THERE’S SO MUCH TO HIKE · THERE’S SO MUCH TO SEE · THERE’S SO MUCH TO SHOP · THERE’S SO MUCH TO EXPLORE · SMITHERSbritish columbia, canada OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE www.TourismSmithers.com THERE’S SO MUCH TO HIKE · THERE’S SO MUCH TO SMITHERS · THERE’S SO MUCH TO SHOP · THERE’S SO MUCH TO EXPL SMITHERS’ only FULL SERVICE HOTEL discover the difference ZOER’S MODERN GRILL & LOUNGE · FIRESIDE PUB Relax and enjoy Smithers with the hospitality of the Hudson Bay Lodge. Take in the spectacular view of Hudson Bay Mountain from one of our spacious rooms or relish the comfort of one of our King suites, each with its own electric Å replace. Zoer’s Modern Grill & Lounge is the perfect place for a family meal or a business lunch. Care to try a more casual atmosphere with friends or colleagues? You’ll love the Fireside Pub, where you can watch the sporting events while enjoying one of our many drink specials. MEETING & BANQUET FACILITIES · LODGE LIQUOR STORE AIRPORT SHUTTLE · BUSINESS & FITNESS FACILITIES Toll-free reservation line 1.800.663.5040 www.HudsonBayLodge.com 3251 East Highway 16, Smithers HBL 2419c (Smithers Visitor Guide).indd 1 3/12/2010 12:15:11 PM RE · THERE’S SO MUCH TO GOLF · THERE’S SO MUCH TO FISH · THERE’S SO MUCH TO DISCOVER · THERE’S SO MUCH TO CLIMB CONTENTS there’s so much to smithers! 2 PARADISE FOUND 4 THE POWER OF A PLACE 6 FILL YOUR SOUL, AND YOUR CUP 8 WINTER MAGIC 10 GONE FISHIN’ 12 THRILLS ON TWO WHEELS 13 SMITHERS MAP 14 TELKWA HIGH ROAD CIRCLE TOUR 15 1, 2, 3, FORE! COVER PHOTO 16 TELKWA MAP High above Silver King Basin in the Babine Mountains 18 THE VILLAGE OF TELKWA Provincial Park, a hiker 21 MORICETOWN stops to take in the vista. Numerous trails (many 22 THINGS TO DO start only 30 minutes from Smithers) provide access 24 VISITOR AMENITIES into Silver King Basin and other spectacular areas of the park. For overnight stays, many hikers take advantage The Smithers & Area Visitor Guide is a publication of the Smithers Tourism Advisory Committee of the Joe L’Orsa cabin. Design & print production: Bulkley Valley Printers (Smithers) This document is available electronically (PDF) from www.TourismSmithers.com Photo by Ryan Jensen Contents © 2011 Town of Smithers. All information was accurate at time of printing. Inset photo: Smithers Main Street PRINTED IN CANADA VISITOR INFORMATION There’s no better place to start your planning or your visit than the Smithers Visitor Centre. This resource centre can assist visitors with: • local, regional and provincial visitor information • trip planning SmithersSm Prince & TelkwaT • accommodations and restaurants Rupert Prince • BC Ferries reservations George GREAT NORTHERN • hunting, fi shing and guiding information Jasper (AB) • maps (road maps, backcountry maps, forest service maps) • souvenirs (clothing, postcards, pins, stamps, First Nations art) Port Hardy • wireless internet Vancouver FOLLOW THE HIGHWAY SIGNAGE TO Circle Routes HERITAGE DISCOVERY 1411 COURT STREET, SMITHERS (SEE MAP PAGE 16) Victoria Our area is featured on two provincial ‘circle routes’— TOLL-FREE 1.800.542.6673 Heritage Discovery and Great Northern. For printable route LOCAL 250.847.5072 maps and details, visit: www.tourismsmithers.com www.th.gov.bc.ca/Circle_Routes/circle_routes_home.htm www.TourismSmithers.com Smithers, British Columbia, Canada { 1 } THERE’S SO MUCH TO HIKE · THERE’S SO MUCH TO SMITHERS · THERE’S SO MUCH TO SHOP · THERE’S SO MUCH TO EXPL PARADISE FOUND THE ANNUAL FALL FAIR THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE BULKLEY RIVER TOM GRASMEYER MAINCURRENT RAFTING FILL UP YOUR SPIRIT. WEAR OUT YOUR CAMERA. WILDFLOWERS ON THE TRAIL TO CRATER LAKE SMITHERS MAIN STREET TOM GRASMEYER TOM GRASMEYER { 2 } Smithers, British Columbia, Canada www.TourismSmithers.com RE · THERE’S SO MUCH TO GOLF · THERE’S SO MUCH TO FISH · THERE’S SO MUCH TO DISCOVER · THERE’S SO MUCH TO CLIMB frame your memories in our mountains SMITHERS IS KNOWN FOR ITS EMERALD RIVERS, fair and other community events make Smithers a year- round cultural destination (see page 6). Annual carnivals, EXPANSIVE PARKS, BLUE LAKES, ANCIENT GLACIERS, exhibitions, concerts, tournaments and festivals mark out CHARMING MAIN STREET AND PULSING ART SCENE. the seasons in Smithers (see page 22). A thousand words around every corner—You’ll be taking THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO a lot of pictures here. That’s only natural, since the beauty Going up, going down—Mountains give you only two of the place might leave you speechless. We’re surrounded directions of travel. Thanks to this, we’ve become something by mountain ranges, lush and diverse forest ecosystems, and of a haven for bikers, skiers, snowboarders, hikers, climbers, vistas around every bend. mountaineers, and all kinds of other up-and-down sports. Life’s a beach—Families