Categories: Travel

This small alpine town in BC has access to 52 km of cross-country ski trails

Photo via Stefan Schug / Shutterstock

Looking for another winter road trip to take in BC this season? The alpine town of Smithers is definitely worth the trek, especially if you’re a winter sports enthusiast.

Home to the stunning slopes of Hudson Bay Mountain and over 50 km of cross-country ski trails in the Bulkley Valley, Smithers has plenty of options when it comes to winter adventuring.

Town history

The traditional territory of the Witsuwit’en, the Bulkley Valley was once a destination for fur trappers and traders from Europe in the mid-19th century, who settled in what would later become the town of Smithers.

In 1913, the Town of Smithers was officially created to extend travel and trade routes from Ottawa, and quickly became a regional centre. In fact, visitors can see remnants of the town’s railway past through heritage buildings like the 1918 train station and the 1925 Central Park Building.

Today, the town contains abandoned mine shafts, ghost town sites, hiking trails that were once mining roads, and more – according to Tourism Smithers.

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Skiing and snowboarding

Visitors who want to hit the slopes can check out over 300 acres of skiable terrain at the Hudson Bay Mountain Resort, which is situated just 20 minutes from downtown Smithers. Here, skiers will find tons of downhill, backcountry, cat-skiing, heli-skiing, and cross-country skiing options.

As well, visitors can explore everything from frozen lakes to groomed, lit ski trails in the Bulkley Valley. According to the Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre, there are 52 km of groomed trails to explore, 5 of which are lit for night skiing, and 11 of which are dog-friendly.

So there you have it, BC! If you’re craving an outdoor winter adventure, you’ll know where to find it.