long weekend getaway, tofino vs whistler

[asp integra]

Hey guys, going to get away with the wife for a long weekend in early May. debating between whis and tofino. Whis we would ski blackcomb a few days and wander around the village, tofino we would surf, check out the town/beaches etc. Any suggestions as to which you would go to and why? Also, I was in tofino 15+ years ago and don't remember much about it. Any other things to do there?

[ExtraSlow]

If this is just for a long weekend, Travel hassles would be the deciding factor.

Tofino, best case scenario is fly to Comox or Nanaimo, drive across the island. The flight to comox is shorter, because it is a 737 vs a Q400 on the Nanaimo route. The drive is about ten minutes shorter from Nanaimo. In the end, it's pretty close to a wash.

Whistler, depending on the time of day, your drive from YVR can be pretty annoying. Google maps shows it as only 2 hours, but that's right through the heart of the city.
Abbotsford is a much easier airport, and only about 15 minutes further drive. Myself, I'd pick abbostford every time. I hate YVR.

Lots of hikes in the Tofino area, some pretty good restaurants these days. Whale watching, fishing excursions. Tofino suits me better than Whistler.

[Tik-Tok]

As much as I enjoy Tofino, May is a terrible time to go. Awesome to surf, but don't expect the beaches to be a good place to relax, because weather is 90% chance of suck.

Like Extraslow though, I'd still pick Tofino over Whistler.

[adamc]

Tofino all day every day. Love it out there.

[BlueHaloGirl]

Tofino for sure.
You will have great surf that time of year. Go to long beach, the best waves.
Beaches won't be great but you can always look at sea kayaking in the area. There is an outfitter right in Tofino called tofinoseakayaking.com They do day rentals. So many neat things to see kayaking.
I did a week long trip with a group off the coast of Tofino and we saw a whale, dolphins and starfish all over.
Also there are lots of great little shops and restaurants in Tofino.
You can go skiing/snowbarding here...you don't get to visith the coast and a place like Tofino everyday.

[rinny]

Tofino all day every day.

Stay on the beach and bad weather makes it even better.

Get a place with a hot tub on your deck, on the beach, and bad weather is what you hope for.

May I recommend:
www.beachbreaklodge.com

That being said, if you get some nice weather you can do some hiking to the old WWII warplane. Surfing is easy for the untrained, rent kayaks, beachcomb, have a beach fire, might be whales/wildlife tours? Eat at some epic eateries (Wolf in the Fog, The Pointe at the Wic, Tacofino), catch a concert in town if there's any.

Just came back from a few days there this Feb, I put it right up there with my Hawaii trips.

[asp integra]

Well we just booked flights and rooms for 4 nights in Tofino. Can't wait to get out there. Staying at middle beach lodge, looks like an awesome spot http://www.middlebeach.com/

Surfing should be great, cant wait just to wander the town/beachs/pacific rim nat park etc.

[bleu]

Tofino would be awesome. I'm hoping to get out there this summer...but we are driving the West Coast again.

[DeleriousZ]

I enjoy the hell out of Tofino. We went there for my bday (in November) and it was great!! Rainy and cold but awesome storm watching.

[nismodrifter]

Been to Tofino once in my life. Would love to go there every day, such a beautiful place.

[firebane]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
As much as I enjoy Tofino, May is a terrible time to go. Awesome to surf, but don't expect the beaches to be a good place to relax, because weather is 90% chance of suck.

Like Extraslow though, I'd still pick Tofino over Whistler.

Doesn't really matter when you go to Tofino its always a cool and damp lace but very nice there.