Visitor Toolkit

Travel Media Stories

Road to Olympics start at Mile 0 Dawson Creek, British Columbia

The game of hockey is growing leaps and bounds in Dawson Creek. In May and June of 2009 Hockey Canada decided to host their National Women’s Team orientation and training camp in Dawson leading up to the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. The entire community came together for this hosting opportunity and really embraced the team. As the team requested they wanted to use this as a team building opportunity the team was housed in local houses throughout the community. A number of families gave up there homes and found other accommodations whether it was bunking in with friends and family; going on a three week holiday; or moving into there RV and trailer for 3 weeks, these things were done to accommodate the team. As well local fitness experts were utilized during off ice training sessions, and business such as a fitness facilities, car dealership provided vehicles, and everyone went the extra mile to make this all happen. From Mile 0 to Olympic Games, it all starts in Dawson Creek.

Olympic Curlers: Next stop Dawson Creek, B.C

After the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver the best curlers in the world will be in Dawson Creek to compete at the 2010 Grey Power Capital One World Curling Championship in Dawson Creek, B.C. The event will feature a separate men’s and women’s draw consisting of the world’s top 13 ranked teams from the 2009-10 season as well as curling’s gold, silver and bronze medallists from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Potential competitors for the 2010 Grey Power Players’ Championship include World Champions Kevin Martin (Edmonton, Alta.), Jennifer Jones (Winnipeg, Man.), Glenn Howard (Coldwater, Ont.), David Murdoch (Lockerbie, Scotland), Bingyu Wang (Harbin, China), Randy Ferbey (Edmonton, Alta.), Anette Norberg (Saltsjö Boo, Sweden), Kelly Scott (Kelowna, B.C.), Kerry Burtnyk (Winnipeg, Man.), Jeff Stoughton (Winnipeg, Man.) and Wayne Middaugh (Midland, Ont.) as well as Olympic gold medallist Brad Gushue (St. John’s, Nfld.) and Olympic bronze medallist Shannon Kleibrink (Calgary, Alta.).
The event will be hosted at the EnCana Events Centre in Dawson Creek. For more information, visit www.dawsoncreekeventscentre.com

Bird Watching Enthusiasts Flock to Dawson Creek!

Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Dawson Creek to gaze and observe the plethora of birds in Dawson Creek and the surrounding areas. Here, in Dawson Creek BC, lies a gold mine for birding enthusiasts. An abundance of birds inhabit this area and have made it their home due to its unique location; here the Boreal Forest and Taiga Plains meet creating opportunities to view the variety of distinctive birds in a tranquil setting consisting of thriving woodlands, sheer valleys, tall cliffs, and winding rivers. In fact, the Peace River District records over 280 species of birds in the area! Saunter down an interpretive trail as you gaze upwards at the birds overhead, or stop and listen to the array of songbirds; for a relaxing evening of birding, grab a pair of binoculars and try birding at sunset. Are you a first timer to birding? No problem, stop in at the visitor centre to pick up your copy of “Birding Dawson Creek” brochure to attain a comprehensive listing of birds in the area! Come experience birding and learn what all the excitement is about it as you relax and engage with nature and wildlife in a truly serene setting. Soar on over to Dawson Creek and see what the rave on birding is all about!

Soaring to New Heights! - Dawson Creek a leader in Renewable Energy

BC’s first operation wind park is coming to Dawson Creek! That’s right; Dawson Creek is leading the way in clean, renewable energy. On the outskirts of Dawson Creek is Bear Mountain where the foundations for the wind turbines and being lain. The Bear Mountain wind turbines will sit on the rolling hills behind the town facing the wind to create clean energy for BC; a miraculous conversion of the kinetic energy into mechanical energy. These clean energy makers attempt to touch the sky with their height and enormity, soaring an astounding 78 meters from the ground to hub. Want to learn more? The monumental park of wind turbines will be open to the public as the grounds which they reside on become a park open to the public. There will also be a new off-site interpretive centre in downtown Dawson Creek. Come join in for a one of a kind experience in clean, renewable energy! Gaze up in awe as you witness something new and truly spectacular to BC. For more information, visit www.tourismdawsoncreek.com

Mile “0” of Adventure!

Welcome to Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway! The quaint town of Dawson Creek is situated in the Northeastern corner of British Columbia, surrounded by rolling hills of the majestic Northern Rockies, wide-open and vibrant blue skies, pristine valleys and lakes, and is inhabited by a wealth of wildlife. Renowned for its association with the building of the Alaska Highway in 1942, Dawson Creek is better known as “Mile 0” of the Alaska Highway by some. For the 320,000 visitors traveling up the Highway, Dawson Creek is the beginning of their Northern adventure! Museums, the historical pioneer village, galleries, and the Alaska Highway House exhibit capture the construction of the Alaska Highway, and the various stories, perspectives, hardships, and accomplishments associated with the gripping story of the Highway. These facilities provide the opportunity to learn the stories of individual soldiers and their personal experiences in the 8 and a half months of intensive labor and conditions they faced, as well as the town before soldiers arrived by train in 1942, and the occurrences and events that have taken place in the year since the highways completion. The town is rich in agriculture, and features picturesque landscapes. With such a short, colorful history, welcoming Northern BC hospitality, and situated at the beginning of a Northern BC adventure, why not come and check out Dawson Creek? Come and experience the adventure! We’ve got a lot to offer.

