Travel

Travel Note

Travel to Smithers

FLIGHTS Direct to Smithers In September there are two flights a day from Vancouver to Smithers on Air Canada. To Terrace In September there are four flights a day from Vancouver to Terrace on Air Canada. There are also two flights a day on WestJet. To Prince George There are many carriers and options if choosing to fly to Prince George. DRIVE Vancouver to Smithers: 13h If you are planning to drive from Vancouver to Smithers, it is a long day of travel - about 13 hours of driving. The fastest route is to take Highway 1 to Cache Creek and from there travel north on Highway 97 until you reach Prince George. Pick up a pizza from Red Tomato Pies in Quesnel or Williams Lake along the way - Tiff's fave is the New Yorker and Andy's fave is the Kickin' Chicken (pro tip: pepto bismol tablet as a first course). Once in Prince George take Highway 16 West to Smithers. We recommend spending the night in Prince George to help break up the drive. Alternatively, you could drive on Highway 99 through Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton for a longer but beautiful drive along the Duffy Lake Road. Which after links up with Highway 97. Terrace to Smithers: 2h15m Take Highway 16 East directly to Smithers. This is a lovely drive which may even have you encounter a Spirit/Kermode bear along the highway if you are lucky (Andy spotted one in 2021 when driving home from Terrace after visiting Tiffany while she was working at the hospital there). Prince George to Smithers: 4h Take Highway 16 West directly to Smithers. Stop at the Bakkerij Lobelle Belgian Bakery in Vanderhoof (1hr west of Prince George) to enjoy some amazing pastries for your ride - our favourite is the apple fritter.

Travel Note

Travel within Smithers

We highly recommend having a vehicle if you wish to see the sights in Smithers, but if you plan to not have a vehicle while here that staying near main street in Smithers will make sure you can get around easily still. TAXI Kalum Kabs Ltd. (250) 877-7167 There is only a single taxi company in town with a few vehicles in their fleet. You can book them to pick you up from the airport if needed. RENTAL CAR OR TRUCK There are two car rental companies in Smithers: National and Enterprise. Other local rental companies include: Northwest Truck Rentals (trucks and vans) and Frontier Truck Rentals (trucks and SUVs). All of the above companies will either leave the vehicle at the airport for you to pick up if you are flying into Smithers or offer a courtesy ride to/from the airport to your rental pickup location.

Hotel

Local Places to Stay

Sunshine Inn https://sunshineinn.ca/locations/smithers/ A nice but basic hotel located in the heart of downtown Smithers. Located directly across from Telly's Grill. Note: there is a block of hotel rooms under "Andy Pustina Wedding". Fireweed Motor Inn https://www.fireweedmotel.com/ A small family run motel in the heart of downtown. It has kitchenettes for anyone staying for a longer time period. Close to the Goat park where many of the town's food trucks park during the evening. Fun fact: The first place Andy ever spent the night in Smithers in 2011. Sandman Inn https://www.sandmanhotels.com/smithers A BC chain of small hotels popular among northern residents. Located in the same parking lot as the Tim Horton's. The Aspen Inn https://aspeninnsmithers.com/ Located about a 5 min walk from downtown, across from the brand new skate park (Christened by Tony Hawk!), and has a pool and hot tub. The Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge https://www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com/location/prestige-hudson-bay-lodge-smithers/ The nicest hotel in town, has two restaurants located inside, and is slightly further away from the downtown core (still only about a 10-15 minute walk). Stork Nest Inn https://www.storknestinn.com/ Located in the Smithers downtown core, this location has several different suite options. Located across the street from the Fireweed Motor Inn. Other hotel locations to stay in Smithers: Capri Motor Inn http://caprimotorinnsmithers.ca/ and Mountain View Motel https://www.mountainviewmotelbc.ca/ There are also several small lodges located in the rural areas of Smithers. The neighbouring town of Telkwa (about a 15-minute drive east) also has some small BnBs, inns and lodges. Airbnb There are still a few remaining Airbnbs in the town of Smithers - if available, the ones along Main Street would be perfect for a couple or small group for ease of access to the town.