Skiing at Hudson Bay Mountain Resort in Smithers feels like coming home

"Michele lived here 20 years ago. Now, being back this winter, she walks the streets of Smithers and routinely bumps into old friends who never left," explains new Smithers resident Brett Brady about his girlfriend's present situation.

Hudson Bay Mountain Resort, about 30 mins outside of downtown Smithers, literally sits at the end of Main Street, so much so it's hard not to comment on its presence every single day. 

Living under Smithers' alpen glow 

"The sheer beauty of this place is what brought me back," says Michele, describing her new reality. "It's a constant sense of awe here in Smithers; you wake up and look out to see if mountain is pink from the alpine glow of the morning sunrise and then all you do all day is talk about how beautiful it looks. 

"You don't even have to be up in it, you could be looking out while paying for hardware and still be left with that feeling of being in a very special place."

Smithers is a ski town, as Johnson explained to me over a beverage at one of Smithers two microbreweries (in a town of about 5,400 people). 

"Everyone is here for the reason of being and playing in these mountains. Hudson Bay and other mountain ranges are so accessible, so you end up being surrounded by people who love these mountains and an endless set of contacts who are ready to go on any adventure, anytime." 

Ski from resort to town 

The connection between Hudson Bay Mountain and the ski hill is undeniable: take Jo's Trial and you will literally ski off the mountain and into town!

Hop a cab over to Smithers Brewing or the Bulkley Valley Brewery where you can wax your skis or board through après. 

How it all started 

"To get Hudson Bay going, the community basically passed the cap around and made it happen," explains Smithers' Mayor Gladys Atrill. 

"This also saw one of the doctors re-mortgage his house to find the last bit of funding to make it all happen."

The mountain itself is made up by three lifts that get you up into an alpine that is truly unique, looking down into Smithers. 

"The weather here is very consistent, unlike other ski resorts I have experienced, where one day could be great but the next iced over or otherwise," explains born and raised Smithereen Ben Hallman. 

His girlfriend Sarah Belford is so inspired by her soundings, she's made her life's work documenting the awe through painting and photography.

Between mountain and town, there are a lot of people who have found that sense of home here in Smithers. See for yourself, make a ski trip to Smithers and you may end up experiencing a homecoming.

When you go

There is no wally-mart in Smithers, instead you will find a bustling and vibrant downtown full of unique mom & pop shops, so be sure to spend some time shopping and exploring.

Score locals' tips on making the most of your next Smithers adventure on the slopes of Hudson Bay Mountain Resort, through this past #skinorthbc feature.

How to get to Smithers

• fly in:  Air Canada makes daily flights into the Smithers Airport out of Vancouver
• drive: Highway 16 from Prince George (about a four-hour drive)

Where to stay  the friends at Tourism Smithers and the towns accommodators have made this easy, packaging up a place to stay with a lift ticket or two at Hudson Bay Mountain Resort.

Apres  when up at the Resort, don't miss a stop in at their Whiskey Jack's Lounge, where ideally you are catching a live band, and refuel through some of their signature pulled pork dishes including delicious pizza and the pig-inspired poutine.

Get in on a SCABS night i.e. cribbage and beers @smithersbrewing every first Tuesday of the month.