BC itinerary

With the ferry breaking up the trip, it's really not that bad going between Tofino and Whistler. You'll drive about 90 minutes from Whistler to Horseshoe Bay, get on the ferry for about 90 minutes, then 3 hours from there to Tofino. It's well worth it!

In a word ditch Whistler - we went on a day trip from Vancouver - we could see it as a world class ski resort but this was June and well.. just pretty.

Our best experiences were definitely on Vancouver Island - I personally would have skipped Vancouver itself but we live close to a similar world city shopping centre. We split 6 days Vancouver and 7 days Vancouver Island - wish we had spent all 13 on the island.

Sooke was great for an experience of the civilsed wilderness - the wildlife was everywhere and very varied - the food was excellent.

An alternative to Whistler could be Mount Washington on Vancouver Island. You could hike there, take the chairlift up and get some amazing views in July. Much less expensive than Whistler too. Mount Washington is just over an hours drive from Qualicum, or an hour and a half from the ferry in Nanaimo. That way you are not spreading your time too thin and I am sure you will enjoy it. here is a link
http://www.mountwashington.ca/

Unless you are a die-hard skier, skip Whistler. From my observations, a person over 30 years of age is an oddity in that area. Don't think I'll be going back.

You don't have to be a die hard skier to enjoy Whistler, nor do you have to be under 30. My parents (in their late 50's) enjoy Whistler in the summer months - they're not skiers but they'll go up there for an overnight, to enjoy the restaurants and then take the gondola up to the top (where you feel a million miles away from civilization) and go for short hikes and walks through the alpine. Expectations are key, however.

Strathcona is an excellent alternative to Whistler. Not the Canadian Rockies, but snow covered peaks and some great hiking. Didn't stay, but the Strathcona Park Lodge is near the entrance to the park. Love Tofino area as well.

Another option would be to come up to the Sunshine Coast and then over to the Island to Tofino. The Sunshine Coast has mountains on one side and the Georgia Strait on the other - great for folks who want the opportunity to be out in nature. Many places to stay also have direct access to kayaks or boats of some kind, as well as to nearby hiking trails. Some neat places to visit include Egmont (fabulous tidal rapids), Princess Louisa Inlet (if you are interested in booking a boat charter), and Lund, which is as far north as you can drive along the highway. It literally ends in the water! Just past Lund is Desolation Sound, which has some fabulous scenery, and if you pick the right tour company they will also tell you about the First Nations and Homesteading history of the area. Try Terracentric Adventures for a good Desolation Sound tour.

There is a BC ferries deal called the Circle Pac that takes you from Horseshoe Bay - Sunshine Coast, and then from the Sunshine Coast over to Vancouver Island and then back to Vancouver. You can pick your own schedule. I think it's also discounted. It's a good option for people going back and forth between Vancouver and Vancouver Island, who want to explore a little. And it's perfect for nature people!

Thanks to everyone for their input. After doing some research on the Sunshine Coast (looks amazing) we've decided to ditch Whistler and head to Lund/Desolation Bay for four days (probably stopping in Sechelt for one night to break up the trip) then ferry across to Vancouver island and over to Tofino for four days, then back to Vancouver for a couple of days. Thanks again.

fyi: Vancouver's North Shore is great for hikes... e.g.

Mount Seymours 'Mystery Lake' Loop Hike:
Details: 3 total miles, Elevation Gain: 600 feet, Skill Level: Moderately easy, Duration: Allow 3 hours -- Best July to October, Top Elevation: 3,850 feet

Pictures of Mystery Lake Hike
http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?topic_id=12889

The Lighthouse Park trail is lovely too in West Vancouver, however that's a trail that takes you to the water, where you can look over to Vancouver and on a good day Vancouver Island.