Terrace is an inland city in the North Coast of British Columbia. The largest city in the region, it has a population of about 12,500 people (2015), a significant portion of which are the Kitselas people, who have lived in the area for thousands of years.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The community is the regional retail and service hub for the northwestern portion of British Columbia. Terrace was once the cedar pole capital of the world. Over 50,000 poles were manufactured annually to supply many parts of North America with telephone and electric power poles. The world's tallest pole, 50 metres (160 ft) long, was cut in Terrace and stands in New York City. For many years, logging was the region's major industry, but Terrace's economy has been forced to diversify since nearly all wood mills not operated by First Nations groups have closed down. Terrace's largest employers are in the public sector, but there are still some large private employers.
Terrace is small enough to walk around downtown, BC Transit (Terrace Regional Transit System). Operates bus routes within Terrace and to some nearby communities from Monday to Saturday. (updated Apr 2022) Bus route # 11 operates between Terrace and Kitimat (1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes) from Monday to Saturday. Some of these trips stop at Northwest Regional Airport. BC Transit (Hazeltons Transit System), ☏ +1-250-842-2134, toll-free: +1 855 935 2666. Operates a bus route three days per week between Terrace and Kispiox via New Hazelton and Kitwanga. On three other days per week, operates trips between Smithers and Kispiox via New Hazelton.
The Kermodei Bear: This all white relative of a black bear is the town mascot of Terrace. It is not an albino, but one with a recessive gene inherited from both parents. Sacred to the First Nations people of the area, sightings are exceedingly rare, and few locals have seen one. 1 Heritage Park Museum, 4702 Kerby Ave, ☏ +1 250-635-4546. May 31-Aug 31: daily 10AM - 6PM; otherwise by appointment. The site features a number of interesting, early buildings including eight authentic log structures, an artifact-storage shed (open to the public), a wagon garage, a miniature replica school house, a blacksmith shop and an organic Heritage Garden.
Fish: There are many lodges, guides, and tour companies to help you catch steelhead, salmon and trout, and the Skeena is well known for its good fishing. During the summer, Terrace offers many outdoor activities, such as fishing for a wide range of freshwater fish, mountain biking, hiking, kiting and hunting in the surrounding areas. In the fall, many of Terrace's inhabitants go out to search for pine mushrooms (Tricholoma magnivelare), and pick berries. There is a variety of winter sports available in Terrace and the surrounding region such as snowmobiling, ice fishing, curling, and ice skating. 1 Shames My Mountain Co-op (35km west of Terrace on Highway 16 West, then turn off on to Shames …
1 Don Diego's, 3212 Kalum Street, ☏ +1 250 635-2307. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. Gourmet Mexican, but not really authentic. 2 Blue Fin Sushi Bar, 4608 Lakelse Ave, ☏ +1 250-638-0058. Tu-Th 11:30AM-8PM, F Sa 11:30AM-9PM. Sushi, sashimi and other Japanese fusion dishes, a wide variety of menu items, made with fresh seafoods, vegetables and fruits. Brown rice and soy wraps are also available as alternatives to white rice and seaweed. A selection of desserts and BC wines. (updated Jun 2018) 3 Northern Dhaba Hot House, 4728 Lazelle Ave, ☏ +1 250-615-5800. M-Sa 11:30AM-8PM. Indian. (updated Jun 2018)
1 Sherwood Mountain Brewhouse, 101 - 4816 Highway 16 West, ☏ +1 250-635-0080, hello@sherwoodmountain.beer. Sa-Th noon-8PM, F noon-9PM. (updated Jun 2018)
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Terrace typically sees ~21°C daytime highs and 12 rainy days.
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