Jan 7 - How winter is changing on the Island—and its ski hills

Good morning !

Snow is on the horizon. Maybe not yet the literal horizon, depending on where you live, but expected in the coming days for many cities on the Island.

More on that below. But first, a feature story on decades of changing winters on the Island, told through climate science and the photo album of a snow-loving ski family.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 6 / 2

Monday: 🌧️ 6 / 5

Tuesday: 🌧️ 9 / 2

7-day forecast

NEWS

Magic mountain, melting snow:
Climate uncertainty on the Island & its ski hills

Madeline Dunnett grew up immersed in the Island skiing scene—it was her father’s profession and the family’s pastime. 

But her return to the Comox Valley as an adult hasn’t brought with it the ski seasons of her youth. This winter, lack of snow has kept all but a fraction of runs at Mt. Washington closed even into January. 

Expert predictions estimate that average winters on Mount Washington will be near 0 Celsius by the late 21st century, and that the Comox Glacier will be gone only a few decades from today.

In today’s lead story, Dunnett brings together family memories, environmental data, and new reporting on how the Island’s ski hills are having to adapt. 

Weaving together those threads, she brings us a picture of how warmer and more erratic winter weather is changing life on the Island.

Keep reading here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Snow expected this week—as soon as tomorrow in Nanaimo and Campbell River and around Wednesday in Victoria and Tofino. [BC forecasts]

Victoria 1 Regina 2: Royals fall short on road. [Highlights]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

The top 10 most memorable local dishes (and drinks) of 2023

Last year was a big one for local food and drink, as restaurants tried to find their footing again in a turbulent industry that was even shakier after being upended by the pandemic. Some restaurants finally arrived after years in limbo, while others closed after decades in the scene. 

But at the end of the day—or year, in this case—it all comes down to this: making great food and getting it into locals’ mouths. To kick off 2024, Tasting Victoria looked back on a few of the most memorable meals of 2023. 

From classic staples to limited-edition releases, from fine dining to lunch on the go, from the most established local restaurants to the newest upstarts, from Japanese to Caribbean, from pasta to pastry to pizza to pita…

These are the local meals and drinks that stood out in 2023!

Which local spots do you think served the best food and drink in 2023?
Nominate your favourite local restaurants for the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards’ 18 categories right here!.

SPONSORED BY SPROUT

Wonderful healthcare for families is here 

Imagine a new kind of healthcare experience. Warm, welcoming, and designed for families. A specialized team with big hearts and big brains. Focused on prevention and longevity instead of just reactive illness care. In-person, over the phone, or virtual appointments that are never rushed. This is Sprout. 

⭐️ Capital Picks

 🍄 “A heck of a month for mushrooms”: Check out these photos of Island mushrooms found in December.

🍹 Having a Dry January? Here are a few of the region’s best faux-alcohol beverages, and mixed drink recipes you can make with them. [Tasting Victoria]

🤝 Now hiring: Barn worker at Tally-Ho Carriage Tours.

🗞️ In Other News

Victoria man loses $12K suit against strata over noisy elevator
He cited the clunking, vibrating, rumbling elevator waking him up. But the Civil Resolution Tribunal concluded that the noise was not unreasonable and that the strata was doing what it could given the extremely high cost to fully modernize all 4 elevators. [Victoria News]
Read Capital Daily’s previous feature on Islanders’ battles with stratas here.

Comox Valley recruitment adds 44 family doctors 
Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland's joint campaign has reversed a trend that had 14,000 (19%) of valley residents without a primary care physician in 2021; there are now 2,000 (3%). [Times Colonist]

Victim of Christmas Eve house fire identified
Sidney Fire quickly put out the afternoon blaze on Third, but one occupant was found dead inside while the other escaped with minor injuries. The man’s family has been notified. [RCMP]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Bellperson at Fairmont Empress

• Product designer at Outway

• Store manager at Foot Locker

• Senior Communications Advisor at BC Ferries

• Sales Associate/Merchandiser at Hey Y'all Southern Style Hard Iced Tea

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

🗓️ Things to do

🎄 Tree chipping for charity: Bring Christmas trees and donations to locations around the region today, including: Colwood and Oak Bay fire halls, Archie Browning Sports Centre, Tillicum Centre, Broadmead Village, Reynolds Secondary, St. Patrick’s Elementary, McKenzie Elementary, Foul Bay Save-on-Foods, and more. Full list.

🎥 The Pigeon Tunnel: The critically acclaimed Errol Morris documentary about former British spy David Cornwell will show at Cinecenta. Today and tomorrow. 7pm.  

📘 Book launch of local Sooke writer Allie Pickett’s first poetry collection, i nemophile. 10:30-11:30am today at VIRL Sooke.

🎺 Traditional Jazz Matinee: CanUs will perform New Orleans Jazz at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 12pm, show 1pm.  

🎭 Jesus Christ Superstar: In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the iconic, award-winning musical will be performed at Royal Theatre. Today. 2pm and 7:30pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thank you! You raised nearly $50K in one week to help local families. [Capital Daily]

Ethnic diversity rising in Greater Victoria, but remains below overall BC levels. [Capital Daily / LJI]

Missed the Lights of Wonder in Centennial Square? Not to worry—watch a video tour below:

That’s it!

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