Traveler’s Tips & More
Many wayward travelers have found themselves in for surprises along our highway, some welcoming surprises and some not so exciting! We encourage you to take a read to help prepare yourself for the journey through our isolated and remote area so that you can fully enjoy your experience! Contact us for any questions you may have and we can help prepare your trip with you! If nothing else, at least read the red! You will be grateful you did!
GOOD TO KNOWBring a Camera - And a lot of battery power! Our highway is majestic with absolutely stunning views at every pullout, as well as wildlife waving at you from the side of the road!About the Wildlife - DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS OR GET OUT TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE BEARS! Please! The bears are super cute, but startling them or disturbing them if they are eating or have cubs around can be fatal.And more about the Wildlife - We have moose, caribou, bear, and horses wandering wild along our highway. Always be aware and alert, and rested! When it is foggy out it is hard to notice the animals so just be cautious!Our Highway - The highway is 7 hours from either Terrace/Smithers or 9 hours from Whitehorse. Even longer if taking the Alaska Highway through Fort Nelson area. PLEASE BE RESTED! One of our biggest accident causes is drivers falling asleep at the wheel.No Centerline - The highway does not have a centerline for most of the road. There is a lot of ore truck and semi-truck traffic, so again, just be aware and alert and stay to your side of the road!Paved Road - The entire road is paved, save about .5 of a kilometer North of the town Iskut. The road was recently reconstructed and repaved from the southern side up to 150KM south of Dease Lake. Then the road returns to the typical narrower northern style of seal coat (but still paved) which requires more care.No Cell Service - THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE WHATSOEVER FOR ABOUT 7 HOURS and no cell service in Dease Lake. We do have wifi so wifi calling on your phone can be activated – please contact your provider before traveling to ensure it is set up. We have many family members calling in a panic as they have not heard from their loved ones in a while!Use Spot Device - We suggest using a Spot device or In-reach (or any satellite GPS tracking) in case of emergency, especially in the winter months when you may not see another car for several hours.Our Gas Station - Dease Lake gas station usually closes quite early, around 7 p.m.-8 p.m. There is often no restaurant open during the winter and limited even in the summer. We do have a great grocery store, however, when that closes there is nowhere to get food. We have a kitchen here at the lodge, so you are encouraged to at least travel with a little bit of something for food in case you miss the store.Mechanics - There are two mechanics in town, both with good reputations and resources to complete the work. However, ordering parts may take some time so allow the extra buffer of time in case you need to stay a while longer than expected.Tow Companies - There are two truck companies in town as well; usually, you have to wait until someone driver past you and then pass the message to them to call a truck. We are all quite tight knitted and very friendly and will make sure people get help when needed. The tow trucks will need a credit card to provide service.U-HAUL Renters/Drivers - Please see the fine detail in your contract with the rental company as many companies DO NOT insure accidents or popped tires along this stretch of Cassiar Highway. Also, drive to the condition of the road as another leading cause of accidents in people driving too fast on our roads and blowing tires and axels!Motor Bikes - Please be alert when driving; the roads are long and no lines, and you are quite small coming around corners and blind hills. It always helps to have a tent and be prepared!Prebook - Dease Lake and this highway are a very popular highway, and accommodations are usually booked up a month in advance. We have had to turn away many people late at night, and there is nowhere else to stay past Dease Lake for 3 more hours North, and 1 more hour South! We just want to make sure everyone has someone comfortable to stay!Telegraph Creek! - If you can spare adding a day into your travel, this is an absolutely one of a kind majestic scenery drive! Explore more about Telegraph on our website, or research! There is an amazing Bed and Breakfast called Hyland Creek Bed and Breakfast (www.hylandcreek.ca) that will enhance your entire experience there!
We do have a Police Station, Post Office, and a lovely Health Clinic in Dease Lake. Thank you for taking the time to read our tips! We wish you an amazing journey with memories to share for years to come!We are open year-round! You may reach us/reserve with us with the following methods:
Book direct by clicking here (24/7)
Call us at 250-771-3119 (8AM-10PM Pacific)
Or email info@arcticdivide.ca
Your hosts & company
The Arctic Divide mission is to provide an experience where visitors feel like they are locals.
The company is indigenous owned & operated (Inuvaluit) with Thea hailing from Canada’s subarctic - hence the “Arctic” in the name. Kurt brings his years of hospitality experience to the table including the design build of an award winning hotel from scratch all before the age of 30. Thea & Kurt hope to develop a world-class retreat along the northern stretch of the Stewart-Cassiar to visitors from around the world.
