2013 nwt tourism explorers' guide by Saadi alkouatli

IN CaNada’S NorthwESt tErrItorIES You’ve experienced the excitement of the Northwest Territories through your favourite TV shows - now experience it for yourself.

UNIQUE ColoUrfUl NatUral

2013

SEttINgS

ArCTIC AIr Visit locations that inspired the sets

Wide open spaces – friendly faces.

ICE roAd TruCkErs Drive an ice road for yourself

CharaCtErS

BaCkdropS

ICE PIloTs NWT Book a flight and have Buffalo Joe fly the DC3

Experience our Northern hospitality as we fly you to the people and places that make the North truly unique.

If you are interested in filming your next production in the Northwest Territories, the NWT Film Commission can assist with location scouting and connecting you with experienced local television and film professionals.

On the way, you’ll enjoy our complimentary inflight meal service, complimentary seat selection and the airline’s generous luggage allowance.* Fly Canadian North and we’ll introduce you to the world we know so well.

IInuvik, nuviik k, N NWT NW WT

bra

VAL STI FE

*2 x 70 lb. bags

RN AR TS THE OR

reservations call 1.800.661.1505 • canadiannorth.com

GREA TN

nwtfilm.com ting

25 y

IN CaNada’S NorthwESt tErrItorIES You’ve experienced the excitement of the Northwest Territories through your favourite TV shows - now experience it for yourself.

UNIQUE Colo ColoUrfUll Nat NatUral

2013

SEttINgS

ArCTIC AIr Visit locations that inspired the sets

Wide open spaces – friendly faces.

ICE roAd TruCkErs Drive an ice road for yourself

CharaCtErS

BaCkdropS Ba

ICE PIloTs NWT Book a flight and have Buffalo Joe fly the DC3

Experience our Northern hospitality as we fly you to the people and places that make the North truly unique.

IInuvik, nuviik k, N NWT NW WT

bra

VAL STI FE

*2 x 70 lb. bags

RN AR TS THE OR

reservations call 1.800.661.1505 • canadiannorth.com

GREA TN

nwtfilm.com ting

25 y

Photos: Left inset, fran hurcomb; centre inset, Jiri hemann; right inset, omnifiLm entertainment Ltd.

LEGEND ROUTES

THEMED ROUTES

Paved Surface

Trans Canada Trail

Dempster Highway

Unpaved Surface

Heritage River

Frontier Trail

Winter Access Only

Dempster Highway

Great Slave Route

Deh Cho Connection

Canol Hiking Route

Heritage Route

COMMUNITIES Capital

Ingraham Trail Community

SYMBOLS

Liard Trail Waterfalls Route

Ferry

Day Use Parks

Waterfall

Parks with Campgrounds

Historical Site

National Parks/Landmarks

Visitor Information

Diamond Mine

Wood Buffalo Route

ITO RIA

AG E

TRA I

NORTH AMERICA

RIT HE NOL CA TE SED OP O R P

REGIONS WESTERN ARCTIC NORTH SLAVE SOUTH SLAVE

Proposed Nรกรกts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve

SAHTU DEHCHO

LINDBERG LANDING

YELLOWKNIFE.CA

LEGEND ROUTES

THEMED ROUTES

Paved Surface

Trans Canada Trail

Dempster Highway

Unpaved Surface

Heritage River

Frontier Trail

Winter Access Only

Dempster Highway

Great Slave Route

Deh Cho Connection

Canol Hiking Route

Heritage Route

COMMUNITIES Capital

Ingraham Trail Community

SYMBOLS

Liard Trail Waterfalls Route

Ferry

Day Use Parks

Waterfall

Parks with Campgrounds

Historical Site

National Parks/Landmarks

Visitor Information

Diamond Mine

Wood Buffalo Route

ITO RIA

AG E

TRA I

NORTH AMERICA

RIT HE NOL CA TE SED OP O R P

REGIONS WESTERN ARCTIC NORTH SLAVE SOUTH SLAVE

Proposed Nรกรกts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve

SAHTU DEHCHO

LINDBERG LANDING

YELLOWKNIFE.CA

Table of Contents EXPLORERS’ GUIDE 2013

14 08

Parks & Wilderness

Aurora & Winter

Northern Realities

Culture & People

Western Arctic Region

Sahtu Region

Dehcho and Nahanni Region

South Slave Region

Yellowknife

Lakes & Rivers

North Slave Region

Messages................................................. 2 Welcome ................................................... 3 Aurora & Winter ................................. 8 Parks & Wilderness ..................... 14

Lakes & Rivers ................................. 20 Culture & People ........................... 26 Northern Realities ........................ 32 Getting Here ...................................... 36

Western Arctic ................................. 48 Sahtu ........................................................ 56 Dehcho and Nahanni ................ 64 South Slave ........................................ 72

North Slave ......................................... 84 Yellowknife .......................................... 92 Index ...................................................... 106

Cover Photo: Tony Devlin Cover image: Members of the Ulukhaktok Drummers and Dancers hold an autumn performance on the hill overlooking Queens Bay in the community of Ulukhaktok.

The metric system is used for all measurements in this guide. Following are conversions of the more common uses: The 2013 Explorers’ Guide is published by Northwest Territories Tourism, P.O. Box 610, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N5 Canada. Toll free in North America 1-800-661-0788, Telephone (867) 8735007, Fax (867) 873-4059. Email: info@spectacularnwt.com Web: www.spectacularnwt.com Production by Kellett Communications Inc., Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Printed in Canada for free distribution.

1 kilometre (km) = .62 miles 1 metre (m) = 39 inches 1 kilo = 2.2 pounds M n

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

DISCLAIMER – The information on services and licences contained in this book is offered to you as a matter of interest and is believed to be correct and accurate at the time of printing. If you would like to check the current licence status of an NWT outfitter, please visit the Government of the Northwest Territories website at www.iti.gov.nt.ca and check the operator licensing list. Prices in this guide are subject to change without notice. NWT Tourism and Kellett Communications Inc. accept no liability for errors or omissions.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

Messages The Northwest Territories – One of a Kind

Our Promise – A Spectacular Experience

Hon. David Ramsay

Jenni Bruce

Minister, Industry, Tourism and Investment

Here’s a place that will rejuvenate your spirit and sense of wonder!! It is our seemingly limitless open space that makes Canada’s Northwest Territories so pristine and raw – so provocative and appealing. Our endless and oft-untouched Territory is truly captivating. From the twenty-four-hour daylight of our long summer days to the hypnotic dance of the Aurora Borealis in a crisp winter sky, the breadth and diversity of the Northwest Territories is astonishing. It is a land of vast landscapes and unrivalled vistas – scenic boreal forests, breathtaking waterfalls, mountains, plains and valleys – spectacular wildlife, clean air and warm, welcoming people. The Dene, Métis, and Inuvialuit live and share their cultures here. Their celebrations, traditions, crafts and artistic expression reflect the legends, stories and customs of their past. Visit one of our many communities or lodges. Photograph wildlife in their natural home. Canoe a legendary river. Hike a trail. Savour the wide-open spaces. The Northwest Territories is both a land and lifestyle worth exploring. Come, discover our Territory – and your adventurous spirit…

Chair, Northwest Territories Tourism

Interest in Canada’s North is growing exponentially, and we are not surprised. With exposure of the Northwest Territories on national and international hit TV shows like Ice Road Truckers, Ice Pilots NWT and Arctic Air more people than ever before are seeing our beautiful and awe inspiring landscapes and learning about the interesting people who live here. Watching the Aurora Borealis flapping like a wispy flag in a crisp, cold winter sky is on a lot of travel bucket lists. So is hiking, fishing or camping under the midnight sun. Our proximity to wildlife is nothing short of astounding, with bison roaming along the highways and birdwatchers checking species off their life lists on a short trek outside our communities. Travellers to the territory are well advised to keep their cameras handy. This year we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Great Northern Arts Festival from July 12-21, 2013. This festival, held annually in Inuvik, is always a draw for locals and tourists alike. You can get more information on many of our festivals by visiting our website. The Northwest Territories is one of the last places on earth where you can experience an untamed and virtually untouched wilderness landscape, and do so with the help of knowledgeable hosts (who are often interesting characters in their own right). With more commercial flights landing in the Northwest Territories than ever before, travel here has just become even easier. In addition, with the completion of the Dehcho Bridge, which spans the mighty Mackenzie River, access to our southern communities by road has become easier as well. We look forward to seeing you soon in the Spectacular Northwest Territories!

MARCUS JACKSON

Welcome to Your Spectacular Travel Adventure Travel adventure is about more than braving the elements; it’s also about experiences that enrich your soul. In the Northwest Territories, we specialize in unique journeys of the mind, body and spirit – all year. We invite you to share in our spectacular, wild, accessible world and its many wonders. We live in 1.2 million square kilometres of diverse landscapes that range from Arctic coastline and wide open tundra to towering mountains and dramatic river canyons. Our epic land encompasses five of Canada’s finest National Parks. And there’s no better place to experience the power and mystery of the Aurora Borealis. The Northwest Territories is known for being a watery playground, threaded with powerful rivers and studded with countless lakes, including some of the planet’s biggest and cleanest. The world’s greatest fish stories begin here: Lake Trout, Arctic Char and Northern Pike grow huge and healthy in our cold depths. Paddling, rafting and cruising are major modes of transportation, rewarding enthusiasts with the freedom to go where roads can’t take them. In these untrampled lands, wildlife outnumbers humans. See whales and polar bears in the Arctic, watch woolly muskox grazing on the barrens, witness caribou migrating in herds of thousands, train your binoculars on Dall’s Sheep and goats in the Mackenzie Mountains,

or see the white pelicans soaring and diving amid the raging waters of the Slave River Rapids. Meet northern peoples and learn firsthand about Aboriginal cultures and traditions, which are vibrant in our 33 communities. Revel in the diversity of our northern artists, inspired by traditional and contemporary influences. A trip to the Northwest Territories is more than a vacation – it’s an opportunity to learn something new and perhaps to find yourself, even if you didn’t know you needed to. Make this the year to live your Northern Dream. Dreaming of a fishing or hunting trip in the NWT? Start planning now with NWT Tourism’s Sportsmen’s Guide spectacularnwt.com/nwtt/order-guides Looking for a unique location for your next conference? Start planning now with NWT Tourism’s Meeting & Conference Guide spectacularnwt.com/nwtt/order-guides

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

ways we are wildly different TESSA MACINTOSH

the northwest territories is a land of contradictions: trees and tundra, remote and accessible, equal parts serenity and adventure. But it is unequivocally unforgettable, and the ultimate bragging-rights destination.

1. Stellar night skies

2. Go traditional Wander through any of our friendly communities and you’re likely to see animal hides drying in the sun, a backyard tipi, artists selling handmade wares or a circle of drum dancers at a local festival. This is a glimpse of the unscripted culture and tradition that still reign here.

The quieTesT quieT

Up here, there’s a different brand of quiet, so utterly soundless it’s practically piercing. Listen for it when you’re skimming the water in a canoe or walking a tundra trail. You’ll know it when all you can hear is your own breathing. TERRY PARKER

TERRY PARKER

There’s nothing like wide-open wilderness to show off the night sky. Here, you’ll see the Aurora on any given evening – spring, winter or fall – and more stars crammed in the sky than you thought existed.

4. Wilderness is always 10 minutes away

Don’t be afraid to stick around when the temperatures plunge. Things go funny: your every word literally hangs in the air, your eyelashes frost over and everything sounds a bit sharper. There’s no sleet, slush or salt-stained pant cuffs here. Just dry, powdery snow and that clean, bracing air.

RYAN MACDONALD

6. Where winter means winter

ADAM HILL

TESSA MACINTOSH

RYAN CREARY

By car, boat, chopper or Cessna, 10 minutes from anywhere lands you in boreal backwoods, open-sky barrens or where the lakes have no name.

7. Choose your own adventure

5. Our water rules: 1. If you’re thirsty, dip a cup. 2. If you’re hungry, cast a line. 3. Swim everywhere. (But be safe!) 4. Canoe in the middle of nowhere. 5. Dip a toe in the Arctic Ocean. 6. When it freezes, drive on it.

Catch a trout the size of a small dog, get pulled by huskies, kayak a wild river, climb a mountain spire, or crack a book at the cabin and leave the world behind. Whatever adventure you choose, our licensed operators can make it happen.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

In a place where the sun never really sets, dinnertime is like high noon, midnight is for golfing and sleeping is optional. Do as the locals do and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t waste a second of summer.

JASON VAN BRUGGEN/CTC

TERRY PARKER

9. Get a suntan after dinner

8. Tread lightly

10. Roadside attractions

TERRY PARKER

In a place where tenting spots outnumber hotels a zillion to one, there’s endless ways to explore this untrampled land. Go solo or with an operator who will show you how to gently connect with the land.

When you come to the wilderness you’re going to encounter wildlife, sometimes literally on the highway. Bison are notorious traffic stoppers, while black bears and the odd caribou may also cross, so have your camera ready.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

aURORa & WINTER | FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES AT TWITTER.cOm/SPEcTacULaRNWT

YUICHI TAKASAKA

Aurora & Winter

A cosmic light show This is the radiant spectacle of the Aurora Borealis, one of the planet’s greatest natural wonders that swirls across our skies on any given night from mid-August until mid-April. It’s no wonder people come from around the world to see this northern light show. In this cosmic theatre everyone has a front-row seat. All you have to do is look up.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

The science behind the beauty energy created when incoming solar particles collide with gas molecules and atoms in Earth’s upper atmosphere. The Northwest Territories is situated directly beneath the Auroral Oval, an active ring of geomagnetic excitement around the North magnetic pole that results in grand displays of colour towering hundreds of kilometres overhead in the clear night sky. CTC/NWTT

The Aurora Borealis, also called Northern Lights, often appears as a glowing arc of colour – green, violet, sometimes red – that ripples like a flag on a windy day. Sometimes the lights move quickly, sometimes they hover lazily, sometimes they can be ghostly wisps. Every performance is different, but the science behind their beauty is the same. What you see as a waving band of light is the

Whether the Aurora is the main purpose of your trip, or an adventure on the side, your chances of seeing a spectacular light show are excellent. Yellowknife’s reputation as a world-class Aurora viewing destination is well documented, offering the perfect combination of a semi-arid climate, 62° North latitude and more than 250 dark nights per year. That translates into consistently good viewing opportunities from mid-August until mid-April. Weather and sky conditions in the North can change quickly, especially in the autumn and spring, so for best results you should plan to stay for three or more days. Northwest Territories operators offer a variety of Aurora viewing experiences: soaking in an outdoor hot tub or nestled in an enclosed, heated chair for a 360-degree view of the winter sky.

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WAYNE LYNCH

WhAT ARe YOuR ChANCes?

Did you know that most common Yellowknife Auroras are powered by the sun? A steady outward flow of solar particles known as the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic field to produce gentle, slow-moving displays 100-500 kilometres overhead. As solar activity increases, observers can see amazing changes to the height, shape, colour, intensity and duration of Auroras as geomagnetic events unfold. As activity decreases, the skies return to normal, and the majestic Aurora once again appears overhead, just as it did the night before, and the night before that. And even when solar activity is low, seasoned locals will still watch the sky for unexpected bursts of energy that will illuminate the heavens at any time between dusk and dawn. Needless to say, in the Northwest Territories, it’s always a good idea to keep your eyes on the skies. MAKI KAWAI

TESSA MACINTOSH

Solar Connections

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

A side of winter with my Aurora Borealis, please! Where there’s Aurora, there’s usually winter. We’ve got six(!) months of it and we’ve found plenty of ways to enjoy it. Take your pick.

Snowmobiling

Ice Fishing

If speed is more your style, rent a snowmobile and explore trails, frozen lakes or sweeping Barrenland terrain, either solo or with a guide. Operators will have all the gear and clothing you need and each region offers its particular topographical charms, whether you prefer the tangle of frozen channels of the Mackenzie Delta or the tree-framed trails outside Yellowknife that lead straight to a warm cabin.

The ultimate in laid-back outdoor adventure, ice fishing is as easy as dropping the line and waiting for the trout, pike or pickerel to bite. We’ve got more lakes than we have names for, so pick your optimal fishing trip: cabin-side at a remote lodge or day tripping from a number of our communities. Be sure to get your territorial fishing licence, either in advance by mail or at participating local retailers. If you are taking a guided tour, the fishing licence is included.

aURORa & WINTER | FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES AT TWITTER.cOm/SPEcTacULaRNWT

STEVE SCHWARZ

Dog Mushing

DAVE BROSHA

Mushing a pack of huskies was once the mainstay means of transportation in these parts. Today it’s a popular pastime and an exhilarating way to explore the wilderness. Our experienced operators offer various dogsledding packages, from half an hour to day-long or overnight excursions for hardier types. Learn the ropes (literally) and take the reigns yourself, or let the experts do the mushing while you recline in the traditional oak cariole and watch kilometres of ice roads and bush trails whiz by. Come spring, don’t miss a chance to watch the pros compete in dogsled races held around the Northwest Territories. The main event, though, is the 60th annual Diavik 150 Canadian Championship Dog Derby, a phased 150-mile loop in and around Yellowknife every March.

Skiing and Snowshoeing

MAKI KAWAI

WiNTeR MilesTONes

Break your own trail in our plentiful backcountry, either on skis or snowshoes. Or if you prefer groomed trails, head to the ski clubs in Yellowknife, Norman Wells and Inuvik. The daring and athletic may want to head to Great Slave Lake’s windy bays to try kite-skiing, the winter equivalent of wind surfing, in which a 20-foot kite hurtles you along the ice on skis or a snowboard. Lessons and gear rental are available in select communities.

Halloween: While it’s sweaters and fallen leaves for the rest of you, Yellowknife and surrounding areas will have had their first permanent snowfall, while farther north communities are already blanketed. Late November: Rivers and lakes are freezing; skiing and iceskating conditions are optimal. December: By the 21st, winter solstice marks roughly six-and-ahalf hours of daylight in Yellowknife, while farther north, Inuvik is getting by on total darkness. Early January: Rivers and lakes are solid enough to drive on; most of the territory’s ice roads are open. March: Days are getting longer, ice roads are closing, and many communities are shaking off winter with outdoor carnivals.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

PARKS & WILDERNESS | Follow us for UPDATES at twitter.com/spectacularnwt

PAT KANE

Parks & Wilderness

We put the wild in wilderness River valleys, mountains, boreal forests and tundra – the Northwest Territories encompasses more than a million square kilometres of ultimate Subarctic and Arctic wilderness. Remote but accessible, our wild lands are home to ancient beasts, like muskox and bison, as well as caribou herds and leggy shore birds. Some of our finest scenery is protected by five national parks, while 34 road-accessible territorial parks offer natural and heritage wonders, the perfect staging ground for camping, hiking and the kind of unwinding you just can’t do in a city.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

PARKS CANADA

Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve (proposed) is a proposed park covering 33,000 square kilometres on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, famous for its world class fishing and endless sheer cliffs that seem cut from primeval times. The rugged landscape is home to Barrenground caribou, muskox, black bears and moose. The deep, clean waters with their protective inlets attract kayakers and canoeists, while hikers flock to Pike’s Portage, a 50-kilometre trail spanning the transition from boreal forest to wide-open tundra.

GEORGE FISCHER

Numerous lodges, camps and outfitters offer various East Arm retreats out of Yellowknife and Lutselk’e. T: (867) 766-8460 | E: judi.cozzetto@pc.gc.ca

The South Nahanni river plunges 90 metres at Virginia Falls, almost twice the height of Niagara Falls.

Nahanni National Park Reserve is Canada’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting 30,000 square kilometres within the vast Mackenzie Mountain range, encompassing alpine tundra, towering waterfalls and canyons cut by frothing rivers. Situated in the Deh Cho region, the area is roaming grounds for grizzly and black bears, woodland caribou, Dall’s Sheep and wolves. Hawks, eagles and falcons patrol overhead. Here you can paddle world-class white water rivers, hike across creek beds under soaring canyon walls and, for experienced climbers, scale legendary granite spires. If you can’t swing a lengthy excursion, day trips are available out of Fort Simpson, as well as aerial tours that offer amazing views of the 90-metre high Virginia Falls, whose crashing waters you’ll feel in your bones. Nahanni National Park Reserve is open year round and only accessible by air or water. Day tours and expedition outfitters are based in Fort Simpson. T: (867) 695-7750 | E: nahanni.info@pc.gc.ca | pc.gc.ca/nahanni 16

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Aulavik National Park protects 12,000 square kilometres on northern Banks Island in the sprawling Arctic Archipelago. You could hike for weeks through the park’s polar deserts, badlands and rolling hills, or canoe for days on the serene Thomsen River, the continent’s most northerly navigable river. Aulavik is perhaps best known for its muskox. Some 12,000 of these shaggy, squat beasts roam the park, along with the endangered Peary caribou (distinguished by their smaller size and blonde fur). Two-thirds of the world’s lesser snow goose population lands here each spring from the mainland. Ancient artefacts litter the landscape at Head Hill, where muskox skulls, tent rings and meat caches have lain seemingly untouched for more than 3,000 years. The park is located some 250 kilometres northeast of Sachs Harbour. The most practical means of accessing the park is to book a charter from Inuvik. T. (867) 690-3904 E: inuvik.info@pc.gc.ca pc.gc.ca/aulavik

GEORGE FISCHER JASON VAN BRUGGEN /CTC

Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve is Canada’s newest national park, which protects 4,850 square kilometres in the upper South Nahanni River Watershed close to Nahanni National Park Reserve. The area is home to Dall’s sheep, grizzly bears and woodland caribou and trumpeter swans. Here, you can canoe or raft one of the most famous rivers in the country, or hike and climb through gorgeous boreal mountain terrain. The park is open year round and accessible only by plane, chartered from Norman Wells or Fort Simpson. T: (867) 872-7960 E: wbnp.info@pc.gc.ca

Tuktut Nogait National Park is 170

Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest park and a long time UNESCO World Heritage Site. Straddling the Alberta-Northwest Territories border, this is also our most accessible national park, a quick drive from nearby Fort Smith. Inside, these vast boreal plains are a sanctuary for the world’s largest freeroaming wood bison herds, which rebounded from endangerment after the park was established to protect them in 1922. It supports the world’s last natural whooping crane nesting grounds, contains one of the world’s biggest freshwater deltas, and is the feeding ground for hundreds of birds and raptors. Paddlers have their pick of three big rivers, while scenic trails lead hikers through karst terrain, glacial deposits and the famous salt plains, a rare 200-squarekilometre swath of natural salt deposits that occur in mounds, sometimes as high as two metres. Guided day tours are available. The park is open year round and accessible by an all-weather road from Fort Smith. T: (867) 872-7960 | E: wbnp.info@pc.gc.ca | pc.gc.ca/woodbuffalo

kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, a land of rolling tundra punctured by waterfalls, deep canyons and cold, clean rivers, paradise for paddlers and hikers. Wildlife lovers should get here early to see thousands of bluenose-west caribou migrate into the park in June to calve. Peregrine falcons, gyrfalcons and golden eagles, among other raptors and birds, come to nest along the canyon walls. The region’s rich heritage is marked by tent rings, caches and hunting blinds that are still scattered along the river banks. Fly Inuvik to Paulatuk, where you can hike or hire a guide to drive you into the park. If you’re coming with canoes, charter a plane from either Paulatuk or Norman Wells. T. (867) 580-3233 E: inuvik.info@pc.gc.ca pc.gc.ca/tuktuknogait

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

Sleep under the midnight sun There is no better way to experience our backyard wilderness than to pitch a tent in it.

Park has two. Are you looking to paddle to your secluded camp spot? Head to Hidden Lake outside Yellowknife. Do you crave utter solitude, wide-open Whether you’re looking for the amenities and road access of our territorial campgrounds or the secluded spaces and giant skies? Fly to Aulavik National Park and set your tent in the middle of a polar desert. Be wilds of our national parks, we’ve got camping sure to bone up beforehand on available services options to suit all wilderness skills. Camping season and safety considerations wherever you end up. starts officially in mid-May and runs through midSee “Road Trip!” on page 36 for more info. Or, visit September, when the territory’s campgrounds close nwtparks.ca for a complete listing of highway routes for the season. That’s plenty of time to incorporate and campgrounds. Some campgrounds can be a campfire into your road trip – or to pick a site that beckons. You want waterfalls? Sambaa Deh Territorial reserved online at campingnwt.ca. 18

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Walk the (un)beaten path

J.F. BERGERON

Spanning more than a million square kilometres of diverse and dramatic wilderness – from mountain ranges to boreal forests to Barrenlands – the Northwest Territories is a hiker’s paradise. This is unspoiled country, where you’re likely to run into more wildlife than humans, where you’re just a speck on the grand, glorious terrain. There’s a wide variety of solo or guided hikes to suit all skill levels. If you’re fit, outdoorsy and bush-confident, consider embarking on the Canol Heritage Trail, a tough and rugged World War II pipeline route beginning in Norman Wells and meandering through the Mackenzie Mountains. Go walking in one of our national parks, amid Nahanni’s canyons and cliffs or through the tundra wildflowers in Tuktut Nogait National Park. If ambling is more your speed, take a day hike on a marked trail in Yellowknife. In any case, the crisp, clean northern air will make you breathe easier and feel a little lighter than when you arrived.

SOMMERHALDER/GNWT

PAT KANE

The creatures among us There’s nothing quite like that awestruck and exhilarated feeling that comes with seeing creatures in the wild. The Northwest Territories, where wilderness reigns, is home to beasts, birds and ungulates – the exotic sort that get featured in National Geographic. There’s the prehistoric muskox quietly grazing in the Arctic Archipelago as they have for thousands of years and the elegant caribou grandly migrating across the Barrenlands. The Mackenzie Mountains is where you’ll see mountain goats and Dall’s sheep, known for their curled horns and agility. Though you may not necessarily want to run into bears, the territory is roaming grounds for black, grizzly and polar bears. Moose congregate at river beds from east to west, while several raptor species hunt widely throughout the territory. You don’t even have to leave the community to see wildlife; ravens, red foxes and ptarmigans are a regular sight. But if you’re looking for something truly majestic, like catching a glimpse of the caribou migration or bird-watching in the Mackenzie Delta, a number of outfitters offer wildlife viewing packages. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

The Mackenzie River is the second longest in North America and eleventh in the world at 1,700 km.

