The wild, jagged landscape of northern British Columbia is an adventurer’s playground. With little tourism infrastructure, outstanding scenery, historical sites, and small towns unsullied by commercialism, it's the perfect place to "get away from it all." There are plenty of ways to explore: climb a mountain, visit a grizzly bear sanctuary, fish for prized steelhead and salmon, or traverse the region by boat. You're definitely in for an adventure.
The main artery of the region, the Skeena River, is as scenic as it is culturally significant. As it rushes towards the Pacific Ocean, the Skeena passes the skeletal remains of salmon canneries and ghost towns while glimpsing glacier-capped mountains and emerald-green tributaries. There’s simply no place like it in the world.
Jet boats are powerful and highly maneuverable crafts, which are the preferred method transportation for navigating the Skeena. A handful of tour companies offer jet boat tours, including Kermodei Adventures and Skeena Wilderness Fishing Charters. There are also multi-day educational adventure trips available through the University of Northern British Columbia’s Continuing Studies Program, which leads groups on themed expeditions throughout the area.
Because the Skeena was home to a slew of salmon canneries in the late 1800s and early 1900s, much of your trip will likely involve exploring their ruins, as well as the boom bust towns that popped up and were abandoned as new industries came and went. You’ll spot grizzly bears and bald eagles from the craft, and wander through abandoned general stores, homes, docks, and cemeteries.
Depending on the itinerary, other stops may include soaking in naturally-fed Frizzell Hot Springs, visiting a First Nations interpretive site, or traipsing through towns only accessible by boat. One highlight is boating up the Exchamsiks River, home to more bears than people. This remote waterway passes massive glacier-capped mountains and slick waterfalls ensuring plenty of nature porn for your camera.