2015 Northern British Columbia Travel Guide by Northern BC Tourism

northern british columbia Travel guide 2015

N O R T H E R N B C T O U R I S M.C O M

#exploreBC

Share your BC experiences “Super, Natural British Columbia” and “Super, Natural” are trade-marks of Destination BC Corp. Twitter bird design mark is a registered trade-mark of Twitter Inc. Instagram Camera logo is a trade-mark of Instagram, LLC in the United States and elsewhere.

Iskut, B.C. – Tim Swanky

CONTENTS 04

NORTHERN BC INTRODUCTION

NORTHEAST BC BRITISH COLUMBIA

NORTHWEST BC BRITISH COLUMBIA

PUBLISHER: Northern British Columbia Tourism Association Project Manager: Clint Fraser

Haida Gwaii Museum, Skidegate - Sian James

DESIGN / LAYOUT:

48 NORTHERN BC MAP

Concept Design Ltd. Suite 201 - 1389 Third Avenue Prince George, B.C. Canada V2L 3E8 Telephone: 250-564-1309 www.conceptdesign.ca

PUBLISHED FOR: Northern British Columbia Tourism Association 1274 5th Avenue Prince George, B.C. V2L 3L2 Telephone: 250-561-0432 Email: info@NBCtourism.com

Prince Rupert, B.C. - J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

PRINTED IN CANADA FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION

HAIDA GWAII BRITISH COLUMBIA

TRAVEL TIPS THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

CHECK OUT

Cover Photo:

Grizzly Bear – Ian McAllister

Northern British Columbia Mountain Goat, Dawson Creek - Simon Ratcliffe

FOR ACCOMMODATION RESER VATIONS AND TRAVEL IDEAS VISIT

www.HelloBC.com

on Facebook.com/NorthernBC or follow us on Twitter: @TourismBCNorth

WWW.NORTHERNBCTOURISM.COM

©2015 - Northern British Columbia Tourism Association (the”Region”). All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. This Guide does not constitute, and should not be construed as, an endorsement or recommendation of any carrier, hotel, restaurant or any other facility, attraction or activity in British Columbia, for which neither Destination BC Corp. nor the Region assumes any responsibility. Super, Natural British Columbia®, Hello BC®, Visitor Centre and all associated logos/trade-marks are trade-marks or Official Marks of Destination BC Corp. Admission fees and other terms and conditions may apply to attractions and facilities referenced in this Guide. Errors and omissions excepted.

REGIONS NORTH OF THE

With 500,000 square kilometers of astonishingly diverse geography, northern B.C. boasts recreation and wildlife-viewing opportunities year-round. More than 60 provincial, national and marine parks and wildlife refuges offer access to unique ecosystems and priceless cultural heritage treasures. Of course, the tone of any place is set by its people. Fewer than 500,000 residents make northern B.C. one of the least densely populated places in North America. But those who do call it home are as passionate about the recreational assets in their backyards as they are about its vibrant culture and colorful past — and eager to share it with you. Experience the friendly hospitality of northern British Columbians, and you’ll be back again and again.

NORTHWEST

SECTION 01

Traveling from Vanderhoof north up to Atlin, then back to Terrace and out to Prince Rupert.

SECTION 03

Muncho Lake – Albert Normandin

Khutzeymateen – Doug Davis

Skidegate – Sian James

NORTHEAST

Traveling from Prince George east to Tete Jaune Cache and north to the Yukon border.

SECTION 02

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

HAIDA GWAII

Traveling from your arrival at Sandspit and moving up island to Masset and Old Massett.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

INTRODUCTION: NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA

British Columbia CANADA

HOW THIS GUIDE WORKS: For ease of use, this guide is divided into sections that roughly parallel major travel routes.

01 Prince George

Prince George, and points east and north, are described in the section titled: 01 NORTHEAST BRITISH COLUMBIA. B.C. points west and northwest of Prince George are described in the section titled: 02 NORTHWEST BRITISH COLUMBIA. 03 HAIDA GWAII / QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS are described in a third section of the same name. Each section is also identified by a corresponding colour.

SNAP IT & WATCH! In this guide look for codes like this and scan them with your smartphone for exclusive content. To read the code you will need a code reader application. Get one at http://gettag.mobi

“IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR PRISTINE NATURAL BEAUTY, RICH HISTORY, FASCINATING ABORIGINAL CULTURE AND GENUINE PEOPLE, YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE: NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HAS IT ALL.”

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

01 Ancient Forest - Northeast, B.C. – Northern BC Tourism

Kiskatinaw Bridge - near Dawson Creek, B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

SECTION 01

NORTHEAST BC

Muncho Lake, - Northeast, B.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Albert Normandin

WELCOME TO NORTHEAST BC To watch videos on your smartphone scan this code.

NORTHEAST B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Take time in Prince George to learn about characters who have shaped the north’s fascinating history — by visiting the galleries and museums that tell stories about northern B.C. First Nations, explorers, fur-traders, gold-seekers, pioneers, railroaders and lumberjacks. Glimpse its future, too, by visiting one of Canada’s most distinguished small universities — the University of Northern B.C. and the new Wood Innovation and Design Centre. If you head north from Prince George on Highway 97, you’ll discover the youthful, entrepreneurial heart of northeastern B.C. Feel its dynamism, expressed in industries such as mining, oil and gas; in engineering wonders like the WAC Bennett Dam (In most years, it produces about one-quarter of the electricity consumed by BC Hydro’s domestic customers); and in communities like Fort St. John — one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills, thick forests and fertile valleys cut by winding rivers and sparkling waterfalls. Its resource wealth is paralleled by equally resourceful people. Potent examples are found in towns like Tumbler Ridge, southeast of Chetwynd on Highway 29. After

making discoveries of dinosaur tracks, fossils and bones, this mining town recast itself as a compelling visitor attraction and centre for palaeontological research. Dino-seeking visitors can’t help resist visiting Kinuseo Falls, whose thunderous height surpasses

Dawson Creek, B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

Niagara Falls, and the new UNESCO - supported Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark only the second such park in North America. Continue north to reach the aweinspiring Alaska Highway, driving through some of North America’s most scarcely populated territory, and you’ll come to understand why this route is so often identified with adventure. To really appreciate this feat of civic engineering and its

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

strategic role in U.S. military history, visit Alaska Highway-related attractions in Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson. The Alaska Highway also offers access to some of B.C.’s best kept secrets: Mesozoic-Era marine fossils and rare arctic butterflies in Pink Mountain Provincial Park. Riotous wildflowers in the alpine meadows of Stone Mountain Provincial Park. Stone’s sheep, and jade-green waters, of Muncho Lake Provincial Park. Everyone who journeys the remote Alaska Highway should reward themselves, at least once, with a visit to Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park. Although popular in summer, the springs are truly resplendent on frosty winter days. One restorative dip in this steaming oasis, and you’ll see why their mineralized pools and diverse flora have drawn human visitors for millennia. Travel east of Prince George on Highway 16, and arrive in the Robson Valley — the western slope of the Rocky Mountains and the birthplace of the mighty Fraser River. Communities like Dunster and McBride offer excellent bases for outdoor adventurers exploring by foot, ski, jet boat or snowmobile.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

SE C TI ON 0 1

YOUR NORTHERN B.C. TOUR WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY INCLUDE A STOP IN PRINCE GEORGE, B.C.’S UNOFFICIAL NORTHERN CAPITAL CITY AND AN IMPORTANT TRANSPORTATION HUB.

Top row: Liard River Hot Springs – Simon Ratcliffe / Dawson Creek Airport – Peace Photographics Inc. / WAC Bennett Dam – Simon Ratcliffe Middle row: Canoeing Muncho Lake – Albert Normandin / Bison – Simon Ratcliffe Bottom row: Mile O Cairn, Dawson Creek – Simon Ratcliffe / Dawson Creek Rodeo – Simon Ratcliffe / Fly-fishing – Clint Fraser

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

N O R T HE AST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

NORTHEAST BC – Continued… From here, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies beckons from the provincial park of the same name: Mount Robson. Considered a crown jewel among the world’s parks, Mount Robson offers experiences for every taste — from vehicleaccessible camping to pristine locales that humans rarely see. Winter brings a whole new slate of recreation opportunities to northeastern B.C. Heli-ski east of Prince George, or crosscountry ski on groomed trails just minutes from downtown. Snowmobile on 300 kilometers of glorious trails near Tumbler Ridge, and skate on free, outdoor rinks found at many northeastern B.C. lakes and townsites. Some winter activities are unique: try a round of snow-golf at Fort St. John’s High on Ice carnival. Bundle up, and get swept up by the infectious enthusiasm of howling dog teams at sled dog races which have drawn international competitors to Fort Nelson for almost 50 years. Whichever season or direction you travel, you’ll meet friendly northeastern British Columbians who are as passionate about play as they are work — and as you discover their backyard, you’ll understand why.

Kinuseo Falls – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

Sandman Hotels, Inns & Suites: Prince George | McBride | Terrace | Smithers Sandman Signature Hotels & Resorts: Prince George

1 800 SANDMAN (726 3626) sandmanhotelgroup.com

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Fort George Park – Alex Zander Photography

Two Rivers Art Gallery – A Golden Raven Experience

PRINCE GEORGE Near the geographical heart of B.C., Prince George has a solid claim to the title of B.C.’s northern capital. Located at the convergence of Highways 97 and 16, north/south and east/ west-bound railways, and the Nechako and Fraser Rivers, it is a major hub of transport, commerce, services and culture. The region was first inhabited by the Lheidli T’enneh, a

some places do have it all... aren’t you glad you know about this one

Here in the Northern Gateway of Prince George, we’re known for our hospitality — and few places can match the warm welcome you’ll feel when you stay at the Coast Inn of the North. We get a thrill out of making sure you have every comfort and enjoy your stay to the utmost.

amenities Shogun Teppan Restaurant The Coffee Garden Winston’s Lounge

Pet-friendly rooms

Complimentary Wi-Fi

24-hour room service Prince George Farmers Market – Roman Muntener

local gems Local hiking

Beautiful scenery and parks

Mountain biking

Heli-skiing, skiing and snowmobiling

reservations coasthotels.com 800.663.1144

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Downtown Prince George, BC – J.F. Bergeron – Enviro Foto

Carrier-speaking First Nation. Their first contact with European colonizers may have been 1793, when Scottish explorer Alexander Mackenzie canoed past what is now Prince George. But it was fur trader Simon Fraser, in 1807, who built a fur trading outpost on the group’s traditional territory and named it Fort George, in honour of King George III.

Hart lake – Clint Fraser

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Prince George – Northern BC Tourism

central British columbia railway & Forestry museum Prince George www.pgrfm.bc.ca huble homestead historic site Prince George www.hublehomestead.ca mackenzie & District museum Mackenzie www.mackenziemuseum.ca

Discover North ceNtral Bc’s Premier

museums, galleries & cultural attractions.

Barkerville historic town Barkerville www.barkerville.ca Fort st. James National historic site Fort St. James www.pc.gc.ca/stjames valemount museum Valemount www.valemountmuseum.ca valley museum & archives McBride www.valleymuseum.ca Whistle stop Gallery McBride www.whistlestopgallery.org the exploration Place museum & science centre Prince George www.theexplorationplace.com two rivers Gallery Prince George www.tworiversartgallery.com

A GOLDEN RAVEN EXPERIENCE ARTS | CULTURE | HERITAGE For money-saving coupons, upcoming events, and more, visit…

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

www.goldenraven.ca

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTH EAST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

PRINCE GEORGE – Continued… The post remained comparatively isolated until 1903, when plans for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (later CN Rail) began to fuel land speculation and agricultural settlement. In 1915, the city of Prince George was incorporated, and is named after the fourth son of King George V. Prince George struggled over the difficult years of the Great War, a Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918, and the Great Depression, but its economy sprang to life in World War II, when a new army camp of 6,000 soldiers bolstered demand for services. As post-war reconstruction efforts fuelled a growing international demand for lumber, Prince George’s forest industry took root. In 1981, it was the second largest city in B.C. Despite changes wrought by forest industry consolidation, globalization and B.C.’s mountain pine beetle epidemic, wood remains one of the city’s primary economic drivers. Prince George continues to bloom in other respects. Its active, sport-loving citizens are enthusiastic supporters of the Western Hockey League Prince George Cougars and the BCHL Prince George Spruce Kings. The city regularly hosts high-profile athletic events, such as the 2012 World Baseball Challenge and the 2007 Royal Bank Cup National Junior A Hockey Championships. Prince George is hosting the Canada Winter Games in February 2015.

A variety of floor plans and features to choose from such as: • One & two bedroom suites • Balconies • Gas fireplaces • Hospitality suites • Beautiful hardwood floors • Exclusive “Comfort Bed” • State-of-the-art Fitness Centre • Deep soaker jacuzzi tubs • Ergonomic desk & chairs • Free high speed internet • Pool & Hot Tub • 32” LCD/HDTV • Vaulted ceilings • Our in-house services include the Blackwater Restaurant & Lounge, Room Service, the Willow Room for meetings and gatherings for up to 60 persons, catering & much more.

1790 Hwy 97 South, Prince George, BC

1-800-325-3535 Central British Columbia Railway & Forestry Museum – A Golden Raven Experience

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

fourpointsprincegeorge.com

We’ll make your stay one of the best hotel experiences ever.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

N O R T HE AST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Ethnic restaurants, specialty stores, and diverse cultural activities cater to increasingly cosmopolitan tastes of Prince Georgians. Convenient air links and the shooting of several productions have made Prince George increasingly attractive to film crews. The vibrant University of Northern B.C., Canada’s Green University is celebrating its 25th year in 2015. This researched-focused academic powerhouse is consistently recognized as one of Canada’s top-ranked small universities, and it has recently claimed space in the new Wood Innovation and Design Centre, a six-storey wood frame building.

What to see and do in Prince George

Get your art fix at the Two Rivers Gallery, which offers an ever-changing selection of top-quality works by local, regional and national artists. Source the gallery’s gift store, and downtown shops for quality crafts and high-end creative gifts.

View one of the largest vintage rail collections in B.C., at the Central British Columbia Railway & Forestry Museum on River Road. Artifacts date from 1899, and include buildings, locomotives, rail cars and artifacts from the steam and diesel railway eras, as well as vintage logging, mining and agricultural machinery. Inquire about special events hosted year-round.

Ancient Forest – Simon Ratcliffe

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5 Client: File:

Tourism Price George TPG_0038_NBCTravelGuide_HP_Ad.indd

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Huble Homestead – A Golden Raven Experience

Step back in time at the Huble Homestead, 40 km (25 mi) north of town off Highway 97. This living heritage site includes a restored turn-of-the- century homestead, general store and trading post, blacksmith shop, post office and First Nations fish camp. Walk the Giscome Portage, an 8.5 km (5 mi) trail that originates at the homestead and crosses the Continental Divide. Originally used by the Carrier people, it was later made into a wagon road to accommodate Gold Rush- era traffic.

Enjoy live entertainment, home-baked goods, local crafts and organic produce at the Farmers’ Market, Saturday mornings, year round (at 1074 - 6th Avenue.)

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

University of Northern British Columbia – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

PRINCE GEORGE – Continued…

Stimulate your brain at Exploration Place Science Centre and Museum, located in Fort George Park. Full- sized dinosaur models, 70-million-year old fossils, a wide ranging selection of live critters, hands-on games for kids, First Nations artifacts, an operable Nickelodeon player piano, an authentic jail cell, an interactive sports machine that tests your abilities at five sports — these are just some of the experiences that await.

HARTWAY RV PARK / BED & BREAKFAST

Hwy 97 North, 7729 Kelly Rd South, Prince George, BC P: 250.962.8848 TF: 866.962.8848 W: hartwaybedandbreakfast.ca

• Open Year Round • Well treed or open sunny sites

• Antique Shop • 6 miles from Downtown • Close to Golfing, Drive In Movies, Shopping, Race • Flower Gardens Tracks • Fire Pits

Visit a park! Enjoy Shane Lake, and 15 km (9 mi) of trails at Prince George’s largest park: Forests For The World. Delight in lush flower gardens and a panoramic view from Connaught Hill Park, behind the downtown public library. Take a ride on the narrow-gauge steam train on summer weekends and holidays. Catch live entertainment, bring the kids to the Rotary water- spray playground. From here, you can walk, bike or blade the Heritage River Trail, which follows the Fraser and Nechako Rivers, to Cottonwood Island Park.

Embrace Prince George winters — on groomed cross- country ski trails convenient to downtown, three nearby ski hills and enough indoor and outdoor ice to keep skaters, curlers and hockey players moving!

Take in a musical masterpiece, performed by the Prince George Symphony Orchestra or visiting big name acts at the CN Centre.

Tour the award-winning University of Northern B.C. campus. Maclean’s Magazine has consistently ranked UNBC as one of the top small universities in Canada.

Find Out More About Prince George, B.C. Visit www.tourismpg.com or call Tourism Prince George at 1-800-668-7646 or the Prince George Visitor Centre at 250-562-3700

• New fitness centre • Newly renovated rooms • Tropical gardens • Restaurant and lounge

Guests ages 6 and under stay and eat free!

www.esthersinn.com 1151 Commercial Cres • Prince George, BC • 1-800-663-6844

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

N ORTHEAST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

MCBRIDE McBride is on Highway 16 — 208 km (125 mi) east of Prince George. In 1913, this railway town became the divisional point for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, and for some time it was the largest rail yard between Winnipeg and Prince Rupert. Today, it’s a great base for all-season exploration of the recreation paradise of the Robson Valley. Agriculture, forestry and tourism employ most of its 586 residents, and McBride’s stunning surroundings inspire local artists.

What to see and do in McBride

Crescent Spur Loos – Carol Fairhurst

Explore the Robson Valley independently or with professional guides — on foot, snowshoe, skis, snowmobile or horseback, by boat, kayak, canoe or via helicopter-facilitated skiing and hiking tours.

Source high-quality, locally produced arts and crafts and arrange artists’ studio tours, at the Whistle Stop Gallery in the Heritage Railway Station.