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PAT KANE

Lakes & Rivers

Water: it’s our thing What’s striking when you fly over the Northwest Territories is the mottled blue landscape of rivers and lakes – small and monstrous, nameless and renowned. Waterways anchor each community and define the way people live. Our most famous lakes, Great Slave and Great Bear, are two of North America’s biggest and most pristine, and where people come to haul in record-setting fish or just cruise their enormity. But those aren’t the only impressive waters. We have more lakes than we can name and our rivers run thousands of kilometres all over the map. The legendary Mackenzie River is Canada’s longest, weaving 1,700 kilometres clear across the territory, feeding more than 40 tributaries before spilling out through a rich delta into the Arctic Ocean. Other renowned rivers – the Nahanni, Thelon and Horton, to name a few – lure avid paddlers worldwide. But our cold, clean and uncrowded waters aren’t just for paddling, they’re also for fishing, cruising, sailing, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, swimming and, yes, you can even dip your cup and drink from them.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

Our Feisty Falls Many of our fast-flowing rivers plunge over rocky cliffs and ledges creating spectacular waterfalls. Virginia Falls on the South Nahanni is famous for towering twice as high as Niagara Falls. But you need not go far to find these rushing waters. The Mackenzie Highway’s Waterfall Route provides easy access to many spectacular displays of falling water, such as Lady Evelyn Falls near Kakisa, Twin Falls Territorial Park’s Louise and Alexandra Falls near Enterprise, and Sambaa Deh Falls near Jean Marie River. Past Yellowknife on the Ingraham Trail, the ever-popular Cameron Falls is the reward at the end of a short hike. 22

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Dip a line in our unspoiled, bountiful waters

What’s in the Water? FISH SPECIES OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Anglers from across the globe flock to our plentiful lakes and rivers for unforgettable wilderness fishing. These cold, clean waters spawn some of the planet’s biggest, feistiest freshwater fish and our skilled guides know where to find them. Cast a line in a roaring mountain river or deep into a clear blue lake. Feel the thrill as lively Arctic Grayling or monstrous Northern Pike snag your cast. Fly fish in frothing rapids and along boreal lakeshores. Whether you’re going for a record-breaker at a fly-in lodge, or casting for a shore lunch at a roadside lake, our spectacular waters are sure to lure you in. See our Regions section for a list of licensed fishing guides and lodges.

For more inFormation about Fishing in the northwest territories, please reFer to the sportsmen’s guide

Arctic Char SalvelINuS alpINuS

Arctic Grayling ThymalluS arcTIcuS

Bull Trout

SalvelINuS coNflueNTuS

Sea-running specimens usually range from 2-5 kg (5-10 lbs), but can reach more than 10 kg (22 lbs). They’re found in arctic coastal rivers, off the islands and along the mainland coast. Slightly smaller char inhabit inland lakes.

part of the whitefish family, grayling are treasured by anglers for their feistiness, which guarantees an exciting battle. pretty little fish with sail-like dorsal fins, grayling are found at the mouths of rivers. They average from 0.5 to 1 kg (1-2 lbs) and can reach up to 1.5 kg (3 lbs).

often confused with Dolly varden, bull trout are frequently found in the liard and mackenzie watersheds, including the numerous rivers and streams that flow out of the mackenzie mountains. They average about 1 kg (2 lbs), but can weigh up to 3 kg (6 lbs).

Dolly Varden SalvelINuS malma

a fine looking fish that resembles a bull trout, this fish is found in the western mackenzie Delta and in waters along the northern slope of the richardson mountains and in the peel river watershed. Dolly varden can weigh up to 1.5 kg (3 lbs).

Inconnu

STeNoDuS leucIchThyS

Inconnu average from 3-5 kg (7-11 lbs), although it’s not uncommon to reel in 9-14 kg (20-30 lbs), and some reach up to 31 kg (68 lbs). The name is french for “unknown,” but they’re well known in the mackenzie Delta, where they’re also called coney.

PAUL VECSEI

Lake Trout

SalvelINuS NamaycuSh

lake trout average 4.5 kg (10 lbs), but catches of 18 kg (40 lbs) are common. They grow slowly in our cold waters, taking 12 or more years to mature.

Lake Whitefish coregoNuS clupeaformIS

found throughout the Northwest Territories in lakes, rivers and the channels of the mackenzie Delta, whitefish average 1 kg (2 lbs). Whitefish provide a lot of action, but must be hooked gently, as they have fragile mouths.

Northern Pike eSox lucIuS

Pickerel TERRY PARKER

SaNDer vITreuS vITreuS

pike are greedy and relatively easy to hook. But hold on tight: they’re fighters! often called jackfish, pike run from 2-7 kg (5-15 lbs), and some tip the scales at more than 18 kg (40 lbs). pike prefer warm, slow-moving weedy water.

also known as walleye, these big fighting perch can be hooked in the mackenzie river watershed as far north as the Delta, as well as the tributaries of great Slave lake. They can weigh up to 2 kg (4 lbs) and make very fine eating straight out of the water.

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Paddle your way to nature’s heartland Whether you’re canoeing, kayaking or rafting, our legendary waters will carry you through the heart of our wilds. These lakes and rivers are steeped in history and their sheer beauty and seclusion attract paddlers from around the world. Experienced outfitters can arrange a wide variety of trips suited to all skill levels on some of our most famous rivers, such as the South Nahanni, Arctic Red, Coppermine and Thelon. Savour the serenity of the Thomsen River on Banks Island or the thrilling white water of the Mountain River. Or take it easy and rent a kayak for the day and take to Yellowknife Bay to skim amid the houseboats.

Some favourite rivers of the Northwest Territories BeAulieu

COppeRMiNe

hORTON

MACkeNzie

MOuNTAiN

For the advanced paddler, this 197-km (122-mi) boreal forest-lined route from Spencer Lake to Great Slave Lake offers plenty of challenging rapids and ample stretches of flat water. Fly in to Spencer Lake from Yellowknife and make your way back on the river.

Spanning northeast more than 800 km (497 mi) from Lac de Gras, Northwest Territories into Nunavut, the challenging Coppermine offers experienced paddlers plenty of white water. As you cross the treeline into tundra, you’ll be retracing the path of renowned explorers Samuel Hearne, John Franklin and George Back. Outfitters offer expeditions that allow plenty of time to enjoy bird and wildlife viewing.

If white water’s not your speed, this 700-km (435-mi) journey from Horton Lake to Franklin Bay in the Arctic Ocean winds serenely across magnificent Barrenlands offering wide-open views and plenty of opportunities to see caribou, muskox, wolves, grizzlies and some 80 species of birds.

If you’ve got nothing but time, the Mackenzie calmly weaves 1,700 km (1,056 mi) from Great Slave Lake to the Beaufort Sea. It’s suitable for all paddling levels, logistically simple, road-accessible on both ends (Fort Providence and Inuvik), with plenty of riverside communities to stop in along the way. If you’re interested only in the Western Arctic portion, Inuvik outfitters can arrange guided tours.

For advanced paddlers only, the Mountain River hurtles 370 km (230 mi) through the Mackenzie Mountains and is renowned for big rapids, fast currents and spectacular canyons. If you don’t have advanced canoeing or kayaking skills, guided raft expeditions are available and can include a thrilling helicopter portage.

10-14 DAYS

14-26 DAYS

12-28 DAYS

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21-28 DAYS

12-20 DAYS

White water for everyone

TERRY PARKER

Thrill seeking advanced kayakers flock to the Northwest Territories to play in our world-class white water. In paddling parlance we’re talking Class 5 rapids, which means big waves and continuous, rock-laden rapids requiring skilled manoeuvring. The Slave River is famous for its 25-kilometre (16-mile) stretch of four sets of Class 5 rapids. (White pelicans nesting midstream make these particularly unique.) The South Nahanni also churns up several hair-raising rapids, ranging from Class 2-4, the wildest being “Figure 8” – also called Hell’s Gate. But rest assured all you nonpaddlers, outfitters also offer a range of fully supported river excursions on giant rafts, which glide over rapids with ease so novices can still feel the thrill of these wild waters. For more info on rafting expeditions, refer to our regional listings.

DAVE BROSHA

Sightseeing boat tours Getting out on the water doesn’t only mean padding. Our outfitters offer a range of guided motorized boat tours, whether you’re looking to putter around the calm Yellowknife Bay or tour the “big lake” with a local fisherman amid the cliffs of the East Arm. You can cruise both ends of the Mackenzie River: its headwaters from Hay River or along the creeks and channels of the Delta with operators in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. From Fort Simpson, zoom up the North Nahanni River by jet boat. For a complete listing of operators, refer to our regional listings.

slAve

sOuTh NAhANNi

ThelON

ThOMseN

YellOWkNife

Flowing north from Alberta through Wood Buffalo National Park, the Slave is quiet most of the way, with the exception of the Slave River Rapids between Fort Fitzgerald and Fort Smith. These are for advanced white water paddlers only. But there are several routes for intermediate to expert paddlers along the eastern shore. If you put in below the rapids at Fort Smith, it’s a 280-km (174-mi) voyage to Fort Resolution.

One of the most famous expedition rivers in the world. Multiple routes for different skills; advanced for the upper headwaters and intermediate elsewhere. To savour every bend of this wild river, charter a plane to the northwest corner of the park and paddle the entire 500 km (310 mi) from Moose Ponds to Fort Simpson in about 21 days. Licensed outfitters also offer shorter journeys by canoe, raft or kayak.

This 900-km (560-mi) heritage river begins in the northeast corner of the territory flowing east through the Barrenlands and the Thelon Game Sanctuary – which is rife with muskox – before concluding at Baker Lake in Nunavut. This is for intermediate canoeists, and outfitters offer a few routes on a portion of the river. Access is by floatplane from Yellowknife or Fort Smith.

Running through the heart of Aulavik National Park, this calm, gentle river meanders 160 km (100 mi) through tundra wilderness, offering unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for muskox. Suitable for beginner paddlers, the Thomsen can be kayaked or canoed.

A journey for expert kayakers or canoeists, the Yellowknife River is accessed by air charter at its headwaters at Greenstocking Lake. The river takes you 260 km (162 mi) toward the Ingraham Trail, close to Yellowknife and combines white and flat water paddling, plus a few portages over ledges and waterfalls.

6-16 DAYS

10, 14, 21 DAYS

12-14 DAYS

14-21 DAYS

4-14 DAYS

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CULTURE & PEOPLE | Follow us for UPDATES at twitter.com/spectacularnwt

TONY DEVLIN

Culture & People

Northwest Territories’ First Peoples The Northwest Territories is rich in the heritage and culture of its First Nations, the original inhabitants who roamed these lands for millennia and whose cultural traditions are apparent throughout the communities.

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Cultural traditions of First Nations are apparent in their respective regions. If you get the chance, wander into a community feast or festival, where you can immerse yourself in true local recreation. Visit a community Tribal Council or Band Office, the Norman Wells Historical Centre, or Yellowknife’s Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, where exhibits and displays lay out the past beautifully. These are also great places for kids on a rainy day.

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NIGEL FEARON

DAVE BROSHA

Farther north, along the territory’s Arctic coast are the inuvialuit – the Inuit of the Western Arctic. They speak Inuvialuktun and their history in the territory goes back 4,000 years when they started their migration east from Alaska. Today, roughly 5,000 Inuvialuit live mainly in Aklavik, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukhaktok.

Scattered mainly south of Great Slave Lake (and widely throughout Canada), the Métis are northerners of mixed Aboriginal and European heritage – descendants of Cree or Dene and French, Scottish or English ancestors who came north as fur traders or Hudson’s Bay Company staffers in the 1800s.

TESSA MACINTOSH

The Dene, the territory’s largest Aboriginal group, is a broad delineation meaning speakers of the Athabaskan language. Here, they’re subdivided regionally: the Gwich’in of the Mackenzie Valley; the sahtu Dene west and north of Great Bear Lake; the Tlicho between Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes; the Akaitcho north and east of Great Slave; and the Dehcho, who live in the southwest. Among them, they speak six official languages, and all but the latter two groups have signed land claims which define the ongoing legal, political and economic relationships between Aboriginal parties, the federal government and the territorial government.

more information about the northwest territories aboriginal groups is available from each respective organization. Akaitcho Territory Government Fort Resolution T: (867) 394-3313 akaitchoterritory.com Dehcho First Nations Fort Simpson T: (867) 695-2355 TF: (866) 995-3748 dehcho.org Gwich’in Tribal Council Inuvik T: (867) 777-7900 gwichin.nt.ca Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Inuvik T: (867) 777-2737 inuvialuit.com Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated Deline T: (867) 589-4719 sahtu.ca Tlicho Government Behchoko T: (867) 392-6381 tlicho.ca Yellowknives Dene First Nation Detah/Ndilo T: (867) 873-4307 or (867) 873-8951 ykdene.com

BILL BRADEN BILL BRADEN

Every year communities large and small host various festivals to celebrate spring, solstice, storytelling, film or music. Folk on the Rocks is the territory’s biggest and oldest music festival, held the third weekend in July overlooking Long Lake in Yellowknife. Other communities also host longstanding summer fests that draw big crowds, such as Fort Smith’s South Slave Friendship Festival, Fort Simpson’s Open Sky Festival, and Inuvik’s Great Northern Arts Festival, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and assembles northern artists to create, display and sell their art. Spring festivals usually incorporate traditional Dene games, like muskrat skinning, tea boiling or log sawing, along with dogsled races and northern cuisine. In Yellowknife, spring brings the Long John Jamboree, and the Snowking Winter Festival now in its 18th year. Every year, the “Snowking” and his crew design and build an impressive snowcastle behind his houseboat on frozen Yellowknife Bay, where he hosts art shows, concerts, plays and even a wedding from time to time.

STEVE SCHWARZ

Festivals galore

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Yellowknife, as the capital city, has the widest selection of restaurants. The famous Wildcat Café is a quaint log cabin in Old Town where local miners used to eat and which still serves a mean caribou burger and a good cup of joe. Bullock’s Bistro is famous for fish and fries, one of those casual places where you holler your order and write your name on the wall. But you don’t have to go to a restaurant to enjoy great food or fish pulled straight from the lake. Outdoor excursions wouldn’t be complete without a shore lunch of bannock and pan fried pickerel, while the cooks at lodges or wilderness camps will ensure you’re well fed all day long. 30

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GEORGE FISCHER

Along with classic fine-dining menus of steaks and rack of lamb, restaurants in some of our larger communities also feature local specialties like just-caught Whitefish, smoked Arctic Char, caribou stew, muskox medallions or bison burgers. If the adventurous palette isn’t your thing, we also have a good collection of restaurants and pubs such as the Back Eddy Restaurant and Lounge in Hay River serving up classic grub like nachos, pizza and wings.

DAVE BROSHA

PAT KANE

Northern cuisine

Take home a piece of the North When you’re not out on a boat or wandering through wilderness, don your civilized attire and head for the shops. Beyond classic souvenirs (the polar bear licence plate may be the coolest) retailers in all communities offer a wide range of handmade traditional and contemporary arts and crafts – everything from custom ordered tipis from Fort McPherson Tent and Canvas, to diamonds that were mined, cut and polished right here in the territory. If you’re an art collector, the North is rich with traditional artwork made by world-class artists. In stores, look for the NWT Arts logo. This government-run program identifies authentic art made by local artists registered in the NWT Arts Program. The website (nwtarts.com) allows customers to find out more about their purchase and the story of art made in the NWT. Choose from artwork such as exquisite stone, bone and antler carvings, prints, moose or caribou hair tuftings, detailed tapestries, or the popular birchbark baskets. Skilfully crafted and cut from sanded bark, these baskets were traditionally used to transport berries and water. They’re incredibly strong and striking in their simplicity and utility.

PAT KANE AND ARTLESS MEDIA/FOTR

NWT ARTS

ADAM HILL

Clothing and jewellery, too, are a whole other sort of artwork. Most popular are the classic moosehide moccasins, fur lined and adorned with impeccable bead work. Fort Providence’s Dene Fur Clouds are known for their downy soft sheared beaver hats, mitts and scarves. Northern jewellery designers create pieces in bone, stone, silver and gold, and some even feature Government Certified Canadian Diamonds. For easily transportable art, take home a CD by one of our recording artists, such as Juno-awardwinning Yellowknife singer-songwriter Leela Gilday, or the hypnotic beats of the Tulita Dene Drummers. Or, bring the taste of the North home with flash frozen Great Slave Whitefish, smoked Arctic Char, or tender cuts of buffalo and muskox. Savour your northern adventures from home with wildflower honey and tea, caribou jerky and Hay River’s famous Back Eddy steak spice.

We’ve got talent Maybe it’s the midnight sun or the long winters but this territory is full of artists – visual, film, in music and on stage. We’re pretty good at showing them off, too. You can always find local artwork and traditional arts and fine crafts at most airports, retail stores and galleries, or direct from the artists themselves. Also, as the capital city, Yellowknife supports several theatre and contemporary dance groups, which perform at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, a proper softseat theatre. Our skies and ice roads have been the subject of nationally and internationally broadcast TV shows and many of our musicians, visual artists and actors have gained followings in the south. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

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GEORGE FISCHER

Northern Realities

Celebrate our quirks and perks When you cross the 60th parallel, you’re entering a strange new world where the sun doesn’t always set, where roads are built over frozen waterways and where wilderness is always less than 10 minutes away. Here, bush planes outnumber buses, and wildlife outnumbers humans. Life moves slower and we like it that way. We think you will too.

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DAVE BROSHA

Midnight Sun

Minus 40 is fun There is no need to fear minus 40, standard fare for Arctic dwellers for a few weeks every winter. The air is sharp and stings the inside of your nose, the snow is squeaky and it doesn’t take long before your eyelashes are laced in ice. When it’s this cold, the sky is always clear and bright with stars and Northern Lights. Operators are happy to keep you warm, and you can’t help but feel alive. TESSA MACINTOSH

DAVE BROSHA

Anyone who’s ever come to the Northwest Territories in early summer is always amazed that midnight looks like high noon. It’s even more dramatic when you get above the Arctic Circle in Inuvik or Tuktoyaktuk, where daylight is relentless. Southern communities, like Yellowknife and Fort Smith, get three to four hours of dusk as the sun skims the horizon, never fully dipping. The extra light is exhilarating and locals take advantage of the brightness to get out on the land, especially for communities that live in total darkness for several weeks in the depths of winter. It’s no wonder Inuvik holds a sunrise festival every January welcoming the first slivers of sun visible on the horizon.

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Come January, when temperatures have been reliably sub-zero for long enough, hundreds of kilometres of new roads are carved across frozen waterways around the territory, opening up swaths of land previously accessible only by ferry or plane. Most are built and maintained yearly by the government and operate like public highways for 10 to 14 weeks. Other ice crossings are private mine-supply roads, like some of the ones on the hit TV series, Ice Road Truckers. The longest one stretches north 600 kilometres across some 60 lakes to the diamond mines near the Nunavut border. But the coolest ice road may just be the 190-kilometre drive from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk over the hardened Mackenzie Delta and onto the Beaufort Sea. Crossing the treeline, the route becomes a surreal expanse of endless white horizon scored by the deep blue surface ahead of you. In Yellowknife, you need only drive as far as Yellowknife Bay, past the houseboats and the pretty Old Town shoreline. While you’re at it, continue southwest for six kilometres to nearby Detah. Although these roads are maintained, there are generally no services along the way, so make sure you’re equipped with provisions and heed the 40km/hr speed limit.

Bush planes – our subway in the skies With only eight all-season highways across a million square kilometres, the Northwest Territories is travelled largely by air. Bush planes have a long history here as the workhorses that opened the territory before roads were built. Today, bush planes are still the only way to travel year-round to half of the territory’s 33 communities, as well as to most fishing lodges, camps, paddling rivers and parks. These hardy Cessnas, Pipers and Twin Otters can land with floats on water or on wheels or skis atop a short gravel runway. They offer stunning views and an appreciation for the enormity of this place. If you don’t get the chance to fly in one, take a walk to the float bases on Yellowknife Bay, where dozens of planes are parked like cars on the water. Our scrappy bush plane culture was the inspiration for the reality TV series Ice Pilots NWT and CBC’s fictional drama, Arctic Air.

BILL BRADEN

GEORGE FISCHER

DAVE BROSHA

Ice road truckin’

TAke A Dip iN The ARCTiC OCeAN It’s not many people who can say they’ve touched, let alone visited, the Arctic Ocean. Our northern coast communities of Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour and Ulukhaktok perch on the shores of this frigid ocean. Its inlets and bays are home to four bird sanctuaries–Anderson River Delta Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Banks Island No. 1 Bird Sanctuary, Cape Perry Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and Kendall Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary–all of which protect migratory shorebirds and raptors. There are beaches where locals go swimming, but if you can’t bear to bare it all, dip a toe just to say you did.

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Road Trip!

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM

GETTING HERE 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

Venture into the great wide open

TAWNA BROWN

Leave behind freeways, toll booths and traffic – our wide open roads are more voyage than commute, cutting through spectacular subarctic wilds, where bison will cause your only traffic jam. Driving allows you to take your time and savour the journey. Stop at day parks and scenic spots to learn about local culture. Along the way, you’ll find picturesque campgrounds where you can pitch a tent or plug in your RV. No matter where you’re coming from, here’s your guide to the (un)beaten path.

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM

PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS GETTING HERE OF THE NORTHWEST 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE TERRITORIES SOUTH SLAVE AND DEHCHO CONNECTION Hwy 7 - THe Liard/NaHaNNi CouNTry BLACKSTONE PARK & VISITOR CENTRE FORT SIMPSON PARK FORT SIMPSON VISITOR CENTRE

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Hwy 1 - MaCkeNzie HigHway/waTerfaLLs rouTe SAMBAA DEH FALLS PARK KAKISA RIVER PARK LADY EVELYN FALLS PARK MCNALLIE CREEK PARK ESCARPMENT CREEK GROUP CAMPING TWIN FALLS GORGE PARK/LOUISE FALLS TWIN FALLS GORGE PARK/ALEXANDRA FALLS 60TH PARALLEL VISITOR CENTRE & CAMPGROUND

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TERRY PARKER

Hwy 5 - forT sMiTH/wood BuffaLo CouNTry QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK FORT SMITH MISSION HISTORIC PARK LITTLE BUFFALO RIVER FALLS PARK

Hwy 2 - Hay river/greaT sLave gaTeway HAY RIVER PARK & VISITOR CENTRE

CAMPING ONLINE

Hwy 6 - forT resoLuTioN/greaT sLave gaTeway

Reserve camp sites for most of our territorial campgrounds online at campingnwt.ca, which also provides detailed maps and a description of services at each site. Most parks are open from May 15 to September 15.

FRONTIER ROUTE AND INGRAHAM TRAIL

For information on all Northwest Territories parks and day use sites, or to download the Road and Campground Guide, visit nwtparks.ca or call 1-800-661-0788.

HIGHWAY DISTANCES Calgary to Yellowknife Calgary to Hay River Edmonton to Yellowknife Edmonton to Hay River Edmonton to Fort Simpson Hay River to Fort Smith Hay River to Fort Resolution Hay River to Fort Simpson Hay River to Yellowknife Fort Nelson to Fort Simpson Whitehorse to Inuvik Dawson to Inuvik (1 km = .62 miles)

LITTLE BUFFALO RIVER CROSSING

Hwy 3 - To yeLLowkNife/Big Lake CouNTry DORY POINT PARK FORT PROVIDENCE PARK CHAN LAKE PARK NORTH ARM PARK FRED HENNE/LONG LAKE PARK NORTHERN FRONTIER VISITOR CENTRE

YELLOWKNIFE RIVER PARK PROSPEROUS LAKE PARK MADELINE LAKE PARK PONTOON LAKE PARK PRELUDE LAKE PARK HIDDEN LAKE PARK POWDER POINT PARK CAMERON FALLS TRAIL CAMERON RIVER CROSSING PARK REID LAKE PARK

1504 km 1097 km 1449 km 273 km 156 km 429 km 483 km 478 km 1222 km 730 km

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HigHway 4 - iNgraHaM TraiL/diaMoNd CapiTaL

1810 km 1388 km

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THE DEMPSTER AND OFF-HIGHWAY PARKS Hwy 8 - THe deMpsTer /arCTiC CoasT DEMPSTER DELTA VISITOR’S CENTRE EAGLE PLAINS RV PARK & CAMPSITE YUKON/NWT BORDER ARCTIC CIRCLE SIGN - PULL OFF TETLIT GWINJIK PARK NITAINLAII PARK GWICH'IN TERRITORIAL PARK (5 AREAS) JAK PARK HAPPY VALLEY PARK WESTERN ARCTIC REGIONAL VISITOR CENTRE

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off HigHway parks - MaCkeNzie vaLLey CANOL HERITAGE TRAIL/PROPOSED DOI T’OH PARK MCKINNON PARK - NORMAN WELLS

Unmaintained hiking trails

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

North or bust! Our wild highways

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM

GETTING HERE

TESSA MACINTOSH

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

Mackenzie Highway: The Waterfalls Route At the border where Alberta’s Highway 35 meets the Northwest Territory’s Mackenzie Highway 1 is your first noteworthy stop – the famous 60th Parallel sign. This is likely the most photographed site in the territory, apart from maybe Virginia Falls or the mounted polar bear in the Yellowknife airport. Be sure to head into the visitor centre here to load up on brochures and sign your “North of 60 Chapter Certificate” – (hey, you made it farther than most). You won’t be in the car much longer than 20 minutes before reaching Twin Falls Territorial Park, a fully serviced destination park and campground centred on two dramatic waterfalls: the Alexandra and Louise Falls, where the Hay River spills through deep craggy canyons. You could spend a whole day here picnicking, hiking and learning about the area’s cultural history through interpretive tours. Enterprise is the next stop and first community on this route, a good place to grab a bite and browse Dene crafts and clothing. Here, you’ll reach a fork in the road. Going west keeps you on the Mackenzie Highway, 38

but turning east on Highway 2 takes you to Hay River (the territory’s second biggest community). Be sure to spend some time here at the wharf watching the fishermen bring in the catch of the day – fresh Lake Trout, Whitefish, Pickerel and Northern Pike. From here, Highway 5 will meet Highway 6 and lead you to the hamlet of Fort Resolution. Or, continuing south on Highway 5, you’ll end up in Fort Smith, the gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park, where you can organize a day trip with one of the local outfitters. Also, don’t skip the nearby Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park for stunning views of the powerful Slave River. Back at Enterprise, head west to stay on the Mackenzie Highway. From the highway, an access road leads 6.8 kilometres to Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park. The falls aren’t as towering as Alexandra or Louise, but they’re no less pretty and you can walk right to the base of them. Five more kilometres down the road, you will come to the tiny Dene village of Kakisa.

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Back on the Mackenzie Highway, you can either drive north on Highway 3 toward Yellowknife (see “Frontier Route” below) or carry on westward as it parallels its namesake river and travels toward another pair of waterfalls at Sambaa Deh Territorial Park. Here, you can camp comfortably and take a short walk to a soaring view of the falls. The highway continues another 70 kilometres on well-packed gravel to Fort Simpson, once an important trading post and now a happening little community and the staging ground for trips to Nahanni National Park Reserve. The village itself is worth a wander, along the picturesque riverbank trails or to the Papal Site where Pope John Paul II held mass in 1987. Also, the Fort Simpson Territorial Campground is known for superb views of tundra swans, snow geese and other migratory birds that land every spring at the junction of the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers. From Fort Simpson, it’s 220 kilometres north to the scenic log cabin village of Wrigley, where the road officially ends.

