most of a British Columbia winter, and one Torontonian-turned-Vancouverite’s voyage from the mountains to the ocean in a single day, equipped with nothing but a snowboard, a kayak and a Mitsubishi Outlander.
I’ve been active my entire life. With parents who met on the mountain, I was handed my first pair of ski boots shortly after learning to tie my shoes. Later, I’d swap those skis for a snowboard and hit the Ontario mountains every weekend in the winter. On the flip side of the coin, the ocean has equally always been a part of me. With family originating from Nova Scotia, some of my earliest memories are surrounded by saltwater. My connection to the ocean followed me into adulthood and eventually led to me becoming a scuba divemaster.
Be it the mountain or the water, I’ve always chased that feeling of being small within something vast and alive. So, after years of daydreaming and one visit to Vancouver, I took the plunge and moved out West.
I’m Dylan, and this is my Outlander-ish, Ski-to-Sea journey.
I’ve been active my entire life. With parents who met on the mountain, I was handed my first pair of ski boots shortly after learning to tie my shoes. Later, I’d swap those skis for a snowboard and hit the Ontario mountains every weekend in the winter. On the flip side of the coin, the ocean has equally always been a part of me. With family originating from Nova Scotia, some of my earliest memories are surrounded by saltwater. My connection to the ocean followed me into adulthood and eventually led to me becoming a scuba divemaster.
Be it the mountain or the water, I’ve always chased that feeling of being small within something vast and alive. So, after years of daydreaming and one visit to Vancouver, I took the plunge and moved out West.
I’m Dylan, and this is my Outlander-ish, Ski-to-Sea journey.
Since there’s no shortage of options when it comes to mountains or bodies of water in British Columbia, it’s not uncommon for people here to pack both a water and a mountain sport into the same day. On any given weekend there are plenty of routes to choose from: Mount Seymour to Deep Cove Bay, Big White Mountain to Okanagan Lake, Sasquatch Mountain to Harrison Lake, Revelstoke Mountain to Lake Revelstoke, or Whitewater Mountain to Kootenay Lake.
On this particular Saturday, though, I was set on checking off a lifelong bucket list item: Whistler to Porteau Cove.
The Early Start: Vancouver to Whistler
A day like this starts early. My alarm went off at 5 a.m., and I packed up the Outlander in the dark. The roof rack held my kayak securely in place, while the spacious trunk left plenty of room for my snowboard, boots and all the extra layers that come with a West Coast winter. I set the GPS for the two-hour drive to Whistler, queued up some acoustic folk on the Dynamic Sound Yamaha audio system, and pulled onto the road as the city snored soundly behind me.
Soon, it was just me and the Sea-to-Sky Highway; a stretch of road that feels less like a commute and more like a moving postcard, winding between mountains and ocean through the morning fog. The Sea-to-Sky is stunning, but it’s also the kind of road that demands your attention. It climbs steadily into the mountains, then winds back down again with ocean views just off to the side. This route can feel intimidating, but the Mitsubishi Outlander made it easy. Knowing I had the fuel efficiency to get where I needed to go without thinking twice and the added stability of Super All-Wheel Control gave me the peace of mind to stay present and enjoy the view.
Snowboarding in Whistler
When I arrived in Whistler, the Outlander’s automatic liftgate made the load-in and out effortless. Before long, I was suited up and headed towards my first “real” mountain, and a serious upgrade from the Ontario hills. The chairlift ride was filled with anticipation, adrenaline and, to my delight, the unmistakable scent of fresh pine needles. If you’ve ever needed convincing to try skiing or snowboarding, that smell alone might do it.
Back home, snowboarding was always a social activity with friends. We’d goof off, try new tricks and philosophize our way through chairlift rides. My buddies and I joke that we’ve solved the world’s problems somewhere between the bottom and the summit. Having moved out West without really knowing anyone, I’ve had to embrace the art of going solo, which, I’m quickly discovering, is a whole new adventure. Getting out of my head and focusing in on the spray of the snow, the curve of the mountain and zero distractions has become a sort of meditation for me.