Stroll the Fire Hydrant Tour; each one is painted by an accomplished artist.

View local artifacts and travelling shows, at the Valley Museum and Archives.

In August, watch spawning Chinook salmon continue their journey (from the distant Pacific!) up the Beaver Falls. Stock up on local, organic produce at farmers markets, held Friday afternoons in McBride and Saturday mornings in nearby Dunster.

Picnic on the banks of the Fraser, at Koeneman Regional Park just east of town.

Observe plentiful birds from the viewing platform and gazebo at Horseshoe Lake.

Hear an eclectic lineup of music at the Robson Valley Music Festival, held in late August.

Attend the Robson Valley Fall Fair, an old fashioned country fair held on the last weekend in August.

Find Out More About McBride, B.C. Drop in or call the Visitor Centre, open year round in the railway station, at 1-866-569-3366, and visit www.mcbride.ca

TETE JAUNE CACHE Discover Tete Jaune Cache (pop. 500) near the junction of Highways 5 and 16. Like the Yellowhead Highway and Pass, Tete Jaune (“yellow head” in French) was named after Pierre Hastination, a blond Iroquois-Metis trapper and trader who guided for the Hudson’s Bay Company.

What to see and do in Tete Jaune Cache Jet-boat or whitewater raft the Fraser River rapids.

During late August and early September, view the mighty Chinook Salmon jumping up Rearguard Falls after having swum 1200 km (746 mi) from the mouth of the Fraser River to spawn.

Camp and explore extensive trails in one of B.C.’s crown jewels: Mount Robson Provincial Park, just 11 km (7 mi) east on Highway 16.

Find out more about Tete Jaune Cache, B.C. For more info about the park, visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks

AT THIS POINT From here you can continue east along Highway 16 and on to Mount Robson. For the purposes of this guide you will now be routed north of Prince George on Highway 97 to Mackenzie, B.C. FOR REFERENCE, SEE THE MAP ON PAGE 48

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Morfee Mountain – Simon Ratcliffe

MACKENZIE The District of Mackenzie is only 185 scenic kilometers (115 mi) north of Prince George and 188 km (117 mi) southwest of Chetwynd. Named for Alexander Mackenzie, the Scottish explorer who camped near here in 1793 en route to the Pacific Coast, Mackenzie is a forestry-based community of 3,507. It boasts remarkable recreation opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, camping, wildlife viewing, photography, snowmobiling, skiing and year-round fishing.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

What to see and do in Mackenzie

Climb Morfee Mountain on foot, bike, ATV or snowmobile, for breathtaking views of Mackenzie and its rugged, mountainous terrain.

Swim, boat, kayak, canoe, water-ski and fish on picturesque Morfee Lake. Picnic, barbecue and play volleyball at its sandy beach (includes fire pits and volleyball nets).

Walk, jog or hike the trails of John Dahl Park, for great views of Morfee Lake.

Watch birds at the Mackenzie Nature Observatory, in the abundant Mugaha Marsh. Learn about migration monitoring, which occurs from about July 20 to September 20.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTHEAST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Explore one of B.C.’s newest parks: Heather-Dina Lakes Provincial Park, 25 km (16 mi) north of town. Hike and camp at primitive sites; canoe and fish its numerous small lakes.

Enjoy nine holes of golf at the Mackenzie Golf & Country Club.

Shop for local crafts, and visit the arts centre and museum, at the Ernie Bodin Community Centre.

In winter, fire up your snowmobile for the porch-to- powder experience, and enjoy enviable snow conditions and diverse trails that make Mackenzie a sledder’s dream.

Ski downhill or toboggan at Little Mac Ski Hill, and explore Mackenzie’s groomed, lit cross-country ski trails — just seconds from downtown.

Enjoy intermediate-level downhill skiing at Powder King Mountain Resort, 67 km (42 mi) northeast of Mackenzie on Highway 97.

Find out more about Mackenzie, B.C. Call the Chamber of Commerce at 1-877-622-5360 or the District of Mackenzie at 250-997-3221, or visit www.district.mackenzie.bc.ca Mountain Biking Golﬁng Geocaching Sledding Hiking Fishing canoeing Boating Camping

Mackenzie, B.C. – Clint Fraser

birding

skiing

Wildlife swimming Hiking skiing Fishing Geocaching sledding Camping birding

Kayaking

The ultimate four season adventure playground ... the sky’s the limit !

Its tranquil location in the Rocky Mountain Trench provides access to an abundance of year round outdoor recreation opportunities. Explore our Waterways - Grab your canoe or kayak and enjoy the breathtaking views while paddling the many waterways in our area. Fishing - several lakes offer a wide variety of ﬁsh for all levels of angler. Golf - 9 scenic holes and only minutes from the main road. Trails - our extensive trail network entertains hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

Photo by: D.Pitkethly

Wildlife - Grab your camera! An abundance of wildlife inhabit our area. Geocaching - Play Geocache here! It’s easy, fun and free! Winter Fun - No shortage of snow here! Enjoy snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice ﬁshing. Photo by: G.Schneider

Photo by: R&C Souka

Toll Free: 1 877 997 9940 | www.district.mackenzie.bc.ca | Email: info@district.mackenzie.bc.ca N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Your four season playground...

Chetwynd Located in the eastern foothills of the Northern Rocky Mountains, Chetwynd offers a unique balance of prairies, mountains, wilderness and a full service community. The area is well known for its breathtaking scenery and countryside.

11th annual

INTERNATIONAL CHAINSAW CARVING CHAMPIONSHIP JUNE 11 - 14, 2015

The Annual Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Championship has visually shaped Chetwynd into a one-of-a-kind locale. Artists from all over the world compete in this unique competition. The District of Chetwynd keeps each intricately carved piece from the championship and places them throughout town. � Spectators can watch the artists create their works of art over the four days from start to finish � Today, competitors come from as far as Wales and Japan to compete � Don’t miss the quick carve competition held on Sunday and your chance to bid on a piece at the auction! � Take a self-guided walking tour � Over 140 carvings and more added each year - a must-see! be You Tu snap & watch

bonus video content

Over 140 Carvings

e e at th a r u h c o take p a br Pick u Centre and of the r Visito uided tour self-g carvings.

Chetwynd Visitor Centre Tel: 250.788.1943 • Fax: 250.788.1846 tourist@gochetwynd.com

www.gochetwynd.com

NORTH EAST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

CHETWYND The bustling, hospitable community of Chetwynd is positioned at the junction of Highways 29 and 97, where the eastern foothills of the Rockies open up to the expansive, prairie-like Peace River country. A transportation hub for the Peace River region, the District of Chetwynd is blessed with abundant natural resources, a stunning mountain backdrop, and the gently rolling topography which inspired early European settlers to call it “Little Prairie”. Such assets, and a diverse economic base of forestry, energy, mining, ranching and tourism, appeal to its outdoor-loving, family-oriented population.

What to see and do in Chetwynd Discover and photograph Chetwynd’s impressive collection of more than 80 detailed chainsaw sculptures, depicting everything from mermaids to wildlife. Watch accomplished chainsaw carvers in mid-June, when Chetwynd hosts the International Chainsaw Carving Competition. Visit Chetwynd’s first-rate recreation complex, which includes a wave pool, team-size hot tub, sauna, six- sheet curling rink, ice area, outdoor skating oval, skateboard park and sports fields.

Hudson’s Hope, B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

HUDSON’S HOPE Midway between Chetwynd and Fort St. John, you’ll encounter Hudson’s Hope — a friendly community of 970 on the banks of the Peace River. Power projects, agriculture, and forestry have long been economic drivers here, but oil and gas exploration, guide-outfitting and eco-tourism are growing in importance. Restaurants, campgrounds, gas bars and a grocery store welcome visitors, but it’s “dinosaurs and dams” that capture their attention. Two massive hydroelectric projects were sited here in the 1960s. Their construction unearthed internationally significant, fossilized dinosaur skeletons. One newly discovered species of ichthyosaur was named after the District: Hudsonelpidia.

Tee up at Chetwynd’s two nine-hole golf courses. Camp, picnic, fish, boat, or take a bracing dip in one of Chetwynd’s crystal-clear lakes.

Hike and bike Chetwynd area trails, which range from easy to challenging; for directions, consult the Greenspace Trail Map, available at the Visitor Centre.

In winter, explore Chetwynd terrain by snowmobile or cross-country skis, and enjoy intermediate-level downhill skiing at Powder King Mountain Resort, 110 km (68 mi) southwest on Highway 97. Curl or skate at a local rink or lake, and bundle up for a bout of ice-fishing.

Find out more about Chetwynd, B.C. Call the Chetwynd Visitor Centre at 250-788-1943, and visit www.gochetwynd.com

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. GET SOME AT THE W.A.C. BENNETT DAM VISITOR CENTRE Take an underground tour, see how electricity is made, and learn about BC’s history.

Fort. St. John W.A.C. Bennett Dam

Hudson’s Hope

on Drive Cany

29 Peace Canyon Dam

Open 10am - 5pm May 16 - September 7, 2015

Chetwynd

A13-424

Plan your visit at bchydro.com/bennett. To contact us call 250 783 5048 or email bennett@bchydro.com.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

WAC Bennett Dam – Simon Ratcliffe

What to see and do in Hudson’s Hope

Tour the Hudson’s Hope Museum. View some of North America’s finest fossilized footprints from the dinosaur era, as well as artifacts from area First Nations, trappers, miners and pioneers — all in a Hudson’s Bay Trading Post.

Visit one of the largest dams of its kind: the WAC Bennett Dam, 23 km (14 mi) west of Hudson’s Hope on Canyon Drive. Enjoy the video, and tour the Gordon M. Shrum underground powerhouse, set 152 m (500 ft) deep in the bedrock underlying the dam. WAC Bennett Dam produces about 25 per cent of B.C.’s power!

Visit the Peace Canyon Dam, 8 km (5 mi) south of Hudson’s Hope on Highway 29. It re-uses water that has already generated electricity at the WAC Bennett Dam. A Visitors’ Centre offers exhibits on the region’s natural history, First Nations, settlement, and construction of this dam which produces more than 3.5 billion KWh annually — enough to heat more than 200,000 average sized homes.

Marvel at the WAC Bennett Dam’s energy source: man-made Williston Lake. At 1,773 km2 (685 mi2), it is B.C.’s largest reservoir. Boat and fish for plentiful trout and whitefish on the Williston reservoir in summer, and explore it by snowmobile in winter… but do inform yourself about hazards unique to reservoir recreation first!

Take the scenic Hudson’s Hope loop: 4 Municipal Campgrounds (open May - Sept)

With the majestic Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Hudson’s Hope’s array of landscape and wildlife is a unique region in today’s busy world... • Museum • Historical Touring • Fossil Displays • Annual Fishing Derby • Outdoor Swimming Pool

• Walking Trails • Hiking • Baseball Fields • ATV Trails • Skating/Curling Rinks

For more information, contact our Visitor Centre: 250-783-9154 (May - September) 250-783-9901 (Off Season) Email: hhinfo@pris.ca

• WAC Bennett & Peace Canyon Dams • High School Rodeo • Cross Country Skiing at Cameron Lake

www.hudsonshope.ca

Hudsons N O R THope2015.indd H E R N B R I T I S 1H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

• Dinosaur Lake • Cameron Lake • King Gething • Alwin Holland • 3 private RV parks

Enjoy a variety of scenic camping options:

Join us on Facebook PMM W W W. N O R T H E R N2014-10-06 B C TO U R I S3:13 M .CO

NORTH EAST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Explore the Peace River by canoe or power boat.

Enjoy a round of golf at Moberly Lake & District Golf Club, a nine-hole course 40 km (25 mi) south of Hudson’s Hope on Highway 29.

Find out more about Hudson’s Hope, B.C. Visit www.hudsonshope.ca, email hhinfo@pris.ca or call the Hudson Hope Visitor Centre at 250-783-9154 (May to October), or 250-783-9901 (November to April)

TUMBLER RIDGE Tumbler Ridge (pop. 2,710) is found at the junction of Highways 29 and 52, near the confluence of Flatbed Creek and the Murray and Wolverine Rivers. About 15 years ago, the economy of this young coal-mining community teetered as coal prices plunged. In 2000, that changed — when two local kids discovered dinosaur tracks in creek side rock. The excellent samples drew international attention from scientists and visitors alike. Since then, over 400 dinosaur bones have been excavated in the region. Resilient townspeople reinvented the town, establishing a palaeontological research centre,

museum and dinosaur-related tours. Today, dino-seeking visitors can’t help but discover Tumbler Ridge’s other assets: sparkling waterfalls, impressive trail networks, and four nearby provincial parks. In 2014 the 7722 square kilometre Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark was officially added to the UNESCO supported Global Geopark Network.

What to see and do in Tumbler Ridge Visit the new Dinosaur Discovery Gallery to learn about B.C.’s earliest creatures — and current dinosaur excavations.

Take a Dinosaur Trackway Tour. Especially popular is the one-hour evening Wolverine tour, where lanterns illuminate tracks less visible by day and ambience is created by recorded, dinosaur-like sounds.

Treat the kids to a two-day or week-long Dinosaur Camp of field trips, excavations, and interactive introductions to palaeontology and geology.

Visit Flatbed Creek, just outside of town. Follow trails from the parking area to dinosaur tracks, a bird sanctuary and a fine swimming hole at Flatbed Falls (maps available at the Visitor Centre).

Waterfalls & Dinosaurs Big, wild parks, dinosaur trackway tours, ﬁshing, golf, ATV trails, snowmobiling, expansive alpine playgrounds… experience the impressive power of nature

K nu Ki n se s o F llls Fa

Look beneath BC’s unturned stone of outdoor adventure. Discover Tumbler Ridge today!

For more info about our world www.visitTumblerRidge.ca or call 1-877-SAW-DINO • TRAdventure@dtr.ca N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

N O R T HE AST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Unwind after an active day, in the whirlpool, sauna or steam room at the Aquatic Center.

Find out more about Tumbler Ridge, B.C. Drop in to the Tumbler Ridge Visitor Centre, call them at 1-877-729-3466 or 250-242-3123 and visit www.VisitTumblerRidge.ca

DAWSON CREEK

Tumbler Ridge – Clint Fraser

TUMBLER RIDGE – Continued…

Explore 37 trails to alpine meadows, old-growth forests, jagged peaks and magnificent waterfalls and canyons throughout the area and in Monkman Provincial Park.

Awe at Kinuseo Falls (higher than Niagara Falls!). View them from the onsite platform or pre-book a riverboat tour through the Visitor Centre. Camping is available in the park.

Explore Monkman Lake trails to access Monkman Cascades: 10 waterfalls separated by placid pools, all along Monkman Creek.

Camp, hike, canoe, kayak and fish at deep-blue Gwillim Lake, 45 km (28 mi) northwest off Highway 29.

Drive the self-guided interpretive tour (brochures available) to learn the fascinating history of Monkman Pass, or gear up for a spectacular, multi-day wilderness trek on Monkman Pass Memorial Trail.

Golf at Tumbler Ridge’s scenic and challenging nine-hole course. Watch for wildlife! Cheer on athletes — or participate! — in the Emperor’s Challenge, held the second weekend of August. This mountain marathon climbs 2,000 ft to the summit of Mount Babcock before descending.

Explore the winter landscape on cross-country skis or by snowmobile, on more than 300 km (186 mi) of maintained trails.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

With a rich pioneer and World War II history, Dawson Creek is a city of 11,583 people with an economy based on agriculture, forestry, energy and tourism. Located at the junction of four highways, Dawson Creek is Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway. In 1942, only months after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, Dawson Creek became a staging point of the U.S. government’s ambitious building project: a 2,400 km (1,491 mi) road through vast wilderness stretching from the end of the railway at Dawson Creek to Fairbanks, Alaska. Within a month, the small hamlet of Dawson Creek witnessed the arrival of 10,000 American troops, military vehicles, road equipment and civilian workers. Originating in Dawson Creek, the “Alaskan-Canadian or Alcan Highway” is a bucket list trip for RVers as the great Alaska Highway adventure. Local attractions celebrate the city’s unique history.

What to see and do in Dawson Creek

Visit Alaska Highway House, opened in 2007, for exhibits and interactive displays about the Alaska Highway story. See fascinating WW II propaganda, video footage, war artifacts, a Willy jeep and take in a screening of the PBS documentary “Building the Alaska Highway”. Pop into the booth to send a personal video postcard to friends and relatives.

Take your photo at the Mile 0 Cairn, designated by U.S. army surveyors as the exact beginning of the Alaska Highway, and at the Mile 0 Post, a landmark which celebrates this famous route.

Visit the Dawson Creek Art Gallery, creatively housed in a renovated 1930s-era grain elevator, for art, handicrafts and displays of historic photos.

Pick up the Downtown Historic Walking Tour brochure from the Visitor Centre, and use the route map to unlock Dawson Creek’s past through narration, heritage buildings, local mural projects and archival photos.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

ToUrIsM

Dawson Creek british columbia

canada

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE

Visitor GUiDE 1-866-645-3022

Dawson Creek Art Gallery Housed in a renovated grain elevator situated in the NAR Park in the center of Dawson Creek. We have: • The Alaska Highway Photo Exhibit on display • Local and Touring Exhibits • The Grainery Artisan & Gift Shop • The Bin Top Studio: Hosting Children’s and Adult Programming

The gift shop showcases local artists and craftsmen featuring pottery, woodwork, jewellery, jade, metalwork, weaving & souvenirs.

Hours: Summer (Mid May to Aug) 8am to 5pm 7 days a week Fall/Winter (Sep. to Early May) 10am to 5pm ~ Tuesday to Friday 12pm to 4pm Saturdays 101 - 816 Alaska Avenue Tel: 250-782-2601 Fax: 250-782-8801 Email: artadmin@dcartgallery.ca www.dcartgallery.ca

Drop in to the Visitor Centre AND SAy HELLO! DAWSON CREEK

VISITOR CENTRE

NAR Park 900 Alaska Avenue. T: 250-782-9595 TF: 1-866-645-3022

Your Souvenir Headquarters! As well as providing travel info to visitors, our gift shop has a variety of souvenirs:

Postcards • clothing • books • videos & much more! The Visitor Centre, housed in NAR Railway Station Museum, is operated by Tourism Dawson Creek in cooperation with Destination British Columbia. To best serve visitors in Dawson Creek the Visitor Centre is open Year-round. Well trained counsellors are available to provide travel information. Basic facilities are also available at the Visitor Centre such as parking, and public washrooms.

