Kitimat, described as an outdoorsman's paradise, lies on the north central coast of British Columbia, offering the best of spectacular scenery and a range of outdoor activities as well as excellent facilities for indoor sports, arts, and culture.
This web page will provide an introduction to Kitimat and the surrounding area, along with the links to explore further. Scroll down for complete contents or use the following shortcuts to a section of your interest:
If you have time, and a vehicle, the most
scenic way to Kitimat is by road. 17 hours away from Vancouver,
and 16 hours from Edmonton, the drive will take you through some
of the most scenic and varied landscapes anywhere.
Northwest Regional Airport near Terrace, 30-minute drive from Kitimat, is served by three daily flights by Air Canada (90 minutes from Vancouver on F-28 jet) and two daily flights by Hawkair (120 minutes from Vancouver on Dash-8 turboprop aircraft). Book early for lowest airfares.
For economy public transport, two Greyhound buses per day connect Terrace with Prince George, Vancouver, and Edmonton. And for those with time to spare, Via Rail operates three-times-per-week service between Terrace and Prince George, with connections to Vancouver, Jasper, and Edmonton. You can also take one of BC Ferries from Vancouver to Prince Rupert.
Kitimat owes its mild, wet climate to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Winters are very wet, with record amounts of snow and rain quite likely. Spring, however, starts early, and summers can be unpredictable - ranging from very sunny and warm to somewhat cooler and wet. Fall comes early with first snow on the ground usually seen in October or November. For summer travellers, bring light sweaters, rainproof jackets and waterproof boots along with more typical summer clothing.
Thanks to its highly-paid industrial base, Kitimat enjoys a great array of recreationalfacilities unusual in a town of 11,000 inhabitants. Two indoor ice arenas, an 18-hole golf course with breathtaking scenery, 9 tennis courts, full size indoor pool, community gym, modern library, movie theater, as well as a fully equipped 500-seat theater. The town's walkways are ideal for strolling as well as cycling around town.
Chances are that you will have nowhere
enough time to explore all that there is to see in Northwest
British Columbia. An example of the most interesting places you
might want to visit include:
Terrace, the natural trading center of the area, is 45-minute drive from Kitimat. The town has great shopping, hiking, fishing and tourist facilities.
Prince Rupert can be reached by a spectacular 2 hour, 15 minute drive along the Skeena River. This historical port has an interesting waterfront area, Cow Bay, filled with tourist attractions, including gift shops, cafes, pub, and bed-and-breakfasts. Whale watching tours departing from Prince Rupert harbour are available, it is recommended that you book in advance.
Hazelton and Smithers lie east of Terrace on Highway 16. Each town is unique, with Hazelton drawing on its native heritage and Smithers on its alpine ambience, capitalizing on the spectacular Hudson Bay Mountain towering above the town (the photograph below was taken from the Hudson Bay Mountain slopes, looking towards the town and valley with Highway 16):
Farther out, Queen Charlotte Islands, Alaskan Panhandle, towns of Stewart and Hyder, as well as the entire northern part of the province accessible via the Cassiar Highway are certainly worth the visit, if you can find the time. Information on these areas can be mailed on request.
As hundreds of visitors from Germany, United
States, and other parts of Canada know, Kitimat is the place to
be for the world's best fresh and salt water fishing.
Record-breaking halibut, salmon, trout, and crab are just some of
the delicious treats that await you at various fishing hotspots
in the area. While fishing in Kitimat is a year-round activity,
June (with its run of famous Chinook salmon), July (with
continuing Chinook run and beginning of coho), August and
September (when the plentiful coho-run peaks) are the best
fishing months. Several fully-stocked fishing supply stores will
both provide all your gear and advice on where to go. Many
charter companies will take the worry out of fishing by providing
a complete and exciting fishing trip experience - whether on the
Kitimat River or in the salt-water Douglas Channel. Visit Kitimat Chamber of Commerce website for more detailed information on charter
companies, and book early to avoid disappointment.
Whether you
prefer a half-hour hike along the ocean beach or a full-day
gruelling, exhilarating experience on the slopes of Mount
Elizabeth (1800 m elevation, only an hour drive from town),
Kitimat and the surrounding area can cater to all levels of
enthusiasm and energy.
Hiking information on the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce website, offering a full range of hikes from easy to difficult is a good starting point. There is also an excellent guidebok, Trails to Timberline, listing over 30 hikes of moderate to difficult rating within easy driving distance of Kitimat. Since hiking is one of my hobbies, I can provide you with maps, backpacks, hiking poles, and any advice and information you may need during your stay. The photograph above was taken from the top of Gunsight Peak, 25 minute drive from Kitimat and 4-5 hours of hiking from the road.
Kitimat lies at the head of Douglas Channel, a protected inland fjord approximately 80 miles from the coast of Pacific Ocean. The natural, unspoiled scenery is open to unlimited exploration throughout the islands, coves, natural hotsprings, bays, inlets, passages and anchorages of Douglas Channel (the following map covers about 60 nautical miles south of Kitimat:
Our 27-foot Catalina, equipped with 4-burner stove, large icebox, water pump, compass, VHF radio, depth sounder, and quiet, reliable 7.5 HP 4-stroke Honda outboard sleeps four people. The cruising speed is just over 5 knots. You will be welcome to use the boat, although for your own safety you should have previous boating experience. Although Douglas Channel waters are protected from offshore weather, the wind and waves, even in the summer, can be unpredictable and a steep 4-foot chop can develop quickly. Weather forecasts are available on continuous marine broadcast from Prince Rupert on Channel 21 or Internet and should be consulted before you set off.
Even if you are not a keen fisherman, hiker, or sailor, there is still so much to see that it would be difficult to get bored. The Giant Spruce, just minutes from Kitimat's downtown, is over 500 years old and is the largest living Sitka Spruce tree in B.C. Whether you're hiking, sailing, or even driving, you will come across our ever-present wildlife, including eagles, black bears, grizzly bears, foxes, moose, seals, porpoises, and killer whales. Provincial parks and forestry campsites in the area provide excellent places to camp over the weekend, or just have a picnic to break up a drive. Swimming, kayaking, or canoeing is possible in the lakes (Lakelse Lake between Kitimat and Terrace, Red Sand Lake north of Terrace) and rivers of our area. A volcano active only 250 years ago is only a 2-hour drive north of Terrace. Spectacular glaciers will welcome you on the drive to Stewart, and the scenery everywhere abounds in waterfalls and breathtaking mountain vistas.
The region has
a rich history of the first nations people.  |
 The local native culture, drawing on millennia of artistic expression, is alive and vibrant today, with many examples of totems, traditions, and artwork. |
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Whether it is
Tsimshian, Haida, Haisla, or Nisga'a on the coast, or
Gitksan,  Wet'suwet'en and Carrier in the
interior, a visitor to BC Northwest has a unique
opportunity to gain insight into these ancient cultures. |
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