Du Rocher-Percé (Pabok) Airport

CTG3 Airport operates as a small regional airfield on the eastern shore of Tatl'ah Lake, approximately 180 kilometres north of Prince George, British Columbia. The airport serves the remote community of Tatl'ah Lake Settlement and nearby fishing lodges, with no direct road access from the south. A single paved runway, 1,200 metres long, accommodates light aircraft and occasional medevac flights. The terminal building, a compact wooden structure, handles arrivals and departures with a simple, functional layout. What makes this airport notable is its setting: the approach descends over dense pine forest, then breaks open to reveal the lake's mirror surface and the snow-capped Cariboo Mountains beyond. Staff here are known for their helpfulness, often assisting passengers with luggage, arranging ground transport, or providing local advice.

Getting There

Reaching CTG3 from Prince George requires a combination of driving and flying, or a longer drive entirely. The nearest road-accessible town is Vanderhoof, 75 kilometres west. From Vanderhoof, a gravel forestry road leads northeast for roughly 100 kilometres to the lake's southern shore, where a private ferry (operated by the settlement) transports vehicles across a narrow channel to the airstrip area. This journey takes about three hours in dry conditions, longer after rain. Alternatively, charter flights from Prince George Airport (YXS) to CTG3 take approximately 45 minutes, operated by small carriers such as Lakeside Air or Tatl'ah Air. These flights are bookable in advance and cost around $400–$600 per seat, depending on season. Scheduled commercial flights do not exist; all air traffic is charter or private. For those driving, a high-clearance vehicle is essential, as the forestry road has washboard sections and occasional deep potholes. Fuel is unavailable at the airport; the nearest gas station is in Vanderhoof.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at CTG3 is a single-storey building with a waiting area, a small check-in counter, and a baggage claim that doubles as a porch. The check-in counter is staffed only during flight times, which are limited to specific days: currently Mondays (late afternoon), Tuesdays (late afternoon), Wednesdays (early morning), and Thursdays (late afternoon). The airport is closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The waiting area seats about twenty people on plastic chairs; a wood stove provides heat in winter. A wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park are available, with a ramp from the parking lot to the door. Restrooms are basic but clean, with a single unisex accessible toilet. There is no café or vending machine — passengers should bring their own food and water. The baggage claim area is unstaffed; luggage is offloaded by the pilot and placed on a cart. Security screening is minimal: a visual check of carry-ons only. On arrival, the pilot may help coordinate ground transport, which consists of the settlement's single taxi van or a lift from a lodge pickup. Cell phone coverage is unreliable near the terminal; a payphone is available outside.

CTG3 and the Region

The region surrounding CTG3 is defined by Tatl'ah Lake, a deep, glacier-fed lake stretching 35 kilometres north-south, surrounded by rolling hills and dense conifer forests. The area is sparsely populated, with the Tatl'ah Lake Settlement, home to about 150 residents (mainly of Dakelh First Nation descent), serving as the only permanent community. The lake is renowned for its trophy-sized rainbow trout and lake trout, drawing anglers from across North America. Several fly-in fishing lodges operate along the eastern shore, offering all-inclusive packages. Beyond fishing, the region offers hiking trails, canoe routes, and opportunities for wildlife viewing — moose, black bears, and bald eagles are common. In winter, the lake freezes solid, and snowmobiling and ice fishing replace summer activities. The nearby Cariboo Mountains provide backcountry skiing and snowshoeing for those willing to travel deeper. Culturally, the Dakelh people have lived here for centuries; their traditions of fishing and trapping continue. A small cultural centre in the settlement displays artifacts and photographs. For visitors, the appeal is solitude and raw nature: there are no shops, no restaurants, no paved roads beyond the airstrip. This is a place where the night sky is truly dark, and the aurora borealis appears frequently from September to March. The airport is the only practical gateway, making CTG3 essential for anyone wanting to experience this remote corner of British Columbia.

Practical Information

CTG3 Airport operates only on Mondays (flights typically scheduled between 4 pm and 7 pm), Tuesdays (3 pm–6 pm), Wednesdays (5 am–8 am), and Thursdays (4 pm–7 pm). The terminal building is open one hour before flight arrivals and remains open until all passengers have cleared. Flight times may shift due to weather; check with your charter carrier before departure for updates. There is no direct website for the airport; charter bookings are made through individual operators. For general inquiries, the Tatl'ah Lake Settlement office can be reached by satellite phone, though response is slow. Bring cash — the nearest ATM is in Vanderhoof, and lodges often prefer cash for incidental purchases. Pack for rapidly changing weather; summer afternoons can reach 25°C, but evenings drop to 5°C, and rain is common. In winter, temperatures fall below -20°C, so layer heavily. Finally, one concrete piece of advice: confirm all transport arrangements to and from the airport before your trip. The taxi van is sometimes unavailable, and hitchhiking on the forestry road is unreliable. Pre-booking a vehicle from your lodge or the settlement can save a long, cold wait.