Where Adventure Begins! GPS: N55˚ 45.945 W120˚ 17.441 PO Box 2476, Dawson Creek BC, Canada V1G 4T9

www.NLRV.com

Locally owned & operated by Mike & Annette Jalbert

TOURISM DawSOn CReek

• 30/50 Amp Full Hookups • Large Pull Thrus • Tenting Area • NEW Laundromat & Private Bathroom Facility • Meeting Room • Satellite TV WiFi • Small Store

Ph: 250-782-9433 Cell: 250-219-0305 Toll Free: 1-855-782-9433 nlrv2010@gmail.com

Facebook.com/alaskahighway

Mile ‘0’ Park & Campground Stay under a canopy of beautiful trees, adjacent to Rotary Lake, Walter Wright Pioneer Village, and golf course.

Tel: 250-782-2590 www.mile0park.ca Mile0RVPark@gmail.com

TF: 1-866-645-3022

• Full hookups • Free hot showers • Laundry • WiFi • Sani-dump • Tenting

TourismDawsonCreek.com

Dawson Creek 1100 Alaska Ave. (250) 782.2400

Grande Prairie 11509 Westgate Dr. (780) 357.0882

Dawson Creek Super 8 Jacuzzi® Room, Business Suites & Kitchenettes Meeting/Banquet Room Fitness Center Free SuperStart® Hot Breakfast Free Local Calls Free Wireless Internet Refrigerator, Microwave Guest Laundry Large Vehicle Parking

On Site

fast break entary der and m li p com ked to or ur is coo d to you in o serve

ant!

restur

Approved

1440 Alaska Ave • Dawson Creek BC Tel: 250-782-8899 Toll Free Direct: 1-888-482-8884 Email: super8dawsoncreek@shawcable.com

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

ToUrIsM Dawson Creek

Your

Facebook.com/alaskahighway

Toll Free: 1-888-782-8136 innonthecreek@shawcable.com | www.innonthecreek.bc.ca

TF: 1-866-645-3022

TourismDawsonCreek.com

12217 4th St. Dawson Creek, BC

start your alaska highway

JoUrNEy HErE ALASKA

HIGHWAY HOUSE

Discover the story behind the monumental Alaska Highway. Just steps from the Mile ‘0” Post.

www.alaskahighwayhouse.com

Complimentary Breakfast + Free Internet Access Health/Fitness Centre + Truck, Bus Parking Available Dry Sauna + Business Centre Pets Allowed with Condition Check In Time: 3pm Check out Time: 11am Late Check Out Available

1-250-782-7700

The Best Value Under the Sun FREE Daybreak Breakfast Free High-speed Internet All Rooms with Fridge & Microwave Coin Operated Laundry Toll Free Reservation:

1-800-329-7466

Dawson Creek Days Inn

640 122 Avenue Dawson Creek, BC V1G 0A4 T: 250-782-8887 | F: 250-782-8799

daysinn.ca

Facebook.com/ alaskahighway

ToUrIsM Dawson Creek

Facebook.com/alaskahighway

TF: 1-866-645-3022

TourismDawsonCreek.com

NORTH EAST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

DAWSON CREEK – Continued…

Tour the Dawson Creek Station Museum in the Northern Alberta Railways Park. View the video documentary on the history of the Alaska Highway, northern wildlife displays, the original 1931 living quarters of the station master and the railroad depot office.

During summer, visit Mile 0 Park. At Walter Wright Pioneer Village, stroll the boardwalks with the complimentary village historic walking tour brochure. View heritage buildings, memorabilia and artifacts, antique vehicles and farm machinery. Savour the eleven colourful, themed gardens of Gardens North. Picnic, swim and relax with the locals at Rotary Lake.

Sample local produce, handicrafts and baked goods at the Farmers’ Market, Saturday mornings May through October at the Co-op Mall parking lot.

Pick up the Mile 0 Merchant Discount Coupon Book, for great deals in local shops and restaurants. Free copies are available at the Visitor Centre, the Art Gallery, hotels, motels and campgrounds.

Enjoy free wireless internet access at hotspots in Northern Alberta Railways Park, downtown Dawson

Dawson Creek, B.C. – Peace Photographics Inc.

Interested in updates about the 75th Anniversary Celebrations in 2017? Email: 75in2017@ouralaskahighway.com • Website: ouralaskahighway.com N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

The Village of

Pouce Coupe

Gateway to the

Peace Country

The Village of Pouce Coupe is a quaint historical Village, located in the northeast corner of British Columbia. Also known as the “Pioneer Capital of the Peace Region”, the amenities are all within walking distance and visitors are encouraged to take time to stroll through the Village with a self-guided walking tour booklet. This friendly Village is nestled north of the Pouce Coupe River amongst golden fields of grain.

Pouce Coupe Museum Our History The Pouce Coupe Museum offers visitors a chance to journey back to a period long ago, with permanent displays from the very founding of the village, including a heritage house, trapper’s cabin, caboose, and the original Northern Alberta Railway Station built in the 1930s, which now houses the museum. The majestic wooden train trestle whispers its stories through the cracks of time, located a short walking distance from the museum. Taking a page out of history, the Hart Hotel which opened in 1928 still operates with its old world charm, Pouce Coupe is best known in the Peace River block as being the first municipality in northeastern British Columbia; it was the centre for Government offices, post office, bank and the police barracks for the region.

Pouce Coupe Park A Piece of Recreation The Pouce Coupe Park keeps its promise as a place to visit in luxury. The green wonderland is speckled with BBQ pits tempting the mind with visions of juicy burgers and warm summer songs. Sheltering those that require it is a covered cookhouse, lending itself for family reunions. All that enter the Pouce Park have picnic tables, washrooms, coin showers, and a bandstand. For those that are in need there are RV electrical hookups.

July 1st Canada Day Celebration Rich with tradition, Pouce Coupe holds its annual July 1st Celebration with enthusiasm that brings the historical village to life. This celebration brings laughter and full stomachs to all who volunteer or attend the annual parade and the famous BBQ. After all the festivities, magnificent fireworks sends all home with smiles and lasting memories.

Truck Light Parade and Food Drive Recently added, the Truck Light Parade utilizes the local businesses to put on a show in the dark winter night. Cozy fire pits blaze, just waiting for a hot dog or marshmallow to roast, and the sound of fun and delight waft through the chill air. The loop of the Town Square is illuminated by twinkling lights which swath the host of trucks. People are encouraged to bring nonperishable items to the event or weeks prior to celebrate a time of giving. Tickle your Taste Buds

5011-49th Avenue, PO Box 190 Pouce Coupe, BC, Canada V0C 2C0 Phone: (250) 786-5794 • Fax: (250) 786-5257

www. poucecoupe.ca

The amenities in Pouce Coupe abound, rife with both historic and newly built hotels and other lodging, all are welcome in this home away from home. Local restaurants speak of the people that dwell in Pouce Coupe - from a traditional Asian restaurant to a modern western café.

visit www.poucecoupe.ca Pouce Coupe, B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

DAWSON CREEK – Continued…

Creek, and Walter Wright Pioneer Village. Walk, jog, blade or cycle the 4.5 km (2.8 mi) Dawson Creek Trail, an asphalt path which hugs the creek and traverses the city.

Find out more about Dawson Creek, B.C. Call the Dawson Creek Visitor Centre at 250-782-9595, toll-free 1-866-645-3022, email info@tourismdawsoncreek.com and visit www.tourismdawsoncreek.com

TAYLOR Sited 56 km (35 mi) north of Dawson Creek on the banks of the Peace River, Taylor prides itself as a quickly growing, business-friendly community — but at 1,373 people, it still offers small-town charm. Originally settled by farmers drawn to its fertile soils (including D.H. “Herbie” Taylor, for whom it the town was named), Taylor’s fortunes are now tied to the oil and gas, lumber and pulp industries. Motels, restaurants and campgrounds await visitors in this community that touts itself

D I STRICT OF

POUCE COUPE Pouce Coupe, population 740, is 10 km (6 mi) east of Dawson Creek. Services include a post office, restaurants, motel, hotel, gas bar/convenience store, RV facilities, and a laundromat. Pouce Coupe is the erroneously translated name of a local First Nations chief, Pooscapee.

What to see and do in Pouce Coupe View the Pouce Coupe Museum. See if you dare walk on the vintage wooden railway trestle.

Attend the July 1 Canada Day parade and barbecue at Pouce Coupe Park. Access the internet at the Library. Camp riverside at Pouce Coupe Park. Visit the rustic local pub, housed in the 1928 Hart Hotel.

Find out more about Pouce Coupe, B.C. Call the Visitor Centre 250-786-5555 (May - September) or the Pouce Coupe village office at 250-786-5794, and N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

ARTS & CULTURE

HISTORY

RECREATION

Enjoy Beautiful Peace Island Park • RV Sites • Trailer & Tenting • Playgrounds • Rocky Mountain General Store Call 250.789.9295 for reservations

LONE WOLF GOLF COURSE

43rd Annual Gold Panning Championships • Gold Panning activities for the whole family August 1 - 3, 2015 at Peace Island Park

Lone Wolf Golf Club • 18 Holes Call 250.789.3711 for Tee Times

DIS TRICT O F

Visitor Centre - Open May - September Call us: 250.789.3392 District Office District of Taylor www.districtoftaylor.com

District of Taylor @DistrictTaylor

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

@DistrictTa

N ORTH EAST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

as “the place where peace and prosperity meet.”

What to see and do in Taylor

Visit Peace Island Park (late May to the end of September), a popular family destination featuring well-serviced campsites, adventure playgrounds, horseshoe pits, swimming, a boat launch, fishing, walking/hiking trails and wildlife viewing.

Check out the Rocky Mountain Historic Forts (in Peace Island Park) — a replica of forts used by the Rocky Mountain Rangers — and its excellent collection of local hunting, trapping and gold-panning artifacts. Interpretive campfire presentations are planned for July and August; reservations are recommended for these, call 250-789- 9295.

Golf at Lone Wolf Golf Club’s 18-hole par 72 public championship course, mid-April to late September. Amenities include driving and practice ranges, pro lessons, equipment rentals, clubhouse, restaurant, and full-service shop. The Club also hosts tournaments.

Watch or join in the dancing at the annual Spirit of the Peace Pow Wow, held each June. Dancing, drumming, food and handicrafts are highlights of this colourful and family oriented competition. Everyone is welcome.

J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

Attend the World’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships, held on the August long weekend / BC Day. Family-oriented festivities include a parade, gold-panning demos and competitions, claim-staking, metal-detecting, bannock-baking, an arts and crafts fair, children’s activities, barbeque and pancake breakfast. Walk the mostly level 3.5 km (2.1 mi) ParticipACTION Trail, which affords views of the golf course and the wide-open Peace Region landscape.

Enjoy Taylor’s amenities and award-winning recreation facilities: the Ice Centre, curling club, pool, parks, ball diamonds, tennis courts, a motocross track and speedway, community hall and market gardens.

Jet boat in the Peace River and ask Visitor Centre about any upcoming jet boat events.

Find out more about Taylor, B.C. Call the District of Taylor at 250-789-3392, or the Taylor Visitor Centre at 250-789-9015 (May to September) and visit www.districtoftaylor.com

Inviting you to enjoy: • FREE Breakfast • FREE DVD Movies • FREE Internet • Earn Lakeview Perks® Points For a complete listing of our hotels, visit lakeviewhotels.com or call 1.877.355.3500

Fort St. John (250)787.0779 Chetwynd (250)788.3000 Fort Nelson (250)233.5001

Owned and or managed by Lakeview Hospitality.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

FORT ST. JOHN Located in the heart of the Peace Country, Fort St. John is called the “Energetic City” for good reason. Backed by a strong agricultural community and forest industry, the city is the undisputed oil and gas capital of B.C. As the largest B.C. city on the Alaska Highway and the transportation and supply hub of the area, this economic powerhouse serves a trading area of more than 60,082 people. The 18,609 city residents like to work hard and play hard. The city offers many top-notch recreation facilities, as well as over 16 km (9.94 mi) of walking trails. With 15 hotels, numerous restaurants, plenty of shopping, and its central location, Fort St. John makes a good jumping off point W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED IN NORTHERN BC

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED IN NORTHERN BC The Peace Region’s Hospitality & Entertainment Oasis www.PomeroyLodging.com

POMEROY H O &T E L

CONFERENCE CENTRE

1.866.618.3233

1.888.264.3030

1.844.487.7737

1.888.419.4657

POMEROY HOT E L

& CONFERENCE CENTRE

Phone: 250.262.2005 www.chancesfortstjohn.ca

Know your limit, play within it.

Phone: 250.262.2040

Northeast B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

for day trips touring around northern B.C.

What to see and do in Fort St. John

Check out the Olympic sized indoor ice oval, 2 NHL sized ice rinks and track at the Pomeroy Sport Centre.

Discover Fort St. John’s history through the downtown Pioneer Pathway. Panels depict the pioneer days starting back in the 1920s. Call the Visitor Centre for more information at 250-785-3033 or 1-877-785-6037.

In winter, celebrate the city’s High on Ice Festival. This event features B.C.’s only National Ice Carving Association-sanctioned ice carving competition, ice fishing, snow sculpture competition, live music, sleigh rides, and children’s entertainers.

Take in a show: call the North Peace Cultural Centre at 250-785-1992 or visit www.npcc.bc.ca to find out about upcoming cultural events from live theatre, to dance, to concerts. Or call the Lido Theatre at 250-785-3011 to find out what performances are set for that venue.

Start your engines! Drag Racing, Stock Car Racing, and Moto-X Racing take place throughout the summer months. Hit the Fish Creek Community Forest Trails or the paved trail system to stretch your legs. Maps are available at the Visitor Centre.

city. Camp at nearby Charlie Lake Provincial Park.

Check out the Museum to learn more about the pioneer days. Open year-round, Monday to Saturday. Call 250- 787- 0430.

Find out more about Fort St. John, B.C. Call the Fort St. John Visitor Centre at 250-785-3033 or 1-877-785-6037. Email: visitorinfo@fortstjohn.ca, or visit www.fortstjohn.ca

PINK MOUNTAIN Halfway between Fort St. John and Fort Nelson is the tiny hamlet of Pink Mountain. Look west for the similarly named peak, which exudes a rosy glow at sunrise and under the latesummer blaze of fireweed blossoms. Reach Pink Mountain Provincial Park by turning west off the highway onto seasonal road #192. Wildlife includes B.C.’s only wild Plains Bison, and rare populations of arctic butterflies. Large Mesozoic Era marine fossils, including the largest icthyosaur ever discovered, Peace Country – Simon Ratcliffe

Watch migrating falcons, hawks, and eagles galore from the Beatton River Valley, 5 km (3 mi) north of the

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

N O R T HE AST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Explore a wide range of hiking opportunities. A comprehensive local guide, Hiking and Motorized Trail Guide is available at the Visitor Centre and trail maps are available online. Trailhead signage is visible from many points along the Alaska Highway North of Fort Nelson, displaying GPS waypoints, maps and trail descriptions for ease of use.

Learn about the “Serengeti of the North,” by visiting the Muskwa-Kechika kiosk located at the Visitor Centre, or by taking in any of the interpretive panels throughout the Northern Rockies at various sites along the Alaska Highway. More information available from the friendly Counsellors at the Visitor Centre.

Enjoy nine holes of golf, with panoramic views of the Northern Rockies, at the Poplar Hills Golf & Country Club. Facilities include a driving range, grass greens, pro shop, club and power cart rentals, concession and lounge. Boat, kayak or canoe the Muskwa River. Local river enthusiasts are happy to share their insights to help you plan your trip.

Hire a guide for tours of the Northern Rockies on foot, horseback, canoe, riverboat, whitewater raft or charter flight.

Muncho Lake – Albert Normandin

were found here.

FORT NELSON AND THE NORTHERN ROCKIES Initially established as a fur trading post in 1805, Fort Nelson later became “Mile 300” of the Alaska Highway, contributing labour, supplies and logistical support to the epic 1942 construction effort. Today, this community of 3,902 is powered by the oil and gas industry and forestry. Tourism is also gaining in importance, as the town has been discovered as a natural base for backcountry exploration of some of B.C.’s most magnificent landscapes. Cross-country skiers, photographers, backpackers, canoeists, and kayakers flock to Fort Nelson, eager to explore eight provincial parks located within an easy drive. Plentiful wildlife make big game hunting and fly-in fishing popular.

What to see and do in Fort Nelson and the Northern Rockies

Step back into Fort Nelson’s past at the Fort Nelson Heritage Museum. Collections include running antique vehicles and artifacts from the construction of the Alaska Highway. A “don’t miss” experience! N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

In winter, cheer on the dog teams, at the Canadian Open Dog Sled Championship. This event has brought international competitors to Fort Nelson for almost 50 years.

Find out more about Fort Nelson, B.C. and the Northern Rockies Call the Visitor Centre at 250-774-6400 year round, and visit www.tourismnorthernrockies.ca

STONE MOUNTAIN PROVINCIAL PARK About 140 km (87 mi) west of Fort Nelson, you’ll enter the northern tip of Stone Mountain Provincial Park — a 257 km2 (99 mi2) preserve of pristine wilderness. From May 1 to early September, 28 vehicle-accessible limited-service campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Self-sufficient walk-in camping is also permitted. Several short day hikes start from the camping area. Unforgettable views reward wellequipped, experienced backcountry adventurers exploring the park on multi-day treks.

