Smithers, where winter welcomes you at every turn
Smithers, BC For Sarah Newton, winter isn’t just a season, it’s a way of life. After moving to Smithers from Revelstoke, BC, she quickly fell for an “amazing community” with winter amenities she hadn’t found elsewhere. Community is woven through Smithers' snow-covered trails, vibrant downtown, and world-class skiing amenities at the Hudson Bay Mountain Resort and the Bulkley Valley Nordic Center.
Those sentiments are at the heart of Katie Forsyth's Runway Cafe, which is a welcome hearth to this community for travelers arriving by air.
Between her and Newton, I sought to find out what makes Smithers such a magical winter destination.
HIT PLAY > to meet Smithers' winter community
Winter adventure that will up your heartbeat
"You can tell this place has been important to people for a long time," said Sarah Newton, communications director for the Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre. "We outperform the size of the community with what we have to offer."
The magic of Smithers lies in its accessibility. From downtown you can reach both the Bulkley Valley Nordic Center and Hudson Bay Mountain in under 15 minutes.
With only eight minutes' driving time between the two, it is possible to explore both alpine and nordic in a single winter day!
Photo:
Jeremy Allen
From high alpine adventures at Hudson Bay Mountain to nordic trails in the Bulkley Valley, is just an eight-minute drive.
"It's just so convenient," Sarah said. "In a lot of other places, it's a real trek to get to either one."
A town built on community, connection
That sense of accessibility extends beyond logistics, it lives in the spirit of the people here.
Sarah explained that the Nordic Centre itself was built as a community cooperative, and it shows in everything from the welcoming lodge to its diverse programming.
The Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre was designed as a community hub.
"It's built for the community. Families, kids, seniors… we have ski lessons for every age."
One of her favourite examples of this is the group affectionately known as the Thursday Girls. This group of women in their 70s and 80s have skied together every Thursday for decades. They come for more than just exercise. They come for connection.
And it's not just the trails that reflect that community pride. Sarah pointed to downtown Smithers with equal enthusiasm.
Downtown Smithers serves up boutique shops, cozy cafes and a friendly local feel.
"When we moved here, I thought there would be maybe one grocery store and a coffee shop, but the shops are top notch," she said.
"The inventory's great, and the staff are knowledgeable… they're actually embedded in the community."
For anyone who loves winter's spontaneous surprises, Smithers doesn't disappoint.
"You never know what you might see," said Sarah. "I've seen whiskey jacks, wolf prints and even a moose" while out skiing the nordic tracks.
First impressions and lasting memories
If the trails are the heart and downtown the soul, then the Runway Café is the friendly face that welcomes you to Smithers.
Katie Forsyth, left, built Runway Cafe with intention, putting Smithers' local entrepreneurs at the forefront.
For Katie Forsyth, opening the café was a deeply personal journey, one rooted in love for this place and connection to community. She moved to Smithers to be closer to her fiancé's family, whose roots here go back three generations.
"The motivation for opening the café was… to connect with my community. It was such a natural combination of everything I've done. Business, service, and working with local vendors," she explained.
A view of the mountains ranging around Smithers, from the Runway Cafe.
Katie built her café with intention. From Riverside Kitchen to Paul's Bakery, 1967 Pizza Factory to local honey and children's storybooks about the Hungry Hill bear, every item available in her cafe reflects Smithers' character.
"I wanted people to come here and feel the community," she says. "Not like every stock airport café."
Uncover Smithers' winter magic
Ski, stay and connect to authentic community in Smithers
Katie has become something of Smithers' unofficial welcome ambassador. The café faces the arrivals area, and Katie loves watching people reunite with loved ones—the emotional connections that happen in those first few moments of arrival.
"There's something really special about seeing people's faces when they arrive," she said.
"And even when travel doesn't go as planned? We're here to make it a little better with a warm drink, a treat, or just a moment to slow down."
Local gatherings and reunions start with a visit here.
Why Winter in Smithers?
Both Katie and Sarah agree: winter here isn't just about snow, it's about welcoming snow into your life. Katie reflected on her own transformation saying "When I first moved here, I couldn't cross-country ski. Now? We set trails around our property. I genuinely enjoy winter. It's contagious."
And for visitors? The message is simple: this place will welcome you with sunny snowy days, world-class Nordic and Alpine facilities, a vibrant downtown, and people who are genuinely glad you came.
Sarah summarized this perfectly when she said "Smithers doesn't just have a good winter—it has a heart that shows up for winter."
When You Go
Smithers' small, locally owned shops are a big part of what makes the experience feel so personal. Knowledgeable staff help you get geared up for the slopes, point you toward the best trails, and then welcome you back with warm meals, fresh baking and great coffee.
Getting here Fly in with daily non-stop flights to Smithers from Vancouver. Make sure to start your trip with a warm welcome at the Runway Café, a cozy, community-filled first stop serving local food, local art, and friendly northern hospitality.
Where to Stay Take advantage of deep discounts on accommodation and lift tickets through skiandstay.ca making it easy to plan a winter getaway that's both seamless and affordable.
Gear Up For alpine skis and snowboards, head to Local Supply Co., a downtown shop packed with quality gear and local mountain knowledge. For cross-country setups, McBike has everything you need to hit the Nordic trails.
Après Warm up with killer coffee and fresh baking at Bugwood Café and grab some wholesome trail snacks and local goods at Nature's Pantry.
