You think Vancouver Island has “island time”? Try Salt Spring Island! See how Cusheon Lake Resort’s family-friendly atmosphere is designed to slow you down.

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Have you ever felt like you’re going a mile a minute and life just won’t slow down?

Like this life train is going way too fast and you want off to catch your breath?

Yes, I admit life on our travel blog can look like we’re living a permanent dream vacation, but let me be honest with you… we too, have the challenge of zooming through life on a runaway train. I hate seeing precious moments fly by because I was too stressed or busy to stop for them.

So what do you do?

One piece of advice we have is to plan a family vacation that’s just right for you and what your family actually needs. Maybe it’s time to postpone the activity marathon tour holiday or the over stimulation of Disney and do something different. (Although there’s a time for those vacations too!)

Maybe it’s time for a SLOW DOWN family vacation.

That’s exactly why our family chose Cusheon Lake Resort on Salt Spring Island. You think Vancouver “Island Time” is slow? Go explore the Gulf Islands!

Mount Maxwell, Salt Spring Island

We felt the slower pace the moment we rolled off the ferry onto Salt Spring.

No, not the spiritual healing powers of the island like someone suggested to Gretta.

We simply felt the calming effects of being amongst the beauty, relaxing by the water, and breathing in the fresh air.

The farther we got away from technology and the rush of busy life pressures, the closer our family became to each other and the more we were able to experience the elusive life gift of slowing down.

Still, it took us about two days to decompress and stop running from one thing to the next. It was a good thing we were at Cusheon Lake Resort for four nights because we sure needed it.

Our two bedroom log cabin was situated on a beautiful lake amongst a clusters of 17 other quaint log cabins. The resort was perfect for what we needed: A slow-paced, low-key cabin resort that catered to families. We had all the modern amenities we needed in our log cabin and just outside our door was a swimming dock, hot-tub, canoes and paddle boards.

Even the indoor wood fireplaces and coal BBQ’s were designed to slow us down! No quick click of a propane or gas button here, we just needed to relax and get on Salt Spring Island time.

8 Ways You Will Slow Down As A Family At Cusheon Lake Resort.

1.  Just Sit.

Looking back we wish we would have done this more. Just sitting. Just the simple act of sitting with a hot drink and looking out over the lake with a loved one. In my case, it was two loved ones.

2. Hey Dad! Want to go canoeing or paddle boarding?

I heard that question a lot!

Steps away from our cottage were paddles and lifejackets, so in moments we were out on the water having some fun. This was one of our favourite activities that we found ourselves doing multiple times a day.

I loved the evening paddle with my daughter, fishing with my son, searching for the resident lake beaver, or imagining we were pirates hiding our gold on the other side of the lake.

3. Let’s jump off the dock!

We must have jumped off that dock a thousand times and the kids still wanted to jump some more. It was our evening ritual to jump off the dock and then warm up in the hot-tub. I love the adventurous and fun spirits of my kids!

4. Light Up The Charcoal BBQ.

As a kid on camping trips, I strongly disliked my dad’s love for a charcoal BBQ. It was maddening to think about all the extra time we could have spent on the beach playing instead of going back to the campsite early to light up the charcoal. It felt like cooking dinner took hours more on charcoal!

Oh, how things go full circle in life.

I actually didn’t mind waiting one bit for the charcoal BBQ at Cusheon Lake Resort to warm up. It gave me plenty of time to gaze out over the lake by myself, chatting with my kids or watching them play in the lake.

5. A Campfire With A Couch.

For safety reasons Cusheon Lake Resort has opted to only have fireplaces in the cabins instead of in the open air where the fire hazard can be high at times.

At first I was a little disappointed.

That is, until I slid open the sliding glass doors on the cottage and sat back on the couch with the kids in front of an open air living room campfire. What a relaxing way to end the day together playing games and enjoying a campfire in our pj’s.

6. Gone Fishing.

I’m the kind of guy who likes to catch fish and not so much the waiting-to-catch-fish part.

I wanted to include this on my top 8 list though because I know how many people find fishing relaxing. Our story is a little different with my son catching his very first fish the moment we arrived, and then we spent the whole next day fishing without any luck at all, so we gave up.

Secretly, I was actually relieved because fishing with kids can be exhausting. Phew!

As I was untangling fishing lines, I kept thinking they should really add the challenge to Survivor or Amazing Race!

The lake is stocked full of bass and I hear the fishing is great… just not for us apparently.

7. Dinner’s Ready.

With a full kitchen in our little cottage overlooking the lake, it was the perfect place to have some family time around a home cooked meal.

8. Your Resort Hosts

Another big way that helped us slow down and relax as a family was the spectacular managers of Cusheon Lake Resort. It’s always refreshing meeting resort hosts who love their life. Glen & Andie, a young married couple live on-site at the resort with their little boy. They were always ready to help us enjoy our stay on Salt Spring, lovely to our kids, and a joy to converse with.

In the evenings, Glen rode his little lawnmower with firewood wagon in tow to personally drop off wood at our lakeside cottage.

I loved this time of day. It was my daily reminder to slow down and truly appreciate the uniqueness of this Gulf Island resort.

Looking to explore Salt Spring Island and have some activity time?

You don’t need to spend all your time at Cusheon Lake Resort. It would be a shame if you did.

Since everything on Salt Spring Island is conveniently located within 25 minutes, you can see and do most everything the island has to offer.

Go for an ocean kayak tour like we did with Salt Spring Adventure Company. Drive to the top of Mount Maxwell and stroll around the top with incredible panoramic views of your island paradise. Enjoy the famous Salt Spring Island market, or tantalize your tastebuds at Salt Spring Islands’ very own cheese works.

Feel like a hike? Explore the beautiful Ruckle Provincial Park or see if anyone is home on the popular “fairy door trail” hike.

Spend about a week on Salt Spring and that’ll be just enough time for you to take in the island at a nice island-time pace.

Embrace it. The island is calling.

How’s the busyness level in your life right now?

Maybe a Salt Spring Island vacation is just what you need. We’re happy to help with your travel plans! Comment below.

A quick video glimpse of a few of our family moments at Cusheon Lake Resort – 

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Cusheon Lake Resort

TripAdvisor Rating: #1 For Speciality Lodging On Salt Spring Island
Web: www.cusheonlake.com
Email: [email protected]
Toll Free: 1-866-899-0017
Rates & Specials

Google Map Directions To Cusheon Lake Resort 
171 Natalie Lane, Salt Spring Island, B.C.

While our visit to Cusheon Lake Resort was complimentary, you can rest assured that our thoughts, opinions, and findings are our own as always.