The small town of Terrace (67 m / 220 ft above sea level; population 15,500) lies on the eastern edge of the Coast Mountains which rise here to more than 2000 m (6500 ft). Until the 1960s life in Terrace was shaped entirely by the timber trade, but gradually the town has developed into a commercial and cultural center serving the some 40,000
inhabitants of the lower Skeena River. Being fairly low down and in the lee of mountains it enjoys a relatively mild climate for its northerly latitude.
For a number of years now Terrace has been a popular base from which to venture into the surrounding wilderness on hunting, fishing, white-water rafting or "survival" expeditions. Other possibilities include floatplane and helicopter flights over the snow and ice covered Coast Mountains, "flight seeing" tours (taking several hours) to Ketchikan in Alaska, and holidays at a very remote but exceptionally well-equipped lodge complete with its own lake and hunting-grounds. For those in search of even more excitement there is hiking in the mountains and exploring the river in an inflatable boat.
Climbing Thornhill Mountain (1500 m / 4923 ft) brings rewards in the shape of marvelous views of the Skeena, Kalum and Kitimat valleys. The trip to the Sleeping Beauty Ridge area (Nass River) is equally full of delights.
Print this page
Add to Favorites
