Courtenay, British Columbia

You are well-acquainted with Victoria, one of the most popular tourist spots in Canada, but are you familiar with Courtenay? This smaller city (population: about 26,000) is situated higher up on the east coast of Vancouver Island and is hailed by many as the island's hidden gem.

The city of Courtenay benefits from mild winters; the average daily high temperature in January is 6.4 degrees Celsius (43.5 degrees Fahrenheit), and the average daily low temperature is 1.4 degrees Celsius (34.5 degrees Fahrenheit). One benefit of winter in Courtenay is the nearby Mount Washington, where you can engage in traditional Canadian winter sports including snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing. When you've satisfied your craving for winter, you can escape the snow and head back to Courtenay, where you may play some golf or shop at the indoor winter farmers market.,