Find out more about Stone Mountain Provincial Park, B.C. Visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Liard River Hot Springs – Simon Ratcliffe

MUNCHO LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK Just 86 km (53 mi) northwest from Stone Mountain Park, explore another Northern Rockies treasure: Muncho Lake Provincial Park. Private lodges, RV parks, and 30 lakeshore campsites offer easy access to the jade waters of this 12 km (7 mi) long glacial lake. It was named “Muncho” (“big lake”) by the Kaska people, who have sourced food here for millennia. Catch (and preferably, release!) lake trout, bull trout, mountain whitefish, and Arctic grayling. Watch for moose, caribou and Stone’s sheep.

Find out more about Muncho Lake Provincial Park, B.C.

naturally with water that has been heated deep underground by the earth’s core, pressurized and forced back to the surface along faults in sedimentary rock under the park. Water temperatures reach up to 52˚C (126˚F), creating an oasis-like microclimate that is as appreciated by birds and animals as it has been by humans for millennia. This unique ecosystem hosts a unique diversity of plant life, including orchids, ostrich ferns, cow parsnip and carnivorous aquatic plants. The springs are quite magical in winter, when sub-zero temperatures combine with steam to fringe surrounding vegetation with shimmering hoarfrost. Rustic campsites (some can be reserved ahead), change rooms and a boardwalk are open all year. A fee is charged for camping and day use. Visitors are asked to protect this delicate environment by not bringing soap or shampoo into the waters.

Visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks

Find out more about Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, B.C.

LIARD RIVER HOT SPRINGS PROVINCIAL PARK

Call 1-800-689-9025 or visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks To reserve a site, visit www.discovercamping.ca

About 60 km (38 mi) beyond Muncho Lake Provincial Park, experience an unforgettable natural phenomenon: Liard River Hot Springs. The springs are comprised of two pools, which fill

Liard

Hot Springs

Lodge &

RV Park

Open Year Round, across from Liard Hotsprings.

Fort Nelson Heritage Museum Alaska highway construction equipment and displays, vintage autos and machinery, wildlife displays, trapper’s cabin, and much more! Open mid-May to early September, and by appointment. Box 716, Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0 Phone/Fax 250-774-3536 www.fortnelsonmuseum.ca N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

12 Newly Renovated Guest Rooms, 36 RV pull-thru, back-in sites and Tenting (seasonal), Restaurant, Gas and diesel available.

+1 (250)776-7349

Toll Free 1.866.939.2522

www.liardhotspringslodge.com

Mile 497Alaska Highway

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

02 Grizzly Bears, - Northwest, B.C. – Prince Rupert Adventure Tours

Moricetown Canyon - Northwest, B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

SECTION 02

NORTHWEST BC

Salmon Glacier, - Northwest, B.C. – Tim Swanky

WELCOME TO NORTHWEST BC

To watch videos on your smartphone scan this code.

NORTHWEST B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Alpine meadows and sun-bleached sea shells. Playful orcas and elusive “spirit” bears. Eclectic festivals and rollicking rodeos. Follow Highway 16 west from Prince George, and watch B.C.’s northwest open these treasures to you. The forestry and agriculture town of Vanderhoof offers easy access to Fort St. James, western Canada’s oldest fur trading post restored to the year 1896. At Fort Fraser and Fraser Lake, you’ll enter B.C.’s own Lakes District. Campsites and resorts tempt you to stay and play in variety of clear, sparkling lakes. In Burns Lake, challenging mountain bike trails draw avid cyclists and rare opal deposits beckon rockhounds. The village also makes a great jumping-off point for adventure in the wilds of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. Just outside of Houston, where you can enjoy incredible steelhead fishing and explore unparalleled snowmobile trail networks, Highway 16 crests Hungry Hill — heralding a dramatic change

in landscape. Meet the glaciercrowned Bulkley Valley, with its neighbouring towns of Telkwa and Smithers. Limitless kayaking and canoeing opportunities, backcountry trails to suit all levels

Fly-fishing – Clint Fraser

of hiker and cross-country skier, skiing and boarding on Hudson’s Bay Mountain, and a flourishing local music scene explain why these towns are a mecca for creatives and outdoors-lovers. Journey westward and feel the history and vitality of First Nations cultures. In late summer,

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

watch Wet’suwet’en fishermen netfish the raging waters of the Moricetown Canyon for salmon — as they have since time immemorial. At ’Ksan, a recreated Gitxsan village and an interpretive centre in Old Hazelton, take a narrated longhouse tour to learn about pre and post-European contact life. In nearby villages like Kispiox and Gitanyow, ponder the legends of nearly 50 standing totem poles. At Kitwanga Junction, a decision awaits: head north on Highway 37 (a.k.a. the Stewart-Cassiar) for the 725 km (450 mi) drive toward the Yukon, or continue west on Highway 16 toward the coastal city of Prince Rupert. The Stewart-Cassiar Highway (37) offers dazzling, sparsely populated landscapes. For breathtaking glaciers, bearviewing opportunities and some colourful Canada/U.S. border-town history, take Highway 37A to visit the communities of Stewart, B.C. and Hyder Alaska.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

SE C TI ON 0 2

SERENE GLACIAL LAKES, SALMON-RICH RIVERS AND IMPOSSIBLY LONG SUMMER DAYS. SOARING GLACIERS, FROZEN WATERFALLS AND RELIABLY DEEP POWDER SNOW IN WINTER.

Top row: Mountain Biking - Burns Lake B.C. – Margus Riga / Gitelasu Stone Carving – Sian James / De Havilland Beaver – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto Middle row: Moose – Albert Normandin / Fly Fishing – Clint Fraser Bottom row: Prince Rupert, – Simon Ratcliffe / Grizzly Bear – Prince Rupert Adventure Tours / Whitewater Rafting – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTHWEST BC – Continued…

Vanderhoof B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

Upon returning to Highway 37, treat yourself to deluxe food and four-star accommodation at Bell II Lodge before approaching the best of northwestern B.C. wilderness parks: Mount Edziza, the Spatsizi Plateau and the aweinspiring Stikine River Provincial Park. Before continuing on toward the Yukon, take a refreshing dip in the aquamarine waters of Boya Lake. Equally memorable attractions await, if you choose to continue west on Highway 16, past Kitwanga. In Terrace find out why record-breaking salmon fishing lures anglers from around the world 10 months of the year. Discover first-rate whitewater that draws paddlers in droves, or ski the steep, deep powder at Canada’s first non-profit, co-op ski hill, My Mountain Co-op / Shames Mountain. Explore First Nations culture at Kitselas Canyon, and Terrace’s Freda

Vanderhoof B.C. – Clint Fraser

Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, part of Northwest Community College. Before carrying on to Prince Rupert, make a side-trip down Highway 37 south to Kitimat for excellent saltwater fishing, or perhaps detour to Kitamaat Village, to visit Haisla First Nation artists. At Port Edward, the North Pacific Cannery National Historic site offers a compelling look at the region’s multicultural past. Return to Highway 16 to the coast to arrive at Prince Rupert. Besides important ferry connections, this port city offers phenomenal fishing and wildlife-viewing opportunities, sophisticated galleries and restaurants, and magnificent museums — all seasoned by the cultural influence of the Tsimshian people and the many moods of the northern rainforest. Where else in the world could you find all of this, but northwestern B.C.?

FA M I LY & F U N A R T S & C U LT U R E

D i st

the heart of it all ric

www.vanderhoof.ca 44

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Va n d

er h o of

W AT E R & W I L D L I F E N AT U R E & B E A U T Y W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTHWEST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

VANDERHOOF Nestled in the fertile Nechako Valley, on the banks of the Nechako River, Vanderhoof is the geographical centre of British Columbia. Vanderhoof is also the home of the Nechako White Sturgeon and a Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The Vanderhoof area has been occupied by the Carrier people for millennia. Envisioned as a writers’ and artists’ retreat by Herbert Vanderhoof, the Chicago writer for whom this community was later named, the town was ultimately founded by ranchers. This friendly forestry and ranching community of 4,480 claims status as B.C.’s oldest Europeansettled agricultural community. It was home to Order of Canada recipient, activist and local author, Mary John, as well as rancher Rich Hobson, author of “Nothing To Good For A Cowboy”. With four distinct seasons, there are many entertaining activities to experience in and around our community.

What to see and do in Vanderhoof

Visit the Vanderhoof Community Museum. Open from May to September, its heritage buildings include the OK Hotel and (still operating) Café which once offered meals for 50 cents!

In the spring and fall watch birds (ducks, geese, swans, etc.) at the Vanderhoof Migratory Bird Sanctuary. A Nature Guide and a bird watching checklist is available.

Walk the Community Trail Network. There are four sections that skirt the community, each with a tour card and a kiosk explaining the significance of the trail section.

Fun for the entire family? Riverside Park and Campground includes RV and tenting sites (some

Vanderhoof B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

with electricity and water), sani-dump, flush toilets and showers, covered picnic area, children’s playground, outdoor fitness equipment, lit walking track and a beach volleyball net. Ferland Park is equipped with a children’s playground and Spray Park. The “Concert in the Park” is also held here annually.

FORT ST. JAMES

BC North’s Backyard... Come Play in Fort St. James

27 97

VANDERHOOF 16

PRINCE GEORGE

• Municipal and provincial campsites • Summer music festival and events • Full range of amenities • Trails network

• Parks Canada National Historic Site • Interpretive walking trail • Black diamond ski hill & dog sled races (winter) • $10,000 prize fishing derby

Contact 250-996-8233

www.fortstjames.ca

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

N ORTH WEST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

VANDERHOOF – Continued… Enjoy hockey, curling, golfing, biking, bowling, soccer, tennis, cross-country skiing, rugby, slo-pitch, football and many other recreational activities throughout the year. Hike, fish and hunt at numerous lakes in Big River Country south of Vanderhoof. Check out Kenney Dam and Cheslatta Falls for an interesting day trip. The Camping, Fishing, Hunting, and Hiking Guide to the Nechako Valley highlights more options for your wilderness adventure.

Join us in various celebrations throughout the year including Canada Day, Fall Fair, Airshow, Pumpkin Walk and Parade of Lights.

Self-guided tour cards have been produced to guide you to local discoveries such as the Grand Reo Theatre. Once a parlour and now a movie theatre, it has stood at this corner with its original façade for 90 years.

Find out more about Vanderhoof, B.C. Call the Visitor Centre at 250-567-2124 or 1-800-752-4094 and visit at www.vanderhoofchamber.com Fort St. James National Historical Site – Clint Fraser

www.TheViewHotel.ca

the place to stay in

Fort St. James 309 Stuart Drive West PO Box 69 Fort St. James, BC, Canada, V0J 1P0 Call Us Toll Free 1.855.996.8737

Now Open! The Place to Eat in Ft. St. James

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

FORT ST. JAMES Fort St. James is located on the shores of Stuart Lake, 62 km (37 mi) north of Vanderhoof, on Highway 27. This town of 2,000 is one of B.C.’s oldest permanent settlements, established in 1806 by Simon Fraser. He called the area New Caledonia to honour his Scottish home.

What to see and do in Fort St. James

Visit the Fort St. James Historic Site (May to October). This original trading post and compound has the largest group of original wood buildings representing the Canadian fur trade, and artifacts from the 1880s.

Canoe the magnificent 112 km (70 mi) Nation Lakes Canoe Route, which spans four lakes and three rivers.

Camp at Sowchea Bay or Paarens Beach on Stuart Lake. Tip your hat to bush pilot legend Russ Baker (1910-1958), at a memorial on the bluffs overlooking the lake near the Cottonwood Marina. Renowned for daring rescue operations, Baker helped make Fort St. James one of the largest bush plane bases in northern B.C. View the scale replica of a 1920s-era Junkers W-34 at Cottonwood Park. W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Hike and rock climb in Mount Pope Provincial Park. A 6.5 km (4 mi) trail to the peak offers panoramic views of Stuart Lake and mountains.

Ski, board or cross-country ski at Murray Ridge Ski Hill. Its T-bar is the longest in North America.

Find out more about Fort St. James, B.C. Call the Fort St. James Chamber of Commerce at 250-996-7023 or visit www.fortstjames.ca

FORT FRASER Only 37 km (22 mi) from Vanderhoof, discover one of B.C.’s oldest European-founded settlements: Fort Fraser. Established in 1806 by Simon Fraser, it’s also where the last spike was driven, in 1914, on the railway which opened up central B.C., the Grand Trunk Pacific. This community of 1,000 includes a post office, motel, gas station/restaurant, laundromat, churches, and the Last Spike Pub.

BEAUMONT PROVINCIAL PARK Fort St. James National Historical Site – Clint Fraser

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Camp, picnic, swim, and fish in Fraser Lake in Beaumont Provincial Park — just 4 km (2.5 mi) west of Fort Fraser. The shallow water makes it a great place to take small children.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

REGIONS OF THE NORTH Northeast BC

Juneau

Northwest BC

Haida Gwaii BC

Fort Nelson Dawson Creek Prince Rupert

Prince George Jasper

Sandspit

PACIFIC OCEAN

Kamloops Kelowna Vancouver

Cranbrook

HAIDA GWAII

DISTANCE CHART IN KILOMETRES Distances given are for the shortest highway routes. Visit www.NorthernBCTourism.com for more detailed distance information.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

SGang Gwaay UNESCO World Heritage Site

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Fort St. James National Historic Site

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

FRASER LAKE Situated at the eastern edge of the Lakes District, 20 km (13 mi) west of Fort Fraser, Fraser Lake’s 1,350 residents are mostly employed in forestry and mining.

What to see and do in Fraser Lake Learn about Fraser Lake history, and first inhabitants the Dakelh people, at the Fraser Lake Museum. Hike Mouse Mountain trails. The 4 km (2.5 mi) trail to its summit offers a great view of the lake.

Burns Lake, B.C. – Margus Riga

Enjoy excellent fly-fishing (license required) 4 km (2.5 mi) west of town, where the Stellako flows into Fraser Lake.

Check out resorts, and the Molyhills Golf Course, at the east end of Francois Lake.

Launch your boat on the shores of beautiful Fraser Lake, where recreation and fishing are together as one.

Climb lava beds of the 25-million-years-extinct Red Rock Volcano, a.k.a. Table Top Mountain.

Find out more about Fraser Lake, B.C. Call the village at 250-699-6257 or visit www.fraserlake.ca

BURNS LAKE & The LAkeS DISTRICT

Burns Lake is the heart of B.C.’s Lakes District, 70 km (44 mi) west of Fraser Lake. Forestry, agriculture, mining and tourism drive this community of 2,700.

What to see and do in Burns Lake Visit the Lakes District Museum. Find out how the log building that served as a fur trading post and gambling den earned its macabre moniker, Bucket of Blood.

Mountain bike the extensive trail network that Bike Magazine called “some of the sweetest single track on earth”, at Burns Lake Mountain Bike Park.

Village of Fraser Lake Your recreation Destination

tourism.burnslake.ca

Launch you Boat! Launch your Vacation! Launch your LiFe!

www.fraserlake.ca check us out on:

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

/ fraserlake

@FraserLakeBc

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTHWEST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

GRANISLE

Hunt for agates and opal, and walk the 4 km (2.5 mi) trail, at one of B.C.’s few known opal deposits: the Eagle Creek Opal/Agate site.

Explore the north end of one of B.C.’s largest provincial parks: Tweedsmuir. Access it via float plane, boat, horseback or on foot via the Alexander Mackenzie Trail. Be well-equipped and experienced, or hire a guide.

Drive the Lakes District Circle Tour, for views of Tweedsmuir Park, Mount Wells, Ootsa Lake, and Nadina River, and the free ferry ride on Francois Lake.

Camp or stay at cabins, RV parks and resorts at any of 4,800 km (3,000 mi) of lakes, including Uncha, Tchesinket, and Takysie Lakes. Hike, boat, canoe or kayak — bring your own or rent from most resorts.

What to see and do in Granisle

Golf nine holes at the Carnoustie Golf and Country Club. Attend music festivals, the rodeo, fall fair, bath-tub races, mountain bike festival and hockey tournaments.

To reach Granisle, drive 51 km (32 mi) west from Burns Lake (30 km / 17 mi east of Houston), and turn north at Topley onto Highway 118. The 49 km (30 mi) drive from here to Granisle often rewards visitors with glimpses of wildlife. This former mining town now serves year-round visitors exploring B.C.’s longest (177 km / 110 mi) freshwater lake: Babine Lake. Local services include a boat launch and marina, hotel, resort, campgrounds, restaurant, convenience store and a gas bar for auto and marine gas.

Ski 25 km (15.53 mi) of cross-country trails, groomed by the Omineca Ski Club.

Find out more about Burns Lake, B.C. Visit or call the Burns Lake Visitor Centre at 250-692-3773, or visit www.burnslake.ca

Fish for rainbow trout, as well as steelhead and sockeye in season.

Drop in to the Visitor Centre and Museum, located in a log building near the entrance of town. This building also showcases work by local crafters.

Picnic and camp at Lion’s Beach Campground or the user-maintained Bear Island.

Camp, picnic, swim and relax at Red Bluff Provincial Park and stroll a lovely trail between Red Bluff and the marina.

Bulkley-Nechako Prince Rupert 200km

Smithers

Granisle

picture it!

#PICTURE YOURSELF

Telkwa 118

IN THE HEART OF BC!

Fort St. James Houston

Go to www.visitbulkleynechako.com and find out how your “selfie” can earn you a keepsake from your journey through the Bulkley-Nechako!

Burns Lake 35

Fraser Lake Vanderhoof

Southside

Prince George 100km

Plan your adventure today at

#visitbulkleynechako

VisitBulkleyNechako.ca

Get the free mobile app at

http:/ / gettag.mobi

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

N ORTH WEST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

GRANISLE – Continued… Golf at Granisle’s rustic nine-hole golf course. Visit the world’s largest sockeye salmon spawning channels, 11 km (6.83 mi) south of town: the Fulton River Spawning Channels. August is the best time to visit.