“Greatest Show in the Peace” takes Dawson Creek by Storm

Every community has one amazing event capable of bringing the whole community together to celebrate. For residents of Dawson Creek, this event is the Rodeo and Exhibition. Heard of this event? This Rodeo is more than just an event; it is the most awaited event of the year! This year’s rodeo marked the 87th year the rodeo has taken Dawson Creek, British Columbia by storm. Community members from Dawson Creek and the surrounding area drop what they are doing and come out to participate in the four day celebration, which took place this year August 5th -9th. The event boasts as “the Greatest Show in the Peace Region” and celebrated this year with a record amount of sunshine! Live performing artists take the stage; the aromas wavering in the air lure spectators to the concession stands; the Crazy Cowgirls Trick Riders perform gravity defying tricks; young children eager to participate join in and complete in the calf scramble; rodeo participants test their luck as they participate in the wild horse race; and chuckwagon races fill the grand stands with spectators as one of the most sought after shows of the rodeo! With entertainment like this, who wouldn’t come out and join the fun?

Dawson Creek, BC - Ripe and Rich with Agriculture!

It comes as a surprise to most that in Northern BC, agriculture thrives. Dawson Creek is of no exception, embellished with rolling hills, pristine lakes, vibrant blue skies, which provide the ultimate relaxing urban experience. Summer is often long awaited, and as the seasons change and spring turns in to summer, Dawson Creek becomes a rich contrast of color. Here, prosperous bright yellow fields of canola flowers sit on the horizon, livestock populates the fields rich in grass, Aspen brighten up into a warm green color, and summer skies boast a vivacious blue that cascades in the background. Looking for a more interactive experience? Dawson Creek also features a gaming farm for those looking for more of a hands-on experience with agriculture. Onlookers will find themselves marveled by the scenery and beauty of Dawson Creek, Northern BC, and the abundance of agriculture that flourishes in the region, home to an abundance of livestock and crops, and a diverse agricultural economy. Even locals born and raised in Dawson Creek do not tire of the sight. The experience envelopes you into a trance of relaxation as you take in the scenery provided by Dawson Creeks’ richness in agriculture and picturesque landscapes. For more information, visit www.tourismdawsoncreek.com

The “Living” Story of the Highway Told

The Alaska Highway House is Dawson Creeks’ newest attraction and prides itself on impressing tourists and visitors with its exhibit which showcases the Alaska Highway. Think you know everything about the Alaska Highway? Visit the Alaska Highway House while in Dawson Creek and you are sure to emerge as an expert on the topic of this pioneer road! The facility is one-of-a-kind in that it tells the story of the highway from past to present, celebrating that its history and that it is one of the longest and most adventurous highways in the world. This interpretive exhibit focuses on telling the story of the people who built the highway and their unique individual stories. Personal experiences and endurances are shared shedding light on the extreme hardships they faced and the triumph having completed the highway, an astounding engineering feat, in just over 8 short months. Think it was easy? Check out the exhibit and learn about the challenges in engineering, the extreme weather conditions, sickness, and lack of supplies. For more information visit, www.alaskahighwayhouse.com

Arts and Culture to the Core

Dawson Creek has had a short but vibrant history, having just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008, and continues to forge ahead into the future. The history of the town and how it was established, from the moment the countless soldiers came off the train in 1942 to construct that Alaska Highway, to present has enhanced the arts and culture in the town. Discover the history of the town through the facilities offered which pay tribute to its arts and culture. Not sure where to start the tour? Stop by the Visitor Information Center and pick up a copy of Dawson Creek “Historical Walking Tour.” Eye catching murals canvas the sides of city buildings, and the transformations of historical building become revealed as you take a stroll through Dawson Creek’s downtown core. The Alaska Highway House is a new exhibit showcasing the Alaska Highway from past to present through interpretive videos and recordings, historical photographs, and the daily showing of a movie played in the film hut; the Dawson Creek Art Gallery displays art by local artists and traveling collections from major provincial and national galleries; the Walter Wright Pioneer Village displays the culture and history of the town prior to the construction of the highway; the Northern Alberta Railway Station Museum is a cultural and historical park destination in downtown Dawson Creek featuring many attractions and exhibits, one of the most popular places to take photographs! The EnCana Event Centre and Fall Fair and Exhibition grounds also host a variety of events including the Dawson Creek Rodeo, which is also known as the “Greatest Show in the Peace.” Engage in the arts and culture Dawson Creek has to offer, and enrich your cultural palette.