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Wickaninnish Inn
Thu Jan 30, 2003
Listen in RealAudio 
Storm watching usually conjures visions of chase vehicles racing down country roads, not
howling gales and pounding surf. But in Coastal British Columbia, you can watch storms rage
from the comfort of your hotel room. Hi, I'm Bryan Yeaton, and this is The Weather
Notebook.
Each autumn, the Aleutian Low, a persistent low-pressure region over the Gulf of Alaska
deepens to spawn a series of strong storms. The November to March storm track shifts and
batters the outer, now un-Pacific coast of Vancouver Island with mountainous waves, gale-force
winds, and pounding rains.
It's not the traditional ambience for tourists, but it still draws visitors to Tofino's
Wikaninnish Inn on Vancouver Island's rugged west coast.
Seated on a rocky headland, the Wickaninnish Inn presents guests with views of the open
Pacific, barrier islands and the natural sweep of the sandy beaches.
The Inn, near Pacific Rim National Park, has Clayoquot Sound's old-growth forests of red cedar
and western hemlock as a backdrop. For the adventurous hotel guest, Wickaninnish Inn provides
rain slickers and boots to those wanting to experience the invigorating weather and the
sights, sounds and smells of the storm-tossed seashore on adjacent Chesterman Beach.
The Wickaninnish is no spartan, rustic resort, however. It was specially designed to offer
North America's best destination for West Coast storm-watching. Each room features ocean views
from floor-to-ceiling windows, a bathtub with a view, a fireplace and private balcony for
optimum storm viewing. Travel and Leisure Magazine recently named Wickaninnish Inn top North
American hotel.
Thanks to our contributing writer, meteorologist Keith Heidorn, who never told us if he
actually stayed there. Our program is produced in cooperation with Subaru of America, and The
National Science Foundation.
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