Find out more about Granisle, B.C. Call the seasonally operated Visitor Centre at 250-697-2428, email infocentre@villageofgranisle.ca year-round or visit www.granisle.net

HOUSTON Located near the confluence of the Bulkley and Morice Rivers, Houston is small community with a big heart. Its population of about 3,200 is supported mainly by forestry, mining and tourism. Houston’s matchless steelhead fishing draws many visitors.

What to see and do in Houston Golf at Houston’s two nine-hole golf courses. Take a selfie at the world’s largest freestanding (18 m / 60 ft) fly-rod. It’s right along the highway in

Steelhead Park, which also features a totem pole, a 975 lb. mounted grizzly bear, and the replica ancient silver grinding stone which was a gift to Equity Silver from its sister mine in Mexico.

Visit Houston’s museum-in-progress (adjacent to the Visitor Centre) to view Houston’s first school house and church. Planned additions include Houston’s first fire truck, an old sawmill and more.

Stroll around to view murals and Spirit Bears painted by local artists, the Steelhead Fountain, the serene duck pond walking trail and the wooden Bull Rider sculpture — carved to honour Houston’s own twice-named Canadian bull-riding champion Robbie Bell.

Work out at Houston’s new leisure facility, which includes a pool, lazy river, hot tub, sauna and fitness gym.

Ski the groomed Morice Mountain Cross-country Ski Trails, or enjoy great hiking on them in summer.

Snowmobile beautiful areas in the Telkwa Mountain Range, Dungate Meadows, Tableland Mountain and the Rhine Ridge Sabola Mountain.

Find out more about Houston, B.C. Call 250-845-7640 and visit www.houstonchamber.ca

Naturally Amazing Drawing visitors from around the world, the steelhead fishing here is legendary. In fact, Houston is known as the Steelhead Capital of Canada. Houston is situated in an area that is rife with wildlife, waterways and a wide variety of activities suited to every season. For the fisherman, the hiker, the camper…there’s something for everyone. Come to Houston to experience the welcome hospitality and one of BC’s best kept secrets.

District of Houston

250.845.2238 www.houston.ca

Houston & District Chamber of Commerce

250.845.7640 www.houstonchamber.ca

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Telkwa, B.C. – Clint Fraser

TELKWA Discover Telkwa’s vintage charm, 14 km (9 mi) south of Smithers on Highway 16. This rural village of 1,300 borders Tyhee Lake Provincial Park and straddles the banks of the Bulkley and Telkwa Rivers. Residents and visitors alike are captivated by Telkwa’s optimistic spirit, abundant recreation opportunities and snow-capped mountains.

Tour Narnia Farms, a working organic farm with gorgeous display gardens, a shop and home-made refreshments.

Seniors, inquire about regular activities hosted by the Telkwa Seniors Centre. Attend July 1 Canada Day celebrations.

On Labour Day weekend, attend the Telkwa Barbeque - a weekend of softball, demolition derby and concerts.

Explore limitless hiking in the Telkwa environs — from easy family walks to rugged multi-day excursions to backcountry cabins.

In winter, skate free at one of Telkwa’s two outdoor rinks — and when conditions are right, on the expansive ice of Tyhee Lake!

Join the Bulkley Valley Backpackers for guided day hikes and ski excursions on Sunday mornings.

Cross-country ski at Tyhee Lake Provincial Park, and have a winter picnic at its two covered, firewood- stocked shelters. Ski into several backcountry wilderness cabins, maintained by BC Parks, private companies or volunteer associations (typically require fees and reservations).

Snowmobile extensive trail networks at places like the Big Onion, Dome Mountain and the Microwave.

What to see and do in Telkwa Flyfish the plentiful Bulkley and Telkwa Rivers.

Camp, canoe and fish at numerous lakes and streams. Kayak or raft area rivers and fabulous whitewater. Enjoy a walking tour of Telkwa’s 26 restored heritage buildings, including the 1910 St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Hong Chong’s Laundry and Bath House and the Interior Creamery (c. 1939). Stroll community trails between Tyhee Lake Provincial Park campground, the former Aldermere townsite, and Telkwa’s downtown.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Find out more about Telkwa, B.C. Call Telkwa Village at 250-846-9572, and visit www.telkwa.com

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

SMITHERS Just 14 km (9 mi) west of Telkwa on Highway 16, you’ll arrive at Smithers, pop. 5,400. Its red-bricked Main Street is graced by alpine-themed architecture and murals celebrating the Bulkley Valley landscape, and crowned by the monumental presence of Hudson Bay Mountain — all fitting in a town where people are crazy for mountains and the recreation possibilities they bring! Smithers’ friendly, active residents are employed in services, forestry, mining, agriculture and tourism. Meet them, and Smithers, B.C. – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

Steelhead Fishing - Smithers, B.C. – Clint Fraser

discover why this town is as easily identified with dynamism as it is year-round recreation opportunities. Smithereens value co-operation, entrepreneurial spirit and the arts. There’s a healthy local appetite for hosting, performing and learning diverse music styles, with numerous coffeehouses, house concerts, concerts, dances and instructional events.

What to see and do in Smithers

Hike the Valley’s inexhaustible trail network, which range from quick and easy jaunts to challenging, multi- day excursions. Try the two-hour hike from the lift at Hudson Bay Mountain to Crater Lake — and take a bracing dip! Explore the Telkwa Range and Babine Mountain Provincial Park. Get great views of the valley, and the cooling spray of two towering waterfalls, at Glacier Gulch and Twin Falls, just 15 minutes’ drive from downtown. A two-hour hike up a rough, steep trail near the base of the falls ascends to the glacier above. (Note: it is dangerous to walk on any glacier without appropriate equipment and experience.) Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, like mountain goats!

CATALINE MOTEL & RV PARK CLEAN, gREEN, RENOVATEd fACILITy. Rates - Budget, and Up - determined by your requirements 2325 Omineca Ave. South Hazelton, BC VOJ 2J1 Conveniently located 1 block off Hwy 16.

for more information: P: 250.842.5271 E: poprightinn@telus.net www.catalinelodging.ca

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTHWEST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Fish for coveted steelhead and four species of Pacific salmon.

Tour the Bulkley Valley trails on horseback or mountain bike — on your own or with a tour. View 50 million- year-old fossils at nearby Driftwood Canyon.

Explore rivers, from serene to class four-plus whitewater, by boat, canoe, kayak or raft.

Explore the life cycle of the precious salmon resource, at the Toboggan Creek Salmon Hatchery. Golf at two 18-hole golf courses.

Hear high-quality music, including more than 70 local, regional and national bands, at the three-day Midsummer Music Festival.

Attend any of Smithers’ frequent musical coffeehouses, concerts, dances or music-instruction camps. Find out more by asking at local bookstores.

Uncover Smithers’ stories, at the Bulkley Valley Museum and the Smithers Art Gallery.

Look for books and documentaries produced by local writers.

UNPLUG & RECONNECT

Enjoy live entertainment, produce, home cooking and treats at the Bulkley Valley Farmers’ Market, Saturdays from May to October.

Ski and board at Hudson Bay Mountain, only 30 minutes from downtown Smithers.

Cross-country ski at the Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre, or to several backcountry cabins in the area (fees, reservations typically required for overnight stays). Enjoy heli-skiing and ski mountaineering in nearby ranges. Backcountry ski or hike in the Hankin-Evelyn Backcountry Recreation area. Ask for details at the Visitor Centre.

Find out more about Smithers, B.C. Call the Visitor Centre at 1-800-542-6673 or 250-847-5072 and visit www.tourismsmithers.com

THE HAZELTONS

Historic Heartland of Northern British Columbia

Contact the Visitor Centre

Phone (250) 842-6071 Oct-May (250) 842-6571 tourism@newhazelton.ca www.newhazelton.ca

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

WOMEN’S WILDERNESS GETAWAYS

Enjoy a weekend of relaxation, pampering, motivational speakers, adventure & fine wine.

For campers aged 10 to 16 (and their parents who can indulge in their own luxury getaway). Week-long camps instill a love & respect of nature & the outdoors in youth, while teaching outdoor adventure skills.

HORSEBACK RIDING & PACK TRIPS SNORKEL WITH SALMON RAFTING EXPEDITIONS & FLOAT TRIPS SALMON FISHING LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS FROM VANCOUVER OR CALGARY 3DIRECTHRS NEAR SMITHERS BC FLIGHTS DAILY + AIRPORT SHUTTLE O TH ER A DV EN TU R ES

ECO WILD CAMPS

Bear Claw Lodge | Eco-tourism on the Kispiox Ri...

http://www.kispioxriver.com

http://kaywa.me/I3444

www.kispioxriver.com

Download the Kaywa QR Code Reader (App Store &Android Market) and scan your code!

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

www.tourismsmithers.com CALL TOLL-FREE 1.800.542.6673 1 800 542 6673

FIND OUT MORE

River Rafting Choose Full or Half Day Excursions, Sunset Cruises to Whitewater

Main Current Expeditions 250-877-2144 · www.maincurrent.com

Capri Motor Inn 61 Modern, Air-Conditioned Rooms Multi-room Suites · Restaurant on Site

Make friends. Meet friends. Chat up the staff. Sunbathe. Cloudbathe. Procrastinate. Pontiﬁcate. Meet locals. Get the beta. Scheme. Swap lies. Pull up a stump. Listen to Nick. Talk ﬁshing. Make big plans. Celebrate. Drink great coffee. Repeat.

Within walking distance of downtown businesses and shopping

Toll-free 1-800-663-3120 www.CapriMotorInnSmithers.com www.tourismsmithers.com

Find nd us on Mai M Main ain str stre street ee et S Smithers. mithers On Facebook. And at BugwoodBean.com.

d is c o ve r t he

di f f e r e n c e .

Only ’ s r e Smi t h

ZOER’S

Hotel e c i v r e Full S

MODERN

GRILL

FIRESIDE

LOUNGE

MEETING & BANQUET VENUES · AIRPORT SHUTTLE LODGE LIQUOR STORE · BUSINESS & FITNESS FACILITIES

3251 HIGHWAY 16 EAST, SMITHERS, BC • PH 250.847.4581 • RESERVATIONS@HUDSONBAYLODGE.COM

TOLL-FREE 1.800.663.5040 • WWW.HUDSONBAYLODGE.COM www.tourismsmithers.com

N O R T HWE ST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Bulkley Rivers, and several unincorporated settlements including South Hazelton. Look west to see the magnificent peak of Roche de Boule — associated, in Gitx_san First Nation legend, with a shape-shifting goat who punishes villagers for thoughtless cruelty to animals.

What to see and do in the Hazeltons

Moricetown, B.C. – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

MORICETOWN Halfway between Smithers and New Hazelton is Moricetown — a Wet’suwet’en First Nation village of 800. View the latesummer spectacle of traditional aboriginal salmon fishing in the crashing whitewater of the Moricetown Canyon — as practised by the Wet’suwet’en for millennia. Visit the Moricetown Interpretive Centre, camp across the river at the Moricetown campground, and sport-fish with a permit.

Tour the First Nations heritage site, ’Ksan Historical Village and Museum. Learn about Gitxxsan history and culture, see traditional regalia and watch carvers at work.

Drive around the Totem Pole Capital of the World. More than 50 authentic, impressive totem poles can be seen in the Hazeltons and surrounding villages. Drive, or park your car so you can walk over Hagwilget Bridge. It’s one of the highest suspension bridges in North America, and views from here are truly inspiring.

Enjoy a walking tour through picturesque Old Hazelton. Heritage buildings recall the pre-railroad era of steam-driven sternwheelers that braved serious rapids to service the area from the coast. Fish the world-class Kispiox River for steelhead, coho, rainbow, cutthroat and dolly varden.

Enjoy the Pioneer Day parade and celebrations in historic “Old Town”, the second Saturday in August.

Explore the backcountry on foot, or on skis. To access real adventure potential, hire a guide.

THE HAZELTONS

Canada Day celebrations at Allen Park, New Hazelton on July 1st.

A handful of close communities are collectively referred to as the Hazeltons: the District of New Hazelton, 68 km (42 mi) northwest of Smithers on Highway 16, the Village of Hazelton, 7 km (4 mi) northwest at the confluence of the Skeena and

Find out more about The Hazeltons, B.C. Call the seasonally operated Visitor Centre at 250-842-6071, or the Village office year-round at 250-842-5991 or visit www.newhazelton.ca

AT THIS POINT

You can either continue along Highway 16 west or you can turn north and experience the Stewart-Cassiar Highway. Information on this northern trek is provided next. A further description of what awaits you if you are to continue along Highway 16 resumes on page 65 – with a description of majestic Terrace. FOR REFERENCE, SEE THE MAP ON PAGE 48

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Kitwanga, B.C. – Tim Swanky

KITWANGA AND GITANYOW The Gitxsan village of Kitwanga, also known by its Gitxsan name, Gitwangak, is found at the junction of Highways 16 and 37. Prince Rupert-bound travellers continue west on Highway 16, while Yukon-bound travellers turn north onto Highway 37 (the Stewart-Cassiar). Just 4 km (2.5 mi) over the Skeena River bridge on Highway 37, encounter another Gitxsan village — Gitanyow, formerly known as Kitwancool.

What to see and do in Kitwanga and Gitanyow

MEZIADIN JUNCTION About 155 km (100 mi) north of Kitwanga, reach the Meziadin Junction. A tough choice awaits: head west on the aptly named Glacier Highway 37A for an extraordinary drive to the communities of Stewart and Hyder, or continue north on Highway 37 through the Coast Mountains, towards the Yukon. While you decide, you can camp (June 1 - September 15), swim, water-ski, fish, and during late summer, watch spawning salmon ascend the fish ladder in scenic Meziadin Lake Provincial Park. Watch for bears! Kitwanga, B.C. – Tim Swanky

Admire authentic totem poles (about 11 in Kitwanga, more than 15 in Gitanyow), recounting Gitxsan history and legend. These poles inspired famous works by the renowned B.C. painter, Emily Carr, who visited in the late 1920s.

Visit Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historic Site. A trail to a steep mound, known as Ta’awdzep or Battle Hill, is all that remains of a palisade and five cedar plank longhouses that were occupied for at least 100 years. They burned down around 1835, after a tribal war over fishing sites and trade routes. Seven panels along the trail tell the story. Visit the seasonally operated Gitanyow Museum.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

N ORTH WEST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

STEWART The border towns of Stewart (Canada’s most northerly icefree port) and Hyder (friendliest little ghost town in Alaska) sit at the head of the Portland Canal. These communities are linked to the Stewart-Cassiar Highway by the Bear Pass, which cuts through the coastal mountain range with over 20 hanging glaciers visible from the road. World-famous bear watching, glacier tours and breathtaking scenery make this trip a must.

What to see and do in Stewart

Stop to photograph the Bear Glacier, located along Highway 37A.

Take the self-guided auto tour or arrange a tour up to the Salmon Glacier — Canada’s largest glacier accessible by road (seasonally, by 4 wheel drive).

Watch grizzly and black bears feed on salmon, at the viewing area located at Fish Creek, 11 km (7 mi) from Stewart, on the Alaska Panhandle.

Visit Bear River Interpretive Centre - a non profit centre open from May to Sept. Enjoy year-round salt water and fresh water fishing.

LINKING BC’S NORTHWEST WITH THE YUKON & ALASKA

Stewart Cassiar T

E G R E AT N OR T H E R N C I R C L E T EL TH OUR R AV

Hwy 37

Stewart, B.C. – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

Charter a helicopter, to take in the spectacular aerial view of the water, mountains and glaciers.

landscape • history Stewart Cassiar Hwy

www.stewartcassiarhighway.com

Charter a boat for a sight-seeing or fishing trip on the Portland Canal.

Stroll out onto the boardwalk for a spectacular view of the Portland Canal and bird-watching. Stop at the pavilion for a picnic.

c ulture • wi ldli fe

ww w. Stewa r tC a s s ia rH ig hway.com FREE Road Tour Guides available at Visitor Centres in Northwest BC & our website http://kaywa.me/wJC2I

Download the Kaywa QR Code Reader (App Store &Android Market) and scan your code!

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTH WEST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Hike on your own or with a guide on one of the many hiking trails in the Stewart area.

BELL II

Visit the Museum, located in the 100 year old Stewart Firehall, to learn about the history of Stewart, experience the glory days of mining and find out about the many feature films that have been filmed in the area.

Bell 2, 96km (60 mi) north of Meziadin, was so named because it’s the second bridge across the Bell Irving River. Bell 2 Lodge offers four-star accommodation, a full service restaurant, campsites for RV’s and tents, as well as a gas station with coffee shop. In the winter months, Bell 2 Lodge is home to Last Frontier Heliskiing.

Remember your passport if you are planning on crossing into Hyder, Alaska.

Take the heritage walking tour to see Stewart’s heritage homes and buildings.

Attend Stewart/Hyder International Days held annually July 1 to 4. Events include games for all ages, parades, entertainment, fireworks, community dinner, slo-pitch tournament and much more.

Attend the Bear Arts Festival held annually on the second weekend in August.

Find out more about Stewart, B.C. The Stewart Visitor Centre is operated seasonally by the Stewart Chamber of Commerce. Year round contact information: phone 250-636-9224 or 1-888-366-5999 or visit www.districtofstewart.com

TATOGGA LAKE AND ISKUT Drive 148 km (92 mi) north of Bell II to reach Tatogga Lake. Visitor services here include fuel, a restaurant, resort accommodation, boat rentals, flight-seeing tours and minor car repairs. Camping is also available at nearby Kinaskan Lake. Eight km (5 mi) further, the tiny Tahltan village of Iskut includes a post office, gas station and grocery store. Both are departure points for exploration of spectacular wilderness parks: Mount Edziza and Spatsizi Plateau.

Bell II Lodge – Steve Rosset

BRITISH COLUMBIA

bear viewing platform | hiking areas museum | snowmobiling rv parks | specialty gift shops tenting area | hotels/motels

District of Stewart | PO Box 460 | 705 Brightwell St. | Stewart, BC V0T 1W0 Tel: 250-636-2251 | info@districtofstewart.com

www.districtofstewart.com N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Dease Lake, B.C. – Tim Swanky

DEASE LAKE

TELEGRAPH CREEK

About 83 km (52 mi) north of Iskut, meet the community of Dease Lake (pop. 303). This former Hudson’s Bay trading post (established in 1838) is today the centre of services for Highway 37 communities. It’s also proximate to very significant jade reserves, prompting the community to bill itself as the “Jade Capital of the World.” Visitor services include fuel, supplies, restaurants and accommodation.