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Liard Trail: Our Mountain Country

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

TERRY PARKER

Just north of Fort Nelson on the Alaska Highway, you can cross into the southwest corner of the Northwest Territories on British Columbia’s Highway 77, which becomes the Liard Trail, or Highway 7. This is 250 kilometres of gravel road heading north through the gorgeous Liard mountain range and along the twisting Liard River. The first stop 37 kilometres north is the picturesque hamlet of Fort Liard (five kilometres off the highway), where you can fuel up, grab snacks at the General Store and take in the view from the riverbank. The visitor centre here is worth a stop if you’re looking to buy traditional arts and crafts, especially birchbark baskets, which are a Liard speciality. You can spend the night here either at the community’s airconditioned motel or the nearby Hay Lake Campground. Carrying on another 114 kilometres, you’ll hit Blackstone Territorial Park, which is beautifully situated downstream from the junction of the Nahanni and Liard Rivers, and presents a perfect view of the Nahanni mountain range. This well serviced campground (with showers) is popular with paddlers, boaters and anglers passing through Nahanni National Park Reserve. There’s an excellent staffed visitor centre here, with ample information and exhibits on the regional wilderness and history. From Blackstone, it’s another 70 kilometres to the road’s terminus at Checkpoint Junction, where you’ll connect with the Mackenzie Highway.

Travelling north on the Mackenzie Highway from Alberta, turn right at the junction and drive north on Highway 3. Be one of the first vehicles to cross the new Dehcho Bridge spanning the Mackenzie River to the community of Fort Providence, where you should fill up on fuel and snacks. Continue on this all-season highway as it passes along the western edge of the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary. Be on the lookout for these shaggy beasts as they’re known to stop in the middle of the highway. You might also see sandhill cranes or the odd black bear en route to Chan Lake, a territorial picnic spot north of the sanctuary. There are more pretty views and picnic spots at the North Arm Territorial Park, situated on the north arm of Great Slave Lake. Just off the highway is the community of Behchokò. From here, Yellowknife is another 80 kilometres. On your way into the city you’ll pass Fred Henne Territorial Park, a popular picnic and camping spot for locals, also notable for its wide sandy, swimmable beach, a boat launch and hiking trails – all minutes from downtown. Stop in at the Northern Frontier Visitor Centre to plan activities around town or elsewhere in the territory’s remote and beautiful wilds.

BILL BRADEN

Frontier Route: Journey to the Capital City

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

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2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

From Yellowknife, there’s one more highway, the eastbound Ingraham Trail, which leads to our version of cottage country, where many locals live in unique houses off-the-grid. Threading past nearly a dozen roadside lakes, this highway is dotted with day use parks, boat launches and campgrounds every few kilometres. Prelude Lake Territorial Park is the first proper overnight campground. Here, there’s a small sandy beach with swim access, trails, dock, boat launch and boat rentals. Next, Powder Point is your access to Hidden Lake Territorial Park, a canoeing paradise where you can pitch a tent on a smooth rocky outcrop and swim in clear, calm waters. Further east is Cameron River Crossing Territorial Park, where you can picnic or hike to the ramparts and waterfalls – another local favourite. Reid Lake Territorial Park is another popular campsite among locals, where you can also hit the beach or launch a boat. There’s loads of room here for power boats, but if you’re looking for a serene canoe trip, Reid Lake links to the Lower Cameron River canoe route. Finally, eight kilometres further is Tibbitt Lake, the jumping-off point for quiet, secluded backcountry canoe trips, and the official end of the road. In winter, this marks the start of a 300-kilometre ice road servicing the diamond mines. For beginner canoeists, Tibbitt Lake offers a simple and beautiful 16-kilometre loop, with just a couple of short portages and some great bird watching. If you’re looking for a longer, more challenging route, follow Tibbitt through Goop Lake into Upper Terry Lake and upstream on the Ross River to Ross Lake, which connects with the Cameron River via Pensive Lakes. (A good map is available at the Northern Frontier Visitor Centre in Yellowknife.) There are endless places to camp and picnic here, so take your time and enjoy the surrounding boreal wilderness.

DARREN LANGLOIS

Ingraham Trail: GETTING HERE Accessible Wilderness

Highway safety Our vast territory includes long, quiet stretches of highway, some unpaved but regularly graded, such as the Liard Trail and parts of the Mackenzie Highway and Highway 5 toward Fort Smith. Here are some tips to keep you safe on the road: • Make sure your vehicle is ready for long distance travel and equipped with a spare tire, first aid kit, water and snacks, and season-suitable extras (blankets or sleeping bags in winter; bug spray in summer). • Speed limits are usually 70 km/hr or 100 km/hr in some areas. Ice roads are 40 km/hr. • Be sure to keep headlights on even in daylight as the roads can be dusty. • Be alert to abrupt bumps and holes as well as those stubborn bison that can linger on the centre line on Highways 3, 5 and 7. • Since services are available only in the communities, you’d be wise to fill up every time you see a gas station. • Travel our winter roads at your own risk, as there are no services. • Be aware that cellular service is sporadic or non-existent on highways, and 4G service is available only in some of our communities (Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Liard, Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Yellowknife).

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Dempster Highway: Gateway to the Arctic Ocean

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community with a hotel, restaurant and the famous tent and canvas factory, which sews the ubiquitous white canvas tents you’ll find scattered in the North. Walk the quaint historic cemetery where the Mounties of the Lost Patrol lay. They died during their annual 600-kilometre mail delivery run from Fort McPherson to Yukon’s Dawson City. Barely 60 kilometres later, you’ll reach a ferry crossing to the small community of Tsiigehtchic, where the Mackenzie River meets the Arctic Red. Hop on a boat with a local guide and tour the Arctic Red’s mountain vistas, or walk amid the weathered pews of Tsiigehtchic’s 80-year-old red-roofed Catholic church. Here, you can stay at the lone bed and breakfast or pitch a tent on the beach. Or take the same ferry to the other point of the triangle route and continue along the Dempster to nearby

Gwich’in Territorial Park. There, you’ll find two scenic day use areas, hiking trails, and 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE cliff-top views where you might see nesting falcons. You can stay overnight at Vadzaih Van Tshik, a small campground within the park on Caribou Creek. Within 20 kilometres you’ll hit Inuvik, where there are two campgrounds: Happy Valley, downtown, that offers great delta views, or on the outskirts of town, Jak Territorial Park, known for its abundance of wild berries. With a population of more than 3,000, Inuvik is the “big city” of the region, boasting urban amenities. It is also the staging ground for trips through the Delta and into Aulavik National Park. In winter, a 200-kilometre ice road extends this route all the way to Tuktoyaktuk along the Beaufort Sea, and a smaller 86-kilometre ice road runs west to Aklavik.

SAMANTHA STUART

If you’ve already been Yukon road tripping, continue from Dawson City across the border along the legendary Dempster Highway, your gateway to the Arctic Ocean via one of the continent’s biggest freshwater deltas. The first day use area heading north on the Northwest Territories side is Tetlit Gwinjik Territorial Park located on the Peel River Plateau, with towering views of the lush Mackenzie Delta and Richardson Mountain Range. Or, drive to the nearby cliff top Nitainlaii Territorial Park where you can camp overnight amid white birch and spruce trees overlooking the Peel River. This is Gwich’in territory, and you can learn about their history and culture at the park’s informative and well displayed visitor centre. Next, hop the ferry across the Peel River to reach Fort McPherson, an old trading post and today a 900-person

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM

Check highway information before you go at dot.gov.nt.ca/highways. A detailed highway map is available for a small fee from webstore.spectacularnwt.com.

Food on the road Most communities have at least one café, snack bar or small grocery store, however, options can be limited, so pack extra food. There are dozens of day use parks along our highways where you can picnic.

Ferry information Through summer and early autumn, free ferry service allows vehicle crossings over the Liard River south of Fort Simpson and across the Mackenzie River on the way to Wrigley. Along the Dempster Highway, ferries also cross the Peel River south of Fort McPherson and the Mackenzie River at Tsiigehtchic. These crossings are impassable for a few weeks each winter and spring when the ice is too weak to drive over, or the water is still too ice-choked for a ferry. Enjoy the newly opened all-season Dehcho Bridge spanning the 1-kilometre stretch of the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence, once the route of the venerable Merv Hardie Ferry. Check ferry hours of service at dot.gov.nt.ca/highways, or call 1-800-661-0750.

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Get Here Fast

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GETTING HERE 2013 EXPLORERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; GUIDE

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

Jetting to our remote wilderness has never been easier, faster or more affordable. With four major carriers offering daily jet service from Edmonton, Alberta, Yellowknife is only 90 minutes away. From Yellowknife, connect with our regional or charter airlines to continue to any of the communities. AIRLINES For local airlines, check our regional listings pages.

AIR NORTH

TF: (800) 661-0407 T: (867) 668-2228 E: reservations@flyairnorth.com www.flyairnorth.com Hawker Siddeley 748 turbo-prop scheduled service is offered between Whitehorse and Dawson City, Old Crow, Inuvik and Fairbanks, Alaska (seasonal service only).

AIR CANADA

TF: (888) 247-2262 www.aircanada.ca Scheduled connector service to Yellowknife from Edmonton and Calgary.

CANADIAN NORTH

TF: (800) 661-1505 (reservations) TF: (866) 663-2223 (cargo) T: (867) 669-4000 E: reception@canadiannorth.com www.canadiannorth.com Scheduled passenger, cargo, and charter service. Connections from NWT and Nunavut to domestic and international destinations. Enjoy Aurora Class service and collect Aeroplan points.

FIRST AIR

TF: (800) 267-1247 T: (867) 669-6600 E: reservations@firstair.ca www.firstair.ca Scheduled and charter passenger flights to and within the NWT from Ottawa, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton. Flights from Edmonton to Yellowknife, Norman Wells and Inuvik. 24 northern destinations, over 24 aircraft. Aeroplan. points.

WESTJET

TF: (888) 937-8538 www.westjet.com Daily nonstop service between Yellowknife and Edmonton, with connecting flights to and from many other great WestJet cities in Canada, the US, Mexico and the Caribbean.

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YELLOWKNIFE Air Canada offers daily nonstop service to Yellowknife from Calgary and Edmonton.

Book at aircanada.com, call us at 1-888-247-2262 or contact your travel agent.

Flights are operated by Air Canada ExpressTM. TMAir Canada Express is a trademark of Air Canada. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

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ATTRACTIONS AND TOURISM INFORMATION CONSEIL DE DÉVELOPPEMENT ÉCONOMIQUE DES TNO

TF: (866) 849-9139 T: (867) 873-5962 tourisme@cdetno.com www.cdetno.com Vous voulez vivre la nature en complète liberté? Vous cherchez une experience fascinante et inoubliable? Les Territoires du Nord-Ouest vous attendent! Qu’il s’agisse de la descente vertigineuse de la riviére Nahanni ou de randonnées paisibles dans le Parc Wood Buffalo, il y en a pour tous les goûts. Contactez nous pour de l’information touristique en français.

DEH CHO TRAVEL CONNECTION

TF: (800) 661-0788 www.dehchotravel.ca Travel just over 1,800 km (1,100 miles) from Mile Zero of the Mackenzie Highway to Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway, through northern Alberta, the southern NWT and northern BC.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, GNWT

TF: (800) 661-0750 www.dot.gov.nt.ca Up to date information about road conditions, ferry operations and ice bridges, as well as flight information for Yellowknife, travel tips and links to weather forecasts.

GRAND PRAIRIE REGIONAL TOURISM

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

MIGHTY PEACE TOURISM ASSOCIATION

TF: (800) 215-4535 E: info@mightypeace.com www.mightypeace.com Established in 1963, the Mighty Peace Tourist Association was formed to assist tourism operators in the Mighty Peace Region. The Mighty Peace offers everything from trail riding to fishing; jet boating to bird watching; world class hunting to gold panning – this region provides all-round outdoor adventure! We want everyone in the world to know what a beautiful part of Canada we live in. The Mighty Peace Tourist Association looks forward to a very bright and exciting future in the Mighty Peace Country.

NORTHERN FRONTIER VISITOR ASSOCIATION

TF: (877) 881-4262 T: (867) 873-4262 E: info@northernfrontier.com www.northernfrontier.com Visitor information for Yellowknife, north Great Slave Lake area and the NWT. Exhibits include diamond and historical displays, wildlife exhibits and local arts and crafts. Open year-round.

NORTHERN BC TOURISM ASSOCIATION

TF: (800) 663-8843 www.nbctourism.com British Columbia borders on and has road access to the southwestern NWT via the Liard Highway. Follow the Alaska Highway north and then travel the Deh Cho Connection.

TF: (866)202-2202 www.northernvisitor.com Stop in for a visit and pick up your copy of the Deh Cho Travel Connection.

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NUNAVUT TOURISM

TF: (866) 686-2888 E: info@nunavuttourism.com www.nunavuttourism.com Access the NWT from Nunavut is via scheduled air carriers including Canadian North and First Air.

TOURISM AND PARKS, GNWT

T: (867) 920-8974 E: parksandtourism@gov.nt.ca www.iti.gov.nt.ca Territorial parks and campgrounds are operated by the Government of the NWT, Tourism and Parks Division. Services provided from May 15 to September 15 in most parks. Register for campsites in advance at www. campingnwt.ca (select parks only).

TRANS CANADA TRAIL

T: (514) 485-3959 F: (514) 485-4541 E: info@tctrail.ca www.tctrail.ca The Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest network of trails, developed and promoted by a non-profit registered charity. Millions of Canadians and international visitors are using the Trail to hike, cycle, ski, horseback ride, canoe and snowmobile. Part of the Trail includes the Mackenzie Highway and Dempster Highway.

YUKON DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM & CULTURE

TF: (800) 661-0494 www.yukon.com Yukon Territory borders the NWT to the west. Drive the Dempster Highway to Inuvik or access the western end of the Canol Trail.

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2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

The community of Fort Providence invites you to the Deh Cho Bridge inaugural celebration on June 7, 2013

The Deh Cho Bridge spans the Mackenzie River near Fort Providence, Northwest Territories and represents one of the greatest engineering feats north of the 60th Parallel. Join us at the bridge and in Fort Providence for the traditional opening events which will include a Feeding the Fire ceremony (Mets’é˛nadats’edeti gha kó ghaededih), a Blessing of the Water ceremony (Mets’é˛nadats’eti gha tu ghaededih), and a bridge tour, followed by a traditional community feast, drum dancing and other entertainment in the community of Fort Providence, just minutes north of the bridge.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

Photo Credit: infinity engineering grouP

For more info, visit www.dehchobridge.info or contact r_canadien@northwestel.net

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TOUR AND TRAVEL AGENCIES ADVENTURE CANADA

Cedar Bradley-Swan TF: (800) 363-7566 T: (905) 271-4000 F: (905) 271-5595 E: info@adventurecanada.com www.adventurecanada.com Cruise the Northwest Passage visiting Kugluktuk, Banks and Victoria Islands, Winter Harbour, Melville Island and Lancaster Sound.

ADVENTURE CARAVANS

TF: (800) 872-7897 T: (936) 327-3428 F: (800) 761-9821 E: info@adventurecaravans.com www.adventurecaravans.com Experience guided motor home and travel trailer vacations with the experts. Prices include parking, tours, many meals and 4 full-time guides to provide you with the trip of a lifetime. Commencing in Great Falls, Montana. Visit Inuvik, Fort McPherson, Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Fort Providence. Cross the Arctic Circle. Photography, world class fishing, birding, wildlife, flora, fauna, waterfalls. Includes Yellowknife, the Diamond Capital of North America. Must have your own RV.

ARCTIC ODYSSEYS

TF: (800) 574-3021 T: (206) 325-1977 F: (206) 726-8488 E: inquiry@arcticodysseys.com www.arcticodysseys.com Delivering memorable experiences to northern adventures for over 30 years. Northern lights, light hiking, birdwatching, flora, fauna, photography, culture, adventure! Great Slave Lake/Northwest passage.

ASSOCIATION OF CANADIAN TRAVEL COMPANIES

T: (905) 282-9294 F: (905) 282-9826 E: ACTAcan@ACTA.ca www.acta.ca Established in 1977, the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), is a national trade association representing the retail travel sector of Canada’s tourism industry. ACTA is an industry-led, non-profit, membership based organization. Our members include retail travel agencies and suppliers such as tour operators, travel wholesalers, airlines, hotels, destination marketing organizations, cruise and rail lines, and automobile rental companies. We represent the interests of Canadian travellers through approximately 2,000 members employing 14,000 travel professionals.

ASSOCIATION OF MACKENZIE MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS

Harold Grinde T: (403) 357-8414 E: ganariver@pentnet.net www.huntnwt.com Our 8 members are the sole outfitters in this vast track of endless mountains; each one of us outfitting and guiding in their own concession, undisturbed, alone. Using airplanes, helicopters and boats we backpack and horse hunt, rifle and bow hunt, for Dall’s Sheep, mountain caribou, Alaska/Yukon moose, mountain goat, wolf, wolverine and black bear.

DENKZAUBER GMBH

Michaela Arnold T: 49(0)2151 5124669 F: 49(0)2151 5124668 E: michaela@denkzauer.de www.denkzauber.de Denkzauber is a tourism marketing and media company based in Germany. We specialize in destination marketing and media.

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

Things you should not leave unattended.

HOTKEY MARKETING GROUP

Jackie Frederick T: (778) 476-1116 E: Jackie.hotkey@shaw.ca A marketing company that specializes in, but is not limited to, sport and resort marketing. Clients include Okanagan Hockey Schools, Rock Ridge Canyon Resort, BC Agri-Tourism Alliance, NWT Tourism, Sun Peaks Resort and more!

ve l o c i r a p t o r

MARLIN TRAVEL

T: (867) 873-4481 F: (867) 920-2988 www.marlintravel.ca Full service travel agency. We book hotel, car, air and rail reservations for NWT, Canadian and international travel destinations.

MIKI ENTERPRISES INC.

Miki Ishiwata T: (709) 747-2233 F: (709) 579-5504 E: info@mikieco.com www.mikieco.com Tour services for Japanese speaking visitors.

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MILE POST CONSULTANTS INC.

T: +81 (3) 52 75 24 61 F: +81 (3) 52 75 24 67 Mile Post Consultants is a comprehensive marketing and public relations agency specializing in international tourism and the Japanese overseas travel market.

NAGEL TOURS LTD.

TF: (800) 562-9999 T: (780) 452-6666 F: (888) 455-4444 E: nageltours@telus.net www.nageltours.com Alberta’s oldest motorcoach tour company. Coach tours of the Western NWT, Yukon and Alaska. June and July.

r ave n a n d ga r b a ge b a g

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES ADVENTURE COMPANY

Susan Behrens TF: (866) 417-7365 F: (867) 456-7085 E: bookings@latitudeyukon.com www.nwtadventurecompany.com We’ll make it easy to experience the best that the North has to offer, no matter where you want to go, how much you want to spend or what your interests are. For years, we’ve hunted high and low to find the hidden nuggets. We’ve driven every mile of highway. We’ve been licked by sled dogs, snowshoed the mountain trails, and paddled the rivers. We’ve spent nights under the stars and under the feather duvet of every hotel, cabin and B&B we could find. We’re the unbeatable one-stop source for customized travel itineraries that are worth your time and money.

b e a r s p r ay

QUARK EXPEDITIONS

TF: (888) 892-0334 F: (203) 857-0427 E: enquiry@quarkexpeditions.com www.quarkexpeditions.com The leading operator of expedition voyages to the polar regions. We pioneered adventurous journeys aboard powerful icebreakers and ice-strengthened ships. On our voyages, a staff of expedition leaders, naturalists and historians share their knowledge of the region with passengers. All our ships are equipped with Zodiacs for shore landings, while our icebreakers carry helicopters for flightseeing. Expertly prepared cuisine and well-appointed comfortable cabins await travellers on board.

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c a mp f i r e

TO REPORT A WILDFIRE CALL 1 877 NWT FIRE www.nwtfire.com

128-252 Explorers Guide

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SELECT HOLIDAYS

TF: (800) 661-4326 T: (403) 227-3545 F: (403) 227-1717 www.selectholidays.com Since 1981, offering customized land tours as well as escorted land/ air departures throughout the NWT. Escorted group and independent air, land and cruise packages. Yellowknife, Nahanni River, Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk. Airfare, accommodations or in-depth touring, one call can arrange it all. We have tours that combine Yukon, NWT and Nunavut.

THE GREAT CANADIAN ADVENTURE COMPANY

Vicki Storey TF: (888) 285-1676 T: (780) 414-1676 F: (780) 424-9034 E: info@adventures.com www.adventures.com Booking agent for wildlife tours – caribou, wolves, bears, muskoxen. Guided wilderness tours from tent camps or comfortable lodges with modern conveniences for hiking, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Cultural and historical sites, photography. River cruises, canoe and rafting trips, sport fishing, Aurora Borealis viewing, snowmobile and dog sledding adventures. English and German spoken.

THE GREAT CANADIAN TRAVEL COMPANY

TF: (800) 661-3830 T: (204) 949-0199 F: (204) 949-0188 E: info@gctravel.ca www.greatcanadiantravel.com Since 1981, specializing in travel to Canada’s north. Offering airfares from around the world, hotels, lodges and customized tours including Aurora, cultural, eco and wildlife, fishing, cruises and more. Please browse our websites: www.topoftheworldtours.com; www.polarbeartours.ca.

CANADREAM INC.

Brian Gronberg TF: (800) 461-7368 T: (403) 291-1000 F: (403) 291-5509 E: res@canadream.com www.canadream.com Experience Canada and the NWT at your own pace with a quality motorhome from CanaDream. With locations in Whitehorse, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Victoria and Edmonton, a CanaDream motorhome can take you wherever you want to go.

FRONTIER COACHLINES NWT

T: (867) 874-2566 F: (867) 874-2388 E: frontiercoach@northwestel.net Scheduled passenger and freight service to Hay River, Fort Providence, Behchoko, Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Fort Simpson. Bus charters available.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

David Wilson T: (867) 392-6347 E: northernexposure@netkaster.ca Bus service between Yellowknife and Behchoko, charters across the Territory.

Specialists in individual and group travel to the Arctic regions for over thirty years.

MGM BUS SERVICES

T: (867) 777-4295 F: (867) 777-2045 E: mgmbus@northwestel.net www.mgmbus.com Bus services between Inuvik, Dawson and Whitehorse on the Dempster Highway. In winter, we provide services on the ice road to Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk. Experience the unique opportunity to absorb and capture breathtaking views while travelling the Dempster Highway, including the Ogilvie and Richardson Mountains, crossing the NWT/Yukon border or the Arctic Circle and, crossing the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers (ferries or winter ice crossing).

TOP OF THE WORLD TRAVEL

TF: (800) 837-8922 T: (867) 766-6000 F: (867) 920-7535 E: travel@topoftheworldtravel.com www.topoftheworldtravel.com For over 20 years, we have introduced travellers to the breathtaking beauty of Canada’s North! Our specialties include outdoor adventures: fishing, hunting, Aurora viewing, wildlife viewing, northern festivals and cultural tours in both the NWT and Nunavut. We can customize a northern package just for you! Book your adventure with us today. English, Inuktitut, French and German spoken..

YVONNE QUICK INBOUND RECEPTIVE TOUR CO.

Yvonne Quick T: (867) 873-4036 E: evon@theedge.ca Professional planner with 40 years experience. Let me plan your adventure in Spectacular NWT. Choose your destination.

VEHICLE RENTALS AND SERVICES BUDGET CAR AND TRUCK RENTAL

T: (867) 920-9209 F: (876) 766-4187 www.budget.com Vehicle rentals in Whitehorse, Yukon, serving Dempster Highway travellers. There are two locations, at the airport and downtown.

Association of

MACKeNZIe MOUNTAINs Outfitters MeMbers: Arctic Red River Outfitters Ltd. Gana River Outfitters Ltd. Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters (1978) Ltd. NWT Outfitters Ltd. Ram Head Outfitters Ltd. Redstone Trophy Hunts Ltd. South Nahanni Outfitters Ltd. Nahanni Butte Outfitters Ltd.

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES R EG I O N S O F T H ETOURISM N O R T H W EST T E R R I TO R I ES

WESTERN ARCTIC

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2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

Western Arctic All the territory’s waterways, including the mighty Mackenzie River, lead here to the Mackenzie Delta, the second largest freshwater delta in North America and 10th largest in the world. Experience a land where the sun doesn’t set from the third week of May to the third week of July. With access to three national parks and Herschel Island, several remote rivers, five bird sanctuaries and the Arctic Ocean, there’s plenty to see and do. This is home to the Gwich’in, Inuvialuit and others who reside in the region’s eight communities.

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PINGOS AND PERMAFROST

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TONY DEVLIN

WESTERN ARCTIC

Scattered along the Beaufort Sea coastline, close to Tuktoyaktuk, are some 1,400 pingos – conspicuous mounds of earth-covered ice. A pingo emerges in low drainage areas atop permafrost. Excess water pools and when it freezes, it has nowhere to go but up, which raises the ground. Tuktoyaktuk guides will take you on pingo tours and also to the famous community freezer buried deep underground to see a great cross-section of permafrost.

PAT KANE

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Celebrating 25 years! Artists from across the North have been gathering in Inuvik every July for the Great Northern Arts Festival. This is an entrenched 10-day summer arts fest that welcomes visitors and art lovers from around the world to attend workshops and demos, see live music and – best of all – purchase art direct from the artists. There’s also the famous Midway Lake Music Festival held the first weekend of August. In winter, experience festivals in all the Western Arctic communities.

JACKIE CHALIS

ARCTIC CHAR, FRESH FROM THE WILD

These cold, clean Arctic waters are where you’ll reel in the prized Arctic Char, cousin of the salmon and some of the finest eating around. They inhabit coastal rivers and the sea waters off islands, and local guides in Sachs Harbour, Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok can take you out on the water. Along with Char, you’ll also reel in massive Lake Trout, Whitefish, Northern Pike, Grayling, Pickerel and Coney.

GEORGE FISCHER

DRIVE THE DEMPSTER

The Dempster Highway weaves 700 kilometres (500 miles) through some of North America’s most spectacular, untouched wilderness, and is the only road in Canada that crosses the Arctic Circle. From Inuvik, follow the road southwest through Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson and across the Northwest Territories-Yukon border all the way to Dawson City. There are loads of photo opportunities, hiking, roadside stops, mountain views and campgrounds, so take your time on this adventurous drive.