love our lakes and beaches. Pedal power—If mountain biking is your thrill of Tyhee Lake Provincial Park, near Telkwa, has a large sandy choice, you’ll love the extensive trail network that is so beach with a swimming area, playground, boat launch and near to Smithers. Check out the Smithers Mountainbike boaters’ beach. With fi repits, walking trails, tables and hot Association’s website (www.smithersmountainbike.ca) and showers, it’s a great place to camp and enjoy waterskiing, see page 12 in this publication. If you’re looking for a more wakeboarding, sailing, fi shing and other activities. Lake subdued family ride, try the Smithers Perimeter trail. It’s an Kathlyn, just outside of Smithers, is a favourite for canoeing, easy ride or walk that takes you right around Smithers in a sailing, swimming and playing. 13-kilometre loop trail—do part or all of it. We’re not alone—We share this natural environment with Paddle power—From whitewater to fl atwater, Smithers important neighbours. If you look in the right places, you’ll abounds with opportunities to whet your paddle passion. have a chance of seeing black and grizzly bears, moose, World-class paddling and rafting rivers surround us. Back- deer, elk, beavers, mountain goats, marmots, and birds country canoe trips through lake and river chains are ready too numerous to list. Hunters love the vast and productive for your discovery. environment around Smithers. Hook and sinker—Around here, where there is water THERE’S SO MUCH TO PLAN there are fi sh. The fi shing here is legendary. It’s not without Do you need help in planning your visit? Have a look reason that we’re the fi shing destination of choice for people through this publication and visit www.tourismsmithers.com from around the world. The Bulkley, Suskwa, Morice, or call our Visitor Centre at 1.800.542.6673. When you come Babine and Kispiox rivers offer nearly year-round fi shing to Smithers, you’ll be in for something special. opportunities and nearby lakes rarely disappoint even the most casual fi shers. See page 10. Play it where it lands—You have two choices for golf in NORTHERN Smithers: a championship course and a par-3. Both offer RV books parking, clubhouses and golfi ng opportunities that you may IN THE LAND OF THE RED GOAT decide ought to be repeated and enjoyed over a few days. From an Ontario private school to the See page 17. headwaters of the Stikine River, Bob Henderson recounts his conversion from THERE’S SO MUCH TO SEE privilege to pack saddles in BC’s rugged Artistic licence—We’re a creative place. Coffeehouses, art Spatsizi country. Discover the beauty of galleries, music festivals, performing arts, the annual fall the backcountry and the people who have made it their home. Spatsizi Wilderness Vacations SmithersSmithers is youryour gateway...gateway... · Fly-inFly-in cabincabin rentalsrentals · GGuideduided wwildernessilderness tourstours in SpatsiziSpatsizi ParkPark 40 Years of Excellence In Adventure Travel www.spatsizi.com | (866) 847.9692 www.TourismSmithers.comCLNGWD 2419c (Smithers Vis Guide ad).indd 1 Smithers, British Columbia, Canada 23/11/2010 3:33:34 {PM 3 } THERE’S SO MUCH TO HIKE · THERE’S SO MUCH TO SMITHERS · THERE’S SO MUCH TO SHOP · THERE’S SO MUCH TO EXPL THE POWER J. MASON ADAMS DRUGSTORE (CORNER OF 2ND AVE AND MAIN ST). TODAY THE BUILDING IS HOME TO A MEDICAL CLINIC AND PHARMACY. PHOTO: KILLAM, PROVIDED BY BULKLEY VALLEY MUSEUM PIONEERS, RAILWAYS, ANCIENT SALMON, A LOST AMERICAN NUCLEAR WARHEAD…SMITHERS HAS A LOT OF STORIES TO TELL. OLD MINING EQUIPMENT IN THE BABINE MOUNTAINS, MAIN STREET (LEFT) AND THE GTPR ROUNDHOUSE TESTIMONY TO THE AREA’S MINING HISTORY PROVIDED BY BULKLEY VALLEY MUSEUM RYAN JENSEN { 4 } Smithers, British Columbia, Canada www.TourismSmithers.com RE · THERE’S SO MUCH TO GOLF · THERE’S SO MUCH TO FISH · THERE’S SO MUCH TO DISCOVER · THERE’S SO MUCH TO CLIMB OF A PLACE you’ll love this place for the stories it tells HUMAN HISTORY IN THE BULKLEY VALLEY create an impressive and colourful human backdrop to the development of Smithers. Peavine Harvey pioneered in BEGINS WITH THE WET’SUWET’EN PEOPLE, WHO the “Driftwood Canyon” area, today a provincial park and HAVE CALLED THIS PLACE HOME SINCE TIME the site of one of British Columbia’s most important fossil beds. In fact, Driftwood Canyon is the site of the earliest IMMEMORIAL. known salmonid fossil, Eosalmo driftwoodensis. Driftwood The Wet’suwet’en, members of the Carrier language Creek, which runs through the provincial park, continues group, lived on and administered land throughout the to demarcate two Wet’suwet’en house territories. Visit Bulkley Valley and vast areas beyond it. The most important Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park to fi nd out more about the Wet’suwet’en settlement was, and continues to be, Kyah history witnessed by these mountains.