A 113 km (70 mi) gravel road from Dease Lake to Telegraph Creek passes several First Nations fishing camps, and offers sensational views of the lower Grand Canyon of the Stikine. However, take note: its narrow, steep, sharp switchbacks make it unsuited for large RVs and vehicles with trailers. This mostly Tahltan community, situated on two terraces above the Stikine River, is one of B.C.’s most remote. It was named for the overland B.C./Yukon telegraph line that was constructed between 1866 and 1901, and later abandoned for wireless radio. Telegraph Creek is the hometown of celebrated First Nations carver Dempsey Bob.

What to see and do in Dease Lake

Book a guided tour (including horseback, whitewater rafting and flight-seeing!) into the awe-inspiring Stikine River Provincial Park and the Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park. Well-equipped, fit and experienced hikers can explore this challenging terrain independently.

Fish for grayling in the Tanzilla River, and char in Dease and Boya Lakes.

If you’re a well-equipped, experienced paddler, explore Dease River by kayak.

What to see and do in Telegraph Creek Camp, hike, fish for salmon and steelhead, kayak and canoe the Stikine River’s navigable sections. Follow the Telegraph Creek road another 19 km (12 mi) to its conclusion at Glenora, a ghost town that once hosted 5,000 gold-seekers. Enjoy a place that time seems to have forgotten.

Visit Stikine Riversong, a former Hudson Bay Trading Post.

MORE STEWART-CASSIAR GEMS Continuing north from Dease Lake along Highway 37 toward the B.C./Yukon border, note these stops of interest: Jade City (pop. 12!) offers a gift shop featuring locally mined jade jewelry, sculpture and carvings, jade mining displays plus services for travellers. Boya Lake Provincial Park features a gorgeous, aquamarine-hued lake, with waters warm enough to swim and first-come, first-served camping.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTH WEST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

ATLIN About 94 km (58 mi) south of Jake’s Corner off the Alaska Highway, Atlin is B.C.’s most northwesterly community, well off the beaten track and definitely worth the trip. This region has long been home to the semi-nomadic Taku River Tlingit people. Discoveries of gold at Pine Creek in 1898 drew 10,000 gold-seekers the following year. By the time gold finds had dwindled to a trickle in 1915, many had been seduced by the compelling beauty of Atlin’s landscape — and stayed. With its long summer days (19 hours of light at summer solstice!), this community of about 400 continues to attract artists and other restless souls.

What to see and do in Atlin

Explore and fish Atlin Lake, B.C.’s largest natural lake! Guides and boats, from kayaks to houseboats, are available for hire.

Go flight-seeing over Llewellyn Glacier, which flows from the massive Juneau icefield into the southwest tip of Atlin Lake, and remote Atlin Provincial Park.

Visit the Atlin Historical Museum (May 1 to September 1), in Atlin’s first schoolhouse (est. 1920). Museum volunteers offer historic walking tours of Atlin; free, but donations gratefully accepted.

See the restored MV Tarahne, an elegant touring boat that carried people and goods around the lake from 1916-1936. Pan for gold (rent equipment at the museum), at the public claim on Spruce Creek.

Enjoy a production at the Globe Theatre, considered architecturally unique for 1917 when it was built.

J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

Relax in the naturally warm springs off Warm Bay Road, 24 km (15 mi) from town.

Visit during Atlin Arts And Music Festival in July, but purchase tickets in advance.

Hire a local guide-outfitter for fishing, hunting or packhorse trips.

Find out more about Atlin, B.C. Call the Visitor Centre at 250-651-7522, and visit www.discoveratlin.com

AT THIS POINT

Once you have completed your northern adventure you may wish to return to Highway 16 and continue west. You may have already decided to complete your journey along Highway 16 before making the decision to head north. No matter what your travel plans, once you continue further west from the junction of Highway 37 you will come across a number of bustling communities that are in touch with their heritage and the environment.

FOR REFERENCE, SEE THE MAP ON PAGE 48

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Heritage Park Museum, Terrace, B.C. – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

TERRACE Positioned 210 km (130 mi) west of Smithers and 140 km (87 mi) east of Prince Rupert on Highway 16, Terrace is a commercial and transportation centre. Its hub status predates even the railway: decades before that was completed, Terrace was a regular stop for the steam-powered sternwheelers that plied the Skeena from the coast. Its cultural history is much longer: for almost 10,000 years, Terrace and the Skeena Valley have been home to the Tsimshian First Nation. The city’s mascot is the Kermodei bear, a rarely seen creamcoloured subspecies of black bear. Unique to B.C.’s north coast, the “spirit bear” is increasingly imperilled by habitat loss. Comprehensive services await visitors to Terrace, including a wide range of accommodation, restaurants, pubs, wellness centres and spas. To really unlock this region’s adventure potential, hire a qualified guide.

What to see and do in Terrace Land one of the world-renowned salmon that draw anglers 10 months of the year. Fish the bountiful Skeena with a guide or on your own — perhaps from your campsite at the Ferry Island Municipal Campground. View pioneer-era log buildings, photographic exhibits and periodic live entertainment at the Heritage Park Museum.

Explore George Little House. A restored home of the city’s founding father, it now hosts events and houses the Via Rail station and artists’. Arrange a tour of the new Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, and watch First Nations artists at work. Visit the Terrace Art Gallery, and take the mural art tour. Ski or board Canada’s only non-profit community owned co-op ski hill, Shames Mountain, where the powder is deep and relatively cheap! Shames’ unparalleled backcountry beckons expert, self-sufficient recreationists at their own risk.

Attend Riverboat Days and the Riverside Music Festival in early August. Golf at the 18-hole Skeena Valley Golf and Country Club.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Hike or cycle the Terrace Mountain trail, for great views of the city and environs. Explore other trails at Thornhill, Bornite, Maroon and Shames Mountains, Sleeping Beauty, Pine, Redsand and Gunsight Lakes. Test your cycling skills at Terrace’s bike-skills park.

Visit the Skeena Valley Farmers’ Market, Saturdays May to October.

Rock climb diverse routes and rock faces, at Copper Mountain, Exchamsiks River Provincial Park, Exstew Valley and Chist Creek. W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Kitselas Canyon Historic Site – Sian James

TERRACE – Continued…

Raft or kayak April through November. More than 20 first-rate whitewater runs exist near Terrace, typically graced by the majestic backdrop of deep canyons, verdant forests and the towering peaks and glaciers of the Coast Mountains.

Visitor Centre longhouse with displays of Nisga’a art including carvings, button blankets and masks and a pictorial history of the Nisga’a and the Nass Valley. At Nass Camp there is an RV campground with 16 sites with full services (electrical, water and dumping station), a restaurant and a bar.

Discover the Kitselas Canyon Historic Site, operated by the Kitselas First Nation. It includes an interpretive trail and four contemporary totem poles.

What to see and do in the Nass Valley

Cross-country ski Onion Lake’s 25 km (15 mi) of groomed trails (including 5 km lit).

Snowmobile on trails at Mount Maroon, Copper and Sterling Mountains.

Find out more about Terrace, B.C. Call the Terrace Visitor Centre at 250-635-4944; Kermodei Tourism at 1-877-635-4944, 250-635-4944 or visit www.visitterrace.com

NASS VALLEY The Nass Valley holds many undiscovered wonders of nature and history. Tour the 26 km (16 mi) long lava beds to the volcanic cone or experience some of the world’s best fishing on the Portland Canal near the Alaska border. Visit the stunning new Nisga’a Museum in Greenville (Lax_galts’ap) and the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park. The park features a campground,

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Visit the Nisga’a Museum (Hli Goothl Wilp Adokshl Nisga’a), featuring the Ancestors Collection (Anhooya’ahl Ga’angigatgum’) with over 300 Nisga’a cultural treasures. This collection ranks as one of the preeminent collections of Northwest Coast aboriginal art.

Visit Gitlakdamix (New Aiyansh) to see the totem poles at the New Aiyansh Village Government Office. Shop at the General Store for gas, snacks and mementos, or visit one of the local artist’s workshops. Tour the Government Chambers and Lisims Government Building to learn more about these self-governed people.

Drive into Gitwinksilkw (Canyon City) across a bridge featuring four welcoming totem poles. Also visit the swaying suspension bridge that was once the only land access to the village.

Explore Gingolx (Kincolith) situated at the mouth of the Nass River, on the Portland Canal — it’s known as the Seafood Capital of the Nass Valley.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

NORTHWEST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

KITIMAT Kitimat, pop. 8,335, is a young city, planned and built in the 1950s by Alcan Aluminum to house employees for its smelter which has become one of the world’s largest. This industrial city offers easy access to some of B.C.’s most remote, pristine landscapes. Its Haisla name means “People of the Snow” — an apt descriptor, as annual snowfalls here are among Canada’s highest.

What to see and do in Kitimat World class fresh water fishing on the Kitimat River. Salt water fishing for halibut, salmon, cod and snapper, trap for prawns, shrimp and crab in the Douglas Channel independently or with a guide. Canoe or kayak the Douglas Channel. Don’t miss the Weewanie and Bishop Bay hot springs in Douglas Channel! Visit the world’s largest intact coast temperate rainforest: the Kitlope Conservancy. About a two hour boat ride from Kitimat and accessible only with permission and a guide, this protected backcountry park has 800-year-old trees. It provides critical habitat for grizzly, black bear, marbled murrelets and bald eagles. More information is available at www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kitlope.html Fishing Near Kitimat, B.C. – Nikki Fink

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Kitimat offers breath taking scenery, coastal mountains and abundant wildlife.

Hike! The Visitor Centre offers maps of trails from easy to advanced.

View the largest protected living Sitka Spruce tree in B.C., behind the Riverlodge Recreation Centre. This 500-year-old specimen would provide enough lumber to frame nine average homes. Visit the Kitimat Museum & Archives, for a fascinating display of natural history, visual arts, First Nations displays and gift shop. View local artists’ works at the Museum’s art gallery. Golf at the scenic and challenging 18-hole Hirsch Creek Golf and Winter Club.

Family fun at the Tamitik Sports Complex and Riverlodge Recreation Centre. Facilities include 2 ice arenas, Olympic size swimming pool with a lazy river, water slide and spray park, weight room, racquetball and squash courts.

Check out Kitimat’s other natural treasures and public green spaces: Centennial and Hirsch Creek Parks, Hospital Beach, Moore Creeks Falls and the Coghlin Park viewpoint. Giant Spruce Park – Kitimat Visitor Centre

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Prince Rupert, B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

Cross-country ski and snowmobile on a wide range of trails, described in brochures found at the Visitor Centre.

PRINCE RUPERT

Check out the large aluminum snowflake!

Prince Rupert is a booming little port city of about 12,500, in the heart of the North Coast’s lush rainforest. Outstanding marine and forest-based recreation opportunities are cherished by residents and visitors alike. Sport-fishing and wildlife-viewing here are the stuff of legend. The city’s architecture, superior museum collections, community events, trendy galleries, cafés

Find out more about Kitimat, B.C. Call the Visitor Centre at 1-800-664-6554, 250-632-6294, email info@tourismkitimat.ca and visit www.tourismkitimat.ca

KITAMAAT VILLAGE The Haisla village of Kitamaat, meaning “People of the Snow”, is about 11 km (4 mi) south of Kitimat. It’s home to about 700 Haisla people. In 1905, the Canadian government “reserved” about 7 km2 for the Haisla’s exclusive use of approximately 13,000 km2 (about 5,000 mi2) traditionally used by this wideranging people. However, the Haisla remain connected to their spiritual traditions, the land, and hunting, fishing and gathering.

What to see and do in Kitamaat Village Inquire about Kitamaat’s highly accomplished artists and sculptors and arrange a studio visit. View and photograph exceptional scenery and wildlife.

PRINCESS ROYAL ISLAND Plan in advance for your visit to Princess Royal Island — one of the last refuges of the famed Kermodei bear. Experts believe there are fewer than 200 of these cream-coloured “spirit” bears left. There are no permanent settlements on this island. N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Prince Rupert, B.C. – Channel Collective

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Prince Rupert, B.C. – Channel Collective

PRINCE RUPERT – Continued…

What to see and do in Prince Rupert

and shops lend it cosmopolitan flavour and bear colourful witness to the profound influence of nature on daily life, an enduring respect for living First Nations culture, and a timehonoured tradition of welcoming visitors from afar. Located in the center of territory traditionally claimed by the Tsimshian First Nation, this region was one of North America’s most densely populated areas long before European explorers arrived. Initially, the British and Americans set up posts to trade sea otter pelts. Plentiful wild salmon, which have sustained the Tsimshian for over 10,000 years, drew dozens of canneries to the coast during the 1800s — along with a multi-cultural workforce. In the early 1900s, the Grand Trunk Railway selected Kaien Island as its Pacific terminus, and the City of Prince Rupert was incorporated in 1910. Prince Rupert earned a place on the map as the world’s halibut capital, and during World War II, as the staging area for Allied troops and munitions on their way to the Aleutian Islands. In the post-war era, the city’s fortunes have primarily been tied to fishing and forestry. The city has long been a regional centre for commerce and transport: it’s the Pacific terminus of Highway 16 (the Yellowhead) and Via Rail, and the meeting point of ferries from Alaska, Haida Gwaii and points south. The past few years have seen Prince Rupert experience meteoric growth as a cargo port, due to major investment and the fact of it being the shortest ocean link between North America and Asia. The cruise ship terminal right beside quaint downtown Prince Rupert welcomes visitors from throughout the world.

Enjoy some of the world’s best sport fishing, in salt and fresh water, for all five species of salmon, halibut, a variety of rockfish, or shrimp and crab.

Guides know the best spots! View humpback, orcas and grey whales — from your boat, kayak or with a guided tour. With luck, humpback whales will offer a fascinating display of bubble-net feeding. Eagles, seabirds, seals, sea lions and porpoises are added bonuses!

Book your spot on a flight-seeing tour for a bird’s-eye view of coastal fjords, glaciers and nearby communities.

Hike the new Metlakatla Wilderness Trail. A short ferry ride takes you to the 20 km (round trip) oceanfront trail where you can experience shell middens, an old village site and perhaps spot some whales. The trail has viewing towers and suspension bridges, so come prepared for adventure.

Explore the outstanding collections of the Museum of Northern B.C., housed in a magnificent, northwest coast-style longhouse. Take a tour, and drop by its excellent gift shop for regionally made First Nations jewellery.

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Get a once-in-a-lifetime grizzly bear viewing experience, at Canada’s first grizzly bear sanctuary: the Khutzeymateen. Some 50 grizzlies inhabit this remote park. Day trips depart by boat from Prince Rupert and flight seeing and sailboat based adventures are available. Book ahead!

Experience Northwest Coast performance art in the museum’s adjacent longhouse. W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

hone Scan with a smartp ur! to eo to watch a vid thotel.bc.ca or visit www.cres

N O R T HWE ST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

PRINCE RUPERT – Continued…

Pay tribute to the mariners of Prince Rupert at Pacific Mariners’ Memorial Park. It features a statue, memorial wall and the Kazu Maru — a small fishing vessel that was found drifting near Haida Gwaii in 1987. Investigation revealed that the abandoned craft came from Owase, the Japanese sister city of Prince Rupert. Its owner had taken it for a day of fishing, and was never seen again.

Visit the Kwinitsa Railway Museum, for a glimpse of Prince Rupert’s journey from tent town at the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway terminus, to vital city in the 1920s.

Explore Prince Rupert’s history of fire-fighting and law enforcement, and view a restored 1925 REO Speedwagon fire engine, at the Firehall Museum.

Prince Rupert, B.C. – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Explore the community, searching out the many totem poles erected at public buildings and sprinkled through city parks.

Explore the galleries, boutiques, restaurants, cafés and shops of Cow Bay, a busy harbour and shopping district. Visit the Ice House Gallery in the Atlin Terminal at Cow Bay, and take in a show at Prince Rupert’s state-of-the-art Lester Centre of the Arts.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Convenient, Comfortable & Affordable • Complimentary continental breakfast • Close to all transportation terminals • Free hi-speed Internet • Free covered parking • Theaann’s Greek Palace Restaurant 909 Third Avenue West, Prince Rupert BC V8J 1M9 Toll Free: 1-888-663-1999 • Ph: 250-627-1711 • Fax: 250-627-4212

www.pacificinn.bc.ca

CLEAN, COMFORTABLE AND QUIET ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Complimentary, continental breakfast Within walking distance of downtown Close to VIA Rail and Ferry terminals Parking for ferry passengers FREE high speed internet Kitchenettes available

www.totemlodge.com

Tel: (250) 624-6761 • Fax: (250) 624-3831 Toll Free: 1-800-550-0178

1335 Park Avenue Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1K3

N O R T HWE ST

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

PRINCE RUPERT – Continued…

Enjoy a quiet moment in the tranquil, volunteer- maintained Sunken Garden, which faces the provincial courthouse built in 1923.

Explore the lush coastal rainforest in nearby provincial parks, such as Prudhomme Lake and Diana Lake. Complete exceptional, short hikes in McClymont and Moresby parks.

Enjoy interpretive trails at Butze Rapids and Grassy Bay, view dwarfed, bonsai-like trees at Oliver Lake, and stroll lovely trails within the city itself.

Challenge your golf skills at the 18-hole Prince Rupert Golf Course — but try not to get distracted by the gorgeous views!

Visit the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Port Interpretive Centre, showcasing the history of trade in the region.

Find out more about Prince Rupert, B.C.