MILLIONS OF BIRDS SAMANTHA STUART

The Mackenzie Delta’s islands and intricate channels of nutrient-rich waters are a haven for birds – snow geese, tundra swans, ducks and many other shorebirds and waterfowl. Outfitters can take you on a guided bird watching tour in spring and early summer, when thousands of birds land here to breed, nest or stop over during a long continental migration. Beyond the Delta, five sanctuaries in the Inuvialuit region protect and house migratory birds.

TUKTOYAKTUK

ULUKHAKTOK

Located on the Beaufort Sea coast, “Tuk” is a short flight from Inuvik in summer or, in winter, a gorgeous 190-kilometre (118-mile) drive on the Mackenzie River Ice Road. Here you can see pingos, dip a toe in the Arctic Ocean and take guided community, river or snowmobile tours. Several accommodation options are available. tuk.ca

Located on Victoria Island, Ulukhaktok is known for its printmaking artists and the famous (and only) 9-hole tundra golf course. Local guides offer stunning tundra hiking, muskox viewing, as well as Arctic Char fishing packages. Services include one hotel and two stores. Access is by air only. arcticgolfing.ca

TESSA MACINTOSH

“Looks like a caribou” Pop: 854

“Where there is ulu material” Pop: 402

AKLAVIK 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE “Place of the Barrenground grizzly” Pop: 633

Nestled in the crook of a wide Delta channel, this Inuvialuit hamlet was once a busy trading hub and stopover for exploring bush pilots, and is famous for being the home of the Mad Trapper. Aklavik is accessible by air or winter road from Inuvik. Overnight accommodations at one B&B. aklavik.ca

FORT MCPHERSON “At the head of the waters” Pop: 792

This well-serviced Gwich’in community is just off the Dempster Highway on the shore of the Peel River, near the head of the Mackenzie Delta. Services include: one hotel, two stores, a gas station, a staffed cultural centre and the famous Tent and Canvas Shop. fortmcpherson.ca

INUVIK

“Place of man” Pop: 3,463

Conceived by the Canadian government in the 1950s to be the region’s administrative hub, Inuvik was built from scratch on the east channel 60 kilometres (37 miles) into the Delta. Inuvik is a bustling and fully serviced town with all the modern facilities. It’s also the terminus of the Dempster Highway and staging ground for fly-in trips across the region. Daily flight access from Edmonton and Yellowknife, and regular service from Dawson City, Whitehorse and Vancouver. Or, drive in on the Dempster Highway. inuvik.ca

PAULATUK

“Where one finds coal” Pop: 313

Paulatuk is on the Arctic coast near the mouth of the Hornaday River. There is one hotel, a Parks Canada visitor centre and one store. Access is by air only from Inuvik.

SACHS HARBOUR

“Where you go across to” Pop: 112

This is the territory’s most northerly hamlet, located on Banks Island, home of the muskox. The island also houses two bird sanctuaries and offers unparalleled wildlife viewing. There is one guest house and a store, and access is by air from Inuvik.

TSIIGEHTCHIC

“Mouth of the iron river” Pop: 143

Perched on a bluff overlooking the junction of the Arctic Red and Mackenzie Rivers, Tsiigehtchic is a great day trip off the Dempster Highway and includes a short and scenic ferry ride for free. Great place to buy dryfish. No overnight accommodations.

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2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

ACCOMMODATIONS EAGLE PLAINS HOTEL AND SERVICE STATION Stan McNevin T: (867) 993-2453 E: eagleplains@northwestel.net Located on the Dempster Highway at km 371, 35 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. 32 rooms, accommodating 64 persons. Private bath and television. Dining room, laundry, gift shop, bar/lounge. Service station with tire sales, trailer park, public washrooms. VISA, MC, Amex.

AKLAVIK AKLAVIK INN T: (867) 978-2414 E: accfinance@northwestel.net Occupancy: 11. Complimentary breakfast, kitchen facilities for guests to cook their own meals, common area with Internet service.

FORT MCPHERSON PEEL RIVER INN TF: (888) 866-6784 T: (867) 952-2417 E: innsnorth@arcticco-op.com www.peelriverinn.com The hotel is open year-round and accommodates 16 guests in 8 rooms. The hotel boasts the most modern guest rooms. It is located on the east bank of the historic Peel River. VISA, MC, Amex, EnRoute.

INUVIK ANDRE’S BED AND BREAKFAST T: (867) 777-3177 F: (867) 777-3189 E: andresplaceinuvik@yahoo.com Located minutes from downtown in a quiet residential area facing pines and hills. Your host is a certified chef de cuisine! Services are provided in English, French, Spanish, and German. The suite includes Internet, queen size bed, bathroom, living room, fireplace and 55” plasma TV. Full complimentary breakfast includes freshly baked goods, fruit and beverage of your choice between 7:30 and 9:30 AM. Reservations for lunch and dinner can be made. We have non-smoking rooms and no visitor’s policy. Reservations can be made with Visa or Master Card. Cancellation requires 48-hour notice.

ARCTIC CHALET Judi Falsnes T: (867) 777-3535 F: (867) 777-4443 E: reservations@arcticchalet.com www.arcticchalet.com Charming log home and log cabins with modern facilities located beside a quiet lake. The motel-style rooms are private non-smoking units with kitchenettes, satellite TV, phones, high-speed wireless Internet and private bath. Common sunroom, porches, and some balconies have great views. Two rooms upstairs in our log home with a shared kitchen and bath. One spacious deluxe cabin (honeymoon suite) with full kitchen. Pet friendly rooms. Arctic Chalet offers tours and other activities. All major credit cards accepted.

CAPITAL SUITES 198 Mackenzie Road TF: (877) 669-9444 T: (867) 678-6300 F: (867) 678-6309 E: inuvik@capitalsuites.ca www.capitalsuites.ca

With a few short minutes walk downtown and the only executive suites accommodation in Inuvik, Capital Suites is the premier choice for government and corporate travel! Offering studio rooms, one-bedroom and executive suites. We are pleased to offer complimentary high-speed wireless Internet, free shuttle from/to the airport, business centre, fitness room, guest laundry facilities, meeting room, satellite cable with LCD TV and our signature line Aurora Bed. Inuvik Capital Suites is equipped to handle large groups, businesses, and corporations.

MACKENZIE HOTEL 54 Boot Lake Barb Kiely T: (867) 777-2861 F: (867) 777-3317 E: mackenziehotel@northwestel.net Centrally located, the Mackenzie Hotel offers a wide range of lavishly appointed suites and guest services. Whether your travel is for business or leisure, we have all the essentials to fill your needs. As well, our special touch of northern hospitality will make you look forward to your next visit. Located on Mackenzie Road in downtown Inuvik near the Igloo church. 96 rooms, plus dining room and lounge.

NOVA INN 300 Mackenzie Road Derek Pillay TF: (866) 374-6682 T: (867) 777-6682 F: (867) 777-4522 E: derek_p@novahotels.ca www.novahotels.ca A new state-of-the-art hotel opened in 2005. Convenient access to the business section and the hospital. 42 rooms include in-room coffee, tea, ironing board and high speed Internet access. Standard, queen and suites with kitchenettes. Complimentary continental breakfast included. Wheelchair accessible: elevator, wheelchair lift. Two non-smoking floors. Please enquire about rooms for pets.

POLAR BED AND BREAKFAST 75 Mackenzie Road Mary Beckett David Kaufman T: (867) 777-2554 C: (867) 777-6142 F: (867) 777-4429 E: kaufman@permafrost.com www.PolarBedandBreakfast.com Located in downtown Inuvik – comfortable, convenient accommodation. 4 bedrooms with 2 shared bathrooms. Relax in our living room with TV/ DVD and cable, with a view of downtown. Movies and books available. Laundry facilities and a fully equipped kitchen with a view of the Mackenzie Delta.

SHANGRI LA YAH E: shangrila_yah@hotmail.com www.airbnb.ca Bed and breakfast offering healthy and active lifestyle options away from home. 2 bedrooms and a suite in a shared household. Experience northern hospitality and the community spirit of Inuvik. Guests will share the kitchen and may share bathroom facilities depending on rooms selected. The home is located in a residential area and close to downtown, the Inuvik Greenhouse, recreation facilities and grocery stores. Running routes, yoga gear and some sports equipment may be used by guests. Most buildings and attractions can be accessed by walking. This is a relaxed atmosphere and guests are encouraged to make themselves at home and to become a part of our Northern community.

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PAULATUK PAULATUK VISITOR CENTRE HOTEL Robbie Muckle T: (867) 580-3051 F: (867) 580-3054 E: paulatuk_hotel@airware.com 10 rooms with private showers, TV. Meals available. Common kitchen facilities; grocery store attached to hotel. VISA, MC, Amex, EnRoute.

SACHS HARBOUR KUPTANA’S POLAR GRIZZ LODGE OUTFITTERS Jackie and Roger Kuptana T: (867) 690-4151 E: jckuptana@gmail.com Accommodations for 10 to 12 in Sachs Harbour. Hotel-style, with breakfast included.

TUKTOYAKTUK ARCTIC TOUR COMPANY Winnie and Roger Gruben T: (867) 977-2230 F: (867) 977-2276 E: rtgruben@netkaster.ca Why come all this way just for the day? Stay at Gruben’s and enjoy northern hospitality at its best. Bed and breakfast accommodations for up to 5 persons, shared bath. Includes continental breakfast. We have satellite TV, telephones, Internet. Ask about our day and package tours of the area.

TUKTU BED AND BREAKFAST T: (867) 678-5116 F: (867) 977-2399 Guest house opened in 2007 accommodates up to 5 guests with use of kitchen for meals. Continental breakfast available. Free Internet access. Satellite TV, phone. Located next to the grocery store in Tuktoyaktuk.

ULUKHAKTOK ARCTIC CHAR INN Joseph Parry TF: (888) 866-6784 T: (867) 396-3501 F: (867) 396-3705 E: innsnorth@arcticco-op.com www.innsnorth.com A distinctive and cozy 8-room retreat nestled on the shore of the Amundsen Gulf on the western side of Victoria Island. Offers guests the finest of amenities in an idyllic Arctic setting. Cable TV, in-room coffee, vehicle rentals. Accommodates 16, private bath, restaurant, laundry, airport transportation. Gift shop with local crafts, art prints. Wheelchair accessible. Most northerly golf course in North America, bird watching, muskox herds, fishing. Local tour packages available. VISA, MC, EnRoute, Amex.

AIR TRANSPORTATION INUVIK AKLAK AIR T: (867) 777-3555 E: info@aklakair.ca www.aklakair.ca Scheduled flights from Inuvik to Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Paulatuk, Ulukhaktok, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and charter flights to any location in the Western Arctic on or off-strip.

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CANADIAN HELICOPTERS LIMITED T: (867) 777-2424 F: (876) 777-3448 E: psullivan@canadianhelicopters.com www.canadianhelicopters.com Over 50 years of experience, with 132 aircraft operating from 43 locations across Canada including three in the Northwest Territories. Serving parks and tourism, oil and gas, mining, construction and forestry.

GWICH’IN HELICOPTERS LTD. T: (867) 678-2270 E: inuvik@greatslaveheli.com www.gwichinheli.com Helicopter charters out of Inuvik to locations throughout the Mackenzie Delta, including Tuktoyaktuk. Flightseeing.

NORTH-WRIGHT AIRWAYS LTD T: (867) 587-2288 www.north-wrightairways.com Charter and scheduled air service, expediting for canoeing, hiking on the Canol. Mountain specialists, wilderness outfitting. Scheduled service between Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Colville Lake, Inuvik, Aklavik, Deline, Tulita, and Yellowknife.

tundra punctured by waterfalls, deep canyons and cold, clean rivers – paradise for paddlers and hikers. Wildlife lovers should get here early to see thousands of bluenose-west caribou migrate into the park in June to calve. Peregrine falcons, gyrfalcons and golden eagles, and other raptors and birds, come to nest along the canyon walls. The region’s rich heritage is marked by tent rings, caches and hunting blinds that are still scattered along the riverbanks.

INUVIK

DAWSON CITY (YUKON)

174 Mackenzie Road T: (867) 777-2236 Tours available during summer months.

DEMPSTER/DELTA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE T: (867) 777-3652 (winter) T: (867) 993-6167 (summer) E: travel_westernarctic@gov.nt.ca Information on driving the Dempster Highway, the Inuvik Region and other parts of the NWT. In an historic building on Front St. (1st Ave) in Dawson City, Yukon. Open daily, May 15 to September 15, 9am to 8pm.

FORT MCPHERSON NITAINLAII VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE T: (867) 777-3652 E: travel_westernarctic@gov.nt.ca 9 km south of Fort McPherson on the Dempster Highway. Gwich’in historical exhibits. Open daily, June 1 to September 15, 9am to 9pm.

ATTRACTIONS AND TOURISM INFORMATION

INUVIK COMMUNITY GREENHOUSE Corner of Loucheux Road and Breynant St. The most northern greenhouse in North America and the only one of its kind in the world (converted from an old arena)!

OUR LADY OF VICTORY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (IGLOO CHURCH)

PARKS CANADA WESTERN ARCTIC FIELD UNIT T: (867) 777-8800 E: Inuvik.info@parkscanada.gc.ca www.parkscanada.gc.ca This Western Field Unit serves several sites in the Western Arctic. All are co-managed through land claim organizations and are fly-in wilderness locations. The parks offer unique rafting, hiking, wildlife watching and sightseeing opportunities. Contact the Inuvik office for more details and brochures.

ROAD’S END DRIVING RANGE 3-hole golf course and driving range constructed in 2009 from a former gravel pit.

AULAVIK NATIONAL PARK T: (867) 690-3904 E: inuvik.info@pc.gc.ca www.pc.gc.ca/aulavik Located some 250 km northeast of Sachs Harbour, Aulavik protects 12,000 square kilometres on northern Banks Island in the sprawling Arctic Archipelago. You could hike for weeks through the park’s polar deserts, badlands and rolling hills, or canoe for days on the serene Thomsen River, the continent’s most northerly navigable river.

HERSCHEL ISLAND TERRITORIAL PARK T: (867) 667-5648 F: (867) 393-6223 E: yukon.parks@gov.yk.ca Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park lies five kilometers off the north coast of Yukon in the Beaufort Sea. This 116 square kilometer island protects a combination of natural and human heritage. Situated between land and sea, its dry polar climate is home to a unique collection of arctic plants, animals and sea life, including the largest colony of Black Guillemots in the Western Arctic. Inuvialuit have used the site for thousands of years and many of their old dwellings are still visible on the island.

IVAAVIK NATIONAL PARK T: (867) 777-8800 F: (867) 777-8820 E: inuvik.info@pc.gc.ca Ivvavik, meaning ‘a place for giving birth, a nursery’, in Inuvialuktun, the language of the Inuvialuit, is the first national park in Canada to be created as a result of an Aboriginal land claim agreement. The park protects a portion of the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd and represents the Northern Yukon and Mackenzie Delta natural regions.

Attention Anglers Going sport fishing within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR)? If you are planning to go recreational angling withing the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), keep in mind that you may be fishing on Inuvialuit private lands. You are required to register with the local Hunters & Trappers Committee (HTC) or Fisheries Joint Management Committee (FJMC) prior to fishing on Inuvialuit private Lands.

Inuvik HTC Aklavik HTC Tuktoyaktuk HTC Olokhatomiut HTC Paulatuk HTC Sachs Harbour HTC FJMC

(867) 777-3671 (867) 978-2723 (867) 977-2457 (867) 396-4808 (867) 580-3004 (867)690-3028 (867) 777-2828

Not able to register with us during regular For more information contact the local HTC office hours? or FJMC at the following numbers:

• Visit us at our website www.fjmc.ca to register on-line WWW.FJMC.CA

TUKTUT NOGAIT NATIONAL PARK T: (867) 580-3233 E: inuvik.info@pc.gc.ca www.pc.gc.ca/tuktuknogait Tuktut is 170 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, a land of rolling

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WESTERN ARCTIC

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WESTERN ARCTIC REGIONAL VISITOR CENTRE

INUVIK

T: (867) 777-7237 (winter) T: (867) 777-4727 (summer) E: travel_westernarctic@gov.nt.ca On Mackenzie Road as you enter Inuvik. Information on Western Arctic communities. Get your Arctic Circle Certificate here! Open daily, May 15 to September 15, 9am to 8pm.

ARCTIC ADVENTURE TOURS

DINING INUVIK CLOUD NINE T: (867) 777-3541 Café at the Inuvik Airport

THE CAFE GALLERY T: (867) 777-4829 Open 8am each morning. Enjoy specialty coffees and delicious snacks like soup, sandwiches, muffins and desserts

THE ROOST – THE BACKROOM T: (867) 777-2727 Open seven days a week.

TONIMOES RESTAURANT AND SHIVERS LOUNGE T: (867) 777-4900 www.mackenziehotel.com Elegant dining room in the Mackenzie Hotel. Open seven days a week. Shivers Lounge: 867-777-4919.

TWISTED LADLE Rod Harrington T: (867) 777-3216 or (867) 777-3058 Catering service and dining at the recreation complex.

EQUIPMENT RENTALS INUVIK ARCTIC CHALET Olav Falsnes T: (867) 777-3535 F: (867) 777-4443 www.arcticchalet.com Expedition canoes and kayaks for rent, complete with accessories for self-guided river trips. Spray covers, paddles, PFDs, food barrels, bear spray and miscellaneous. Get help with trip planning from Olav, an experienced Arctic bush pilot who knows the country.

OPERATORS AND ACTIVITIES AKLAVIK HUSKY RIVER CULTURAL TOURS Dale Semple T: (867) 978-2292 E: dale_cheryl07@hotmail.com Spend the day in Aklavik and take a community tour – visit historic sites, including Albert Johnson’s grave. Travel by boat on the Mackenzie Delta to our Husky River camp and enjoy a fish fry.

Judi Falsnes T: (867) 777-3535 F: (867) 777-4443 E: reservations@arcticchalet.com www.arcticchalet.com Enjoy a guided hiking tour in Inuvik with a pack of 8-10 loose huskies on summer holiday! One or two hour tour through the forest to Grassy Lake. After the hike, visit our puppies. Take a day trip with us on the Dempster Highway, famous for its remoteness and spectacular views. Drive from Inuvik to the NWT/Yukon border and the scenic Arctic Circle in the Richardson Mountains. Or fly and drive the Dempster to Eagle Plains and return. We also offer camping trips on the Dempster and winter dog team trips on the Mackenzie Delta.

AVENTURE ARCTIQUE Jean Merc Perigaud T: + 33 (0) 5 56 23 37 46 E: jmp@aventurearctique.com www.aventurearctique.com Aventure Arctique offers guided tours on Banks Island to observe muskox, foxes, arctic hares and wolves (March, April and May) and canoe journeys on several rivers such as Anderson River, Horton River (July and August). Guides are French polar guides since 1997 (Ellesmere, Banks Island, Greenland, Lapland, NWT, Yukon, Magnetic North Pole). French and English speaking.

MIDNIGHT EXPRESS TOURS Moira Grant T: (867) 777-4829 F: (867) 777-3068 Boat cruises on the Mackenzie Delta. Cultural trips. Custom tours can be arranged to accommodate anyone. Canoe rentals.

SEA TO SKY EXPEDITIONS Mark Waldbillig TF: (866) 990-8735 T: (604) 815-4202 E: info@seatoskyexpeditions.com www.bcyukonadventures.com Looking for solitude? Remote wilderness travelled by less than 25 hikers in a season? Tuktut Nogait is one of the most remote parks in North America. Here is your opportunity to experience pristine Arctic with its unique vegetation, wildlife and culture. From vast expanses of tundra and deep canyons, to scenic waterfalls and crystal clear rivers, this area is a spectacular location for hiking. This is a strenuous 10-day trip.

UP NORTH TOURS Kyle Kisoun Taylor T: (867) 678-0510 F: (867) 777-2204 E: info@upnorthtours.ca www.upnorthtours.ca Customized and scheduled tours to suit your individual or group needs. Activities include boating, fishing, national park tours and trips down the Dempster Highway. Winter tours include ice road tours, snowmobile adventures, community tours and more. Can create packages to include airfare, accommodations and tours.

TUKTOYAKTUK ARCTIC OCEAN TUK TOURS/ RENDEZVOUS LAKE LODGE Eileen Jacobson T: (867) 977-2406

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F: (867) 977-2188 www.yukonweb.com/tourism/rendezvous Fish at a traditional Inuvialuit camp, 250 km (152 miles) east of Tuktoyaktuk, in the Anderson River area. Spring ice fishing. Naturalist tours, hiking, ATV, custom designed. Guided hunting services available.

ARCTIC TOUR COMPANY LTD. Roger Gruben T: (867) 977-2230 F: (867) 977-2276 E: rtgruben@netkaster.ca We offer summer beluga whale watching, wildlife viewing, and bird watching in the Mackenzie Delta area and Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula. Dempster Highway and Arctic Circle tours from Inuvik. Year-round community and cultural tours in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, and crosscultural training/workshops. Winter and spring packages include Aurora viewing, snowmobile and dog team tours, opportunities to camp or overnight in an igloo. Custom tours available for individuals, groups, film crews.

CHUCK GRUBEN’S GUIDING AND OUTFITTING Charles A. Gruben T: (867) 977-2360 E: chuckgruben@hotmail.com Chuck Gruben is an active Inuvialuit hunter and guide who is very knowledgeable in the Tuktoyaktuk area. Customized tours such as pingo tours, hiking, bird watching, camping and fishing available year round on request. Satellite phone on hand.

C-TAP GUIDING AND OUTFITTING SERVICES Charles Pokiak T: (867) 977-2669 E: charlespokiak@hotmail.com Boat tours in Tuktoyaktuk.

JOANNE’S TAXI Joanne Edwards T: (867) 977-2547 E: jsteen@netkaster.ca Taxi service and tours in Tuktoyaktuk.

OOKPIK TOURS AND ADVENTURES Maureen Pokiak T: (867) 977-2170 F: (867) 977-2399 E: ookpiktours@yahoo.ca Ookpik tours offers half-day and full-day tours of Tuktoyaktuk. Half-day tour (from Inuvik) includes flight over the Delta and community tour with a stop at the Arctic Ocean and local pingos. Full-day tour includes a visit to a local home to enjoy a unique opportunity to appreciate the lifestyle of the Inuvialuit people. June 1 to August 28.

POKIAK GUIDING AND OUTFITTING Maureen Pokiak T: (867) 977-2170 F: (867) 977-2399 E: ookpiktours@yahoo.ca Pokiak offers guided hunts in the Tuktoyaktuk area. Polar bear, grizzly bear, muskox. By dog team, snowmobile or boat. Tent camps and trappers’ cabins.

TUKTOYAKTUK TOURS Joanne Edwards T: (867) 977-2547 F: (867) 977-2628 E: jsteen@netcaster.com

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Set on the scenic Arctic coast amid impressive pingos, Tuktoyaktuk is home to the world-famous Inuvialuit drummers and dancers. The community name describes the western point of a large bay and means “looks like a caribou.” Tuk is also renowned for its carvers and other artists. Accommodations, local tours, boat and snowmobile tours are available. Don’t miss the tiny mission church. There are daily flights from Inuvik, and in winter there is ice road access via the Mackenzie River and the shoreline of the Beaufort Sea.

PAULATUK LESSARD CREEK BIG GAME OUTFITTERS George Kregnektak T: (867) 580-3737 Outfitted hunting tours.

ULUKHAKTOK UBLUGAIK ADVENTURES

SACHS HARBOUR BANKS ISLAND TUNDRA TOURS Samantha Lucas T: (867) 690-4009 E: samanthaplucas@hotmail.com Our business consists of sightseeing, camping trips (groups or individuals 3 to 7 days at a time), snowmobiling, ATV and boat trips. Banks Island Tundra Tours is geared towards those who like to camp outdoors.

Larry Olifie T: (867) 396-4488 E: larryolifie@hotmail.com This tour group specializes in cultural walking tours of the community of Ulukhaktok, hiking and photography tours, coordination of golf tours, and sport fishing for Arctic Char.

ULUKHAKTOK ADVENTURES T: (867) 396-4618 E: marykagyut@hotmail.com

KUPTANA’S OUTFITTERS AND NATURE TOURS Jackie Kuptana T: (867) 690-4151 F: (867) 690-4151 Accommodations for ten to 12 in Sachs Harbour. Guided hunting and wildlife tours. Hotel style with breakfast included.

SHOPPING FORT MCPHERSON FORT MCPHERSON TENT AND CANVAS SHOP Verna Francis

T: (867) 952-2179 E: tentandcanvas@yahoo.ca www.fortmcphersontent.com Quality traditional canvas wall tents and tipis. Also duffel and attaché bags, backpacks, canvas travel accessories.

INUVIK BOREAL BOOKS Mary Beckett T: (867) 777-3748 F: (867) 777-4429 E: manager@borealbooks.com www.borealbooks.com Boreal Books is more than just a bookstore! We offer books, maps, souvenirs and gifts, and locally produced arts and crafts. We specialize in northern titles. A full catalogue is available on our website. Buy in the North and save!

CAPITAL SUITES 198 Mackenzie Road TF: (877) 669-9444 T: (867) 678-6300 F: (867) 678-6309 E: inuvik@capitalsuites.ca www.capitalsuites.ca Locally made Gwich’in arts and crafts for sale.

PUT YOUR FEET UP IN OUR BACKYARD!

www.inuvik.ca

TOWN OF INUVIK OOO CCmmOmiii . OOO SSSSii

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2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

GWICH’IN TRIBAL COUNCIL OFFICE T: (867) 777-7900 www.gwichin.nt.ca Great selection of Gwich’in arts and crafts.

MAVIS’ CRAFT SHOP (INUVIALUIT REGIONAL CORPORATION) Mavis Jacobson T: (867) 777-2737 F: (867) 777-2135 E: mavis.jacobson@irc.inuvialuit.com www.inuvialuit.com Specializing in arts and crafts by Inuvialuit artists, and products made from qiviut, the extra warm, lightweight wool of the muskox. Our office is located on the third floor of the Inuvialuit Corporate Centre. Please stop by or shop online.

ORIGINALS ON MACKENZIE

VEHICLE RENTALS AND SERVICES INUVIK ARCTIC CHALET Olav & Judi Falsnes TF: (800) 685-9417 T: (867) 777-3535 F: (867) 777-4443 E: reservations@arcticchalet.com www.arcticchalet.com 4x4 Jeep Cherokee, Dodge Laramie Megacab, Chevy Tracker, Mini-van and a Dodge Sprinter 10-passenger van. 100 kilometres free per day, $.25 to $.35 for extra kilometres. Some vehicles are restricted to town use only. We have the best rates in town – ranging from $75 to $150 per day. Trailers are also available for rent; flat deck and enclosed. Airport shuttles are $25 or $12 per person. One way rentals to Dawson City and Whitehorse can be arranged.

T: (867) 777-2433 F: (867) 777-2762 Northern and local arts and crafts, carvings, clothing, gifts and diamonds. Open year-round. Closed Sundays.

DRIVING FORCE VEHICLE RENTALS TF: (800) 936-9353 T: (867) 777-2346 F: (867) 777-4370 E: rentals@drivingforce.ca www.drivingforce.ca

TUKTOYAKTUK JOANNE’S TAXI Joanne Edwards T: (867) 977-2547 E: jsteen@netkaster.ca Taxi service and tours in Tuktoyaktuk.

TUKTOYAKTUK VEHICLE RENTALS John Steen Sr. T: (867) 977-2547 F: (867) 977-2628 E: jsteen@netcaster.ca Community tours of Tuktoyaktuk. Pickup trucks and suburbans for rent.

WHAT’S GOING ON AKLAVIK MAD TRAPPER JAMBOREE April (usually Easter weekend)

Aklavik hosts this spring weekend fest featuring dancing, dogsled races, snowmobile races and a variety of cultural events.

HANNA STEWART MEMORIAL LOCHE DERBY

November (dates depend on river-ice conditions) The 22nd annual ice-fishing derby in Aklavik is a community favourite, with a chance to win prizes for the heaviest, longest, lightest and shortest loche.

INUVIK MUSKRAT JAMBOREE Late March

www.inuvik.ca This is another longstanding Inuvik fest, heading into its 56th year. The event runs Friday to Monday and includes snowshoe races, dogsledding, traditional games and the newly introduced Muskrat Cup pond hockey tournament.

TOP OF THE WORLD SKI LOPPET Early April

www.inuvik.ca Entering its 45th year, this popular loppet is hosted by the Inuvik Ski Club and invites skiers, both young and seasoned, to compete in races ranging from 150 metres (50 feet) to 150 kilometres (93 miles). Prizes and banquet dinner to follow.

GREAT NORTHERN ARTS FESTIVAL July 12-21, 2013

FORT MCPHERSON MIDWAY LAKE FESTIVAL August (long weekend)

www.tetlitgwichin.ca/midwaylake Celebrating its 28th year, Fort McPherson’s summer fest is held 30 kilometres (19 miles) outside the community at Midway Lake off the Dempster Highway. There’s always fiddling, square dancing, bonfires and lots of country food. Bring your tent and camp to enjoy a whole weekend of Gwich’in culture.

MACKENZIE RIVER JAMBOREE Mid-April The Mackenzie River community of Tsiigehtchic hosts its 7th annual spring fling, which features classics, like dogsled and snowmobile races, traditional games and food. TUKTOYAKTUK BELUGA JAMBOREE Mid-April

This longstanding spring festival in Tuktoyaktuk celebrates the region’s whaling culture. Along with snowmobile races and square dancing, there are unique events such as harpoon throwing, igloo building and pingo tobogganing.

ULUKHAKTOK BILLY JOSS OPEN CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT Mid-July

Heading into its 26th year, this is a popular nine-hole golf tourney held in Ulukhaktok with the goal of raising awareness and funds for northern literacy programs. Participants play over 4 days, both daytime games and under the midnight sun.

GEROLD SIGOL

www.gnaf.org Named one of the top 25 festivals in North America by Rand McNally Maps, Inuvik’s GNAF is a 10-day art extravaganza featuring more than 100 visual and performing

artists from across Canada’s North. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, it is a great place to buy works direct from the artists and participate in workshops.

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Plan your own Spectacular Northwest Territories adventure. Simply select some of your interests for your customized experience and start adding different transportation, accommodations, activities and events to your Trip Planner Queue. Create your own itinerary with tour operator and transportation contacts.

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SAHTU

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

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Sahtu The Sahtu has it all: a monstrous lake, a broad river and the most mountain peaks of any region in the territory. Nestled between the boreal forest and the Barrenlands, Great Bear is one of the world’s biggest lakes that teems with record-breaking fish. The Mackenzie River winds through this region, while its namesake mountain range is threaded with prime canoeing rivers and challenging hikes. Amid all this are traditional Dene and Métis communities, whose peoples have roamed, fished and hunted here from time immemorial.

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PADDLING HUB

From Norman Wells, several outfitters offer a variety of fly-in canoe trips on the mountain rivers that feed the Mackenzie: the famously frothy Mountain River, the calm Keele, and the storied Arctic Red. Or head to the Barrenlands to paddle the Horton or Anderson Rivers. Visit the canoe outfitting centre on DOT Lake in Norman Wells where floatplanes depart from. This world-class facility is the perfect location to plan and launch your canoeing adventure.

GEORGE FISCHER

A REGION RICH WITH HISTORY

Come celebrate the region’s rich Aboriginal history. Ask elders about Yamoria, a medicine man and Dene cultural hero. Contemporary history is evident in the communities’ original churches: the log structures of Colville Lake and Tulita, as well as Fort Good Hope’s famous Catholic church built and painted with painstaking care over 20 years in the late 1800s by Oblate fathers. Learn about the more history of the region’s wartime, aviation and oil industries at the excellent museum in Norman Wells.

TERRY PARKER

EXOTIC CREATURES LIVE HERE

The Mackenzie Mountains are roaming grounds for the famous Dall’s Sheep and mountain goats. You may be fortunate to spot either of these ungulates on a mountain hike: Dall’s Sheep with their white coats and curled horns and mountain goats with their long faces and short, straight horns. Muskox are generally associated with high Arctic tundra, yet in the Sahtu these shaggy beasts are now seen near all five communities and along the Great Bear and Mackenzie Rivers.

The long-held current world records for Arctic grayling and Lake Trout were pulled out of the cold, clean, spacious waters of Great Bear Lake, which remains one of the world’s best trophy fishing destinations. These trout are so big and diversified scientists are now studying them. Witness these monstrous fish for yourself via several outfitters and lodge operators.

GEORGE FISCHER

PAUL VECSEI

OUR WORLD-FAMOUS FISH

COMMUNITIES

SAHTU

COLVILLE2013 LAKE EXPLORERS’ GUIDE “Ptarmigan net” Pop: 149

A small traditional settlement located above the Arctic Circle on Colville Lake, also a renowned fishing spot. Access is by air or winter road from Norman Wells via Fort Good Hope. Accommodations available in the B&B or cabin lodgings within town.

DELINE

“Flowing water” Pop: 567

This is the only community on Great Bear Lake, a scenic place where tradition and culture run deep. Also, the birth place of hockey and Franklin’s winter quarters in 1825. Local guides offer community tours and fishing trips on Great Bear. Overnight at the community’s one hotel; access is by air and winter road from Norman Wells via Tulita. deline.ca

FORT GOOD HOPE “Place of the rapids” Pop: 592

Situated on the Mackenzie River just below the Ramparts rapids, this was once an important trading post. Local guides offer boat tours on the big river. Accommodations available at several B&Bs, and access is by air and winter road.

NORMAN WELLS “Where the oil is” Pop: 727

A busy town with most modern amenities and plentiful accommodations, Norman Wells is the launching point for Great Bear fishing, Canol Trail hiking or paddling trips on several nearby rivers. Visit the Historical Centre to learn the unique story of this old oil town – one of only two communities in the Mackenzie River Valley not associated with the fur trade. Daily air service and winter road access from Fort Simpson via Wrigley and Tulita. normanwells.com

TULITA

“Where the waters meet” Pop: 478

RYAN CREARY

Located at the junction of the Great Bear and Mackenzie Rivers, this former trading post is a picturesque hamlet whose residents maintain strong cultural traditions. There is one hotel and access is by air and winter road.

The Canol Heritage Trail is 358 kilometres (222 miles) of rugged hiking through the Mackenzie Mountains along a WWII-era oil pipeline route into the Yukon. Built to supply the war effort, the onerous project was eventually abandoned, but road and equipment remnants make for a fascinating hike that underscores the back-breaking toil the builders endured. Outfitters offer camping and hiking packages and aerial tours.

GEORGE FISCHER

CHALLENGING THE CANOL

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2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

ACCOMMODATIONS

continental breakfast. Airport transportation available by arrangement. Single or double.

COLVILLE LAKE COLVILLE LAKE BED AND BREAKFAST Natanda Oudzi T: (867) 709-2045 F: (867) 709-2202 E: behdzi_ahda_ec@airware.ca Bed and breakfast lodge offers all amenities. 4 rooms with additional accommodations on site.

LITTLE DIPPER BED AND BREAKFAST Dora and Winston McNeely T: (867) 598-2255 F: (867) 598-2160 4 rooms available in comfortable house, meals available when needed. Access to full kitchen, Internet, satellite TV, laundry, free airport pickup. Boat tours.

TEE JAY BED AND BREAKFAST

COLVILLE LAKE LODGE Bern Will Brown T: (867) 709-2500 Accommodates 12 in beautiful log cabins in a Dene community. Dining room. Museum/gallery. Sport fishing available, accommodates ten in 2 cabins at outpost camp 40 km (24 mi) north. Commissionable.

DELINE

Tisha and Junior McNeely T: (867) 598-2252 Comfortable rooms overlooking the Mackenzie River.

NORMAN WELLS CANOE NORTH ADVENTURES

Theresa Bitzer T: (867) 589-5500 F: (867) 589-5510 E: theresa_bitzer@gov.deline.ca www.greygooselodge.ca Modern facility on the shores of Great Bear Lake in Deline. 12 comfortable rooms including 2 suites: 1 two-room suite and 1 suite w/ kitchen. 32-seat full service dining room. Separate conference/meeting facilities with all equipment. Plus a two-bedroom apartment complex fully furnished with kitchen, laundry room, dining room and living room.

Lin Ward & Al Pace T: (867) 587-4440 (May to Sept) T: (519) 941-6654 (Oct to Apr) E: info@canoenorthadventures.com www.canoenorthadventures.com Perfect for canoe-trippers, hikers & hunters; June to September. Stunning new log building on beautiful Dot Lake with mountain views. Spacious decks, barbecue, kitchen, TV lounge, wi-fi, airport transfer, vehicle, canoe and camping gear rental, steps from North-Wright floatplane dock. 3 comfortable double bedrooms plus bunkbeds for 4 persons, shared bathrooms. Voted 2010 NWT Tourism Operator of the Year! Canadian Tourism Signature Experience Collection member.

FORT GOOD HOPE

FORT MCCAULEY BED AND BREAKFAST

JACKSON’S ARCTIC CIRCLE TOURS

Tanya McCauley T: (867) 587-2630 E: mail@ecil.ca 3 well-appointed rooms with access to living, dining, kitchen and business areas. Tent frame accommodates 2, plus double bedroom in log house; separate entrance, access to own bathroom.

GREY GOOSE LODGE LTD.

Wilfred Jackson T: (867) 598-2804 Located in the historic Mackenzie River community of Fort Good Hope. Accommodates 8 persons in 2 separate dwellings, shared bath,

Norman Wells Historical Centre Regional Museum & Gift Shop

HERITAGE HOTEL 27 Mackenzie Drive Jim Ulch T: (867) 587-5000 F: (867) 587-5001 E: heritagehotel@theedge.ca www.heritagehotelnwt.com On the Mackenzie River with views of the Mackenzie and Franklin Mountain ranges. New hotel with 29 rooms, accommodates 58. Private bath, TV, high speed Internet, wheelchair accessible. Restaurant, licensed bar. Non-smoking. Meeting rooms for up to 40 persons. Fitness and golf passes available for guest use.

MACKENZIE VALLEY HOTEL Jane Han T: (867) 587-2511 F: (867) 587-3035 E: info@mackenzievalleyhotel.com www.mackenzievalleyhotel.com 55 rooms and suites. Phones, satellite TV, high speed Internet access, fridge, microwave, coffee machine. Licensed restaurant, lounge, coffee shop, conference rooms. $185 and up. Group rates available. All major credit cards accepted.

RAYUKA INN Larry Wallace T: (867) 587-2354 F: (867) 587-2861 E: rayuka@theedgenw.ca Capacity: 15 in ten rooms. Private bath, satellite TV, radio, phone, high speed wireless Internet access, air conditioning, fax and paging service, laundry. Restaurant and licensed dining lounge. Airport transportation. VISA, MC, Amex, EnRoute, Interac.

YAMOURI INN Peter Guther TF: (800) 661-0841 T: (867) 587-2744 F: (867) 587-2262 www.yamouriinn.com Capacity: 63 in 47 rooms. Private bath, air conditioning, fridge, phone, satellite TV. Licensed dining, lounge, cabaret, coffee shop. Airport transportation. Group rates available. VISA, MC, Amex, EnRoute, Interac.

TULITA

Specializing in handmade Aboriginal arts and crafts. Open year round.

TWO RIVERS HOTEL T: (867) 588-3320 F: (867) 588-3749 Capacity of 14 in 8 rooms. Each room has: satellite TV, high speed wireless Internet access, phone, answering machine, private bath, fridge, microwave. Plus guests have access to kitchen and laundry facilities. Fishing and hunting guides available upon request. VISA, Amex, MC.

AIR TRANSPORTATION NORMAN WELLS CANADIAN HELICOPTERS LIMITED

normanwellsmuseum.com

867.587.2415 | canol.trail@theedgenw.ca

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T: (867) 587-2136 F: (867) 587-2942 E: psullivan@canadianhelicopters.com www.canadianhelicopters.com Over 50 years of experience, with 132 aircraft operating from 43 locations across Canada including 3 in the Northwest Territories. Serving parks and tourism, oil and gas, mining, construction and forestry.

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2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE NORTH-WRIGHT AIRWAYS LTD. Carolyn Wright T: (867) 587-2288 E: info@north-wrightairways.com www.north-wrightairways.com Charter and scheduled air service, expediting for canoeing, hiking on the Canol. Mountain specialists, wilderness outfitting. Scheduled service between Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Colville Lake, Inuvik, Aklavik, Deline, Tulita, and Yellowknife. Visit our unique aviation museum at DOT Lake, historic buildings and art tell the story of flight in the Mackenzie Valley.

SAHTU HELICOPTERS Jeffrey Wynnychuk T: (867) 587-2827 E: info@sahtuheli.com www.greatslaveheli.com Helicopter charter service supporting all your tourism needs including logistical support for rafting expeditions and hiking the Canol Heritage Trail. Local aerial transportation into the Mackenzie Mountains and surrounding areas. Wildlife capture/surveys. Mining/oil/gas support. Aerial construction. Certified Aircraft: Bell 204 –206.

TRINITY HELICOPTERS Rob Carroll T: (867) 669-7031 E: rob@trinityhelicopters.com www.trinityhelicopters.com Offering full tourism support for daily flight seeing tours, heli-fishing and remote drop off. We also provide full helicopter support to mining, exploration, oil and gas and forestry. A Det’on Cho partner. Service in other NWT communities also available – ask for details.

ATTRACTIONS AND TOURISM INFORMATION FORT GOOD HOPE JACKSON’S ARCTIC CIRCLE TOURS Wilfred Jackson T: (867) 598-2804 Located in the historic Mackenzie River community of Fort Good Hope. Accommodates 8 persons in 2 separate dwellings, shared bath, continental breakfast. Airport transportation available by arrangement. Single or double.

NORMAN WELLS NÁÁTS’IHCH’OH NATIONAL PARK RESERVE T: (867) 872-7960 E: wbnp.info@pc.gc.ca Canada’s newest national park protects 4,850 square kilometres in the upper South Nahanni River Watershed close to Nahanni National Park Reserve. The area is home to Dall’s Sheep, grizzly bears, woodland caribou and trumpeter swans. Here, you can canoe or raft one of the most famous rivers in the country, or hike and climb through gorgeous boreal mountain terrain. The park is open year-round and accessible only by plane, chartered from Normal Wells or Fort Simpson.

NORMAN WELLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY T: (867) 587-2415 E: canol.trail@theedge.nw.ca www.normanwellsmuseum.com Visitor information for Norman Wells and surrounding area. Historical museum focusing on the history of the Canol Heritage Trail and area. Gift shop specializing in handmade Dene arts and crafts from the Sahtu region, clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. Open year-round.

SAHTU AVIATION MUSEUM T: (867) 587-2288 Learn about the aviation industry of the Sahtu region and view historical artifacts of interest. Located on Beaver Lane –Dot Lake in Norman Wells at the North-Wright Airways floatbase. Guided tours by appointment only, May to October.

DINING NORMAN WELLS HERITAGE HOTEL 27 Mackenzie Drive Jim Ulch T: (867) 587-5000 F: (867) 587-5001 E: heritagehotel@theedge.ca www.heritagehotelnwt.com On the Mackenzie River with views of the Mackenzie and Franklin Mountain ranges. Restaurant, licensed bar. Non-smoking. Meeting rooms for up to 40 persons.

MACKENZIE VALLEY HOTEL RESTAURANT Jane Han T: (867) 587-2511 F: (867) 587-3035 www.mackenzievalleyhotel.com Dine out on Canadian and Chinese specials. Licensed. Pizza available.

RAYUKA INN DINING ROOM

and B&B is conveniently located at the North-Wright Air float base. Package discounts available. Voted 2010 NWT Tourism Operator of the Year! Canadian Tourism Signature Experience Collection member.

MOUNTAIN RIVER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES INC. Rick Muyers T: (867) 587-2697 F: (867) 587-2697 E: l_j_muyres@hotmail.com Local resident licensed wilderness outfitter serving the Western Arctic watershed from Norman Wells, NT. We supply complete logistical support and gear rental for canoeists, hikers, hunters and naturalists. 35 plus years experience on the Canol Trail, Natla River and Mountain River. River transport service, catering to the canoe industry, is our specialty. Cultural/historical river tours of the Sahtu arranged upon request. June to October.

OPERATORS AND ACTIVITIES DELINE GREY GOOSE LODGE LTD. Theresa Bitzer T: (867) 589-5500 F: (867) 589-5510 E: theresa_bitzer@gov.deline.ca www.greygooselodge.ca Modern facility on the shores of Great Bear Lake in Deline. 12 comfortable rooms including q suites: 1 two-room suite and 1 suite w/

Larry Wallace T: (867) 587-2354 F: (867) 587-2861 Licensed dining, located in the Rayuka Inn.

YAMOURI INN Peter Guther TF: (800) 661-0841 T: (867) 587-2744 F: (867) 587-2262 www.yamouriinn.com Licensed restaurant in the Yamouri Inn, open Monday to Friday 5 pm to 9 pm.

EQUIPMENT RENTALS NORMAN WELLS CANOE NORTH ADVENTURES Lin Ward & Al Pace T: (867) 587-4440 E: info@ canoenorthadventures.com www.canoenorthadventures.com Complete professional outfitting and guide services plus expedition gear rental including 17’ Royalex canoes, spray decks, PFDs, paddles, tents, camping gear, satellite phones, etc. Expert logistical advice for Natla, Keele, Mountain, Redstone, Ravensthroat, Horton, Anderson, Hornaday, Coppermine, Snake, Great Bear & Mackenzie Rivers plus hiking support for Canol Heritage Trail. Our new timber-frame Outfitting Centre

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2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

kitchen. 32-seat full service dining room. Separate conference/meeting facilities with all equipment. Plus a two-bedroom apartment complex fully furnished with kitchen, laundry room, dining room and living room. Guided tours available.

MODESTE OUTFITTERS Morris Modeste T: (867) 589-3908 F: (867) 589-3826 E: modesteoutfitting@gmail.com www.modesteoutfitting.ca Dene guide Morris Modeste offers a lifetime of experience as a hunter, trapper and fishing guide on Great Bear Lake. Share the Dene culture, evolved through generations of living on the land. Extraordinary wildlife, Aurora viewing and fishing in a remote and beautiful landscape including several National Historic Sites. Choose from a variety of day trips or multi-day tour packages. Options for accommodations include luxurious Grey Goose Lodge, an exclusive cottage retreat, or comfortable wall tents, with fragrant spruce bough floors and wood stoves.

PLUMMER’S GREAT BEAR LAKE LODGE Chuck Coulter TF: (800) 665-0240 T: (204) 774-5775 F: (204) 783-2320 E: fish@plummerslodges.com www.plummerslodges.com On the edge of the tree line and hundreds of miles from civilization, Great Bear is the 4th largest lake in North America and is fished by only 400 lucky anglers each year. There is no better fishing in the world. Great Bear boasts the All Tackle world records for both Lake Trout and Grayling, as well as dozens of line class records. On your trip you may see caribou, moose, grizzly bears, muskox and even century old tee-pees. Great Bear is home to indescribable beauty only understood once you’ve seen it.

PLUMMER’S GREAT BEAR LAKE TROPHY LODGE Chuck Coulter TF: (800) 665-0240 T: (204) 774-5775 F: (204) 783-2320 E: fish@plummerslodges.com www.plummerslodges.com Trophy Lodge is located on the Smith Arm of Great Bear Lake. This northwest corner of the lake has a unique sand bar structure below the surface that provides the perfect habitat for large Lake Trout. The guides at Trophy Lodge say that they have the best job on earth, seeking out huge Lake Trout. Arctic Grayling fishing in the rapid, coldwater rivers is excellent, and some of the finest Northern Pike fishing on the lake can be found in the waters of the slower, warmer rivers and weedy shallows.

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

CABIN FEVER ADVENTURES Dustin Davis T: (867) 821-3003 F: (867) 821-3003 E: info@cabinfeveradventures.com www.cabinfeveradventures.com Customized adventures! We specialize in crafting one of a kind wilderness travel vacations in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Southeast Alaska and Northern British Columbia. We strive to reduce our environmental impact in the wilderness areas we travel through and globally through ethical business practices. We serve predominately organic food, purchase carbon offsets for transportation emissions and donate to environmental agencies. If you would like to see the stunning beauty of the North while treading lightly on the planet, then Cabin Fever Adventures is for you.

CANOE NORTH ADVENTURES Al Pace & Lin Ward TF: (888) 941-6654 T: (519) 941-6654 F: (519) 941-4503 E: info@canoenorthadventures.com www.canoenorthadventures.com Our fully-guided canoe expeditions explore Canada’s remote wilderness rivers including the Natla, Keele, Mountain, Redstone, Ravensthroat, Horton, Anderson, Hornaday, Coppermine, Snake and Great Bear Rivers. World class fly-fishing and wildlife viewing, alpine hiking, stunning mountain and tundra vistas, great camp food under the midnight sun. Novice, intermediate and advanced canoeing opportunities for one, two or three week expeditions. Our expert guide staff teaches advanced canoeing skills and a genuine respect for the sensitive wilderness regions travelled. Custom trips. Voted 2010 NWT Tourism Operator of the Year! Canadian Tourism Signature Experience Collection member.

DECHENLA WILDERNESS RESORT Norm Barichello T: (867) 667-2639 E: nbarichello@northwestel.net www.dechenla.ca Across the border from Canada’s Yukon and just into the Northwest Territories lies a vast unspoiled wilderness. Here sits Dechenla Lodge and Wilderness Resort, hundreds of kilometers from any settlement. The view, which overlooks a lake-dotted tundra plateau set against a backdrop of spectacular mountains, is breathtaking. Beauty and infinite space, high-lit by the ever-changing light and mood, produce a serenity that touches the very core of one’s being. We are pleased to offer adventure nature tours, including hiking and biking tours, outdoor adventure education, and meeting facilitation. We can also offer youth self-awareness programs, treatment programs, and cultural awareness programs.

GANA RIVER OUTFITTERS LTD. NORMAN WELLS ARCTIC RED RIVER OUTFITTERS LTD. Tavis Molnar T: (867) 633-4934 F: (867) 633-4934 E: info@arcticred-nwt.com www.arcticred-nwt.com Backpack hunt for Dall’s Sheep, mountain caribou, moose, and wolf in the Mackenzie Mountains, upper Arctic Red River watershed. July 15 to Sept. 30. Hiking adventures in the Mackenzie Mountains. Photo safaris for Dall’s Sheep, mountain caribou, mountain grizzly and moose.

Harold Grinde T: (403) 357-8414 E: ganariver@pentnet.net www.ganariver.com Gana River Outfitters is a family owned and operated outfitting business offering remote wilderness hunts in the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains. We offer 10 to 12-day backpack and horseback hunts within our exclusive territory for Dall’s Sheep, mountain caribou, moose, wolf and wolverine with near 100% success on all hunts. Hunts can be booked from mid-July through late September. We also offer winter wolf hunts using snow machines in late March and early April. Our base camp is very comfortable with electricity, hot showers, freezers, private cabins for families and good home cooked meals.

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MACKENZIE MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS LTD. Stan Stevens T: (250) 786-5118 F: (250) 786-5404 E: mmostanstevens@gmail.com www.mmo-stanstevens.com Guided hunts for Dall’s Sheep and mountain caribou in the Mackenzie Mountains. Moose, wolf, wolverine on lower slopes. 7 to 12 days. 5 persons in cabins and tents. 1 guide per hunter. July to September. Satellite phone. One year advanced booking.

MOUNTAIN RIVER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES INC. Rick Muyres T: (867) 587-2697 F: (867) 587-2697 E: l_j_muyres@hotmail.com Local resident licensed wilderness outfitter serving the Western Arctic watershed from Norman Wells, NT. We supply complete logistical support and gear rental for canoeists, hikers, hunters and naturalists. 35 plus years experience on the Canol Trail, Natla River and Mountain River. River transport service, catering to the canoe industry, is our specialty. Cultural/historical river tours of the Sahtu arranged upon request. June to October.

NORTH-WRIGHT AIRWAYS LTD. Carolyn Wright T: (867) 587-2288 E: info@north-wrightairways.com www.north-wrightairways.com Charter and scheduled air service, expediting for canoeing, hiking on the Canol. Mountain specialists, wilderness outfitting. Scheduled service between Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Colville Lake, Inuvik, Aklavik, Deline, Tulita, and Yellowknife. Visit our unique aviation museum at DOT Lake, historic buildings and art tell the story of flight in the Mackenzie Valley.

NWT OUTFITTERS LTD. Eric Mikkleson T: (250) 897-0057 F: (250) 897-0054 E: nwtoutfitters@shaw.ca www.nwtoutfitters.com Sport hunts for trophy Dall’s Sheep, moose and mountain caribou. No charge for wolverine. Rifle or bow. July 15 to Sept 18.

RAM HEAD OUTFITTERS LTD. Stan Simpson T: (780) 848-7578 F: (780) 848-7550 E: ramheadoutfitters@hotmail.com www.ramheadoutfitters.com Fly-in horseback adventures on the Canol Road, from Norman Wells. Cabin and tent camps. 3 days to 3 weeks. Horseback and backpack guided hunts for Dall’s Sheep, moose, mountain caribou, black bear, wolverine, wolf and mountain goat. Cabin base camps and tent spike camps. Late June to Sept. Commercial air charter services, fixed wing and helicopter. Air support for hikers on Canol Road. Food drops. Sightseeing in Mackenzie Mountains, hiking packages to the South Nahanni River and Nahanni National Park Reserve.

REDSTONE TROPHY HUNTS LTD. David Dutchik T: (403) 975-8862 E: redstonehunts@yahoo.ca www.redstonehunts.com We offer world class hunting for Dall’s Sheep, mountain caribou, moose, wolf and wolverine. Redstone Trophy Hunts is located in the heart

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BEAUFORT DELTA

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

2010 NWT operator of the Year: NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM

SAHTU

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

of the Mackenzie Mountains, NWT, Canada. The hunting area consists of 6000 square miles of magnificent, untouched wilderness. Our base camps are equipped with modern cookhouses, propane heated guesthouses and hot showers. Base camps offer excellent fishing for Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling.

TULITA

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

WHAT’S GOING ON FORT GOOD HOPE RAMPART RENDEZVOUS

DRUM LAKE LODGE Judith Wright-Bird T: (867) 588-4355 F: (867) 588-4437 E: jwright@netkaster.ca www.drumlakelodge.ca On-the-land programs for youth and institutions and cross-cultural training workshops – a great Dene cultural experience. On Wrigley Lake, excellent fishing for Grayling, Lake Trout and Bull Trout. Mid-June to Sept 30. Fly out from Norman Wells.

SHOPPING

Mid-August A well attended week-long fest in Fort Good Hope drawing people from across the region for music and arts events, traditional foods, and the popular tug-of-war and greased-pole competition, which invites competitors to scale a lard-smeared log.

NORMAN WELLS SPRING FLING

Late April www.normanwells.com Norman Wells (daily jet service from Yellowknife) celebrates the early days of spring with snowmobile races, dancing, ice golf, community bonfire and the crowd-pleasing “rat-race” to see whose wooden muskrat bobs down the creek fastest.

NORMAN WELLS CANOE NORTH ADVENTURES Lin Ward T: (867) 587-4440 E: info@canoenorthadventures.com www.canoenorthadventures.com Functional stoneware pottery by studio potter Allan Pace, plus oil paintings, stone carvings and local Dene crafts from Sahtu area. Stunning new timber frame and log building located just minutes from town on beautiful Dot Lake. Open daily, June to Sept.

NORMAN WELLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY SHOP Sarah Colbeck T: (867) 587-2415 F: (867) 587-2469 E: canol.trail@theedgenw.ca www.normanwellsmuseum.ca Visitor information for Norman Wells and the Canol Trail. In the museum, learn about the history of the Canol Heritage Trail and area. Shop offers gifts, clothing, high quality Dene crafts from the Sahtu area, and books. Open year-round, Monday to Friday, 10 to 5:30pm, Saturday 10 to 4pm. June to September open Sundays 12 to 4pm.

VEHICLE RENTALS AND SERVICES NORMAN WELLS NORMAN WELLS TRANSPORTATION LTD.

GEORGE FISCHER

Jim Beroud T: (867) 587-2416 F: (867) 587-2960 E: nwtl@theedgenw.ca Truck rentals. 4x4 light truck rentals for Norman Wells area. Service station, gas, diesel, oil.

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BILL BRADEN

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EasilyNORTHWEST accessible trails in NormanTOURISM TERRITORIES Wells offer incredible views of the Bosworth Creek Valley, Fossil Canyon and Hamar Mountain (part 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE of the Franklin Range).

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES R EG I O N S O F T H ETOURISM N O R T H W EST T E R R I TO R I ES

DEHCHO AND NAHANNI 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

Dehcho and Nahanni Mountain ranges cut by Canada’s mightiest river— this is the crown jewel of NWT terrain. The Dene have a name for the Mackenzie River: Dehcho, which aptly means “big river,” and which runs up the centre of this diverse region. It is here you can experience the Nahanni National Park Reserve on either guided or solo paddling, rafting, hiking or climbing trips. Or, just take a jet boat tour up the North Nahanni River. This region is also the nucleus of the territorial highway system, which sprawls 500 kilometres (310 miles), passing at least five major waterfalls, seven communities, and half a dozen parks and campgrounds.

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COZY COMMUNITIES

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM COMMUNITIES

DEHCHO AND NAHANNI

Many Dehcho communities have year-round populations

BILL BRADEN

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.of 100 or fewer, and maintain strong ties to culture and

tradition. To experience settlement life and hear Dehcho history from the people who lived it, visit Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte or Wrigley, all driveable, scenic, laid-back and welcoming.

SAMANTHA STUART

RV’ING COUNTRY

This is the territory’s highway-hub, where you can roll into parks and communities, past waterfalls and roadside wildlife and camp along the way. Rest assured, there’s not much congestion in these parts, and you can drive long stretches where it’s just you and the skinny road unfolding across the boreal landscape like a ribbon.

SAMANTHA STUART

AWASH IN WATERFALLS

Rivers here can’t seem to get very far without plunging over steep, craggy cliffs and crashing into spectacular falls—most easily viewable right off the Mackenzie Highway, such as Sambaa Deh and Coral Falls. The famously towering Virginia Falls of Nahanni National Park Reserve are only accessible by air, but upon landing, spectacular views are just a hike away.

GEORGE FISCHER

MOUNTAIN-HOPPING

The Ragged Range view is most breathtaking from atop its peaks, the most famous located within the Cirque of the Unclimbables, a thread of spires and towers carved by the last ice age and first explored by climbers and alpinists only 50 years ago. While experienced mountaineers opt to climb these steep peaks, for the rest of us, charter a plane for a truly breathtaking flyover and land on the blue-green waters of Glacier Lake. Take a guided or independent hike into “the cirque” for an in-your-face view of the soaring granite walls.

TERRY PARKER

GEORGE FISCHER

WHOOP IT UP, LOCAL STYLE

The Dehcho is rich with artists of all types, and come summer they take their talents outdoors. The most well-known event in the region is Fort Simpson’s Open Sky Festival, held annually in late June or early July on the riverbank where the Mackenzie meets the Liard. Enjoy traditional craft demos, live local music and dancing.

FORT LIARD 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE “People from the land of giants place” Pop: 536

Just off Highway 7, close to the British Columbia border, this pretty, riverside hamlet has a visitor centre, well-stocked general store, and camping and motel accommodations. Here’s the place to get birchbark baskets and even see how they’re made. fortliard.com

FORT SIMPSON

“Where rivers come together” Pop: 1,238

This village on Highway 1 is headquarters for the Nahanni National Park Reserve, and a staging site for canoe trips and flyin mountain adventures. Accessible from Highways 1 and 7, which includes a short ferry ride. fortsimpson.com

JEAN MARIE RIVER “Water flowing over clay” Pop: 64

Access is via a 27-kilometre (17-mile) unpaved road off Highway 1. This is one of the smallest NWT settlements, located where the Jean Marie River meets the Mackenzie. There are limited visitor services, but you can arrange to stay at a B&B.

NAHANNI BUTTE “Strong rock” Pop: 102

Access this picturesque log cabin settlement off Highway 7, about 90 kilometres (60 miles) north of Fort Liard. In summer, call ahead for a river taxi to cross the Liard River; in winter drive a 22-kilometre (14-mile) ice road. Incredible hiking opportunities on the mountain and limited inn accommodations are available.

TROUT LAKE “Trout lake place” Pop: 92

Accessible by air charter in summer and ice road off Highway 1 in winter, Trout Lake is one of the territory’s most traditional settlements, known for great fishing. Hire a boat or stay at the log cabin fishing lodge.

WRIGLEY

GEORGE FISCHER

“Clay place” Pop: 133

This scenic log house settlement is a two-hour drive north from Fort Simpson and the terminus of Highway 1, but in the winter an ice road continues north into the Sahtu Region. Nestled in the Franklin Mountains, Wrigley boasts amazing views on all sides and looks out over the Mackenzie River Valley. wrigleynwt.com

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DEHCHO AND NAHANNI

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ACCOMMODATIONS FORT LIARD LIARD VALLEY GENERAL STORE & MOTEL T: (867) 770-4441 F: (867) 770-4442 Twelve air-conditioned units, eight with kitchenettes. Non-smoking, private bath, TV, coffee. Weekly and monthly rates available. Store, winter plug-ins. VISA, Diners Club, MC, Interac.

FORT SIMPSON DEH CHO SUITES Wendy and Kirby Groat TF: (877) 695-2309 T: (867) 695-2309 F: (867) 695-3449 E: kwgroat@northwestel.net www.dehcho.net Beautifully decorated accommodation in quiet private area in Fort Simpson, close to everything. 6 suites and guest rooms with private entrance, private bath, ADSL and wireless Internet, satellite TV. Access to full kitchen, laundry and barbecue, complimentary continental breakfast. We accept debit and major credit cards.

FORT SIMPSON GARDENS Duncan Canvin T: (867) 695-2456 F: (867) 695-2001 E: fsb@northwestel.net 2 apartments, accommodation for up to 3 persons in each, located on the second floor of a building at the heart of the community. Jacuzzi and sauna facilities. High speed wireless Internet. The location on the main street allows for easy access to restaurant, convenience store and other facilities. From $135 CAD per night. We accept VISA, MC, Amex, Debit, and EnRoute.

JANOR GUEST HOUSE Leah Keats T: (867) 695-2077 C: (867) 695-6560 F: (867) 695-3030 E: janorwillows@gmail.com www.janor.ca Fort Simpson’s best kept secret! A guesthouse with 6 rooms located downtown, across from the high school, on Main Street. Close to everything. Non-smoking. Private. High speed wireless Internet, treadmill, barbecue, laundromat, movie channels, fax, guest phone. Continental breakfast. VISA, MC, Interac.

MACKENZIE REST INN 10518 99 Street Main Lois Martin TF: (877) 679-6345 T: (867) 695-2357 F: (867) 695-2358 E: info@mackenzierest.ca www.mackenzierest.ca Come stay in a historic bed and breakfast on the banks of the Mackenzie River. Accommodates 10 people, shared baths, satellite TV in each bedroom, hot breakfast included. Decks to enjoy the fabulous view and antiques on-site to interest you. Located within walking distance to everything. Ask for assistance to find locally made crafts and information.

MARODA MOTEL

LIARD HIGHWAY

Patricia Rogers T: (867) 695-2602 F: (867) 695-3000 E: nahanmar@airware.ca 15 units, 8 with air-conditioned kitchenettes. Cable TV, wireless Internet access. Some rooms pet friendly. Senior discount. All major credit cards.

LINDBERG LANDING

NAHANNI INN LTD. Patricia Rogers T: (867) 695-2201 F: (867) 695-3000 E: nahanmar@airware.ca 29 rooms, Cable TV, wireless Internet access. On premises coffee shop, licensed dining room, lounge, conference room. Pets OK. Children under 12 n/c. Senior discount. All major credit cards. Restaurant and take-out located in the Nahanni Inn. Open Monday to Friday. Coffee shop open weekends.

NAHANNI MOUNTAIN LODGE Ted Grant TF: (866) 995-2505 T: (867) 695-2505 E: info@simpsonair.ca www.simpsonair.ca Established in the early 1960s, Simpson Air (and its predecessor) is the oldest continuously-operated flying service in the Mackenzie Valley. Air charters, tour packages, canoeing/rafting drop-offs, flightseeing, serving the Nahanni National Park area. Flightseeing day tours to Nahanni, Virginia Falls, Glacier Lake, Cirque of the Unclimbables, Ram Plateau and canyons, Little Doctor Lake. Outfitting for canoe and raft trips for South Nahanni River, Keele River.

SOUTH NAHANNI EXECUTIVE SUITES Laverna Martel and Jacques Harvey T: (867) 695-2007 F: (867) 695-2943 E: southnahanniairways@canada.com Lovely 2-bedroom suites, full kitchen, full bath, satellite TV, high speed Internet service with computer, library seating area, washer and dryer available, across from golf course, golf clubs available, BBQ for use.

THE WILLOWS INN T: (867) 695-2077 E: janorwillows@gmail.com Newly opened 6-room hotel accommodations with a fully equipped shared kitchen. Each room includes microwave, fridge, coffee maker. Wireless Internet available for guests.

JEAN MARIE RIVER JEAN MARIE RIVER TRANSIENT CENTRE T: (867) 809-2000 F: (867) 809-2002 Two bedroom housing unit accommodates two to three persons. Kitchen facilities, shower, no bedding, no meals. Call ahead for availability.

LUCY’S BED AND BREAKFAST Lucy Simon T: (867) 809-2031 F: (867) 809-2002 Accommodation in the quiet Mackenzie River community of Jean Marie River. Accommodates six in three rooms, two twin, one double with queen bed. Shared bath. Continental breakfast. Full meal service available on request at additional charge. Access to laundry facilities. Ask about our beautiful crafts available for sale!

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Susan Lindberg T: Radio phone JR3-6644 Blackstone Channel Between Fort Simpson and Fort Liard (approx. km 154) on the Liard Highway (Hwy 7). Accommodates 16 in two-bedroom log house and two rustic cabins. By appointment only. Please write for information, Box 28, Fort Simpson, NT X0E 0N0.

NAHANNI BUTTE CELINE’S BED AND BREAKFAST Celine Betsaka T: (867) 602-2011 Located in beautiful Nahanni Butte, Celine has opened her newly renovated empty nest to guests. Her home offers 3 bedrooms: 1 room with one double bed and 2 with two single beds in each. Shared bath, smoking outdoors, alcohol free. TV, DVD, VCR, Satellite dish, phone.

NAHANNI BUTTE INN AND GENERAL STORE T: (867) 602-2002 F: (867) 602-2003 E: nahannibuttestore@gmail.com 4 comfortable rooms with 8 single beds, located in the small river community of Nahanni Butte. Satellite TV. General store on site.

TROUT LAKE SAMBAA K’E DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Brenda Jumbo T: (867) 206-2025 F: (867) 206-2032 E: skdcorp@yahoo.ca The Sambaa K’e Development Corporation runs an integrated fishing lodge, camp hotel and well appointed guest houses, with a combined capacity of 50 guests. Our health inspected and approved commercial kitchen provides delicious and satisfying meals.

AIR TRANSPORTATION FORT LIARD VILLERS AIR SERVICES LTD. Peter Villers T: (867) 770-4103 www.villersair.com General charters for tourism sightseeing to Nahanni National Park Reserve and oil and gas support. With our diverse fleet, Villers Air aims to meet your aviation requirements with the most efficient and safe methods possible. Our seasonal base in Fort Liard makes it convenient for local support of tourism and business. Head office and base in Fort Nelson, BC (250) 774-2072.

FORT SIMPSON AIR TINDI TF: (888) 545-6794 T: (867) 695-2683 E: charters@airtindi.com www.airtindi.com Scheduled and charter flights across the North and southern Canada with 25 aircraft seating one to 46 passengers, equipped with wheels, floats, skis and tundra tires. Specialists in the North serving canoeists, hunting and fishing clients, government and local communities, scenic tours and groups. Daily scheduled flights connecting Fort Simpson, Łutselk’e, Wekweèti, Whatì, Gamèti and Yellowknife.

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GREAT SLAVE HELICOPTERS T: (867) 695-2326 (Fort Simpson) T: (867) 770-3116 (Fort Liard) www.gsheli.com Serving the NWT for over 25 years with bases in Norman Wells, Inuvik, Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and Yellowknife as well as in Manitoba and Alberta. We have 15 different models of aircraft available to suit the individual needs of our customers. Serving forestry, oil and gas, mining, environmental and tourism.

SIMPSON AIR Ted Grant TF: (866) 995-2505 T: (867) 695-2505 E: info@simpsonair.ca www.simpsonair.ca Established in the early 1960s, Simpson Air (and its predecessor) is the oldest continuously-operated flying service in the Mackenzie Valley. Air charters, tour packages, canoeing/rafting drop-offs, flightseeing, serving the Nahanni National Park area. Flightseeing day tours to Nahanni, Virginia Falls, Glacier Lake, Cirque of the Unclimbables, Ram Plateau and canyons, Little Doctor Lake. Outfitting for canoe and raft trips for South Nahanni River, Keele River.

SOUTH NAHANNI AIRWAYS Jacques Harvey & Laverna Martel T: (867) 695-2263

DEHCHO AND NAHANNI

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

F: (867) 695-2943 E: info@southnahanniairways.ca Charters to Nahanni National Park Reserve. Twin Otter on wheels, floats, skis. Day trip charters for groups of 10 to 15 passengers, light luncheon can be arranged. Tour lasts 4 to 5 hours.

WOLVERINE AIR (1988) LTD. Jacques Harvey, & Laverna Martel T: (867) 695-2007 F: (867) 695-2943 Air charter service based in Fort Simpson, Nahanni National Park Reserve specialist. Flight seeing and self-guided canoeing, hiking and fishing trips.

ATTRACTIONS AND TOURISM INFORMATION FORT SIMPSON BLACKSTONE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE T: (867) 695-7515 E: deh_cho_parks@gov.nt.ca Blackstone Territorial Park on Hwy 7 (Liard Hwy) is open daily, May 15 to September 15, 8 am to 11 pm. Stop in and see our displays and videos.

FORT SIMPSON VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE T: (867) 695-3182 www.fortsimpson.com

Open daily, May 15 to September 15. Stop in to see our historical exhibits.

NAHANNI NATIONAL PARK RESERVE T: (867) 695-7750 E: nahanni.info@pc.gc.ca www.pc.gc.ca/nahanni Nahanni is a fly-in only park, open year round. Check in at the Fort Simpson office to register and get the most updated information on the park’s accessible sites.

OPEN SKY CREATIVE SOCIETY T: (867) 695-3005 E: oscs.osf@gmail.com www.openskyfestival.ca Based in Fort Simpson, this volunteer society provides artists and audiences with a forum for research, production, presentation, promotion and dissemination of new works in contemporary visual arts and traditional Dene crafts.

DINING FORT SIMPSON ICE BREAKER LOUNGE T: (867) 695-2999 Enjoy a beverage in our pleasant and tastefully renovated lounge.

Explore a Wild River

The Greatest Wilderness Destinations in Canada Canoe the canyons of the Nahanni, see spectacular wildlife on the barrenlands of the Coppermine, Hood or Thelon rivers or paddle the thrilling rapids of the Mountain River. For 35 years we! ve explored the most beautiful wild places on earth. With over 50 guided wilderness adventures, we have a trip for your experience, skills and ability. For your Free Colour Catalogue and trip information:

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DEHCHO AND NAHANNI 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

PANDAVILLE RESTAURANT T: (867) 695-3080 Chinese and Canadian menu.

EQUIPMENT RENTALS FORT SIMPSON NAHANNI RIVER ADVENTURES Neil Hartling TF: (800) 297-6927 T: (867) 668-3180 E: info@nahanni.com www.nahanni.com/rentals Rent canoes and rafts from experienced wilderness guides. Please call for rates and availability or visit our rental website.

NAHANNI WILDERNESS ADVENTURES David Hibbard TF: (888) 897-5223 T: (403) 678-3374 F: (403) 609-2042 E: adventures@nahanniwild.com www.nahanniwild.com Going self-guided? Contact the Nahanni’s most experienced river guide with 24 seasons and over 60 canoe/raft trips throughout the Nahanni watershed. We offer canoe/raft rentals and all accessories from Fort Simpson, Blackstone and Tungsten. Contact us when looking for flight charters, road shuttles and river taxis throughout the Nahanni region.

SIMPSON AIR/NAHANNI MOUNTAIN LODGE Ted Grant TF: (866) 995-2505 T: (867) 695-2505 E: info@simpsonair.ca www.simpsonair.ca Air charters, tour packages, canoeing/rafting drop-offs, flightseeing. Serving the Nahanni National Park area. Flightseeing day tours to Nahanni, Virginia Falls, Glacier Lake, Cirque of the Unclimbables, Ram Plateau and canyons, Little Doctor Lake. Outfitting for canoe and raft trips for South Nahanni River, Keele River.

OPERATORS AND ACTIVITIES FORT SIMPSON BLACK FEATHER - THE WILDERNESS ADVENTURE COMPANY Wendy Grater TF: (888) 849-7668 T: (705) 746-1372 F: (705) 746-7048 E: info@blackfeather.com www.blackfeather.com Wilderness canoeing, sea-kayaking and hiking adventures. Nahanni, Natla-Keele, Mountain, Coppermine, Hood Rivers. Fully qualified guides, with top quality expedition equipment. Great wilderness! Two-three weeks, May 1 to September 1, $3500 to $5000. Includes guides, equipment, canoes, kayaks, food on trail, charter flights, logistics. From Yellowknife, Fort Simpson or Norman Wells.

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NAHANNI MOUNTAIN LODGE Ted Grant T: (867) 695-2505 F: (867) 695-2925 E: info@simpsonair.ca www.simpsonair.ca Established in the early 1960s, Simpson Air (and its predecessor) is the oldest continuously operated flying service in the Mackenzie Valley. Air charters, tour packages, canoeing/rafting drop-offs, flightseeing. Serving the Nahanni National Park area. Flightseeing day tours to Nahanni, Virginia Falls, Glacier Lake, Cirque of the Unclimbables, Ram Plateau and canyons, Little Doctor Lake. Outfitting for canoe and raft trips for South Nahanni River, Keele River.

NAHANNI RIVER ADVENTURES Neil Hartling T: (867) 668-3180 F: (867) 668-3056 E: info@nahanni.com www.nahanni.com Guided natural history/wilderness adventures by canoe and raft, for 28 years. Qualified and friendly guides, authorities on the Nahanni, Cirque of the Unclimbables. We maintain a high ratio of guides to guests. We have published three river books, and have hosted television programs and are featured in many magazine articles. Complete details on our award winning website. We will help make your dream come true! Other spectacular rivers we offer include Burnside, Coppermine, Mountain, Firth, Alsek, Tathsenshini, Wind, Snake and Stikine.

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DEHCHO AND NAHANNI 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

NAHANNI WILDERNESS ADVENTURES David Hibbard TF: (888) 897-5223 T: (403) 678-3374 F: (403) 609-2042 E: adventures@nahanniwild.com www.nahanniwild.com Going self-guided? Contact David Hibbard, the Nahanni’s most experienced river guide with 24 seasons and over 60 canoe/raft trips throughout the Nahanni watershed. We offer canoe/raft rentals and all accessories from Fort Simpson, Blackstone and Tungsten. Contact us when looking for flight charters, road shuttles and river taxis throughout the Nahanni region.

NORTH NAHANNI NATURALIST LODGE LTD Loyal Letcher TF: (888) 880-6665 T: (867) 695-2116 F: (867) 695-2118 E: nnnlodge@ssimicro.com www.nnnlodge.ca All inclusive eco-lodge located on beautiful Cli Lake 72 miles west of Fort Simpson in the spectacular Nahanni mountain range. Aurora viewing, guided hiking and fishing, photography, wildlife, cultural demonstrations, meeting facilities. Log built lodge, private cabins. Includes meals, boats, canoes, guide and maid services, sauna, hot tub, tee pee, fireplaces. Nahanni National Park tour included in all packages by charter floatplane, jetboat or helicopter. Heli-hiking and jet boat tours available into the Ram Plateau.

SHEHTAH ADVENTURES Floyd Moses T: (867) 695-3354 E: shehtah@hotmail.ca www.shehtahadventures.com Call us about our exciting year-round packages and experience the best of the Deh Cho region and Denendeh. Offering a wide array of activities to suit adventure seekers of all ages and skill levels. Aurora viewing, Aboriginal culture, jet boat tours, fishing, canoe trips, hiking, snowmobile trips.

SHOPPING

SOUTH NAHANNI OUTFITTERS LTD. Werner Aschbacher T: (867) 399-3194 F: (867) 399-3194 E: info@huntnahanni.com www.huntnahanni.com South Nahanni Outfitters and Solitude Excursions will take you on a perfectly organized, outfitted and guided hunting trip for Dall’s Sheep, moose, mountain caribou or mountain goat. Airlifts are done with our own helicopter, the hunts are spot and stalk. We also offer heli-hiking packages that make the vistas and wonders of South Nahanni National Park Reserve and surrounding area available to everyone. Our helicopter can also be chartered by the hour for your own adventure.

NAHANNI BUTTE

ACHO DENE NATIVE CRAFTS Cathy Kotchea T: (867) 770-4161 F: (867) 770-4160 E: achodenenativecraft@gmail.com www.adnc.ca Craft shop and visitor information, open to the public. Fine birchbark baskets, models of birchbark canoes, beadwork, moosehide moccasins, jewelry, purses, wallets and much more. Crafts from the Dene of the Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte, Fort Simpson and Trout Lake area in the western NWT. Gallery orders accepted.

NAHANNI BUTTE OUTFITTERS LTD.

FORT SIMPSON

James Lancaster T: (250) 846-5309 T: (250) 846-5620 E: jladventures@xplornet.com www.lancasterfamilyhunting.com Hunt for Dall’s Sheep, moose, mountain goat, black bear. Backpack hunts. Specializing in archery and rifle. July 15 to October 1.

AURORA HONEY

TROUT LAKE

T: (867) 695-3005 E: oscs.osf@gmail.com www.openskyfestival.ca The Open Sky Creative Society provides year-round arts programming in the Deh Cho region of the Northwest Territories. We have a gallery and an artist-run centre on Main Street in Fort Simpson. We also host performance coffee houses, artist workshops and various other projects in partnership with community organizations. The Open Sky Festival is held every summer in late June/early July.

SAMBAA K’E FISHING AND TOURISM LODGE Brenda Jumbo T: (867) 206-2025 F: (867) 206-2032 E: skdcorp@yahoo.ca Trout Lake offers some of the best fishing in the world in a beautiful setting. It’s a great place to plan for your family vacations, business retreats, couples getaways, or just a good old fashioned fishing trip.

VEHICLE RENTALS AND SERVICES FORT SIMPSON KK EXPEDITING Kele Antoine TF: (877) 695-2276 T: (867) 695-2276 F: (867) 695-2322 E: kele@kandk.ca www.kandk.ca 4 x 4 pickup trucks and SUVs for rent or lease. Passenger shuttling, logistics, freight handling and satellite phones for rent.

FORT SIMPSON OPEN SKY FESTIVAL

July (long weekend) www.openskyfestival.ca In its 13th year, Fort Simpson’s annual arts fest incorporates every kind of local art: storytelling, moose hair tufting, theatre, modern dance and traditional fiddling. Attendees can take in art demos and workshops. A community feast and drum dance close out the festivities.

NAHANNI SHUTTLE PARTNERSHIP Wendy Grater T: (705) 746-1372 F: (705) 746-7048 E: info@blackfeather.com Nahanni Shuttle provides charter van shuttles from the Nahanni to Fort Simpson. 15 passenger van and trailer for canoes. Reliable, clean and efficient. Pick-ups at Blackstone Landing or Lindberg Landing.

WRIGLEY MOCCASIN SPRING CARNIVAL

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NAHANNI BUTTE NAHANNI BUTTE RIVER TAXI OPEN SKY CREATIVE SOCIETY

Late March To experience a truly local celebration, drive north on Highway #1 until it ends at the small log-house settlement of Wrigley. This spring carnival is a good place to take in traditional Dene competitions, like tea boiling, bannock making, log splitting, as well as good old fashioned foot races and a talent show.

