Agritourism / Industry Tours

A land rich in resources

Northern British Columbia’s bounty of nature is a major economic force for the entire province. This is the land of the giant trees, land rich in minerals and precious metals, and powerful, plentiful rivers of clean water.

A great place to see today’s forest industry first-hand is on a hosted tour. Several Northern B.C. communities offer tours during the summer months of forest operations and mills. The town of Houston, located in the Bulkley Valley on Highway 16 West, is one of several built by the industry. Visitors there can tour some of the world’s fastest, most efficient sawmills.

The Prince George tour illustrates the industry full circle – from a look at dozens of greenhouses bulging with fresh green seedlings, to the forests where they are planted, tended and harvested. From there it’s on to the sawmill. Sawmill wood waste is processed at a pulp mill into materials used for paper products. It’s big business in Northern B.C., with products sold to customers around the world.

Water is abundant across this vast region, and it too has fed the economy and the North American appetite for electricity. In Hudson’s Hope visitors can see a man-made wonder, the W.A. C. Bennett Dam. Completed in 1967, it’s one of the world’s largest earthfill structures, stretching two kilometres (1.25 miles) across the head of the canyon and measuring 183 metres (600 feet) in height. The site’s visitor centre features displays, a theatre and a café. Tours are free of charge and special arrangements can be made for larger groups.

One of the world’s largest aluminum smelters is located in the Coast Mountains, near the community of Kitimat. The Alcan Kitimat Works Aluminum Smelter, now 50 years old, continues to be a major west coast employer. Located off Highway 37, the smelter welcomes visitors for tours, free of charge.

A Northern B.C. treasure trove of industrial history is located at the Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum. Situated next to the city’s beautiful Cottonwood Island Park, the museum displays many of the tools used to build the north. Steam engines, a refurbished luxury railcar and a kiddie train - the Cottonwood Express - are big attractions. The history of the forest industry comes alive here, with machinery on display as well as photos of early lumberjacks.