DISCOVER BRITISH COLUMBIA’S WILD AND BEAUTIFUL NORTHWEST COAST Prince Rupert is a vibrant town where nature, history, and personalities are larger than life. Legendary sport fishing, exceptional wildlife viewing, attractions that bring the coast’s ancient aboriginal culture and pioneer heritage alive, and the urban pleasure of good restaurants, fascinating shops, and colourful neighborhoods make Prince Rupert the ideal choice for a family vacation, a corporate retreat, or a solo getaway. En route to Alaska and Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands), Prince Rupert is easily accessible by air, rail, ferry, car, RV or cruise ship.

VisitPrinceRupert.com

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Call the Prince Rupert Visitor Centre at 250-624-5637 or www.visitprincerupert.com Prince Rupert, B.C. – Simon Ratcliffe

North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site, B.C. – Clint Fraser

PORT EDWARD Located at the mouth of the salmon-rich Skeena, Port Edward is home to about 544 people. For a century beginning in the 1880s, Port Edward and adjoining Inverness Passage were home to several thriving fish canneries, providing thousands of jobs to a multicultural work force of fishermen, boat builders and cannery workers. The area’s unique history lives on at the North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site, well worth the 12 km (7.45 mi) side-trip from Prince Rupert.

What to see and do in Port Edward

Tour the North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site, May to October, and learn about the cannery village’s multicultural past.

Take guided tours through working antique equipment, authentic houses, wooden boardwalks, a company store and café. Overnight at one of Cassiar Cannery’s guest houses.

Ocean Fishing with protected marina and double boat launch provide easy access.

Picnic, swim and canoe at Diana Lake Provincial Park, just off Highway 16. Watch spawning salmon here August to September.

Find out more about Port Edward, B.C. Call the District of Port Edward at 250-628-3667, and visit www.portedward.ca

stival Fun!

Annual Fe

Come visit Prince Rupert!

June 12-14, 2015

www.prspecialevents.com N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

SPECIAL FEATURE

BC FERRIES:

THE MAGNIFICENT JOURNEY It’s often said that the journey is at least as important as the destination. Nowhere is this more true than on BC Ferries. For British Columbians, BC Ferries is a critical link in the province’s transportation system. But for visitors and residents alike, BC Ferries voyages mean so much more: an affordable way to see the magnificent B.C. coastline; unforgettable views of marine wildlife, including soaring eagles, orca and grey whales, and silvery porpoises leaping alongside the boat; and a relaxing alternative to highway travel. BC Ferries provides service on 25 routes throughout coastal B.C., but two routes are particularly relevant to travellers in northern B.C. the Inside Passage route, and the Prince Rupert / Haida Gwaii route. The Inside Passage route links Prince Rupert, gateway to northern B.C., to Port Hardy, on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. This 15-hour voyage offers more than 400 kilometres of spectacular coastal scenery: regal mountains, dramatic fjords and lush, remote islands. It all takes place on the Northern Expedition, one of the newest and most comfortable

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

vessels in the BC Ferries fleet. Ship amenities include state rooms, excellent food services and a gift shop offering a great selection of First Nations art. The BC Ferries route between Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii (a.k.a. the Queen Charlotte Islands) offers another memorable trip. The 173 km route offers access to one of the most pristine, culturally rich regions in the world.

BOTH OF THESE POPULAR ROUTES REQUIRE ADVANCED RESERVATIONS. For current schedule and fare information, travel tips, directions to ferry terminals, and vehicle reservations, contact BC Ferries at www.bcferries.com; or call 1-888-223-3779 (toll-free in North America) or 250-386-3431 (from outside of North America).

FOR VACATION PACKAGES CONTACT

www.bcferries.com/vacations, or call 1-888-BCFerry, Ext. 3

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Seek northern shores.

Ask about our Northern Packages including ferry travel,

accommodation, tours and activities. Wherever you choose to visit, whatever you decide to do, there is no better way to discover the North than with BC Ferries Vacations.™

Three easy ways to book: · bcferries.com/vacations · 1-888-BC FERRY Ext. 3

· BC Ferries Vacations™ Centre at the Fairmont Pacific Rim 1010 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC BC Reg. 48839

03 Skidegate, B.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sian James

Haida Heritage Centre, Skidegate, B.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sian James

SECTION 03

HAIDA GWAII BC

Skidegate, B.C. – Sian James

WELCOME TO HAIDA GWAII BC

To watch videos on your smartphone scan this code.

HAIDA GWAII B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

A globally unique ecosystem that partially escaped the last ice age, and evokes comparisons to the equally isolated and biologically diverse Galápagos Islands. All this and more are found on glorious Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), an archipelago of more than 150 islands about 120 km (74 mi) off the northern B.C. coast. The two largest islands, Graham and Moresby, are home to most of its 5,000 residents. About half of these are Haida, the First Nation whose 12,000-year presence here is felt in every aspect of island life — truly making them the “islands of the people”. Whichever place name

you use, expect that your visit to the Haida Gwaii impart a lifetime’s worth of impressions: the strength and gentle humour of the

Haida Gwaii, B.C. – Sian James

Haida people, as present on young faces today as it is in the world-renowned art and artifacts showcased in the award-winning Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay. The mysterious

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

gaze of mortuary poles over the pristine magnificence of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site — appropriately chosen as North America’s #1 Park by National Geographic Traveller Magazine. The pervasive influence of the sea, teeming with grey, orca, and humpback whales along with salmon, seals, sea lions, porpoises and marine birds. The continuing allure of life off the beaten track, which continues to draw creatives to the islands from around the world. And when you leave, don’t be surprised if your visit to Haida Gwaii has left you with the sense of having touched something sacred. You have.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

SE C T I ON 0 3

A PROUD INDIGENOUS CULTURE OF SEAFARERS, FOOD-GATHERERS AND ARTISTS. DENSE, FLOURISHING RAINFORESTS, WINDSWEPT SAND-DUNES AND ENDLESS BEACHES.

Top row: Skidegate – Sian James / Haida Heritage Centre – Sian James / S’Gang Gwaay Llnagaay – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto Middle row: Masset – Sian James / Haida Gwaii – Sian James Bottom row: Haida Heritage Centre – Sian James / Clan Parade – Sian James / Sea Lions – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

HA I DA G WAII

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

SANDSPIT Sandspit, 13 km (8 mi) from the ferry landing at Alliford Bay, is the main community on Moresby Island. Visitor services here include a hotel, RV park, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, grocery store, and a well-serviced 80-berth marina. Sandspit offers scheduled air service to Vancouver, and access to South Moresby and one of the islands’ crown jewels: Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. The protected areas are accessed only by boat or chartered aircraft. Kayakers should be very experienced and self-sufficient, or accompanied by a guide.

What to see and do in Sandspit Take your photo at the imposing, locally crafted cedar/copper salmon sculpture, on the road to the airport. Hike the Dover Trail, to access the forests of northern Moresby Island.

Camp and relax on the beach at Gray Bay, 21 km (13 mi) southeast of Sandspit. Enjoy fresh- and saltwater fishing.

Visit Mosquito Lake Park, 44 km (27 mi) southwest of Sandspit. In spring, watch grey whales from Onward Point. Golf almost all year long, at Willows Golf Course.

Gear up for your kayak or zodiac adventure with local guides. Catch the BC Ferry to Graham Island.

Find out more about Sandspit, B.C. Drop in or call the seasonally operated Visitor Centre at the airport, at 250-637-5362 or visit www.GoHaidaGwaii.ca

SKIDEGATE YEAR-ROUND CHARTERS THROUGHOUT BRITISH COLUMBIA’S NORTH COAST

Two BC Ferries dock at Skidegate Landing, linking passengers to Sandspit or Prince Rupert. Skidegate Village is 2 km (1.5 mi) from the terminal. Visitor services include restaurants, a gas bar, laundromat and bank; most accommodation is available in the nearby Village of Queen Charlotte.

What to see and do in Skidegate

Business, Industry and Sightseeing Charter Services

Visit the Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay. This celebration of Haida Culture consists of six linked longhouses, which house the Haida Gwaii Museum, Performing House, Carving Shed, Canoe House, Bill Reid Teaching Centre and a gift shop. The complex is fronted by six monumental totem poles.

Prince Rupert • Sandspit • Vancouver • Victoria

helijet.com

Prince Rupert: 250.624.2792

Sandspit: 250.637.5344

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LUToll-free M B1-855-777-4354 I A T R AV E L G U I D E Toll-free 2 0 1 51-877-569-4354

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Haida Gwaii, B.C. – J.F. Bergeron - Enviro Foto

Attend an orientation on Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site at the centre or take one of the several scheduled guided tours. Private tours of the centre can also be arranged. View the Dogfish totem pole, carved by famed Haida carver Bill Reid at the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program longhouse on the waterfront. Walk the 3 km (2 mi) Spirit Lake Trail. Its entrance is guarded by a fabulous cedar carving of the Wasco, a legendary sea monster.

Marvel at Balance Rock, a huge, precariously perched ice age boulder, just north of the village. Look for signs along the highway.

Watch grey whales from April to June and eagles and ravens year-round as well as other bird watching.

In late July, attend Skidegate Days. This family- oriented celebration includes Haida canoe races, volleyball, bingo, a salmon barbecue and dance.

What to see and do in the Village of Queen Charlotte

Stroll along the waterfront; check out bustling docks and circling eagles.

Source local art and great food in funky shops and cafés.

View art works by Haida and other locals, in the Visitor Centre’s gallery. Summer evenings feature slide presentations, performances by Haida youth dancers, and local artists painting, carving or crafting.

Book fishing charters to the west coast, and flights or boat trips to the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. Independent travellers to Gwaii Haanas (accessible only by air or water) must attend an orientation session with Parks Canada before entering the park reserve.

Find out more about Queen Charlotte, B.C.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE

Drop in or call the Visitor Centre at 250-559-8316, and visit www.qcinfo.ca or www.GoHaidaGwaii.ca

The charming Village of Queen Charlotte overlooks bays and islands, 6 km (4 mi) west of the ferry terminal. The town is quaint and charming, with good visitor amenities and an excellent Visitor Centre for advice and excursion-booking. Marina services are available for ocean-going vessels.

TF: 1.800.665.9606 ■ P: 1.250.559.4423 ■ E: searaven@qcislands.net 3301 Oceanview Dr., Box 519, Queen Charlotte, B.C. V0T 1S0

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

HAI DA GWAI I

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

TLELL Discover Tlell, 43 km (27 mi) north of Skidegate. This pastoral community of about 200 is identified with artists, artisans and others seeking alternative lifestyles. Several lovely bed & breakfasts, a small lodge and campsites host visitors. Tlell is also home to Haida Gwaii’s only cattle ranch.

What to see and do in Tlell

Visit the many well-marked galleries, artists’ studios and shops. Walk and picnic along the Tlell River.

Access the southeast end of Naikoon Provincial Park, a rich preserve of rainforest, sand dunes and beaches. Beachcomb!

Hike to the remains of the Pesuta, a log barge shipwrecked at the mouth of the Tlell River in 1928.

In August, attend the eclectic and long-running Edge of the World Music Festival in the Tlell Fall Fair Grounds, across from the Naikoon Provincial Park Headquarters.

Haida Gwaii, B.C. – Susan Clarke

In season, dine at the restaurant at the Haida House at Tllaal.

. N O I T A R I P S N I FIND YOUR . N O I T A R I P S N I ’ D E VOTRE SOURC

parkscanada.gc.ca/gwaiihaanas facebook.com/gwaiihaanas

parcscanada.gc.ca/gwaiihaanas facebook.com/gwaiihaanasFR

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Salmon Fishing – Queen Charlotte Lodge – Duane Foerter

PORT CLEMENTS Port Clements is centrally located on Graham Island at the southeast end of Masset Inlet, half an hour’s drive from Masset and 15 minutes from Tlell. Locally known as “Port”, this old forestry town also serves as a base for exploration of the islands’ rainforest, lakes and rivers via plentiful logging roads.

What to see and do in Port Clements Fish for salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.

Relax, camp (RV services available) and watch marvelous sunsets at Sunset Park. Observe eagles, herons, ducks, geese, cranes and more, from the bird- watching tower overlooking the Yakoun River estuary.

MASSET AND OLD MASSETT Masset is 40 km (25 mi) north of Port Clements, near Graham Island’s north shore. Just 3 km (2 mi) northeast is Old Massett, a Haida village and administrative centre of the Council of the Haida Nation. These fishing villages are the gateway to the northern region of Naikoon Provincial Park and home to about 1,400 year-round residents, including many prominent Haida artists. Masset also hosts an airport with direct flights to Vancouver.

What to see and do in Masset and Old Massett View sculptures, carvings, jewelry, pottery, textiles at galleries and studios.

Explore the area’s logging and farming history at the Port Clements Museum.

Walk the short Golden Spruce Trail, and learn the intriguing and tragic story of the unusual tree for which it was named.

Visit Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary, a critical migratory stopover for more than 150 species of birds from as far as Alaska, Russia and the Aleutians.

Find out more about Port Clements, B.C.

Call the village office at 250-557-4295 or visit www.portclements.ca or www.GoHaidaGwaii.ca

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

Learn about the island’s maritime history at the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum, in a restored heritage building which served as the communities’ first hospital (c. 1914).

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

HAI DA GWAI I

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

MASSET AND OLD MASSET – Continued…

Hike and beachcomb in Naikoon Provincial Park. Check out the Camp Fife Trail, Rose Spit and the basalt columns of Tow Hill.

Fish for spring and coho salmon, halibut and cutthroat trout.

Golf at Canada’s most westerly golf course: the Dixon Entrance Golf Course, 5 km (3 mi) east of town. See the totem poles located throughout the communities.

Preplan your salmon and halibut fishing trip to an exclusive saltwater fishing lodge on Langara Island or in the Masset area.

Find out more about Masset and Old Massett, B.C. Call the Village office at 250-626-3995 or visit www.massetbc.com or www.GoHaidaGwaii.ca Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum – Sian James

When you’ve reached the edge of your world, ours begins! photo credit: Marie Octaviano

gohaidagwaii.ca

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Visitor Centre

Phone

Burns Lake Visitor Centre..................250-692-3773 Chetwynd Visitor Centre....................250-788-1943 Dawson Creek Visitor Centre.............250-782-9595 Fort Nelson Visitor Centre.................250-774-6400 Fort St James Visitor Centre...............250-996-7023 Fort St John Visitor Centre.................250-785-4592 Granisle Visitor Centre.......................250-697-2428 Houston Visitor Centre......................250-845-7640 Hudsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hope Visitor Centre............250-783-9154 Kitimat Visitor Centre........................250-632-6294 Mackenzie Visitor Centre...................250-997-5459 McBride Visitor Centre.......................250-569-3366 New Hazelton Visitor Centre.............250-842-6071 Prince George Visitor Centre.............250-562-3700 Prince Rupert Visitor Centre..............250-624-5637 Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre.........250-559-8316 Sandspit Visitor Centre......................250-637-5362 Smithers Visitor Centre......................250-847-5072 Stewart Visitor Centre........................250-636-9224 Taylor Visitor Centre..........................250-789-9015 Terrace Visitor Centre........................250-635-4944 Tumbler Ridge Visitor Centre............250-242-3123 Vanderhoof Visitor Centre.................250-567-2124

The Visitor Centres of Northern British Columbia Welcome You! We provide a wealth of information on the region to help visitors with their travels. We have many useful brochures and guides waiting for you. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find our Visitor Centres located conveniently throughout the province. Watch for us, we are here for you.

NORTHERN BC

TRAVEL TIPS Northern B.C. is roughly defined as the top half of British Columbia, which is Canada’s westernmost province. Prince George is northern B.C.’s largest city, and sits about 750 km (465 mi) west of Edmonton, north of Vancouver and east of Prince Rupert.

Getting To and Around Northern British Columbia By Road Northern B.C. is accessed by three major Highways; 97, 16 and 37. Highway 16 (the “Yellowhead”) originates in Manitoba, crosses the prairies, winds through the Rocky Mountains, and continues west to B.C.’s north coast at Prince Rupert. It picks up again on Haida Gwaii, linking the village of Skidegate with Masset. In Prince George, the Yellowhead intersects Highway 97, which originates at the B.C./U.S. boarder near Osoyoos and runs north through Prince George to the Yukon boarder. From Dawson Creek north, Highway 97 is synonymous with the Alaska Highway. The Alaska Highway renames to Highway 1 in the Yukon and Alaska Route 1 in Alaska. Highway 37, the “Stewart-Cassiar”, originates in Kitimat. This north/south route follows Highway 16 for a brief stretch before turning north at Kitwanga. From here it continues to its terminus near Watson Lake in the Yukon.

A Stewart-Cassiar spur, Highway 37A leads to Stewart, near the southern tip of Alaska. Hyder, Alaska is accessed this way.

By Air Prince George is the site of northern B.C.’s busiest airport, which offers frequent scheduled flights to several major cities. Smaller regional airports are also found in Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Smithers, Terrace/Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Sandspit and Masset. Service is provided by Air Canada, WestJet, Central Mountain Air, Hawkair, Northern Thunderbird Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Harbour Air and many charter companies. ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport book or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

Iskut B.C. – Tim Swanky

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

N O R T HE R N By Rail Via Rail’s Skeena line roughly parallels Highway 16, and connects Prince Rupert to Jasper, Alberta. Travellers on this scenic route require overnight accommodation in Prince George, as the train stops here at night and reboards the following morning. For more information call Via Rail at 1-888-VIA-RAIL. Prince George has numerous hotels, but it is advised to pre-book.

By Bus Greyhound Canada offers bus service to many northern B.C. communities and connections to points throughout Canada and the U.S. For more information, call 1-800-661-8747, visit www.greyhound.ca. There is no scheduled bus service on Highway 37 north of Meziadin Junction.

By Sea Prince Rupert is the southern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway System, and a frequent stop for Vancouver- and Alaska-bound cruise ships. It’s also the terminus of BC Ferries routes up the Inside Passage from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, and across the Hecate Strait from Haida Gwaii. For BC Ferries information, call 1-888-223-3779 toll-free in B.C., or visit www.bcferries.com. For Alaska Ferries information, call 1-800-642-0066. ALL PERSONS traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States.