Daniel & Brenda Allaire T: (867) 695-2743 E: dballaire@northwestel.net The only beekeeper in the Northwest Territories. Producing wildflower honey and bee wax products including hand cream and candles.

OPEN SKY CREATIVE SOCIETY

WHAT’S GOING ON

FORT LIARD

Daryl Betsaka and Brad Wark T: (867) 602-2042 T: (867) 602-2655 The road to Nahanni Butte ends at the Liard River, and a river taxi service is required to cross the river. Call one of the taxi operators in advance to visit the community.

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DEHCHO AND NAHANNI

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES R EG I O N S O F T H ETOURISM N O R T H W EST T E R R I TO R I ES

SOUTH SLAVE 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

South Slave Tucked below Great Slave Lake, this is the “south of the north,” a road-accessible region where bison roam free and the lakes teem with fish. This most southern sliver of the territory has it all: impressive waters, wildlife viewing and cultural experiences. Here, you can cast a deep line for trophy fish, walk waterfall trails, or kayak world-class rapids. Wood Buffalo National Park is an easy drive, from where you can see bison and rare geological formations. Learn about local culture at the K’atl’odeeche Reserve or Hay River’s Dene Cultural Centre.

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KOLE CROOK FIDDLE ASSOCIATION

A FIDDLIN’ FOLK

SOUTH SLAVE

The South Slave is also home to the Métis, who carry a strong, unique fiddling tradition taken from their Scottish and FrenchCanadian ancestors. The Kole Crook Fiddle Association, named after a talented Hay River fiddler who died young, hosts a weeklong fiddle camp in Hay River every summer. Fiddle music is also standard fare during the region’s various spring and summer festivals. You can’t help but jump up and jig to these lively tunes.

SLAVE RIVER RAPIDS

TERRY PARKER

Skilled kayakers come from all over the world to hurtle through the big, messy waves of the Slave River’s Class 5 rapids—25 kilometres (16 miles) of soaking fun. To get a sense of the rapids’ speed and froth, check out the scores of YouTube videos.

DAN BARHAM

EAT FISH RIGHT OUT OF THE LAKE As the hub of the territory’s commercial fishery, Hay River is the place to eat Whitefish. Head to Fisherman’s Wharf along the riverbank any summer Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to feast on just-caught fish and local produce. Or, if you’d rather eat your own catch, outfitters in Hay River or Fort Smith will take you onto the big lake, or surrounding lakes and rivers.

ENTERPRISE 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE Pop: 87

Located at the junction of Highways 1 and 2, this is a scenic roadside stop for fuel, food, maps and local crafts at Winnie’s restaurant. Accommodations are available at the hotel or campgrounds.

FORT PROVIDENCE “Mission house place” Pop: 734

Off Highway 3, be sure to stop here for fuel and snacks, or to stretch your legs on the trail by the river. Also a good place to buy Dene crafts. Accommodations and service centre are available.

FORT RESOLUTION “Moose island place” Pop: 474

Situated on the lush Slave River Delta, this once-important fur trading hub is the only hamlet destination off Highway 6 and the launch point for self-guided Great Slave Lake trips. Overnight at the B&B or campground.

FORT SMITH “Beside the rapids” Pop: 2,093

ICE PILOTS’ HEADQUARTERS

Maybe you’ve seen that History Channel reality series called Ice Pilots NWT, featuring the boys and girls of Hay River’s Buffalo Airways, famous for its largely vintage fleet of Douglas DC-3s and DC-4s. They do scheduled runs six days a week between Hay River and Yellowknife; Buffalo Joe himself flies at least two. Watch these old beauties take off at the airport, a quick zip from town along Highway 2.

This former Hudson’s Bay post sits on the banks of the Slave River off Highway 5, and is your access into Wood Buffalo National Park. Accommodations and services available. fortsmith.ca

HAY RIVER “Hay River” Pop: 3,606

Accessible off Highway 2, this is the territory’s second-largest community and a bustling commercial fishery and transportation hub. It’s also known for its sandy beach and hiking. All services available. Hay River also has a golf course and hosts soccer, fast pitch and other sports tournaments. hayriver.com

ADAM HILL

PAT KANE

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM COMMUNITIES

KAKISA

“Between the willows” Pop: 45

PAT KANE

This is a laid-back, traditional Dene settlement, accessible by way of a 14-kilometre all-season road off Highway 1. Summer-only accommodations are at the territorial park campgrounds, which encompass the famous Lady Evelyn Falls.

YOU CAN SEE BISON

This is bison country. They roam by the thousands in the vast Wood Buffalo National Park, which was created in 1922 to protect and rejuvenate their waning herds. Today, these massive, grunting beasts are thriving, and as you drive through the park you’ll likely see them in their natural boreal-forest habitat. They’re also known to congregate roadside, usually off Highway 5. So slow down and have your camera ready.

K’ATL’ODEECHE RESERVE Pop: 292

K’atl’odeeche is a First Nations reserve located on the east bank of the Hay River, accessible from Highway 5. A great place to take in Dene culture. Accommodations in nearby Hay River. katlodeeche.com

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ACCOMMODATIONS ENTERPRISE TWIN FALLS INN 230 Northern Lights Road Norman McCowan T: (867) 984-3711 F: (867) 984-3712 E: twinfallsinn@netkaster.ca Motel and gas bar, located on the main Mackenzie Highway route to Yellowknife. 1- rooms, smoking and non-smoking, private bath, satellite TV, phones. Restaurant: The Junction Cafe.

FORT PROVIDENCE

SNOWSHOE INN T: (867) 699-3511 F: (867) 699-4300 E: snowshoe@ssimicro.com www.snowshoeinn.ca Located on the banks of the Mackenzie River in Fort Providence, offering 35 guest rooms with rates starting at $145. The Snowshoe Cafe and Arts and Craft Store are located directly across the street from the Inn. Have a bite to eat at our cafe and then browse the craft shop where you will find quality tuftings, quillwork, prints and a variety of other works by area artists. For travellers seeking adventure allow us to connect you with an experienced local fishing guide, boating, town tours and a chance to learn about and experience traditional Dene and Métis lifestyles.

BIG RIVER SERVICE CENTRE LLP

FORT RESOLUTION

Dave Wilkes T: (867) 699-4301 F: (867) 699-4327 E: wilkesdave@hotmail.com www.bigriverservice.ca 3 km (2 mi) from Fort Providence on the north side of the Mackenzie River crossing. The motel accommodates 22 in 12 rooms. There’s a cafe and lounge. Gas bar, diesel, propane, ATM, souvenirs, boat launch. Good fishing right along our bank of the Mackenzie River. All major credit cards.

BEAULIEU MOTEL 28 Capital Drive Dorothy & Angus Beaulieu T: (867) 394-4161 F: (867) 394-3077 4-room motel offers satellite TV and bathrooms in all rooms. Kitchenettes available: include fridge, stove, microwave, coffee maker, dishes and toaster.

DETAN CHO TOURIST CAMP Eddie Lafferty & Jane Miersch T: (867) 394-4411 Gorgeous outdoor location for family reunions, or back to nature retreats. On the banks of the Little Buffalo River on Highway 6. Capacity: 30. Cabins with kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and main lodge. Just minutes from Great Slave Lake. Canoe rentals, paddle boats. Open year-round.

J’S BED BREAKFAST Jeela Larocque T: (867) 394-3115 F: (867) 394-3116 E: jbnb@northwestel.net www.jbnb.ca Non-smoking, his/her bathrooms, wireless Internet connection, laundry, pay-phone/fax, satellite TV, continental breakfast included in the price. Full access to the kitchen. Preferably no pets.

Stay with us and enjoy Authentic Northern Hospitality. Whether you’re travelling for business or coming to enjoy the peace of our wilderness and the wonder of our northern lights, our friendly staff will make your time with us a truly enjoyable northern experience!

Family Owned and Operated

912 Mackenzie Highway, Hay River, X0E 0R8 Telephone: (867) 874-6706 • Fax: (867) 874-6704 • Toll Free: 1-877-362-4206 Email: ncinn.net@gmail.com www.ncinn.net

FORT SMITH AXEHANDLE GUEST HOUSE 174 McDougal Road Laura Brown T: (867) 872-2040 E: laura@mac.com Fully furnished loft studio apartment with kitchen, satellite TV, phone. One double bed and one hideaway bed in living room can sleep four.

DV SUITE Earl & Jeanne Jacobson T: (867) 872-2284 E: jeannejacobson@hotmail.com Fully self contained one bedroom suite for short term rental. Includes, private bath, kitchen, and living room. Optional second bedroom available. Satellite TV and wireless Internet provided. Centrally located to most amenities and to downtown.

KING GEORGE’S BED AND BREAKFAST Ruth Cumming T: (867) 872-2366 C: (867) 872-0941

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LOG HOME RENTALS John Plowman and Gisesa Becker T: (867) 872-2484 C: (867) 872-0405 F: (867) 872-4645 E: johnplowman@gmail.com www.loghomerentalsnwt.com New modern cabin and units with separate entrances and private bathrooms and showers, northern ambiance and hospitality. Built and restored by owner under healthy home codes with only natural materials and no carpet or vinyl. Internet, Satellite TV, kitchen with complete cooking facilities, laundry and dryer. Walk to downtown within minutes. Perfect set-up for business, government, personal travel and tourists. Quiet and clean. Enjoy your home away from home! Pet friendly – fee may apply.

PELICAN RAPIDS INN 152 McDougal Road Robert Ferguson TF: (877) 362-4205 T: (867) 872-2789 F: (867) 872-4727 E: manager@pelicanrapidsinn.ca 42-room hotel built in 1997 and newly expanded in 2012. Cocktail lounge, dining room, restaurant, meeting rooms, air conditioning, satellite TV, Jacuzzis, laundry service, free Wi-Fi and more. Wheelchair accessible. Standard room as well as business, executive and kitchenette suites available. VISA, MC, Amex, EnRoute.

R HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST Cummings Avenue T: (867) 872-5354 www.rhousefortsmith.com Historic home restored with comfort, class and all conveniences. 3 rooms, private entrance, continental breakfast. Modern kitchen, washer and dryer. Wireless Internet, Cable TV. Close to all amenities.

SALT RIVER ELDERS VILLAGE T: (867) 872-2643 F: (867) 872-5225 E: fortsmithmetiscouncil@northwestel.net Visiting Wood Buffalo National Park? We offer 4 log cabins out by the Salt River, for rent by the night or the week. These each accommodate 2 to 3 people. They are insulated and complete with woodstove and firewood, 2 beds each, plus table/chairs. Accessible by road. Available year round, great for cross-country skiing or other winter activities.

THEBACHA CAMP SERVICES Alden Vogt T: (867) 872-2229 F: (867) 872-3929 E: aldenfsc1@gmail.com 5-unit construction-style camp accommodates up to 25 persons, with a common kitchen. Ideal for large groups.

WHISPERING PINES COTTAGES Sandra Robichaud T: (867) 872-2628 F: (867) 872-2906 www.whisperingpinescottages.ca Self-contained one, two and three bedroom units available on private properties. Each includes kitchen, washer/dryer, Internet, cable/ satellite, BBQ. Great for business, tourist and government stays. Northern Lights viewing, two blocks from centre of town. Owner has been in the tourism business for over 50 years. 10% seniors discount.

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WHOOPING CRANE GUEST HOUSE 13 Cassette Crescent Christine Aubrey T: (867) 872-3426 F: (866) 585-6381 E: christine@whoopingcraneguesthouse.com www.whoopingcraneguesthouse.com Beautiful octagonal-shaped log home within walking distance of downtown. Accommodation includes a self-contained suite with a bedroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom as well as two other bedrooms with their own bathrooms. Flat screen TV in each bedroom. Wi-Fi throughout. Smoke-free, full breakfast, open year-round. Friendly and inviting. English and French spoken. Bicycles available in the summer. VISA, MC, AMEX and Interac accepted.

WILDERNESS EDGE GUEST HOUSE Barbara Clark C: (867) 872-4819 E: wildernessgarden@hotmail.com Contact us for more information.

WOOD BUFFALO INN Frieda and Peter Martselos T: (867) 872-3222 E: woodbuffaloinn@northwestel.net Fully equipped suites, separate bedroom, kitchenette, living room. Free wireless Internet and local calls. “A special Fort Smith destination.”

HAY RIVER ANCHORAGE BED & BREAKFAST 103rd Street TF: (866) 277-7757 T: (867) 874-2233 F: (867) 874-2259 E: reservations@greenwayaccommodations.ca www.greenwayaccommodations.ca The Anchorage is the perfect place to relax while on vacation or drop in for a night or two while passing through Hay River on business. Hold a conference, meeting in our large boardroom that is fully equipped with wireless Internet and satellite TV service to accommodate your business needs. Enjoy our spacious common areas including a living room, dining room and library, ideal for a treat or family reunion. We are open year round and are located on Vale Island just a 10 minute drive from Hay River town centre and 2 minutes from Great Slave Lake.

CAMBRIDGE EXECUTIVE SUITES HOTEL 28 Capital Drive TF: 1-866-277-7757 T: (867) 874-2233 F: (867) 874-2259 E: reservations@greenwayaccommodations.ca www.greenwayaccommodations.ca The Cambridge Executive Suites (Hotel) offers one and two bedroom suites as an alternative to the standard hotel room. Each of our 24 units includes a fully equipped kitchen, satellite TV, private balcony, air

conditioning and daily housekeeping. Laundry facilities are available upon request. The Cambridge also offers meeting and conference facilities off site, including wireless Internet and audio/visual equipment. We are conveniently located downtown, close to restaurants, lounges, movie theater, shopping, walking trails and gym facilities. Non-smoking facility.

HAY RIVER GOLF CLUB AND CAMPGROUND T: (867) 874-6290 T: (867) 874-3930 Campground located by a beautiful 9-hole course set along the banks of the Hay River. Club offers full service clubhouse, pro shop, driving range, daily green fees, cart/club rentals and clubhouse rentals. This is a perfect setting for weddings, banquets or corporate outings. Located 10 km south of Hay River on Hwy 2.

HOMESTEADERS INN 25 Studney Drive T: (867) 874-4479 F: (867) 874-4903 E: homesteaders@northwestel.net Located just five minutes from downtown Hay River, Homesteaders Inn offers 23 double occupancy, air conditioned rooms with your choice of two queen-sized beds or one queen-sized bed and one single bed. Gas bar on site open 6 am to 10 pm 7 days a week. You will find that everything you need is very convenient. Homesteaders is pleased to offer special conference rates. Call for rates and payment information.

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2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

MOUNTAIN AVEN ENTERPRISES 1 Lagoon Road Faye Eliason T: (867) 875-7065 E: mountain_aven@hotmail.com Year-round campground with heated and furnished cabins, tipi and tent frames for rent. Large gazebo for special functions. Good fishing, birdwatching, Aurora viewing. Awesome beach with driftwood nearby.

PARADISE GARDEN CAMPGROUND 82 Paradise Road Sharon Pekok T: (867) 875-4430 E: slpekok@live.com Private campground in a valley south of Hay River. 15 sites, 6 with electricity, washrooms, shelter. Vegetables and berries for sale when in season.

PTARMIGAN INN HOTELS LTD.

NORTH COUNTRY INN

10 J Gagnier Street T: (800) 661-0842 T: (867) 874-6781 F: (867) 874-3392 E: manager@ptarmiganinn.com www.ptarmiganinn.com Hay River’s premier full service hotel with convenient downtown location. 2011 exterior retrofit included energy efficient air conditioners and heaters. High speed Wireless Internet available, satellite TV. On site amenities include Keys Restaurant, Dog House Sports Bar and a full service fitness center. Executive suites, kitchenettes and family suites are all available. Banquet, conference and catering facilities. Corporate, government, senior and sport rates available.

THE HARBOUR HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST 31 Capital Drive TF: (866) 277-7757 T: (867) 874-2233

w. N

W AL

.ca

912 Mackenzie Hwy Kelly & Tara Schofield TF: (877) 362-4206 T: (867) 874-6706 F: (867) 874-6704 E: ncinn.net@gmail.com www.ncinn.net Whether you are in town for business or here to enjoy our beautiful town, the staff at the North Country Inn will strive to make your stay as pleasant as possible. We are located at 912 Mackenzie Hwy, within easy walking distance to downtown Hay River and all its amenities. The North Country Inn is your home away from home, with reasonable rates and complimentary continental breakfast served daily. Choose from a cozy single, spacious double or homey kitchenette suite. All rooms have Allerzip Protected mattresses and are quiet, immaculately cleaned and extremely comfortable.

Scheduled Air Service to-and-from:

Yellowknife • Edmonton • Fort McMurray • Hay River • Fort Smith • Fort Chipewyan

F: (867) 874-2259 E: reservations@ greenwayaccommodations.ca www.greenwayaccommodations. ca Harbour House is a 10-minute drive to downtown Hay River. Beachfront view overlooking Great Slave Lake and beach area. Accommodates up to 14 people in 7 bedrooms. With our tastefully appointed rooms, sunny common dining and living room, and fully equipped kitchen, you will feel right at home. Satellite TV and wireless Internet service available. Open year-round with many seasonal attractions and activities. Enjoy our beautiful, sandy beach in the summer months and view the most fabulous Northern Lights in fall, winter and spring.

KAKISA

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Toll Free: (877) 872-2216 • Fax: (867) 872-2214 • Fort Smith: (867) 872-2216 • Yellowknife: (867) 873 2859 • Yellowknife Cargo: (867) 669-9330 (Tundra Transfer)

THEBACHA HELICOPTERS TF: (888) 345-4354 E: admin@thebachahelicopters.ca www.thebachahelicopters.ca Established in Fort Smith in 1995. Providing a variety of services to the oil, gas, and forestry industries as well as tourism services including photography/filming and sightseeing. Please call or visit our web site for further information. VISA, MC accepted.

HAY RIVER BUFFALO AIRWAYS TF: (877) 269-8299 T: (867) 874-3333 E: buffalo@buffaloairways.com www.buffaloairways.com Scheduled and charter air service, covering the entire NWT. Daily scheduled service between Yellowknife and Hay River. For overnight courier service, please call (867) 873-2084.

LANDA AVIATION

AIR TRANSPORTATION FORT SMITH

ATTRACTIONS AND TOURISM INFORMATION

T: (867) 825-2000 Small motel with gas bar near good fishing spot.

We specialize in bush and off strip operations supporting tourism, exploration and goverment related activities. Charters are available 24 Hours a day, 7 Days a week

RELIANCE AIRWAYS LTD Dan Wettlaufer T: (867) 872-5272 E: info@relianceairways.ca www.relianceairways.ca Fly-in and canoe out. Departing from Fort Smith, canoe the Leland Lakes to the Slave River, suggested trip length is 5 days. Excellent fishing. Wildlife includes black bear, moose, wolf, lynx, beaver and bald eagle. We also offer fly-in access to Lynx Tundra Lodge or any location on the Thelon River System. Day trips in Wood Buffalo Park. Flightseeing in Wood Buffalo Park – see wood bison, pelicans and the Slave River Rapids from the air.

Kim King TF: (800) 351-0818 T: (867) 874-3500 E: fly@landaaviation.com www.landaaviation.com Charter service. King Air A-100, C-208 amphibious floats, C-185 on amphibious floats/skis, C-337 on wheels.

RIVER FRONT MOTEL

Northwestern Air Charter Services

NORTHWESTERN AIR LEASE LTD. Brian Harrold TF: (877) 872-2216 T: (867) 872-2216 C: (867) 872-1189 E: brian@nwal.ca www.nwal.ca Scheduled passenger, cargo service and air charters. Serving Fort Smith, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McMurray, Yellowknife, Hay River and Edmonton. Jetstream 31 and 32, Beech 99. Flightseeing in the Wood Buffalo Park area. Also available for charter Turbo Otter (amphibious floats, wheels, skis), Cessna 185 (floats, wheels, skis), Cessna 210, Cessna 206 (wheels and floats).

LOON AIR Ivan Bourque T: (867) 872-2864 E: ivan.bourque@yahoo.ca Air charter service, fly-out fishing. Scenic tours of Wood Buffalo National Park. Hunting, exploration and prospecting camp support. Call for rates.

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FORT SMITH FORT SMITH MISSION HISTORIC PARK Guided tours are available May 15 to September 15, or enjoy a self-guided tour. The Park includes heritage buildings and interpretive signage describing some of the epic changes experienced by the people of the north and the northern landscape.

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FORT SMITH PADDLING CLUB

YAMOZHA KUE SOCIETY DENE CULTURAL INSTITUTE

T: (867) 872-2847 www.fskayak.webs.com Contact us for information about the Slave River Rapids and events happening on the Slave River. Find a paddling partner for a safe trip from flat water to grade V and VI. Clinics for adults and youth.

T: (867) 874-8480 E: info@deneculture.org www.deneculture.org Located in Hay River, this organization fosters understanding of history and traditions of the Dene through activities and publications. Informative visits can be arranged on request, especially for large groups. Open weekdays, 1pm to 4pm.

FORT SMITH VISITOR CENTRE T: (867) 872-3065 (winter) T: (867) 872-7960 (summer) E: fortsmithinfo@northwestel.net www.fortsmith.ca Open year-round. Offers information on Fort Smith and Wood Buffalo National Park.

NORTHERN LIFE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTRE T: (867) 872-2859 E: nimmanager@nlmcc.ca www.fortsmith.ca This Fort Smith museum houses collections describing the human and natural history of the area. Displays include the story of the recovery of the whooping crane, buffalo, and historical displays of regional history. The Aboriginal Cultural Centre provides visitors with insight into traditional lifestyles.

NWT KAYAK ASSOCIATION T: (867) 669-8329 E: nwtkayakassociation@gmail.com www.nwtkayak.com Here at the NWT Kayak Association learn about our paddling clubs and events around the NWT. If you have any questions or stories, photos, videos, anything to share feel free to email us.

WOOD BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK T: (867) 872-7960 F: (867) 872-3910 E: wbnp.info@pc.gc.ca www.pc.gc.ca/woodbuffalo The park is open year round and accessible by an all-weather road from Fort Smith. Visitor information for Wood Buffalo National Park and Fort Smith area. Explore the wild splendour of the northern boreal plains, walk barefoot on the salt plains or Grosbeak salt flats at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, swim in the warm waters of Pine Lake, watch bison roam free. Camping: Pine Lake Campground and Kettle Point Group Camp. Tours and events throughout the year.

HAY RIVER HAY RIVER HERITAGE CENTRE T: (867) 874-3872 Open daily, June to September, 1pm to 5pm. Unique displays related to the region, including fossils, wildlife, apparel, historical fishing gear, trapping, mission story and story of the 1963 Hay River flood. Seasonal displays of art and crafts.

HAY RIVER VISITOR CENTRE T: (867) 874-6522 (winter) T: (867) 874-3180 (summer) E: tourism@northwestel.net www.hayriver.com The Visitor Centre is on the Mackenzie Highway as you enter downtown. Open daily in the summer from 9 am to 9 pm. In the winter, visit Town Hall for tourism information.

DINING FORT PROVIDENCE SNOWSHOE INN Linda Croft T: (867) 699-3511 F: (867) 699-4300 Try our Signature Snowshoe Burger, or Buffalo Burger. Extensive menu. Visit our Gift Shop featuring an excellent selection of Dene arts and crafts; located adjacent to the Cafe - open on request.

FORT SMITH ANNA’S HOME COOKING 338 Calder Ave T: (867) 872-2582 Take-out or eat-in healthy homemade cooking.

BERROS PIZZERIA 195 McDougal Road T: (867) 872-3332 Eat in or take out pizza.

THE PELICAN BOARDROOM RESTAURANT T: (867) 872-2729 Chinese and western cuisine.

HAY RIVER BACK EDDYS LOUNGE RESTAURANT T: (867) 874-6680 Look for Back Eddy’s Signature Steak Spice in Hay River stores! Closed Sundays.

DRIFTWOOD DINER T: (867) 874-2468

THE BOARD ROOM T: (867) 874-2111 F: (867) 874-3198 Family-style Chinese restaurant.

THE KEYS DINING ROOM AND DOG HOUSE SPORTS BAR TF: (800) 661-0842 T: (867) 874-6781 F: (867) 874-3392 www.ptarmiganinn.com Located in the Ptarmigan Inn. Serving fantastic meals as well as local Great Slave Lake Whitefish. Open from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm. Don’t miss the Dog House Sports Bar – it’s good to be in the dog house!

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EQUIPMENT RENTALS

of Fort Providence are also offered, and Steven provides step-on tour guide service.

HAY RIVER

FORT RESOLUTION

CANOE NORTH Doug Swallow TF: (888) 397-0886 T: (867) 874-6337 F: (867) 874-3866 E: info@canoenorth.ca www.canoenorth.ca Serving the area south of Great Slave Lake. Equipment and assistance in setting up trips on the Mackenzie River, Hay River, and in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. Logistics assistance for paddling trips in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake (Simpson Islands and other destinations).

OPERATORS AND ACTIVITIES FORT PROVIDENCE

AURORA NIGHTS LODGE Eric Beck T: (867) 394-4001 T: (867) 394-4622 E: Auroranights@airware.ca www.Auroranights.ca 4- and 7-day packages on the Taltson River to view the Aurora. Drive out by snowmobile from Fort Resolution, or fly from Fort Smith. Stay in a heated tent frame, and drive our traditional trails with a working dog team. Try ice fishing and snowshoeing. Learn to look after your dog team, and enjoy traditional winter camping, February 1 to April 15. Prices depend on travel methods. From June 1 to October 7, fly in to the Taltson River to fish for Northern Pike, Trout, Pickerel, Whitefish. Tent frames accommodate 12. 7-day package or create your own trip.

TALTSON BAY BIG PIKE LODGE

VANDELL VENTURES LTD. Steven Vandell T: (867) 699-3511 E: steven.vandell@gmail.com Day trips by boat, fishing, canoeing rivers and cultural tours in the Fort Providence area, including the Mackenzie River, Mills Lake, Beaver Lake and the western shore of Great Slave Lake. Custom packages from a few hours to a full day. Shore lunches can be provided. Stay overnight at the Snowshoe Inn in Fort Providence. Community and cultural tours

Don Balsillie T: (780) 975-9304 F: (780) 637-3498 E: donwbalsillie@hotmail.com www.taltsonbaypike.com The best Northern Pike fishing in the world is found right here just waiting for you to enjoy. Come fish and explore this isolated area of wilderness and beauty. Here you will find huge Northern Pike, as well as Walleye, in the shallows of this beautiful river delta.

