Cheryl Young's Blog

The tree- and creek-lined fairways of the Centennial

Golf Course in Prince Rupert make for a challenging

 game requiring strategic approach shots.

Wildlife sightings are the rule rather than the

 exception here.

The Hirsh Creek Golf & Winter Club in Kitimat offers

 one of the most scenic layouts in BC.

Watch out for the club’s mascot, the fox

– a notorious ball thief

Planning a Golf TripThe golf season runs approximately

 from April to October.

Tee times should be booked in advance of arrival,

especially in July and August. Many courses have a

dress code in effect, so check ahead with the course

 or resort.

Sitting along the mighty Skeena River amidst gorgeous

 green forests, rugged mountains and cliffs, Terrace

 (population: 11,320) is the perfect central base

 for all outdoor pursuits.

In the summer, hike, mountain bike, camp, rock climb,

 canoe, or kayak – all in one day if feeling adventurous.

Salmon fishing is also especially popular here.

In the winter, huge dumps of snow make for incredible

deep powder downhill skiing and snowboarding,

 cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Outdoor ice-skating on the lakes is also possible when

the weather is cold enough and the snow has been cleared.

 Local hot springs, developed and undeveloped, also

make for fine evening soaks.In the evening, to get a feel

for local culture, check out Terrace’s many

 pubs and restaurants.

For entertainment and maybe dancing, see local

musicians perform at the town’s various coffee houses

 or at the bar on the weekends.

Rare White Kermode Bear

Terrace is the official city of the Kermode bear –

 a rare species of the black bear that is born with

a pure white coat due to a recessive gene.

Everything about the bear is the same as a regular

 black bear, except for its spectacular white coat.

The Kermode bear, also know as the Spirit Bear,

is a big draw for visitors to the area.

(It was also represented in the Vancouver 2010

 Olympic mascots – “Miga” was meant to represent

the Kermode bear and Orca).

Yet a sighting is not guaranteed as the animals are wild

and do as they please.

For a chance viewing, drive along the highways and

logging roads in the area in early summer, when the

bears are hungry and munching berries along the

 side of roads.

Statues, signs, references and symbols of the white

 Kermode bear, which is also an official animal of the

 province, are commonplace in Terrace.

Commercial HubWith its many shops and servic

e outlets, Terrace is also the commercial hub of

Northwest BC.Residents from nearby communities

including Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers and nearby

 First Nations villages visit Terrace regularly for bulk

shopping trips and other services.

Many tourists, including fishers and adventurers, also

 use the town to shop and stock up and prepare for

 outdoor excursions.

The town’s downtown core is centered around Lakelse

 Avenue, also known as Main Street.

The 10 or so blocks are dotted with smaller boutiques,

chain clothing stores, restaurants and pubs.

Bigger shops, including Walmart and Canadian Tire,

are on the outskirts of town, and across the train

 tracks on the south side of town.

Meet the LocalsLocals, who refer to themselves

as Terracites, are hard-working, outdoorsy people,

eager to make visitors feel welcome and love the

 community as much as they do.

Strangers to town don’t feel like strangers for long

as the locals are eager to share their knowledge and

stories about the area and what it has to offer.

Terracites live here because they love the quality

 of life the town and area offers.

The people are of diverse cultures, ages and professions.

Most share the same passion for the outdoors, the arts

– Terrace is home to BC’s longest continuously running

 community theatre group – and the community itself.

They are loyal to their region and town.Parades, festivals

and concerts are well attended and a great way to

experience the community’s warmth and camaraderie.

Terracites are proud of living in Northern BC and many

 welcome the isolation that comes with it because

 it lets them enjoy the fresh air, clean water, land, wildlife

 and quiet all to themselves.

The Tsimshian First Nations were the first people to

 live in the area more than 10,000 years ago.

Today, seven First Nations groups still live within close

proximity to the city and contribute significantly to

its economy and culture.

Many of the groups are developing

cultural tours and attractions, that include authentic

longhouses, so that visitors can learn about their

 culture, history and arts.

Where to StartFor an extensive collection of reference

materials, trail guides and information on local

attractions, visit the Terrace Visitor Centre on Keith

 Avenue, on the west side of Terrace’s new bridge on the

south side of town

CHERYL YOUNG, REALTOR ,VICTORIA B.C

WWW.CHERYLYOUNG.CA