Back home, snowboarding was always a social activity with friends. We’d goof off, try new tricks and philosophize our way through chairlift rides. My buddies and I joke that we’ve solved the world’s problems somewhere between the bottom and the summit. Having moved out West without really knowing anyone, I’ve had to embrace the art of going solo, which, I’m quickly discovering, is a whole new adventure. Getting out of my head and focusing in on the spray of the snow, the curve of the mountain and zero distractions has become a sort of meditation for me.
I spent some time carving up the fresh powder, and then it was time to wrap up the snowboard portion and head back to the awaiting Outlander.
A Scenic Stop in Squamish
From there, I headed towards the ocean, but not without a special pitstop: Squamish Canyon is an hour and a half drive and on the way to Porteau Cove, so I pulled over for a little hiking intermission. In true British Columbia fashion, there was a little drizzle, but as Billy Connolly said: “There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing...so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little.”
The Outlander’s all-wheel, all-weather capabilities let me live out this philosophy to the fullest. After years in a mostly concrete jungle, I still find myself amazed that “getting outside” now looks like this.
With a little perspective, it was time to get back in the SUV and drive onward to my next adventure of the day.
With a little perspective, it was time to get back in the SUV and drive onward to my next adventure of the day.
Kayaking at Porteau Cove
I pulled up to Porteau Cove around 2:30 p.m. and switched gears, swapping my boots for water shoes, my ski jacket for a drysuit and my snowboard for my kayak. As I headed to the water, I spotted two local eagles, who graciously agreed to keep watch over the Outlander.
The conditions were good for this time of year; not too windy or choppy. Settling into the rhythm of the water is always a slight challenge, but a welcome one. As I paddled out, I was struck by the contrast in feeling compared to the morning’s fresh powder — soft, malleable, working with me —while the waves have their own agenda. That’s the thing about Canada; she’s beautiful, but she makes you earn it.
The conditions were good for this time of year; not too windy or choppy. Settling into the rhythm of the water is always a slight challenge, but a welcome one. As I paddled out, I was struck by the contrast in feeling compared to the morning’s fresh powder — soft, malleable, working with me —while the waves have their own agenda. That’s the thing about Canada; she’s beautiful, but she makes you earn it.
Kayaking is its own kind of flow state; with the open water in front of me, and the push and pull between paddling and drifting, your mind is hyper-focused but clear at the same time. I’ll take Mother Nature’s soundtrack over my own playlist any day; just the rush of the waves, the wind, and the occasional eagle call.
If the top of the mountain felt like another planet, this place gave Whistler a run for its money. Being alone on the water, with a panoramic view of the mountains … one lesson B.C. is quickly teaching me is that the second I think I’ve seen an incredible view, another one is just around the corner. Literally.
As the sun began to set on an adventure-filled day, I decided to pack it in and pack up the Mitsubishi Outlander for the drive back to Vancouver. The full-body type of exhaustion from a day spent outside is an unbeatable feeling.
If the top of the mountain felt like another planet, this place gave Whistler a run for its money. Being alone on the water, with a panoramic view of the mountains … one lesson B.C. is quickly teaching me is that the second I think I’ve seen an incredible view, another one is just around the corner. Literally.
As the sun began to set on an adventure-filled day, I decided to pack it in and pack up the Mitsubishi Outlander for the drive back to Vancouver. The full-body type of exhaustion from a day spent outside is an unbeatable feeling.
The Drive Back to Vancouver
As I drove home, I thought about how one of the most remarkable parts of the day was how common this type of day is for people who live out west. Experiences like these are unbelievably accessible, as long as you’ve got wheels. One of the most beautiful aspects of living in B.C. is the freedom to remain active year-round. Here, I don’t need to put my favourite hobbies on hold until the summer; I can ride a Simon Fraser University mountain bike trail, rock climb in Squamish, dive in Whytecliff Park and even surf in Tofino. There’s no limit to the ways you can stay active out here, be it in the winter, spring, summer or fall. For years I daydreamed about a life closer to the mountains and the ocean, where nature didn’t feel so out of reach. Now, it’s right outside my door.
I’m still mapping out which road I’ll explore next ... but with the keys to the best adventure buddy a guy could ask for, I know I’m equipped for the journey.
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