Best Trip Ever – Discovery Channel
Tofino Air was proud to provide float plane service for the high octane special on Discovery Channel. 2010 Olympic Skeleton champion Jon Montgomery and his three teammates hit the open road on a six-day quest for excitement. From Tofino to Whistler, from kiteboarding to slacklining, they’ll tackle new sports and push each other to new limits of physical exertion. And they’ll have a whole lot of fun gettin’ it done.
Be like Jon and book your very own high octane adventure! The West Coast has everything you could imagine for the perfect outdoor adventure. Try river rafting at Destiny River Adventures or take a leap and go for some hang gliding lessons with Hang Glide Vancouver Island. The Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island has it all!
View Discovery Channel Promo HERE
Show premieres November 27 on Discovery Channel Canada.
Vancouver Night Out! Ideas Announced
Distinctly West Coast is excited to announce three new Vancouver Night Out itinerary ideas. We welcome the opportunity to be working with three distinctive, top-notch urban accommodations and strongly hint that you check out this new offering… perfect for a night out at a hockey game, holiday shopping, an evening at the theatre, or a special occasion in town… Welcome to Vancouver Night Out!
Tofino Air providing ‘lift off’ to the local economy
Scheduled flights to Sechelt Inlet to help local industry and tourism
Tofino Air has begun its NEW regularly scheduled flight Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Tofino Air Sechelt Base to Clowhom at 9:15am returning 10:30am as well as 1:15pm returning 2:30pm. Tofino Air is proud to support the Sunshine Coast economy by providing access to remote areas for local industry and easy access to ‘off-the-map’ excursions.
The Inlet run will allow access for industry interested in hydro power, improvement projects, forestry as well as for real estate developers seeking land or to buy or sell properties. Adventurers looking for a unique experience can be dropped off for an overnight hiking adventure or private beach for an overnight stay.The cost for this flight is $110 plus tax per person with a 2-seat minimum ($220 total plus tax per flight) or $440 plus tax daily for return trip requirements. A proud member of Sunshine Coast Tourism, Tofino Air is excited to extend a special 30-minute scenic flight price on the Inlet run of $110 plus tax (return) to local tourism and hospitality partners, providing off-season guests a unique activity and memorable experience.
Tofino Air Lines has been servicing the Sunshine Coast and surrounding area for over a quarter of a century. This locally owned and operated scenic floatplane travel company operates scheduled service to five destinations. Customized charters, daily scheduled flights, adventure and spa packages are various options for your West Coast travel needs. For more information visit www.tofinoair.ca
Life as a Roadie on the Pacific Rim
The live music scene is alive and happening in Tofino and Ucluelet! This past weekend I was the official roadie for Mark Crissinger, as he guitared and harped his way around Ucluelet and Tofino. As an awesome bonus, the venues he played graciously provided accommodations, which allowed me the opportunity to explore great places to stay in the area.
Mark’s first gig was at the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet. This resort opened in 2009 and is stunning. Simply stunning. The architecture is made up of rock, water, glass, steel, and wood. Our oceanview suite featured a soaker tub that I jumped in even before I had unpacked my bag. While in the tub I reached over andopened up the sliding glass windows and lost track of time staring at the waves crashing into the shore. Talk about decompressing within a matter of minutes.
View from our window at the Black Rock Resort
Mark played at Float, the resort’s oceanfront lounge and bar which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mesmerizing Pacific Ocean.
The actual bar itself is made up of glass tile in order to replicate a wave. The crowd was great—the beginning of the night was mostly vacationers enjoying some cocktails and live music and towards the end of the night the locals appeared to sit by the fire and enjoy the tunes. One local was none other than the legendary Hitchhike Mike. Mike has lived in Ukie for the past 18 years, but is originally from Toronto, which is where Mark knows him from. Mike is well known for his tree houses that he has built and has been featured on Life Network’s Weird Homes series. Recently Mike has found a different calling. Interested in getting married while out on the Pacific Rim? Mike is also now a marriage commissioner. It’s amazing how people reinvent themselves out here.
A couple of things that have to be mentioned about the Black Rock–we tucked into one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever eaten at Fetch–Eggs Schroeder, a combination of eggs, potatoes, turkey sausage with a béarnaise sauce and grilled tomatoes. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. And also the people that are working there are second to none. Friendly, outgoing and professional. Clearly the staff are all happy to be working there.
