Smithers

Smithers is an alpine town in the North Coast-Nechako region of British Columbia. With a population of 5,350 residents (2016), Smithers is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding wilderness.

Understand

Smithers has adopted an alpine theme, which is drawn from the geography of the area. A town bylaw requires businesses in the downtown area centred on Main Street to construct their buildings in an alpine style. A fibreglass statue of a man blowing an alpine horn, commonly referred to as the Alpenman or Alpine Al, is located at the entrance to the main street and has become the town symbol. Similarly, the Smithers chamber of commerce displays an Alpine Al costume at community events and in television advertisements for the town's businesses.

Residents of Smithers are called "Smithereens" which remains a more popularly accepted demonym than the sometimes used "Smitherite".

Smithers Visitor Centre, 1411 Court Street, +1 250-847-5072. 2018-06-06

History

The Bulkley Valley in which Smithers is situated was inhabited by the Wet'suwet'en First Nation. Smithers was founded in 1913 as the regional headquarters for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The new community was named after the railway's chairman of the board of directors, Sir Alfred Smithers.

Climate

Winters are cold and cloudy but highly variable with a January average of −8.9 °C (16.0 °F). Snow is the main type of precipitation during winter. Warm spells can push temperatures above freezing during the winter months, while cold weather systems can reduce the temperature to less than −30 °C (−22 °F). The average annual snowfall is 204 cm (80.3 in) with maximum accumulations of snow tending to happen in February when the snow depth is around 36 centimetres (14.2 in) and there are many months when the snow depth reaches or surpasses 20 cm (7.9 in). Summers are warm with a normal highs of just below 30 °C (86 °F) and an extreme high of 38.5 °C (101.3 °F). Nighttime temperatures are often cool with normal nighttime lows under 10 °C (50 °F). Depending on the year there may be very little or a lot of precipitation. Spring and fall are short transition seasons. Smithers receives an average of 513 mm (20 in) of precipitation a year with February through April being the driest months. Smithers receives 1651 hours of bright sunshine a year, ranging from a minimum of 13% of possible sunshine in December to a maximum of 48% of possible sunshine in August.

Get in

By car

Smithers is approximately halfway between Prince George and Prince Rupert. The town is 68 km (42 mi) east of New Hazelton, on Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway), and 370 km (229 mi) west of Prince George.

By bus

BC Bus North, +1-844-564-7494. Twice per week bus service between Prince George and Prince Rupert with stops in Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers, New Hazelton, Kitwanga, and Terrace, and Port Edward. Travel time to Smithers from Prince George is 6 hours, from Prince Rupert is 4.75 hours, from Terrace is 2.75 hours, and from Vanderhoof is 4.25 hours. Fare is $40 to $65, depending on distance 2021-04-25

By train

VIA Rail Canada. Operates a route between Jasper and Prince Rupert with stops in McBride, Prince George, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers, New Hazelton, Kitwanga, and Terrace. The train travels during the daytime, taking two days in each direction. There is an overnight stop in Prince George, where passengers will need to book sleeping accommodations. Travel time to Prince George from Jasper is 7.5 hours. Travel time to Smithers from Prince George is 6.25 hours, from Vanderhoof is 4.25 hours, from Burns Lake is 2.25 hours, from Terrace is 3.75 hours, and from Prince Rupert is 6.25 hours. Jasper is also a stop for The Canadian, which travels between Vancouver and Toronto. 2022-04-01

By plane

Airport

Smithers Airport (IATA: YYD), 54.8253°, -127.183°.

Airlines

Air Canada, +1-514-393-3333. Canada's largest airline with hubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. It operates across Canada and services international destinations. 2022-04-25 Operates flights to Smithers from Vancouver (1.5 hours).

Get around

The only taxi service in Smithers ceased operating on January 31, 2020.

