Surrounded by rugged peaks and glacier-fed lakes, Smithers is an alpine town in the Bulkley Valley that will steal your heart this winter. Its scenic slopes are the perfect backdrop for your next snowy adventure, whether it’s at the Hudson Bay Mountain Resort, the year-round Babine Mountains Park, or the Nordic trails at Canyon Creek and the Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre.

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. Visitors today can see remnants of the town’s railway past at heritage buildings like the 1918 train station and Central Park Building, constructed in 1925. As well, Tourism Smithers says that the area consists of abandoned mine shafts and ‘ghost town sites.’

Winter trails

Those who want to hit the slopes can check out over 300 acres of skiable terrain at the Hudon Bay Mountain Resort, situated just 20 minutes away from downtown Smithers. Or they can grab their gear and head to the Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre, which has 52 kilometres of groomed trails, according to the centre’s website. This includes five lit kilometres for night skiing, and 11 kilometres of dog-friendly trails.

Another great option (especially for families) is Canyon Creek, which has 22 kilometres of cross-country ski trails available for all ability levels. According to its website, snowshoers can explore the designated Snowshoe Lane.

Prefer to hit the ice? Residents of Smithers often clear skating paths when the conditions are right at Seymour Lake, Lake Kathlyn, and Tyhee Lake, according to Tourism Smithers.

Finally, visitors of Smithers can enjoy the magic of a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy landscape year-round, daytime or evening. Often, guests are treated to a campfire stop along the way!

So if all the snow in Vancouver has you ready to do some serious winter adventuring, you know where to head! It’s a trek and a half to get there, but the scenery is well worth it.

Smithers

How to get there: Drive 13 hours from Vancouver via the Cariboo Highway/BC-97 N and Yellowhead Highway W/BC-16 W

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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