Geoff at Long Beach Radio
From Ucluelet we made our way to Tofino. Mark had a live interview booked with the local radio station Long Beach Radio—and I have to say this was my favourite part of the trip. The radio station is something completely out of Northern Exposure, and truly a Disctinctly West Coast sight. I wasn’t too sure about the directions that we had been given, but sure enough, there it was at the end of the pier. This tiny 10 x 10 room is where it all happens, and Geoff Johnson makes it happen. When you’re in the area and want the lowdown on what is going on, listen to CHMZFM 90.1 Tofino and CIMMFM 99.5 Ucluelet. It’s independently owned and this station plays exactly what they want with tons of local and Canadian content. Midway through the interview Geoff stopped and said “Hey! Did you see that?” A sea lion had popped his head up out of the ocean, right by Geoff’s front door for a listen. Clearly a man who loves what he does and where he does it.
Friday and Saturday night Mark played at the Weigh West Marine Resort in Tofino. A great spot, with again, a great staff. Adam, Dawson and Sebastian have a way of keeping the drinks flowing and the patrons entertained, and Gloria at the front desk answers all questions with a smile on her face. Tofino people are just so happy! However, all that being said, there definitely was a cloud hanging over the town for the duration of the weekend. Over 2,500 people from across Canada gathered in Tofino to mourn and celebrate the loss of two integral members of their community, two paramedics from the Tofino area. Businesses shut down, streets were closed off and everyone that could attend, did so. Tofino has so much to offer, but in the end it’s the people and community that makes this beautiful town on the ocean and even more beautiful place to visit and revisit time and time again.
View from Weigh West Resort
Storm Watching…the ultimate romantic get-a-way
Tofino Storm
Batten down the hatches…no wait a minute get to Tofino for the most spectacular display of lightning and rolling black and deep blue, luminous clouds you can imagine. There are several resorts offering storm watching specials such as the WickInn, Black Rock Resort and Long Beach Lodge. Talk about a romantic weekend! Picture yourself with your sweetheart bundled up in wool blankets on lounging deck chairs perched upon a sprawling deck outside your cozy deluxe suite to witness the most amazing natural light show imaginable. Feel the electricity in the air and listen as it crackles and blows while sipping complimentary champagne and diningon scrumptious room service delicacies. Wake up to crashing waves against the rugged coastline then treat yourself to a spa package or simply relax and have a bubble bath. Be sure to book a scenic tour on Tofino Air to view this amazing West Coast hidden gem from the sky or get picked up at YVR for a direct flight to Tofino, there are amazing specials happening right now so be sure to call and book today for the most romantic adventure of a lifetime.
SURF’S UP Tofino Air Style at the Cold Water Classic
It’s October 14th and we’re lucky enough to be in Tofino taking in the O’Neill Coldwater Classic surf competition.
Team Distinctly West Coast arrived yesterday to bright skies and sunshine where we were welcomed by Joe at the Tofino Trek Inn, a friendly and comfortable hostel tucked right in Tofino’s downtown (“Champagne View on a Beer Budget - love this tagline!). After a day of meetings and presentations, it was great to kick-back, relax and enjoy some quality conversation with the other guests while we munched on some Big Daddy’s fish & chips.
The Broken Islands — Paradise for Paddlers … and Whales!
Climbing into your sleeping bag after a long day’s paddle, your body’s fatigued, your mind’s relaxed and sleep comes easily. My wife Jan and I had just spent a week kayaking the Broken Islands on the west coast of Vancouver Island and for our last night, we’d pitched our tent on a beautiful beach on Gibraltar Island. It was a perfect night for sleeping: the air was still, the water calm, not a sound could be heard.
Until …
See Tofino from the sky!
Now imagine yourself floating over blue skies, golden sandy beaches and turquoise waters…wait no need to imagine it…you can do it! Tofino Airoffers scenic flights just about anywhere on the West Coast. Visitors from California recently took a scenic flight tour with Tofino Air and took this spectacular video footage Tofino Air Scenic Flight. How fabulous would it be to get a group of friends, hop on a plane and see some of the most amazing, distinctly west coast scenery imaginable. Talk about an adventure of a lifetime, a definite addition to your bucket list.
MILD To WILD Contest Extended to November 12th
Tofino Air Will Take You There!
The MILD to WILD Contest has been extended. We are looking for your BEST West Coast experience! Write in, follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook and you can win an amazing, unique adventure which includes an interpretive kayak, snorkeling with seals, caving at Horne Lake, a private yoga session and then a relaxing evening in an Estuary, flights to and from the Island provided by Tofino Air! Check out our CONTESTS page for more details.
Distinctly West Coast will get you there with 
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