The little town of Smithers (altitude 496 m (1639 ft); population 5000) started life in 1913 as a rail depot. Surrounded by fertile farmland and meadows it lies in the shadow of Hudson Bay Mountain (2576 m (8454 ft); a favorite winter ski resort) with its Kathlyn Glacier and Twin Falls.
The best vantage point from which to view the glacier and
falls is on Kathlyn Lake Rd. which branches off about 10 km (6 mi.) north-west of the town of Smithers.
Much effort has gone into giving the town a Bavarian atmosphere with Bavarian-style architecture.
The Bulkley Valley Museum (Central Park Building on Hwy. 16/Main Street) is devoted mainly to the history Smithers and the settlement in the Bulkley Valley and to local Indian culture.