Entering Canada American citizens arriving by air from the U.S. or any other country must present a passport to enter Canada. Americans arriving by land or sea are not required to present a passport in order to enter Canada, but it is preferred. They must present documents such as certificates of birth, naturalization, citizenship or Indian Status, as well as government-issued photo ID. Permanent residents of the U.S. must also present their permanent resident (i.e. “green”) cards. In some cases, Americans must produce visas. Because changes to Canadian law could change requirements for Americans arriving in Canada by land or sea all visitors to Canada are strongly advised to obtain or update passports. Other nationals arriving by land, sea or air must present valid passports and in some cases, visas. For detailed, current information, consult the Canadian Border Services Agency. www.cbsa.gc.ca

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

B R I T I S H

C O L U M B I A

Leaving Canada to enter or re-enter the United States Under American law known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers, including U.S. citizens, will be required to present valid passports or other documents approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, when entering or re-entering the U.S. from anywhere within the western hemisphere. All travellers from Canada to the U.S. are strongly advised to have current passports or NEXUS cards. For current information, consult your travel agent or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Driving Seatbelts are mandatory in B.C. Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a criminal offence. Speed limits and distances are posted in kilometers (km); 100 km equals about 62 miles.

Emergency Information In larger towns in northern B.C., dial 911 for immediate access to police, ambulance, fire department and other emergency personnel. Where this service doesn’t exist, dial “O” to reach an operator or consult local telephone directories.

Weapons Revolvers, pistols, fully automatic firearms and other weapons as well as self-defense sprays (mace, pepper spray) are prohibited from entry into Canada. Hunting rifles and shotguns must be declared at the border. For detailed information, call the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800731-4000.

Towing Restrictions Any towed trailer or vehicle over 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) must be equipped with brakes on all wheels, plus a break-away device hooked to the trailer brake system. Three-unit RV combinations not permitted on B.C. highways. RVs may not be wider than 2.6 m (8.5 ft), nor may their combined length exceed 20 m (65.6 ft). Fact sheet: www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse and search recreational vehicle towing.

Hospital and Medical Services Canadians from outside of B.C. should contact their provincial health services provider to find out if they need to purchase additional medical insurance while travelling in B.C. Foreign visitors should review their personal insurance policies to determine if they need to purchase additional health insurance before coming to B.C.

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

ADVERTISER

DIRECTORY Your quick reference to all of the advertisers in this edition of the Northern BC Travel Guide. Lake Kathlyn B.C. – Clint Fraser

VALEMOUNT MUSEUM

12 ABERDEEN HELICOPTERS LTD.

Prince George, B.C. www.aberdeenheli.com

VALLEY MUSEUM & ARCHIVES

14 A GOLDEN RAVEN EXPERIENCE

McBride, B.C. www.valleymuseum.ca

www.goldenraven.ca

CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA RAILWAY & FORESTRY MUSEUM

BC FISHING RESORTS & OUTFITTERS ASSOCIATION

Fort St. James, B.C. www.pc.gc.ca/stjames

www.wheretofishinbc.com

Mackenzie, B.C. www.mackenziemuseum.ca

THE EXPLORATION PLACE MUSEUM & SCIENCE CENTRE Prince George, B.C. www.theexplorationplace.com

TWO RIVERS GALLERY

www.KispioxRiver.com

BENNETT DAM VISITOR CENTRE

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

P: 1.250.996.8233 www.fortstjames.ca 24

DISTRICT OF HUDSON’S HOPE P: 1.250.783.9154 (May-Sept.) P: 1.250.783.9901 (off season) E: hhinfo@pris.ca www.hudsonshope.ca

DISTRICT OF KITIMAT P: 1.250.632.8921 www.kitimat.ca

P: 1.888.264.3030 www.PomeroyLodging.com

KITIMAT VISITOR CENTRE

STONEBRIDGE HOTEL

TF: 1.800.664.6554 www.tourismkitimat.ca

CHETWYND VISITOR CENTRE

June 11 - 14, 2015

DISTRICT OF MACKENZIE TF: 1.877.997.9940 E: info@district.mackenzie.bc.ca www.district.mackenzie.bc.ca

DISTRICT OF STEWART PO Box 460 705 Brightwell St. Stewart, B.C. V0T 1W0 P: 1.250.636.2251 E: info@districtofstewart.com www.districtofstewart.com

11TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CHAINSAW CARVING CHAMPIONSHIP

DISTRICT OF FORT ST. JAMES

POMEROY INN & SUITES

P: 1.250.788.1943 F: 1.250.788.1846 E: tourist@gochetwynd.com www.gochetwynd.com

BEAR CLAW LODGE

Open 10am - 5pm May 16 - September 7, 2015 P: 1.250.783.50.48 E: bennett@bchydro.com www.bchydro.com/bennett

P: 1.888.419.4657 22

CREST HOTEL 222 First Avenue West, Prince Rupert, B.C. TF: 1.800.663.8150 www.cresthotel.bc.ca

POMEROY HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE

NECHAKO LODGE & AVIATION 2500-500 Road Vanderhoof, B.C., VOJ 3A1 P: 1.250.412.2665 E: info@nechakolodge.com www.nechakolodge.com

P: 1.844.487.7737

P: 1.866.618.3233

COAST INN OF THE NORTH TF: 1.800.663.1144 www.coasthotels.com

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

Smithers, B.C. TF: 1.877.846.9153 www.bulkleybasecamp.com

MACKENZIE & DISTRICT MUSEUM

CHANCES FORT ST. JOHN P: 1.250.262.2005 www.chancesfortstjohn.ca

FRONTIER FARWEST

Prince George, B.C. www.hublehomestead.ca

CATALINE MOTEL & RV PARK 2325 Omineca Avenue, South Hazelton, B.C., VOJ 2J1 P: 1.250.842.5271 E: poprightinn@telus.net www.catalinelodging.ca

BC FERRIES VACATIONS

FORT ST. JAMES NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

HUBLE HOMESTEAD HISTORIC SITE

1010 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C. at the Fairmont Pacific Rim TF: 1.888.BCFERRY Ext. 3 www.bcferries.com/vacations

Prince George, B.C. www.pgrfm.bc.ca

Prince George, B.C. www.tworivergallery.com

McBride, B.C. www.whistlestopgallery.org 78

CASSIAR CANNERY TF: 1.250.628.9260 www.cassiarcannery.com

WHISTLE STOP GALLERY

BARKERVILLE HISTORIC TOWN Barkerville, B.C. www.barkerville.ca

Valemount, B.C. www.valemountmuseum.ca

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

ADVE R T I S E R D I R E C TO RY 33

DISTRICT OF TAYLOR P: 1.250.789.3392 www.districtoftaylor.com

P: 1.250.789.9295

LONE WOLF GOLF CLUB 75

43RD ANNUAL GOLD PANNING CHAMPIONSHIPS

DISTRICT OF TUMBLER RIDGE TF: 1.877.SAW.DINO (729.3466) E: TRAdventure@dtr.ca www.visitTumblerRidge.ca

www.vanderhoof.ca 18

ESTHER’S INN 1151 Commercial Cres. Prince George, B.C. TF: 1.800.663.6844 www.esthersinn.com

FORT NELSON HERITAGE MUSEUM Open mid May - Early September by appointment Box 716, Fort Nelson, B.C. V0C 1R0 P: 1.250.774.3536 F: 1.250.774.3536 www.fortnelsonmuseum.ca

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON

GWAII HAANAS NATIONAL PARK RESERVE, NATIONAL MARINE CONSERVATION AREA RESERVE, AND HAIDA HERITAGE SITE www.parkscanada.gc.ca/gwaiihaanas www.facebook.com/gwaiihaanas

HAIDA GWAII www.gohaidagwaii.ca

P: 1.250.845.7640 www.houstonchamber.ca

DISTRICT OF HOUSTON P: 1.250.845.2238 www.houston.ca 17

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

PRINCE RUPERT ADVENTURE TOURS

ALASKA HIGHWAY HOUSE

TF: 1.800.201.8377 P: 1.250.627.9166 www.westcoastlaunch.com

BROWNS SOCIALHOUSE

Dawson Creek, B.C.

RAMADA PRINCE GEORGE

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF BULKLEY-NECHAKO ROBSION VALLEY TOURISM / VILLAGE OF MCBRIDE

SEA RAVEN MOTEL 3301 Oceanview Drive, Box 519 Queen Charlotte, B.C. V0T 1S0 TF: 1.800.665.9606 P: 1.250.559.4423 E: searaven@qcislands.net

SMALL TOWN LOVE

CHANCES DAWSON CREEK 400 Highway #2 Dawson Creek, B.C. P: 1.250.782.7752 www.chancesdawsoncreek.com

DAWSON CREEK ART GALLERY

SANDMAN HOTEL GROUP Prince George / McBride / Terrace / Smithers TF: 1.800. SANDMAN (726.3626) www.sandmanhotelgroup.com

Dawson Creek 1100 Alaska Avenue P: 1.250.782.2400 Grande Prairie 11509 Westgate Drive. P:1.250.357.0882

www.visitmcbride.ca 10

TOURISM DAWSON CREEK TF: 1.866.645.3022 www.tourismdawsoncreek.com

www.VisitBulkleyNechako.ca

KING EDWARD HOTEL & MOTEL Box 86 - 5th Avenue, Stewart, B.C. V0T 1W0 TF: 1.800.663.3126 P: 1.250.636.2244 F: 1.250.636.9160 www.kingedwardhotel.com

POWDER KING

444 George Street, Prince George, B.C. TF: 1.800.830.8833 www.ramadaprincegeorge.com

HUBLE HOMESTEAD 40km North of Prince George off Highway 97 www.hublehomestead.ca

THE WORLD FAMOUS ALASKA HIGHWAY 75th Anniversary Celebrations in 2017 E: 75in2017@ouralaskahighway.com www.ouralaskahighway.com

MACKENZIE JCT RV PARK

TF: 1.866.769.5494 www.powderking.com

HELIJET

HOUSTON & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Mackenzie Junction, Highyway 97 & 39 50 TOURISM BURNS LAKE P: 1.250.750.4454 P: 1.250.692.3773 E: mackenzie4454@gmail.com www.tourism.burnslake.ca

SANDSPIT

Prince George 1790 Highway, 97 South Prince George, B.C. TF: 1.800.325.3535 www.fourpointsprincegeorge.com 86

TOTEM LODGE MOTEL

TF: 1.877.569.4354 P: 1.250.637.5344

LIARD HOT SPRINGS LODGE & RV PARK Mile 497, Alaska Highway TF: 1.866.939.2522 P: 1.250.776.7349 www.liardhotspringslodge.com

THE VIEW HOTEL 309 Stuart Drive West, PO Box 69, Fort St. James B.C. V0J 1P0 TF: 1.855.996.8737 www.theviewhotel.ca

TF: 1.877.355.3500 P: 1.250.233.5001

TF: 1.855.777.4354 P: 1.250.624.2792

FORT ST. JOHN NORTH PEACE MUSEUM

FORT NELSON, B.C.

www.helijet.com

9323 100 Street, Ft. St. John, B.C. Open Year Round Monday - Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm 15

TF: 1.877.355.3500 P: 1.250.788.3000

THE HAZELTONS Visitor Centre P: 1.250.842.6071 Oct.-May P: 1.250.842.6571 E: tourism@newhazelton.ca www.newhazelton.ca

CHETWYND, B.C.

PRINCE RUPERT

TF: 1.877.355.3500 P: 1.250.787.0779

909 Third Avenue, West Prince Rupert, B.C. V8J 1M9 TF: 1.888.663.1999 P: 1.250.627.1711 F: 1.250.627.4212 www.pacificinn.bc.ca

1335 Park Avenue Prince Rupert, B.C. V8J 1K3 TF: 1.800.550.0178 P: 1.250.624.6761 F: 1.250.624.3831 www.totemlodge.com

STEWART - CASSIAR HIGHWAY www.StewartCassiarHighway.com

PACIFIC INN

DISTRICT OF VANDERHOOF

FORT. ST. JOHN, B.C.

HAWTHORNE / INVESTMENTS PAYNE GROUP 720 First Avenue, West Prince Rupert, B.C. TF: 1.800.663.8155 P: 1.250.624.9107 www.innontheharbour.com

LAKEVIEW INN & SUITES www.lakeviewhotels.com

INN ON THE HARBOUR

August 1 - 3, 2015 at Peace Island Park 25

7729 Kelly Road South, Prince George, B.C. TF: 1.866.962.8848 P: 1.250.962.8848 www.hartwaybedandbreakfast.ca

PEACE ISLAND PARK

P: 1.250.789.3711

HARTWAY RV PARK / BED & BREAKFAST

101 - 816 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, B.C. P: 1.250.782.2601 F: 1.250.782.8801 E: artadmin@dcgallery.ca www.dcartgallery.ca

DAWSON CREEK MALL 11000 8th Street, Dawson Creek, B.C. Monday to Saturday 9:30am - 6pm Friday until 9pm Sunday 11am - 5pm www.dawsoncreekmall.com

www.SmallTownLove.com

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

Huckleberry

Mackenzie, B.C. – Clint Fraser

DAWSON CREEK VISITOR CENTRE

SUPER 8 DAWSON CREEK

NAR Park 900 Alaska Avenue., Dawson Creek, B.C. TF: 1.866.645.3022 P: 1.250.782.9595

1440 Alaska Highway, Dawson Creek, B.C. TF: 1.888.482.8884 P: 1.250.782.8899 E: super8dawsoncreek@ shawcable.com www.super8.com

DAYS INN - DAWSON CREEK 640 - 122 Avenue, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 0A4 P: 1.250.782.8887 F: 1.250.782.8799 www.daysinn.ca

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES

12217 4th Street, Dawson Creek, B.C. P: 1.250.782.7700 INN ON THE CREEK 10600 - 8th Street, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 3R3 TF: 1.888.782.8236 P: 1.250.782.8136 F: 1.250.782.7535 E: innonthecreek@shawcable.com www.innonthecreek.bc.ca

TOURISM PRINCE RUPERT

P: 1.250.638.8887 www.georgelittlehouse.com

VIA RAIL CANADA

HAWKAIR

www.viarail.ca

TF: 1.800.487.1216 www.hawkair.ca

VILLAGE OF FRASER LAKE

HERTZ

VISIT TERRACE

July 31 - August 9, 2015 www.riverboatdays.ca

CREATIVE ZONE

BUG WOOD BEAN

4818 Highway 16 West TF: 1.888.984.8880

CAPRI MOTOR INN

DAIRY QUEEN / ORANGE JULIUS

TF: 1.800.663.3120 www.caprimotorinnsmithers.com

329 City Centre Kitimat, B.C.

HUDSON BAY LODGE

DAIRY QUEEN / ORANGE JULIUS

P: 1.250.877.2144 www.maincurrent.com

TREASURE COVE CASINO

P: 1.250.635.4546 www.heritageparkmuseum.com

5011-49th Avenue, PO Box 190 Pouce Coupe, B.C. V0C 2C0 P: 1.250.786.5794 F: 1.250.786.5257 www.poucecoupe.ca

TF: 1.800.542.6673 www.tourismsmithers.com

MAIN CURRENT EXPEDITIONS

HERITAGE PARK MUSEUM

VILLAGE OF POUCE COUPE

TOURISM SMITHERS

3251 East Highway 16, Smithers TF: 1.800.663.5040 P: 1.250.847.4581 E: reservations@hudsonsbaylodge.com www.HudsonBayLodge.com

GEORGE LITTLE HOUSE

TF: 1.877.614.9111 www.treasurecovehotel.net

TF: 1.877.635.4944 www.VisitTerrace.com

www.BugwoodBean.com

PO Box 2476, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 4T9 TF: 1.855.782.9433 P: 1.250.782.9433 C: 1.250.219.0305 E: nlrv2010@gmail.com www.NLRV.com

TREASURE COVE HOTEL

www.fraserlake.ca

TOURISM PRINCE GEORGE

www.visitprincerupert.com

NORTHERN LIGHTS RV PARK

www.takeonpg.com

Dawson Creek, B.C. P: 1.250.782.2590 E: Mile0RVPark@gmail.com www.mile0park.ca

1440 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, B.C. P: 1.250.782.8890 www.solasbarandgrill.com

www.TourismNorthernRockies.ca

MILE ‘0’ PARK & CAMPGROUND

SOLA’S BAR & GRILL

TOURISM NORTHERN ROCKIES

TF: 1.800.463.1128 C: 1.250.615.7419 www.hertz.ca

RIVERBOAT DAYS

SKEENA MALL 4741 Lakelse Avenue Terrace, B.C.

WILD DUCK MOTEL & RV PARK 5504 Highway 16 West TF: 1.866.638.1511 www.wildduckmotel-rv.com 59

Stewart, B.C. August 7 -9 www.stewartbearartfestival.com

4643 Park Avenue Terrace, B.C.

GEMMA’S GIFTS & SOUVENIRS 4627 Lakelse Avenue Terrace, B.C. TF: 1.800.563.4362 P: 1.250.635.4086 www.gemmagift.com

10TH ANNUAL STEWART BEAR ARTS FESTIVAL

37TH ANNUAL SEAFEST FESTIVAL Prince Rupert, B.C. June 12-14, 2015 www.prspecialevents.com

TF: 1.866.561.2421 www.treasurecovecasino.com

N O R T H E R N B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A T R AV E L G U I D E 2 0 1 5

W W W. N O R T H E R N B C TO U R I S M .CO M

IT’ll TAke you 4,466 kIlomeTRes To CATCH youR bReATH Nature took its time in crafting its masterpiece, and so the Canadian® between Vancouver and Toronto takes no shortcuts in showing you the most grandiose landscapes: the immensity of sky and field, lake and mountain. Three days and four nights on board are hardly enough! Dine in elegance and have memorable encounters with other travellers, indulge in entertainment, savour the relaxing ambiance of the scenic dome, enjoy attentive service, and dream under the stars.

®Registered trademark owned by VIA Rail Canada Inc. ™ Trademark owned by VIA Rail Canada Inc.