Recreation and sports

Outdoor recreation

People in Victoria enjoy an active lifestyle, making the most of our mild climate and west coast environment. You and your family can play tennis, soccer, or softball, go sailing or kayaking, hike or cycle the Galloping Goose Trail, or walk or run along our beautiful shoreline. Information about many of the local parks on the south island can be found on the CRD Regional Parks page.

Victoria is considered a year-round golfer's haven with several championship courses, many offering unparalleled ocean and mountain vistas, forests and world-class greens. More information about local courses can be found from Tourism BC.

For biking enthusiasts, there is an extensive network of mountain biking trails near the Hartland landfill, in Mount Work Regional Park. Information on this area and other local mountain biking spots can be found via the South Island Mountain Bike Society.

In the winter, you can go skiing or snowboarding at Mount Washington, near Courtenay and about a three-hour drive north of Victoria. In the summer, Mount Washington is a great place for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and enjoying scenic chairlift rides.

Recreation centres

The following websites have information on swimming pools and recreation centres as well as registration for lessons and programs.

• UVic Vikes Recreation
• City of Victoria Active Living Guide
• District of Saanich Recreation
• Recreation Oak Bay

UVic Athletics

The UVic Vikes offer the most affordable and highest quality sporting events in the Capital Region. From rugby, soccer, field hockey and basketball, fans can attend over 50 games per season! Purchase your Thunder Season Pass and be part of a championship team.

UVic Athletics facts:

• Since 1968, UVic has won 65 Canadian national team championships.
• Individual competitors have won 288 medals in CIS swimming and running.
• 156 Vikes athletes, coaches and alumni have represented Canada at the Olympic and Paralympics Games, winning 12 gold medals, eight silver, and six bronze, and an additional 36 medals at the Paralympics Games.

Sports teams

Some notable men's sports teams based in Victoria include: