Page 97 - 2026-2027 Travel Guide to Canada

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what-to-do-in-the-western-arctic-
region). 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.spectacularnwt.com/
operators/jackpine-paddle).
Nahanni Mountain Lodge, located on the
shores of Little Doctor Lake, offers a serene
retreat with private cabins for an unforget-
table northern experience (www.spectacu
larnwt.com/operators/nahanni-mountain-
lodge).
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.spectacularnwt.com/operators/sun
dog-adventures).
CITY LIGHTS
Explore Yellowknife, the territorial capital,
on foot (www.extraordinaryyk.com).
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.spectacularnwt.com/
operators/old-town-glassworks). The
Yellowknife Farmers Market is held weekly on
DOG SLEDDING NORTH SLAVE • JULIEN SCHRODER/NWTT
Tuesday downtown throughout the summer.
The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
provides a peek into northern culture
(www.spectacularnwt.com/attractions/pri
nce-of-wales-northern-heritage-centre).
Next door, the Northwest Territories Legisla-
tive Assembly offers guided and audio tours
(www.spectacularnwt.com/attractions/legisl
ative-assembly-building-of-the-northwest-
territories).
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
day hikes to backcountry adventures ranging
from single-day outings to epic multi-
week treks all within 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/
story/canadas-canol-trail-remote-
backcountry-adventure-in-the-nwt).
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 wilder-
ness lodge.
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 fishing
near a community, or enjoy a multi-day
package at a remote lodge (www.spectacular
nwt.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 and browse traditional clothing
and crafts by local artists.
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.spectacularnwt.com/story/