By public transit

BC Transit (Smithers Regional Transit System), +1-250-847-4993. Operates two local bus routes connecting to nearby communities on Highway 16. 2022-04-01
BC Transit (Bulkley Nechako Regional Transit System). BC Transit operates bus route 161 from Prince George to Burns Lake with stops in Vanderhoof, running Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and bus route 162 from Burns Lake to Smithers running Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. Going between Prince George and Smithers requires an overnight stay at Burns Lake. 2018-07-14
BC Transit (Hazeltons Transit System), +1-250-842-2134. Operates a bus route three days per week between Smithers and Kispiox via New Hazelton. On three other days per week, operates a bus route between Terrace and Kispiox via New Hazelton and Kitwanga. 2018-07-14

See

Bulkley Valley Museum, 1425 Main Street, +1 250-847-5322. Summer: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-4PM. A collection of artifacts and archival materials which explores the social and technological development of the Bulkley Valley, including the Aboriginal communities and European settlers. By donation 2018-06-06

Do

Hudson Bay Mountain. First-class ski slopes. In summer, there is horseback riding and hiking, including hikes to Twin Falls and the glacier (the "Glacier Gulch" trail (dead link: December 2020)).
Crater Lake. A good hike passing through beautiful scenery, with views of the Telkwa Mountains.
Twin Falls and Glacier Gulch Trails, Highway 16 West. The walk up to Twin Falls is a few hundred meters, mostly uphill. The trail is wide and well packed down. There used to be a viewing platform, but it was wiped out by an avalanche in 2018. You can see three sets of waterfalls that all drain into the same waterway and end up in Lake Kathlyn below. A long and steep hike will take you to the toe of the glacier -- best suited to experienced hikers. In the winter you can hike to views of frozen waterfalls. Once it is frozen enough and you have enough snow you can hike up towards the falls but you must be aware of what's above you as you are now in avalanche territory. 2018-06-06
Smithers Golf and Country Club, Scotia St, +1-250-847-5950.
Riverside Golf Course and RV Park, 575 Hwy 16 E, +1-250-847-3229.
Spearfishing along the Bulkley River or the nearby lakes

Buy

Eat

Trackside Cantina, 3815 Railway Avenue, +1 250-847-3363. Tu-Sa 11AM-3PM, 5PM-9PM. Mexican. 2018-06-06
Telly's Grill, 3843 Fourth Ave, +1 250-847-0017. M 4:30PM- 9PM, Tu-Th 4:30PM- 9:30PM, F- Sa 4:30PM-10PM. Greek. 2018-06-06
Louise's Kitchen, 1283 Main St, +1 250-847-2547. M-F 7AM-3PM. Ukrainian comfort food in a renovated space. Fresh homemade soups and sandwiches, and pie made by Louise. 2018-06-06

Drink

Sleep

Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge, 3251 East Highway 16, +1 250-847-4581, Smithers@PrestigeHotels.ca. You can borrow free bikes, sporting equipment, board games and beach toys. Mediterranean restaurant, lounge, sports bar, free WiFi. From $145 2018-06-06
Stork Nest Inn. Full menu breakfast included with room, air conditioned, fridges in most rooms, cable TV, free high speed wireless internet, massage studio, fishing wader and ski storage room, free coffee and tea. Nov-Apr: single $99, double $105, twin $110; May-Oct: single $105, double $120, twin $120; 2018-06-06
Smithers Guesthouse, 1766 Main Street, +1 250-847-4862. 5 guestrooms plus a common kitchen with stove, refrigerator, oven and microwave and a common living/lounge area with satellite TV, DVD player, library and gas fireplace. Guest laundry and ski/sporting equipment storage area is also available. Sundeck and hot tub. Stays are available with or without breakfast. Single $65-70, doubles $70-75 2018-06-06

Go next

Prince George, 4 hour and 15 minutes east on Highway 16
Terrace, 2 hour and 20 minutes west on Highway 16

Smithers - town in British Columbia, Canada