Northwest Territories

There are heaps of things to do during a Northwest Territories holiday – particularly for lovers of the great outdoors – and one of the best ways to tie it all together is by setting off on an action-packed road trip. Take your time as you travel along your route of choice, stopping at forested state parks and mirror-like lakes for some hiking or canoeing along the way. 

In addition to discovering the great outdoors, it’s worth diving into all things culture whilst you’re away. Join a tour to one of the indigenous villages, where you can meet local artists and learn all about ancient arts and crafts. You might also choose to attend a community feast, listening to age-old stories as you sample traditional delicacies.

The capital of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, is located on the northern shores of the Great Slave Lake and sits on the traditional territory of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. In the city, you will find excellent restaurants, comfortable accommodations, and a host of engaging locals. Even though temperatures in the winter plummet, you can still come all year round, so you just need to decide if you are looking for a winter wonderland or a summery adventure.

Whilst the bustling streets are filled with trendy shops and public art, you’ll be surrounded by untouched northern wilderness just a few steps out of town. Yellowknife was officially founded in 1934, thanks to the gold-mining boom, which was short-lived. The city underwent another boom in the 90s when diamonds were discovered nearby. You can visit the Northwest Territories Diamond Centre to learn all about the discovery and production of rough diamonds to polished jewellery.

While the Northwest Territories serve up adventure all year round, the activities on offer during winter are undoubtedly some of the most exciting. One of the most popular things to do is to go snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing. Get your heart pumping as you take in extraordinary views of the surrounding landscape, ending your day with a warming drink back in town. 

Alternatively, you can choose to up the adrenaline by spending some time on a snowmobile. Weave along icy lakes and rivers, revving your way up to eye-watering speeds. Or, you could go more traditional and try your hand at dogsledding – with the help of your expert musher, you’ll be a pro in no time!

Chances are, if you’re planning a Northwest Territories holiday, you’ll be crossing your fingers in hopes of seeing the famous Northern Lights. So long as you visit during autumn or winter, you’ll be in for a treat, as here, the lights can be seen a whopping 240 nights of the year. You can book a dedicated day trip, listening to legends from a local guide before making your way to the best viewing points around.  

Another option is to stay in a remote Aurora lodge. Get stuck into all things adventure during the day – be it fishing, skiing, hiking, or snowshoeing - before heading back to your cosy accommodation – racing towards the viewing deck as soon as the lights begin to appear.

While a winter holiday may be the obvious choice, a summer trip to the Northwest Territories shouldn’t be overlooked. You might expect the temperatures to stay freezing all year round, but actually, during the summer months, days average around the mid-twenties. Not to mention, going at this time of year means you’ll get to experience the other-worldly midnight sun. In fact, there’s no true darkness all the way from May through to July. 

As for winter, while it does entail braving the cold (between -20°C to -40°C) you’ll be all set for a great time as long as you have the right gear. Wrap up warm and enjoy the plethora of winter activities on offer – snapping photos of the snow-drenched scenery as you go.