August 07, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Biking
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When your idea of a mountain adventure involves two wheels, a full-face helmet and the adrenaline rush of a perfectly executed jump, then Hudson Bay Mountain and the Bluff trail network in Smithers is the perfect place for you to explore. It took me only 30 minutes to drive to the top of the hill, and just past the Hudson Bay Ski Lodge I spotted the Pay Dirt and Piper’s Down trail heads. Pay Dirt is one of the only machine made trails on this hill, meaning it is wide and flowy—perfect for a beginner who wants to avoid the jumps, or for an experienced rider who wants an exhilarating yet smooth descent. Further past the Ski Lodge is the Piper’s Down Trail, which is one of the hill’s most challenging runs. The trail is named after a Piper’s plane, that crashed into the hill years ago, and that the trail’s builders decided to incorporated into one of the run’s many jumps. This trail will also be the location of the annual Piper’s Cross event, hosted by the Children of the Bluff (COB) this coming weekend. The event is a timed race, with plenty of fun for both competitors and spectators. Beyond these two trails there is a whole network of lower elevation mountain biking trails on the Bluff just overlooking Smithers. These trials are well known for their varied degrees of difficulty, including drops, log rides, boardwalks and other challenging elements. New to the mountain? No problem! The Smithers visitor center is equipped with trail maps and bike rental information. Now it’s time for me to put a little mud on my bike.
August 03, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Water Activity Tours
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Canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, and even sailing are all apart of summer fun in Smithers and with this beautiful August weather beckoning me to the beach, I decided to go for a drive out to Lake Kathlyn. The lake is only 7 minutes west of Smithers, making it the perfect playground for all sorts of water sports. The public beach is one of my favourite places to hangout on a hot day, especially since the lake is fed by a glacial stream and is wonderfully cool with not too many weeds. Lake Kathlyn is also the perfect place to go for a peaceful paddle as motorized boats are prohibited, and the lake offers a picturesque view of Kathlyn Glacier. Since I don’t own a canoe I stopped by Aquabatics to get some information on rentals. I found out that I can rent all the recreational and safety equipment I need with convenient access to the lake. There are plenty of opportunities for both new and experienced paddlers to enjoy the Bulkley Valley from the water. In fact, on August 11-12 Smithers will host our annual TatlowFest. This paddling festival takes place on Tatlow Falls just off Highway 16 east of town and will feature both competitive and recreation paddling, as well as the popular cardboard boat competition. There will also be a sauna, campfire and free camping. Whether you are a passionate paddler or a cautious canoer there are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy your water recreation in Smithers.