As February unfolds, there’s a subtle but unmistakable shift happening around us. I recently noticed the first lone daffodil making its appearance, a sure sign that trees will soon begin to bud and spring is around the corner. Moments like this are easy to miss, especially when our attention is drawn to the work at hand. I appreciate how they sharpen our awareness of what’s unfolding around us.

One of the things I value most about our annual closure is the chance to once again collaborate closely with our incredible network of talented tradespeople, artists, and artisans who help care for and refresh the Inn each year. Often behind the scenes, their craftsmanship is essential to maintaining the Wick, and we’re grateful for the immense care and pride they bring to every corner of the Inn.

Several updates in the kitchen, including new freezers and a much-anticipated Hobart mixer, are already energizing our pastry team for the year to come. With all of our pastries and breads made from scratch, these additions help support the daily rhythms of mixing, baking, and preparation. Another update we are excited to unveil is refreshed lobby and cafe furniture, which has transformed these spaces.

After more than a year of extensive renovations, the scaffolding has come down, and our family cabin next to the Inn is now complete. Built by my parents in the late 1970s, this cabin holds many of my fondest memories through the decades. Originally a simple, very much off-the-grid retreat overlooking the ocean, it was once reached only by a trail from the north end of Chesterman Beach. Often filled with all five of us during holidays and summer visits, it is now ready for the next generation while still carrying the spirit of what it has always been.

Early spring remains one of our most quietly beautiful times of year in Tofino. The beaches are calm, the light begins to shift, and mornings on Chesterman Beach, whether misty or clear, start the day at a gentler pace. Being here has a way of bringing you into what locals call Tofino time, a slower rhythm shaped by the natural world, where the urgency of our task lists fades and attention returns. Whether it’s a long stroll along the shoreline or beachcombing for small treasures washed up overnight, it becomes easier to notice the small details that might otherwise pass by.

For those considering a spring visit, booking ahead will help ensure your preferred dates and room type are available. Wherever the season finds you, we hope there’s time to slow down, notice the details, and carry a bit of that quieter rhythm with you.

From the edge of the Pacific,

Charles