City of Terrace - Hub of the Northwest

About Terrace

Terrace, the regional business centre for the area, is located approximately 550 air miles northwest of Vancouver. The City is located on a series of natural flat benches, or terraces (hence the name) within the broad Skeena River Valley. The proximity to the ocean (approximately 60 kilometres - 37 miles), the low altitude (60 metres - 196 feet above sea level), and its location within the shelter of the Coast Mountains has created a natural "greenhouse" effect. Rainfall is less than half of that found on the coast and temperatures are moderate - warm enough to permit the growing of fruit orchards and specialty crops, including peaches, for those with a green thumb and some TLC.

Terrace's economic and lifestyle advantages are attracting a growing population. Terrace is surrounded by natural beauty. Affordable housing, diversified HEALTH CARE and education services, and a wide range of recreational pursuits, (including natural Hotsprings, SKI HILL, CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRAILS, 18-HOLE GOLF COURSE, world-class fishing, lakes and nature trails), have sealed the location decisions of many new residents and businesses.

Terrace's economic advantage lies in its location. It is strategically placed at the geographic centre of Northwest B.C., and is the hub for highway, rail and air transportation routes. As a result, the City is the location for many of the region's business, retail, medical and government services. Terrace's market population numbers approximately 70,000 and includes the cities of Kitimat, Prince Rupert and Stewart, as well as the surrounding First Nations communities.

Quick Facts on Terrace:

• Population - 2006 Census Terrace Only: 11,320 Statistics Canada for more details
• Population - 2006 Census Greater Terrace Area: 18,581 Statistics Canada for more details
• Trading Area Population - 70,000
• Size of Terrace including Airport Lands: 4,222.84 sq hectares
• Business Licenses at December 2008 - 1,026
• Median Household Income - 2006 $59,622
• Annual Precipitation - 129.5 (51")
• Average Summer Temperature - 21°C (67°F)
• Weekly Newspaper Terrace Standard
• Local Radio & TV Stations CFTK (590 AM) | CFNR (92.1 FM) | CJFW (103.1 FM)
• Mills Memorial Hospital Contact Details
• Daily Flights to Vancouver Air Canada Jazz | Hawkair
• Flights to Prince George Central Mountain Air

Weather Conditions Comparison:

Current Terrace Weather forecast

VIEW Terrace Weather statistics

Getting to Terrace:

VIEW Google Map of Terrace

• VIA Rail Mainline between Edmonton and Prince Rupert (passenger service only).  For passenger travel, the VIA Rail Station is at the City's George Little House
• Canadian National Railway Mainline between Prince Rupert and Edmonton.  Branchline between Terrace and Kitimat - freight only.
• BC Ferries From Prince Rupert, BC Ferries travel west to the Queen Charlotte Islands or south to Vancouver Island
• Alaska Ferries From Prince Rupert, you can take the Alaska Marine Highway which takes you through the Inside Passage to southeast Alaska

VIEW map showing Terrace's location

Highways:

Terrace is located at the junction of three major roadways:

• Trans Canada Highway 16 - (Yellowhead Highway) with east/west connection to Edmonton and Prince Rupert;
• Highway 37 - to Kitimat (south), which also connects north to the Stewart-Cassiar Highway to the Yukon and Alaska;
• Nisga'a Highway - all weather logging road and public secondary highway to the Nass Valley.

Distances - Terrace to:

Local Celebrations:

• Trades Fair (spring)
• Pacific Northwest Regional Music Festival (April)
• Riverboat Days (B.C. Day long weekend)
• Skeena Valley Fall Fair (Labour Day long weekend)
• Community Calendar - Kermodei Tourism

History:

The junction of the Skeena and the Kitsumkalum Rivers was originally the site of a Tsimshian
Indian Village.  Fur trading and gold prospecting were the principal activities along the Pacific
Shore, including the Skeena area from 1770 to 1900. In the early 1890's, a steamboat route was established up the Skeena as far as Hazelton and Tom Thornhill settled permanently near what
is now known as "Little Canyon" on the south side of the Skeena.

In 1905, George Little staked his pre-emption across the Skeena River, and purchased land in
what is now known as Terrace.  Being a far-sighted person, he gave land to the Grand Trunk
Pacific Railway, resulting in the location of a railway station in Terrace, rather than at Kitsumkalum.

Up to World War II, the town existed as a sawmill community, having incorporated in 1927. The population of Terrace in 1951 was 350 people. In the early 1950's, Terrace began to serve as a distribution centre for the new town of Kitimat and became an important wood processing centre
with the establishment of the Canadian Cellulose Company.

Terrace was once known as the cedar pole capital of the world.  Over 50,000 poles were manufactured annually to supply many parts of this continent with telephone and electric power poles. The world's tallest pole of 50 metres (162 feet) was cut in Terrace and is currently standing in New York City.

The world record spring salmon weighing in at 44.91 kg. (99 lbs.) was caught by a visiting German tourist.

VIEW more information about our world-class fishing

Kermodei (Spirit) Bear:

The Kermodei (pronounced Kerr-mo-dee) is indeed a separate and distinct member of the black bear family (for you Latin buffs, that's Urus Americanus Kermodei).  Kermodeis tend to be a bit larger and, of course, truly a bear of another colour, ranging from a light chestnut blond (or red) to a shade of steel blue-grey (which are also called glacier bears).  They were first identified as a new and distinct species by the director of the B.C. Provincial Museum, Francis Kermode, in 1905. It took over 20 years before Dr. Kermode was able to obtain a live yearling cub, to observe and study. From this work, he finally concluded (in 1928) that indeed the Kermodei was not an albino, but an extremely rare sub-species of the common North American black bear.

The Kermodeis generally average about 113 - 158 kg. (250-350 lbs.), although an occasional male may exceed 226 kg. (500 lbs.) Their body length averages 1.5 - 1.85 metres (5-6'), although when they stand on their hind legs, they would tower over most of us at 2.5 - 2.7 metres (8-9'), and are usually full-grown after four years.  Their eyes are small; ears small and rounded; and they have an excellent sense of smell.  Their natural diet comprises of wild fruits, berries, insects, small game, and salmon - in which they quite enjoy rolling when in a ripened stage.  The female usually gives birth in late fall, with one or two cubs being common; the cubs stay with their mother until they are about a year-and-a-half.  The cubs are sometimes black in colour.

The bears like the mountainous terrain, lush forest growth, mild climate, productive salmon streams and rivers offered in the natural sanctuary around Terrace and on the small islands in the Douglas Channel.  In the past, trophy hunters and headline seekers have reduced the small population of white Kermodeis.  Now, strong Provincial protection regulations and enforcement, along with a prohibition on their killing, have helped stabilize their numbers.  No one knows for sure how many Kermodeis live around the Terrace area today.  Local residents have shown an increased interest and concern for the Kermodei's well-being and preservation.

Kermodei Bear - Photo Credit M. Chevrier

The City is proud of the Kermodei Bear that graces the City's official Corporate Seal. Its picture and silhouette can be seen on numerous signs, brochures and vehicles around the municipality.

As with all wild creatures, bears must be treated with the utmost respect. Please keep your distance if you come upon a bear, and do not attempt to feed or approach them.  Mothers are extremely protective of their cubs and there should never be any move made towards the cubs.  When in the wilds, ensure that you are heard, so that you do not stumble upon wildlife.  For further information on bears and wildlife, please contact the Ministry of Environment