Destination Get to know the Smithers Area!
In the 1970's Smithers adopted an "alpine theme", complete with red brick sidewals, alpine-style roof lines, and a wooden sculpture name Alpine Al. Today the theme is still strong, with a new statue of Alpine Al errected in 2016. The new statue is seven feet tall, carved by a chainsaw and made of 1,000-year-old red cedar!
Smithers is the service center for the Bulkley Valley and offers many more amenties than you might expect for a town its size. Of course, the biggest highlight of our community is the accessibilty and connection to the great outdoors! So get out there and explore.
Wherever your adventures take you, be sure to share your pictures on social media using the hashtags #smithersvibe and #PrestigeAdventures
*click on the headings below to learn more
HOW TO GET HERE
No matter how you get here, you'll enjoy the views. Smithers is easily accessible on the Yellowhead Highway 16, stay up to date on road conditions on the DriveBC website. Air Canada and Central Mountain Air fly into Smithers Regional Airport, only 5 minutes from downtown. VIA Rail has a passenger train service that operates from Jasper to Prince Rupert. One of our favourite ways to get here is by water! Take a ferry up the Northern BC Coast and see how wild the North can be.
Important Notice: We have recently learned that Smithers’ only taxi service, BV Taxi and Transport, will no longer be in operation after May 31, 2022. Unfortunately, there will no longer be taxi services anywhere in the town of Smithers, nor does the town have Uber or other ride-sharing programs. The only transportation services from the airport will be rental cars through Entreprise/National Car Rental which can be reached online or by calling 250-847-2216; these rentals are in high demand and we strongly recommend you book one as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We deeply regret any inconvenience this change in service will cause to your travels. We will update our messaging if/when we learn of possible transportation services available in the future.
THINGS TO DO
Smithers is small but mighty! We know what makes us special is our community and it's appreciation for the world around us. With a strong outdoors community, vibrant arts scene, and a substantial appreciation for culture and history, Smithers has so much to offer.
FISHING AND HUNTING
With hundreds of lakes, miles of river, and an abundant wildlife population, Smithers is a mecca for anglers and hunters!
HIKING AND WALKING
Love hiking? You'll love Smithers. With many phenomenal hikes only a 15 minute drive from downtown it'll be hard choosing where to go, but we promise you'll be impressed with whatever you choose. Hudson Bay Mountain ski area provides many great hiking options including Crater lake. Babine Mountains Provincial park has some of the finest hiking opportunities in west-central BC. Interested in fossils? Take a trip back in time at the Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park & Fossil Beds!
CULTURE AND HISTORY
The Bulkley Valley is the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en.The largest Wet'suwet'en community today is Witset on the Widzin Kwah (Bulkley River). Go Explore the Widzin Jwah Canyon House Museum which features historical displays of traditional life and fishing methods, cultural artifacts, local arts and crafts, and a gift shop! You can also book a Wet'suwet'en cultural tour, where trained cultural tour guides explain the Wet'suwet'en way of life.
ARTS AND MUSIC
Smithers keeps the seasons alive with art, music, dance and theatre shows. The Smithers Art Gallery presents rotating exhibits.If you're looking for live music check out Music In The Park by the river! Saturday mornings you can find live music at the BV Farmers Market. Early in the summer Smithers hosts the Midsummer Music Festival, and at the end of summer the BV Fair & Exhibition has many live bands.
EAT AND DRINK
Obviously our favourite restaurant in town is Noir Kitchen and Bar located in Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge, but if you've already visited them and want to try out another great local eatery, Smithers has plenty! Whether you're looking for something chic or some down home dining, Smithers has it all.
EVENTS
See whats happening in Smithers on the events calendar!
SHOP
Take a stroll down mainstreet and check out our local businesses, run by people who enjoy them!