Fly into Smithers for a powdery winter adventure

Jan 10, 2019

Fly in to a northern BC powder destination you never could have dreamed of. And we're partnering to bring you a contest to win your trip on the plane to pow! Read on to #SkiNorthBC #Playgroundofthenorth

Smithers, BC – First impressions are key. If the Northern B.C. community of Smithers were a person, I know it would be one of my best friends. Why? For one thing it has one of the highest concentrations of outdoor adventure stores – per capita – in the country and for another, as our new #SkiNorthBC friends describe it, it’s a place that is wrapped in "alpine everything."

“It’s like a little ski village,” says Austin Gray, a resident of Prince George who recently made his first adventure into Smithers. “The way the downtown looks, it could be a big resort like you find in southern B.C., except this is the town.”

Smithers has a very vibrant downtown core and all the while, Hudson Bay Mountain Resort watches over and is visible from almost every spot in town. The ski hill and the community are so connected, you can literally ski right off the mountain and into town via a four-kilometre connector trail.

Photo: Doc Pow

Hudson Bay Mountain Resort is home to 36 runs and acres of terrain.

“It’s great that I am here with my buddy, but I know I can never bring my wife here as we’d move to Smithers in a week. It’s just that rad of a town,” exclaimed Tom Nilsson, Gray's friend.

Watch Flying into Smithers is flying into winter adventure #SkiNorthBC on YouTube.

After spending time here, you start to realize just why so many outdoor enthusiasts call this place home. The 10,000 or so residents of the Bulkley Valley, who call themselves Smithereens, and their guests are treated to a daily buffet of peaks providing a 360-degree alpine feel. Just as Gray and Nilsson did stepping off the plane, you instantly start picking out your lines as the mountains really are that close.

“We’re under a $9 million upgrade to our airport and one of the key elements was to build these incredible mountain views into the terminal’s design,” explains Rob Blackburn, GM of the Smithers Airport.

Photo: Doc Pow

Smithers Airport is going through a $9-million transformation.

Head out into the wilds around Smithers to places like the Hankin-Evelyn Backcountry Ski Area, jump in a chopper and treat yourself to an over-the-top alpine adventure at the Burnie Glacier Chalet or click into the skinny skis and explore over 50kms of Nordic skiing via the Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre.

Peter Krause is a long-time local and founder (30 years ago) of McBike & Sport, located in the heart of alpine land and downtown Smithers. It’s Krause’s job to provide rental equipment, bike or ski sales to those who are looking to explore Smithers’ winter wilds.

“Our Nordic ski centre base is at one of the highest elevations in the country,” explains Krause, which translates into stellar snow conditions with great track setting and a view that will knock your socks off.

Photo: Doc Pow

The Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre is home to 52km of groomed trails, with beauty views.

Doc Pow’s Top Tips to Smithers

When you go, you’ll want to:

Book a local or a lesson program from Hudson Bay Mountain – the “Discover the Mountain” program will help you unlock the sizable amount of terrain the resort is home to.

Photo: Doc Pow

Plan to spend time here and bring your backcountry gear. The Hankin-Evelyn Backcountry Park is literally a non-lift serviced ski hill – runs cut and acres of gladed terrain, but you ‘gotta earn it. Outside Magazine has called the Hankin park a "North American marvel."

Photo: Doc Pow

The Nordic Centre includes 5km of night skiing and 10km of dog friendly trails.

Saddle up to the bar at places like Telly’s Grill, The Alpinehorn Bistro and Bar and the two-micro brewery’s – Smithers Brewing Co. and the Bulkley Valley Brewery. Introduce yourself and I promise you will walk away with new friends.
Watch for wildlife everywhere, check out this Facebook live with moose on the way up to the resort!