Page 97 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to Canada

fishing near a community, or enjoy a
multi-day package at a remote lodge
(www.spectacularnwt.com/what-to-
do/fishing). Weekly summer markets in
Inuvik, Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort
Smith feature locally-grown produce as well
as homemade goods such as fireweed jelly
and birch syrup. Stop by the Inuvialuit
Regional Corporation Craft Store in Inuvik
for some dry fish and other local delicacies.
UNIQUELY NORTHERN
Drive up the Dempster Highway and take a
selfie at the Arctic Circle. Compete in the
annual Billy Joss Open Celebrity Golf
Tournament on Ulukhaktok’s nine-hole
course, North America’s most northerly
course (www.arcticcharinn.com/arctic-
golfing.htm). Visit the popular Igloo Church
in Inuvik. The interior is decorated with
paintings by Inuit artist Mona Thrasher.
WHAT’S NEW?
Jackpine Paddle offers guided paddling trips
on northern rivers including the Thelon,
Nëné, Natla, Keele and Great Slave Lake, as
well as in Thaidene Nëné National Park
Reserve (www.jackpinepaddle.com/
expeditions-archive).
North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge has
completed renovations to its six-room main
lodge and guest cabins (www.nnnl.ca).
In winter, Sundog Adventures offers kicksled
or kicksled combo tours including ice caves
or ice fishing excursions. Houseboat and
heritage tours of Yellowknife Bay are offered
in summer, along with birding opportunities
(www.sundogadventures.ca).
CITY LIGHTS
Explore Yellowknife, the territorial capital,
on foot (www.extraordinaryyk.com).
GREAT SLAVE LAKE • VIRGINIA MARSHALL
Astronomy North website to find out the
likelihood of spotting the northern lights
(www.astronomynorth.com/aurora-
forecast). There are different ways to experi-
ence the aurora (www.spectacularnwt.com/
what-to-do/aurora). Join a tour operator
and head out on the trail by snowmobile or
dog team to a cosy camp that offers a clear
view of the night sky. Participate in an aurora
photography tour to learn the art of capturing
the northern lights. Head out onto frozen Great
Slave Lake in an eight-passenger Bombardier,
or fly out to a wilderness lodge for a few days.
FEEDING FRENZY
Summer brings opportunities to try
northern fare. Cast a line into a river or lake
for feisty northern pike, Arctic grayling,
Dolly Varden or lake trout. Dine on
whitefish that an outfitter has prepared over
an open fire for your lunch. Spend the day
NT
95
Enjoy a 360-degree view of Yellowknife Bay
and surrounding Old Town from the top of
the Bush Pilots’ Monument. Take a boat
tour of Yellowknife Bay, home to North
America’s most northerly houseboat
community. Sandblast a northern motif on
recycled glass during a workshop at Old
Town Glassworks (www.oldtownglass
works.com). The Yellowknife Farmers
Market is held weekly on Tuesday
downtown throughout the summer. The
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
provides a peek into northern culture
(www.pwnhc.ca). Next door, the Northwest
Territories Legislative Assembly offers guided
and audio tours (www.ntassembly.ca/visitors).
Quick Fact
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES IS THE ONLY
POLITICAL REGION IN CANADA WHICH
RECOGNIZES 11 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES,
FIVE OF WHICH ARE SPOKEN
FREQUENTLY IN YELLOWKNIFE.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Choose from front-country campsites and
hikes to backcountry day hikes and epic
multi-week backcountry experiences in the
territory’s six national parks and 34 territorial
parks (www.nwtparks.ca). The historic
Canol Heritage Trail near Norman Wells is
a very remote, extremely rugged and
rigorous hike (www.spectacularnwt.com/
attraction/canol-trail). Opportunities for
guided or self-guided paddling and rafting
trips are plentiful along one of the N.W.T.’s
historic rivers including the challenging
Coppermine River, the meandering Thomsen
River and the world-renowned South
Nahanni River (www.spectacularnwt.com/
what-to-do/paddling). Enjoy fishing day
trips with an outfitter or a multi-day package
at a wilderness lodge.