Smithers B.C. - ski area info

[PNWbrit]

Anyone know anything about Smithers ski area in northern B.C.?

http://www.skismithers.com/

Thanks

[MOHSHSIHd]

Mountain Elevation

* Top Elevation: 5,500’
* Bottom Elevation: 3,700’
* Vertical: 1,750’

Weather & Snow

* Average Snow Depth: 135 – 180 cm / 4 – 6’
* Average Temperature: -5 C / 23 Fahrenheit
* Average Season: December – mid April

Chairlifts

* Skyline Chair: 6,022’
* Panorama T-Bar: 3,800’
* Prairie T-Bar: 2,700
* Little Rascal: 500’


hmmmm....ok

[PNWbrit]

thanks - a cut and paste from the link I included in my post is just the kind of help I was looking for

[PlayHarder]

An ex was from Smithers and she ripped, I've never skied it though. Sounds like the stats don't quite tell the story, small hill-huge b/c access. Really out of the way, I've never been able to convince myself it was worth the trip.

[Canuk]

Wasn't there a story in Powder 8 or 9 years ago about Smithers and one other northern BC / Costal resort? Lots of snow from what I remember...

[weibo]

I was there last winter and have a friend who runs (ran) patrol there. What info do you want?

Recently sold and the new area plan is being put together now. Town has an airport large enough for 737's. Great area for off season activities, mountain biking etc.

The area itself is a developing local hill. It has a front side with three (?) lifts not much for steeps but good intermidiate terrain and fun with some new snow. Backside has some great steeps with good length runs. Not much terrain developed but that's in the plans. The backcountry access is amazing, it looks like a glacier above the area and it just keeps going. A few runs to the access road.
There are no resort facilites at the area just a day lodge and rentals etc. There are cabins on the hill but no indoor plumbing and I can't remember about the electrical situation.

The town is small but a regional centre so large grocery and chain stores which keeps food prices in line. Also has good small town bakery and butcher shop. 2 hours to Terrace (Shames) 4 hours to PG really leaves it in the middle of nowhere.

If you need anymore info ask here or PM.

[Big E]

Wasn't there a story in Powder 8 or 9 years ago about Smithers and one other northern BC / Costal resort? Lots of snow from what I remember...

Yeah, I don't think it was that long ago, though. I recall the crew included Pehota and Dan Treadway, sleds, and really deep snow.

[robokill1981]

Yeah, I don't think it was that long ago, though. I recall the crew included Pehota and Dan Treadway, sleds, and really deep snow.

That was a couple of years ago I think. Sounded like an amazing place to tour.

[Hicks]

Last Frontier Heliskiing is close by - they are told to have some kick-ass terrain up there. I had plans to go there a couple of years ago but couldn't make it.

http://www.lastfrontierheli.com

[wicked_sick]

I've skiied there before too. The mountain is called Hudson's Bay Mountaitn... it's a dormant or extinct volcano.

Very nice snow and lots of it, satisfactory terrain and almost unlimited backcountry. I wouldn't hesitate to call it mind blowing. The few double blacks they have are extremley steep 45-55 deg. (the snow barely sticks) but really short with a gay flat runout.

The poutine is legendary.

if the frontside T-Bar is fogged out (common to be so foggy you can't see th T in front of you) go to the chair on the other side. much better.

lift tickets are cheap, Smithers is a nice town. Lots of hippies, draft dodgers, crunchy girls and abundant herb.

if you're in the area, check it out. Also give Shames in Prince Rupert a try. They get insane amounts of snow.

or powder king north of Prince George. They closed in April with a 4.5 meter base (~16 ft)

[Beaver]

I lived in the area for a few years. Lots of Dutch religous freaks in the area. Nice town with a good mix of ppl. Wicked paddling in the area. The ski hill itself is as stated above. Kinda ho hum. However, the touring is good. There are steep couloirs about 20 minutes walk from the top of the t bar, one of the local touring favorites is called 5000. It is about an hour walk from the tbar and is 5500 vertical feet to the valley. You gotta set up a car drop though. The snow can really suck at the hill some years but be amazing others, sometimes it's icey sometimes it is fluffy, just like any other hill. They do get some of the meanest fog I think I 've ever seen. They get lots of temperature inversions. Quite often it is -18C in town and hovering just below freezing at the hill. Then again it is often cold as fuck up there. If you plan on touring in the area make sure you take a nice thick down coat.

Shames is just outside of Terrace and about 2.5 hours drive from Smithers on good roads and up to 3.5 - 4 hours on shitty roads. Lots of good touring out of Shames too. Thier snow is often pud as it is closer to the coast. But they do get the amazing 4-6foot dumps on occasion. Unfortunately that much snow closes the road and it has often turned to pud buy the tme the road opens.

If you go to Smithers say high to Dr. Lothar and Val for me.