About Kitimat

Minette Bay Lodge is set in its own 75 acre estate of forest with its own salmon spawning streams on the shores of Minette Bay, ten minutes from Kitimat.

Kitimat came into existence on the experimental wave of town planning in the late 1940s and early 1950s as Canada's first thoroughly planned industrial town. The roots of the British and American "new town" concept was actually derived from Ebenezer Howard's " garden cities " of England's late 19th century. They were intended to be a permanent garden retreat for families of industrial workers with room for growth and notably distinct separations between industrial and residential sections of town.

The well-planned community combines a full range of recreational amenities in a wilderness setting. In winter, people of all ages enjoy the racing and leisure cross-country ski trails that spiral through the valley. Snowmobiling is also a favourite with locals and visitors alike - discover both racing trails as well as endless mouintain ranges and valleys.

Kitimat is quite cosmopolitan for a town of just over 11,000. Kitimat began as a community of immigrants and maintains a diverse mix of cultures and lifestyles. About 15% of local residents immigrated to Canada before 1961, another 10% arrived in Canada between 1971 and 1991. Languages spoken in Kitimat homes range from Arabic to Vietnamese and Welsh. We celebrate out citizens' rich heritage during Multicultural Week each February, and on every Canada Day. We are very proud of the respect shown by our residents to all peoples who live in or visit our community. The Right Honourable Jean Sauve recognized the special spirit of Kitimat when she called a 1986 visit here... where so many peoples live in harmony ...a highlight of her service as Governor General.

We hope you are intrigued enough to want to know us better. Kitimat is beautiful in winter when the land lies deep in snow: our town name comes from the Tsimshian word for the indigenous Haisla which translates as " People of the Snow ." In summer, when the sky is brilliant blue, the hills are green and salmon are runnning up river from the Douglas Channel, Kitimat is an absolute wonder!

Directions

By Car:

Minette Bay Lodge, although only 500 spectacular air miles from Vancouver, is 1000 scenic road miles. Drive into Kitimat and take the first paved turn to the left, which is signposted to Kitamaat Village and MK Bay Marina. Travel for 2 kilometers towards the village, at which point the road crosses first Pine Creek and then Cordella Creek. Turn right immediately after Cordella Creek onto the gravel road and follow the signs for a kilometer or so to the lodge.

By Air:

Scheduled Flights: Terrace Airport is serviced by:

Air Canada - www.aircanada.com
Hawkair - www.hawkair.ca
Pacific Coastal - www.pacificcoastal.com

Thence travel to the lodge by car rental (30 minutes), helicopter, floatplane, or alternatively we can meet you at the airport by prior arrangement.

Private Aircraft:
Terrace Airport Flight Service Station
(250) 635.2110
Radio Frequency - 122 MHz
6,850' runway, avgas & jet fuel available

or

Kitimat Airpark
A 3000' foot daytime runway, but no fuel. We can meet you by prior arrangement. Pilots from the USA can preclear Canadian customs by calling 1-800-CANPASS

Float Plane: Minette Bay is a registered government water aerodrome. We can meet you at the dock by prior arrangement.

Helicopter: Pilots have found it easiest to use our acreage of lawns. Please do not land in the fields where we keep horses.

Rail: Take an incredibly scenic rail journey through the length of BC from Vancouver, through the glorious Rockies, and along the Fraser and Skeena Rivers to Terrace. We can pick you up by prior arrangement.
VIA Rail Web Fares & Reservations (hint: in the TO box select Terrace BC)
or call 1 888 VIA-RAIL (1 888 842-7245)

By Sea:

Private Vessels:

Please contact:
M.K. Bay Marina
(250) 632.6401

or

Moon Bay Marina
(250) 632.4655

Inside Passage Ferry:
BC Ferry Corporation (1.888.223.3779) from Vancouver to Prince Rupert via the stunning coastal fjord route. There, continue by float plane or by road via Terrace.