Aurora Sampler - Winter

A winter wonderland awaits

DECEMBER 15 - APRIL 1

DAY 1

ARRIVE IN YELLOWKNIFE

Adam Pisani photo of Yellowknife at sunrise in the winter.

 

Set in the wondrous natural surroundings of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife is a remarkably modern city. It’s a city where you can experience authentic nature and traditional culture without foregoing urban amenities. Whether you are driving on an ice road, dancing under the Aurora Borealis, enjoying a dogsled ride, ice fishing for world class trophies or watching the skillful cutting of a brilliant northern diamond, we know you’ll enjoy the character of our city and feel the warmth of our northern hospitality.

Check-in at the Explorer Hotel, long a cornerstone of the Northern Hospitality Industry, where you will enjoy a comfortable stay during your sojourn in Yellowknife, the Aurora Capital of the World.

AFTERNOON

My Backyard Tours

See the city and learn about the history of Yellowknife from its gold mining beginnings to its deeply entrenched traditional culture that makes this area unique. Enjoy spectacular views, a visit to the historic “Old Town”, stops at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (museum), gift shops and more await you on the city tour. This tour is approximately two hours in length.

EVENING

AURORA VIEWING 
A man walking out in snow under the green aurora in the NWT.

 

North Star Adventures

Head out on the Ingraham Trail with Joe Bailey an Indigenous tour operator, known in these parts as Joe the Aurora Hunter, for a night of aurora viewing.  Be treated to Joe’s captivating stories and facts on the science of the aurora and the aurora in Indigenous culture. After reaching the best destination to enjoy the aurora, take in the spectacular dance of the northern lights. Enjoy a drink and light snacks while observing the breathtaking light show in the sky. 

OVERNIGHT IN YELLOWKNIFE

DAY 2

AFTERNOON

ICE ROAD AND ART GALLERY TOUR
Ice road in Dettah and Yellowknife in the NWT.

 

One of the most awe-inspiring attractions in the Northwest Territories is the network of ice roads used in winter. Spend part of your afternoon on the six kilometre ice road linking Yellowknife to Dettah, a small Indigenous community across Yellowknife Bay. The dazzling white landscape along the road is stunning; be sure to snap photos of yourself walking across the frozen bay surface. This tour offers a great opportunity to experience the superb Indigenous arts and crafts of the Northwest Territories. After your ice road experience, step inside some of Yellowknife’s finest galleries which feature locally made moccasins, carvings, jewelry, birch bark baskets, dream catchers and paintings.

EVENING

AURORA BY SNOWMOBILE
Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures

For another evening of sky-gazing, hop onto a snowmobile. Your guide will lead you along a trail over snowy frozen Great Slave Lake. When you arrive at the cabin, take time to relax before heading out to the deck to watch the lightshow. You’ll be far enough from the city that your unimpeded view will be all the more brilliant.

OVERNIGHT IN YELLOWKNIFE

DAY 3

AFTERNOON

SNOWSHOEING AND DOGSLEDDING
Dogsledding with Beck's Kennels.

 

Beck’s Kennels

Bundle up and snuggle in for an experience of a lifetime! A dog team trained by a world champion dog musher will pull your sled on a 30-minute trip across frozen lakes and trails. At the end of the trip a stop at a heated cabin where hot drinks and snacks await you.

If you are looking for more fun outdoors, head over to Overlander Sports to rent snowshoes so you can shuffle over packed snow on the Great Slave Lake or any of the many surrounding lakes in the area. This makes for a wonderful way to see the landscape and learn more about the NWT.

EVENING

AURORA VIEWING FROM TRADITIONAL Teepee
aurora and teepees at aurora village in NWT.

 

aurora village

Relax on the edge of a frozen lake beside your tipi or walk up to the hilltop viewing platform where heated seats await. Pick the perfect angle to watch the lights dance across the sky. Enjoy fresh bannock and a northern specialty such as whitefish stew before or after the show. The Aurora is a natural light show caused by a blend of oxygen, nitrogen, solar wind, and magnetic fields producing 10 million megawatts of luminescent power. Beyond the science, there have been different legends handed down over the centuries. The Cree called it “The Dance of the Spirits,” while in the Middle Ages it was believed to be a sign from God. Gaze up at the radiant glow and you will feel like you can reach out to touch its beautiful charge.

OVERNIGHT IN YELLOWKNIFE
DEPART: YELLOWKNIFE (Day 4)