FORT SMITH ALCANTARA OUTFITTING LTD. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

CANADA

Trophy Lake Trout Trophy Northern Pike Trophy Arctic Grayling Fly in only Catch and release since 1975

WORLD CLASS ACCOMMODATION

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Charles Bourque T: (867) 872-3701 F: (867) 872-2514 E: alcantara@northwestel.net Fly-in fishing – Trout, Northern Pike and Whitefish, June 10 to Sept. 30. Cabins and tent frames on Sparks Lake, NE of Fort Smith. Accommodates 16. You bring tackle, food, personal gear; we supply cabins, boats, camp attendant/ guide, satellite phone. Enjoy canoeing, hiking, bird watching. Reservations requested.

CANADIAN WILD Robert Foreman T: (905) 856-1400 F: (905) 856-6481 E: bobf@norlake.net www.canadian-wild.com Outstanding fly-in fishing for Northern Pike (to 34 lbs) and Lake Trout (to 46 lbs). Approx. 75 minutes NE of Fort Smith on Lady Grey and Thekulthili Lakes. Guides, boats, motors. New cabins sleep 8, include shower, stove, fridges, freezers. Spring fishing starts mid-June, fall fishing, end of August to mid-September. Meals, guides, boats, shore lunches. Bird watching for bald, golden eagles. Historical sites. Three months advance booking.

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CANOE ARCTIC INC. Alex Hall T: (867) 872-2308 E: alex@canoearctic.com www.canoearctic.com Fly-in canoe trips in the heart of the Barrenlands on the most remote wild rivers left on earth. All trips guided by Alex Hall, wolf biologist and the Canadian Arctic’s first and most experienced canoeing guide. Our focus is the Thelon River Basin, herds of caribou and muskoxen, white tundra wolves, grizzlies and birds. 8 to 13 day trips in June, July and August. Ask for our free 40-page colour brochure.

KASBA LAKE LODGE Douglas Hill T: (250) 248-3572 F: (250) 248-4576 E: info@kasba.com www.kasba.com Take a moment to imagine your dream-come-true fishing vacation and what it would include: crystal-clear waters swarming with recordbreaking trophy fish; a friendly, welcoming staff waiting for you at a renowned Canadian fishing lodge; magnificent scenery wherever you look; gourmet meals each and every day. You’ll find all this and more at Kasba Lake Lodge, located in the Northwest Territories, close to the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border.

LYNX TUNDRA LODGE Daniel Glen Wettlaufer T: (867) 872-5272 E: lynx@andrewlakelodge.com www.lynxtundralodge.com Lynx Lake offers an incredible backdrop for those seeking a special remote wilderness experience. Fully guided and self-guided adventures await. Inclusive packages from Fort Smith or Yellowknife. Barrenlands trophy fishing for the serious sportsman. Lynx Lake is 260 air miles east of Yellowknife. Lynx Tundra is your destination for trophy class Lake Trout (to 54 lb), Arctic Grayling, and Northern Pike. June 22 to October 10. Boats, motors supplied. Capacity: 24 in lodge and cabins. Wildlife viewing for muskox, caribou, wolf. English, French, Japanese spoken.

MORAINE POINT LODGE AND WILDERNESS RETREAT Mary O’Brien Carpenter T: (867) 873-3528 E: maryobrien@theedge.ca Located on the west shore of Great Slave Lake in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, this is the ideal place for wildlife viewing. Depending on the season, bird-watchers will see ravens, bald eagles, geese, rare trumpeter swans, ducks and grouse. We also have ptarmigan, gray jay, boreal chickadee and woodpeckers in mid-winter. Mammals include boreal bison, moose, woodland caribou, timber wolves, fox, martin, wolverine, squirrels, snowshoe hare and lynx. Now open year-round with customized itineraries, all-inclusive pricing. Individuals and conference groups. We do not mix unrelated groups.

NORTH OF 60 CAMPS LTD. Ray Zitzloff T: (763) 745-7888 F: (763) 745-7979 E: Dkbelling@aol.com www.northofsixty.com American Plan and fly-out service from main lodge to nine mini-lodges, with private cabins, screened porches, chef cooked meals, hot showers, inside flush toilets, maid service and cook/camp manager. Trophy Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike; catch and release. Guides available. 6,000 ft. airstrip for a 50 passenger charter aircraft. 5 or

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9-day trip or 7 days from Winnipeg and Minneapolis. Mid-June to midJuly. We preserve our fishery.

NORTH STAR RESORT Wayne Starling T: (306) 493-3077 E: wayneandsusan@sasktel.net www.northstarresortnwt.com North Star Resort has tremendous trophy fishing for Lake Trout and Northern Pike. The camp sits on a beautiful sand beach in a pine forest setting located on a pristine lake in the Northwest Territories. Stay in comfortable modern facilities. We accommodate 12 guests in 2 light housekeeping cabins. Guests provide food and tackle. We provide boats with 15hp, 4-stroke motors.

ROCKY BAY FISHING LODGE Terry Rae Webb T: (780) 830-7353 F: (780) 402-7008 E: abfilter@telus.net Rocky Bay Fishing Lodge is located 117 miles north of Ft. Smith, North West Territories, Canada on Rutledge Lake. Contact for more information.

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

SCOTT LAKE LODGE Tom Klein T: (715) 362-7031 F: (715) 362-7069 E: info@scottlakelodge.com www.scottlakelodge.com One of the finest Pike and Lake Trout waters in North America, on the 60th Parallel. Enjoy luxurious private cabins and fully appointed lodge, guided fishing by experienced Canadian professionals. Hot tub, sauna, massage, game room. Hike scenic trails, explore the many small islands in a kayak or canoe, or fly north to view the summer caribou herds. June to September.

SELWYN LAKE LODGE Gregory Sproat TF: (800) 667-9556 T: (306) 933-9453 F: (306) 933-9454 E: info@adventuredestinations.ca www.adventuredestinations.ca A premiere freshwater trophy fishing lodge. Enjoy catch and release trophy Lake Trout, consistently in the 20 to 30 lb range, and Northern Pike in the 30 to 50 inch range. Also fish several Arctic Grayling rivers and streams on our lake. Guides, full service. Leather sofas, games area, lounge, tackle and gift shop. Hiking, bird watching. June 15 to Sept 15. 4- and 8-day packages. Book in advance.

TAIGA TOUR COMPANY Clayton Burke T: (867) 872-2060 F: (867) 872-2401 E: taigatour@northwestel.net www.taigatour.com We will plan your adventure into Wood Buffalo National Park. Adventure tour packages, 3 to 10 days, personalized to suit your needs. Aurora tours, snowmobile tours. Sightseeing, hiking, boating, bird watching. Camera safaris. Eco-fishing and fly-fishing in lakes and streams at Largepike Lake Camp and Spotted Eagle Lodge.

TALTSON LAKE LODGE Carleton Kennedy TF: (888) 649-5566 T: (780) 649-0909 F: (780) 649-3694 E: taltsonlakelodge@gmail.com www.taltsonlakelodge.ca Virgin waters with only 10 anglers per week. Exclusive fly-in wilderness location with 73 miles of water to fish. Taltson Lake teems with aggressive Lake Trout up to 48 lbs and ravenous Northern Pike up to 32 lbs. Our new walk-in lake is over 20 miles long and we want to take you with us to explore its un-fished waters for trophy Northern Pike. Comfortable 16ft Lund boats with 40 to 60hp motors. Professional guides to keep you on the fish. Tackle is provided and includes rods, reels and lures. All meals and floatplane flights from Yellowknife are included in our package.

THUBUN LAKES LODGE Art Stirrett T: (780) 402-1484 F: (780) 402-2706 E: astirrett@thubunlakes.ca www.thubunlakes.ca Cold, clear and teeming with record breakers, legendary northern waters offer some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most spectacular sport fishing. Our renowned fishing lodge provides the forum for action-packed adventures on unspoiled lakes. Thubun is accessible only by plane, and has a short fishing season (June to September). Less than 80 people will fish these lakes each year. With such low fishing pressures, Thubun Lakes is known for consistently producing large fish, in large volumes, the type of sport fishing most people can only dream about.

WIGNES LAKE LODGE Robert Johnson T: (306) 445-4352 E: dunworkin@sasktel.net Located 15 miles north of the 60th parallel. Two beautiful cabins nestled in a quiet, protected bay each with its own kitchen, screened porch, large sitting area, and full bathrooms with plenty of hot water. Call for more information.

HAY RIVER 2 SEASONS ADVENTURES Spencer Pike T: (867) 446-1178 E: spencer_pike@hotmail.com Hay River adventure experts. See Hay River like you have never seen it before. Also fishing tours to Brabant Island, in the mouth of the Mackenzie River.

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Ellen Pollard T: (867) 874-2600 F: (867) 874-2622 E: ellen@brabantlodge.com www.brabantlodge.com Brabant Lodge is a full service sport fishing lodge that offers world class Northern Pike fishing. We are located on the Mackenzie River, west of Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada. With over 30 years of experience, Brabant Lodge is one of the most professional resorts in northern Canada. Pike are our main attraction providing lots of action as well as large size. In addition to trophy Northern Pike, our guests also catch Walleye, Arctic Grayling and Whitefish.

CANOE NORTH

Doug Swallow TF: (888) 397-0886 F: (800) 661-0886 E: info@canoenorth.ca www.canoenorth.ca Serving the area south of Great Slave Lake. Equipment and assistance in setting up trips on the Mackenzie River, Hay River, and in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. Logistics assistance for paddling trips in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake (Simpson Islands and other destinations). Custom quotes.

CULTURAL DESIGNS Doug Lamalice T: (867) 874-6037 E: cultural.designs@yahoo.ca Doug Lamalice offers cultural tours and activities on the Hay River Reserve, K’atlodeeche, and community tours of Hay River and region. Doug is an experienced step-on guide for bus tours, and can offer boat tours on the Hay River and Great Slave Lake as well. Sightseeing tours are offered from Hay River to Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park. This tour includes an interpretive trail walk from Alexandra to Louise Falls. Doug explains the significance of the waterfalls and portage around the gorge from a First Nations perspective.

DBECK KENNELS Daniel Beck T: (867) 874-6457 E: daniel@northwestel.net Dog team tours with experienced musher and kennel owner along traditional trails near Hay River. Traditional teaching available as well. Trips accommodate up to 5 persons. November to the end of March. Call for details.

GREAT SLAVE LAKE TOURS Shawn Buckley T: (867) 874-3617 F: (867) 874-3617 E: shawnbuckley@northwestel.net Summer and winter trips on Great Slave Lake. Boat or Bombardier tours on Great Slave Lake. Experience the natural wonders of Great Slave Lake, see the commercial fishery, sport fishing or view the Aurora in the fall and winter. Half day to a week. Sightseeing, photography, naturalist.

MOUNTAIN AVEN ENTERPRISES Faye Eliason T: (867) 875-7065 Year-round campground with heated and furnished cabins, tipi and tent frames for rent. Large gazebo for special functions. Good fishing, bird watching, Aurora viewing. Awesome beach with driftwood. Visitor information available all year.

NONACHO LAKE FISHING CAMP T: (867) 874-2281 F: (867) 874-2282 E: info@nonacho.com www.nonacho.com Experience some of the best fishing in the world, on spectacular Nonacho Lake, 8th largest lake in the NWT. An abundance of Lake Trout, Northern Pike and jumbo Whitefish. Self-contained cabins situated on a beautiful sandy beach. Cabins are equipped with electricity, fridge, stove, cooking utensils, bedding, etc. Groceries and fishing tackle available in store. Rate per person include return air transportation from Yellowknife, boats and motors (16’ Lund with 25 hp Honda motor), fuel, showers, freezers, ice. Guests supply groceries and fishing tackle.

THE BUCKET LIST TOUR Tracy Therrien T: (867) 875-7656 E: tracytherrien@northwestel.net www.bucketlisttour.com The Bucket List Tour offers a nine day eight night all-inclusive guided luxury coach tour. Your tour begins in the bustling capital city of Yellowknife. From Yellowknife you will fly the famous Ice Pilots DC3 plane to Hay River where we will join the coach. We will travel to Wood Buffalo National Park, travel the stunning waterfall route and make our way to Nahanni National Park.

SHOPPING ENTERPRISE WINNIE’S DENE ART GALLERY AND GIFT SHOP Winnie Cadieux TF: (877) 267-9196 T: (867) 984-3211 F: (867) 984-3707 E: winniesdeneartgallery@yahoo.ca www.winniesdeneartgallery.com We specialize in high quality, hand made Dene arts and fine crafts. We have one of the finest selections in the North. Moosehide footwear, gloves and bags, moose and caribou hair tuftings, birchbark baskets, original paintings, carvings and more. The Aboriginal people of the North have developed unique products that blend artistic designs with natural materials for both practical and aesthetic appeal. We take pride in supporting a sustainable economy. Stop in at our cafe for a meal on your way north.

FORT PROVIDENCE

PARADISE GARDEN AND CAMPGROUND

DENE FUR CLOUDS LTD.

Sharon Pekok T: (867) 875-4430 F: (867) 875-4422 E: youth_cjcord@katlodeeche.com Private campground in a valley south of Hay River. 15 sites, six with electricity, washrooms, shelter. Vegetables and berries for sale in season.

Judy Magrum T: (867) 699-4922 F: (867) 699-3025 E: denefur@ssimicro.com www.ek-o.net Local artisans producing a line of knit fur accessories (hats, mitts, scarves, headbands, sweaters) made from sheared beaver yarn. We have a small retail outlet in our production facility in Fort Providence. You may also view our products on our web site.

GEORGE FISCHER

BRABANT LODGE LTD.

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SNOWSHOE ARTS AND CRAFTS Memoree Philipp T: (867) 699-3511 F: (867) 699-4300 E: snowshoe@ssimicro.com The Snowshoe Cafe and Arts and Crafts Store are located directly across the street from the Snowshoe Inn. Have a bite to eat and then browse the craft shop where you will find quality tuftings, quillwork, prints and a variety of other works by area artists.

FORT SMITH THE RUSTY RAVEN GALLERY & GIFT T: (867) 872-2606 F: (867) 872-4802 E: laurie@rustyraven.ca Books, art, crafts, giftware and custom framing. Specialty coffee café as well. Open 10am to 5:30pm, Monday to Saturday.

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

florist services. Open 7 days a week. Summer: Mon to Sat 8am to 8pm, Sun 12 to 5pm.

NORTHERN LIFE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTRE T: (867) 872-2859 A selection of gifts and mementos from the Fort Smith area.

VEHICLE RENTALS AND SERVICES FORT SMITH

HAY RIVER

VISA RENTALS, LEASING AND SALES

GOLD N GIFT AND THE DIAMOND WILLOW CAFÉ T: (867) 874-3332 F: (867) 874-3337 Come shop for fine jewelry (Canadian diamonds), arts and crafts, souvenirs, gifts and more! Café on site to enjoy a specialty coffee. Hours, Mon to Sat 10am to 6pm. Around the corner from Home Hardware.

THE WOODSHED GIFT AND GARDEN CENTRE T: (867) 874-4581 F: (867) 874-4910 E: woodshed@woodshed.ca www.woodshed.ca Traditional and contemporary locally made arts and crafts, books, music. Garden cafe, home decor, giftware, furniture, garden centre and

342 Calder Avenue T: (867) 872-5121 F: (867) 872-3929 Light-duty pickup truck rentals.

HAY RIVER BUDGET CAR AND TRUCK RENTAL TF: (800) 661-0716 T: (867) 874-7777 www.budget.com Low everyday rates, weekend specials, short and long term rentals. Economy cars to sport utilities, 4x4 trucks and fleet cab. Vehicle availability and services may vary by location. In Hay River two locations; Hay River airport and Kingland Ford.

WHAT’S GOING ON FORT PROVIDENCE MACKENZIE DAZE August (long weekend)

HAY RIVER POLAR POND HOCKEY TOURNAMENT Late March

www.fortprovidence.lgant.ca This end-of-summer celebration in Fort Providence (a day’s drive from Yellowknife) on the upper Mackenzie River, hosts the ever-popular Dene handgames tourney, canoe races, adult and youth talent shows and a themed parade.

www.polarpondhockey.com Definitely not your average neighbourhood shinny game, Hay River’s ultimate pond hockey tournament features 10 outdoor rinks, 60 teams, live music, fireworks and beer gardens at the Fisherman’s Wharf along the frozen Hay River.

FORT SMITH SLAVE RIVER PADDLEFEST Early August

KOLE CROOK FIDDLING CAMP Early July

www.fskayak.webs.com Held in Fort Smith for the past 6 years, this is the territory’s foremost paddling event on the frothy Slave River. Featuring clinics and races for all skill levels. Spectators and paddling novices can enjoy riverside day hikes, a community feast and a chance to cruise the whitewater from the comfort of a raft.

ANNUAL COMMISSIONER’S CUP RACE August (long weekend) www.sail.ssimicro.com In its 31st year, this is one of the longest freshwater races in North America. Starting Friday afternoon, racers sail in four legs from Yellowknife to Hay River and back – more than 200 nautical miles.

JASON VAN BRUGGEN/CTC

SOUTH SLAVE FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL Mid August www.fortsmith.ca This 4-day music fest in Fort Smith is a regional favourite. Local and visiting acts pack every venue in town.

www.fiddlingnwt.com Held in honour of a young NWT fiddler, this music fest is a regional favourite featuring workshops and evening performances for the public. Held in Hay River, or the nearby K’atl’odeeche Reserve. Admission is by donation.

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TERRY PARKER

Wood Buffalo National Park offers karst landscapes, salt plains and one of the largest freshwater deltas in the world.

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES R EG I O N S O F T H ETOURISM N O R T H W EST T E R R I TO R I ES

NORTH SLAVE

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North Slave Encompassing a vast stretch of land between the territory’s two biggest lakes, the North Slave Region covers both boreal and tundra terrain, and is home to seven Dene communities. Stretching more than 400 kilometres (250 miles) east to west along the northern shores of Great Slave Lake and reaching up into the Barrenlands as far north as Great Bear Lake, the North Slave is carved by glaciers, where thousands of lakes dot the landscape and coniferous trees give way to tundra. Vast and picturesque, this land is a rich and bountiful resource for Aboriginal harvesters and artisans whose centuries-old traditions and cultures are rooted here.

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THE COLD, BOLD COPPERMINE RIVER GEORGE FISCHER / NWT TOURISM

PETERSON’S POINT LAKE LODGE

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Named for its shoreline copper deposits, this is one of the territory’s best-known tundra rivers, where paddlers come for a remote and wild ride. Begin at the headwaters at Lac de Gras, near the diamond mines, and paddle your way nearly 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) north, crossing the Nunavut border toward the Arctic Ocean. The wide-open tundra is ideal for seeing muskox.

ITI/ GNWT

TRADITIONAL CRAFTS AND CLOTHING

Women of the North Slave are known for fashioning exquisite moose and caribou hide clothing and crafts, available in most communities here. These are the real deal, incorporating beaver fur trim, intricate floral beadwork and smoked hides that will keep their campfire scent forever.

MACKAY LAKE STEVE SCHWARZ

The largest North Slave community outside Yellowknife and the fifth biggest in the territory. Road accessible off Highway 3, just an hour’s drive north of Yellowknife. Overnight accommodations are available.

“Burnt point” Pop: 210

Once a seasonal fishing camp, Detah is a Yellowknives Dene settlement on the east side of Yellowknife Bay. Detah is accessible via a 27-kilometre (17-mile) road off the Ingraham Trail, or by a 6-kilometre (4-mile) ice road from January to March across the bay from Old Town. No services.

GAMÈTÌ

Mountains are nice and all, but there is something breathtaking about the simplicity and sheer vastness of the Barrenlands, which can make you feel like you’re the only person in the world. Here, the sky and land unfold uninterrupted seemingly forever, and you can spot wildlife miles away. Whether you’re hiking or paddling, visit in summer when the rocky land gives way to tenacious wildflowers or in early autumn when the ground glows crimson.

TRADITION REIGNS HERE

Choose a fishing or hunting trip in one of the North Slave’s Dene communities for a truly traditional, time-honoured experience. The Tlicho (formerly Dogrib) are a self-governing people and their communities are at once steeped in the traditional economy and modern, entrepreneurial pursuits in mining and transportation. The region is also home to another Dene tribe, the Yellowknives Dene, who reside in Detah and Ndilo. Both tiny communities are a short drive from Yellowknife. Despite their proximity to the big city, residents there still hunt, trap and fish, and some host educational events about Dene culture.

NORTH ARM

“Game’s place” Pop: 253

A traditional Tlicho community situated along the lake system connecting Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes. Overnight at the small hotel. Access by air or winter road.

LUTSELK’E

“Place of a small fish” Pop: 295

This is the closest settlement to Great Slave Lake’s scenic East Arm. Air access only. Contact local lodges and outfitters for accommodations.

NDILO Pop: 200

This is a tiny settlement located on the northern tip of Latham Island, a stone’s throw from Yellowknife’s Old Town. Good views of Yellowknife and Back Bay. No services.

WEKWEÈTÌ

Great Slave Lake’s East Arm seems to get all the hype, but the North Arm is just as ecologically rich. It’s the home of woodland caribou and the rarely sighted wolverine. The arm and its islands have been nationally designated as an important area for migrating birds. There’s also incredible fishing here, and several camps and lodges are a short float-plane ride from Yellowknife.

“Rock lakes” Pop: 141

Set on the Snare River near the treeline, Wekweètì has one small hotel and offers local outfitting services. Air or winter road access.

WHATÌ

“Marten Lake” Pop: 492

Situated on the shore of Lac la Martre, known for fishing and birdwatching. Boat tours and B&B accommodations available. Access by air or winter road.

YELLOWKNIFE “Money place” Pop: 19,234 J.F. BERGERON

ENODAH /NWTT

“Big knife” Pop: 1,926

DETAH

THE BARRENLANDS —HARDLY BARREN

STEVE SCHWARZ

BEHCHOKÒ 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

The capital of the Northwest Territories, a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that boasts all urban amenities and services. Direct flights from Edmonton daily.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

WHATI

BEHCHOKO

LAKEVIEW BED AND BREAKFAST

WINTERHAWK BED AND BREAKFAST James Wah-shee T: (867) 371-4007 E: winterhawk@northwestel.net Bed and breakfast accommodations in Behchoko.

GAMETI

Alex & Millie Nitsiza T: (867) 573-3017 F: (867) 573-3705 E: amnsr@ssimicro.com New bed and breakfast, capacity: 4 singles and 3 doubles. Shared bath, satellite TV, self-serve breakfast, airport pickup. Groceries, confectionery. Year round.

AIR TRANSPORTATION

GAMETI MOTEL T: (867) 977-3202 F: (867) 997-3099 8 spacious rooms. Private bath, TV, VCR, coffee shop, laundry. From $212. Enquire for special tourist rates, day trips and packages. Full satellite service in all rooms, home cooked full service meals.

WEKWEETI SNARE LAKE LODGE T: (867) 713-2700 F: (867) 713-2045 www.tlicho.ca/communities/wekweeti Comfortable lodge with stunning view, overlooking Snare Lake. Capacity 10, in 5 rooms, laundry, Internet access. Satellite TV, phone rooms.

AIR TINDI Travis Arychuk T: (867) 669-8200 E: charters@airtindi.com www.airtindi.com Scheduled and charter flights across the North and southern Canada with 25 aircraft seating 1 to 46 passengers, equipped with wheels, floats, skis and tundra tires. Specialists in the North serving canoeists, hunting and fishing clients, government and local communities, scenic tours and groups. Scenic floatplane tours for 3 to 17 passengers: Yellowknife Area – 30 minutes. Great Slave Lake East Arm – 4 hours. Nahanni Scenic Air – full day trip includes lunch and dinner. All tours start at our floatbase in Old Town Yellowknife. Daily scheduled flights connecting Fort Simpson, Lutselk’e, Wekweeti, Whati, Gameti and Yellowknife.

ATTRACTIONS AND TOURISM INFORMATION THAIDENE NENE NATIONAL PARK RESERVE T: (867) 766-8460 E: judi.cozzetto@pc.gc.ca This proposed park covers 33,000 square kilometres on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, famous for its world class fishing and endless sheer cliffs that seem cut from primeval times. The rugged landscape is home to barrenground caribou, muskox, black bear and moose. The deep, clean waters with their protective inlets attract kayakers and canoeists, while hikers flock to Pike’s Portage, a 50-kilometre trail spanning the transition from boreal forest to wide-open tundra.

OPERATORS AND ACTIVITIES BEHCHOKO SAH NAJI KWE LODGE Moise and Joyce Rabesca T: (867) 371-3144 F: (867) 371-3155 E: jrabesca@netkaster.ca www.rabescasresources.com Natural setting along the North Arm of Great Slave Lake, accessible by road. Located near Frank Channel. Training sessions, workshops. Healing, stress reduction, cross-cultural programs. Groups, individuals.

DETAH B. DENE ADVENTURES Bobby Drygeese T: (867) 873-6030 E: bjdrygeese@hotmail.com www.bdene.com B. Dene Adventures provides scenic tours of the area, culture camps and history of the first people of the North through the Dene way of life by Dene people, Dene cultural teachings, history workshops, Dene (Aboriginal) awareness seminars, on-the-land travel classes and campfire talks. Also event planning and outdoor adventure. Individuals or groups.

YELLOWKNIFE ADVENTURE NORTHWEST Boyd Warner T: (867) 920-4330 F: (867) 920-4263 E: info@bathurstinlet.com www.adventurenw.com With more than 30 years in the North and operating under the Bathurst Group of Companies, Adventure Northwest operates year-round and can provide the hunt you are looking for.

AQUILON POWER KITE Stephane Sevigny T: (867) 766-4804 E: info@aquilonpowerkite.com Power kite on frozen Great Slave Lake. Zoom across the lake on alpine skis or snowboard, pulled by the wind. Personalized lessons, adapted to the needs of each client, taught by a professional, experienced instructor. Learn about wind, launching and depowering, and various security measures. Lessons include use of kites of various dimensions, harness, helmet, and ice screws. Our instructors also use snowmobiles to assist during the lessons. It normally takes between 3 to 6 hours to learn to fly the kite. You can also learn to fly power kites in summer. French and English speaking.

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ARCTIC SAFARIS Barry Taylor T: (867) 873-3212 F: (867) 873-9008 E: barryt@arcticsafaris.ca Located at Obstruction Rapids in the central Berrenlands north of Yellowknife, and in camps on the Coppermine River system. Berrenlands wildlife photography including migrating caribou. Fishing. August to October. All inclusive, from Yellowknife. Permanent buildings and dining room, accommodates 30.

AURORA CARIBOU CAMP Greg Robertson T: (867) 873-4818 F: (867) 873-2901 E: auroracaribou@ssimicro.com

AURORA VILLAGE SPORT FISHING Don Morin T: (867) 669-0006 F: (867) 669-0106 E: hnagatani@auroravillage.com www.auroravillage.com Nightly Aurora-viewing tour to our unique site November 20 to April 10. Heated teepees and lantern-lit paths for an intimate Northern Lights experience. 360 degree hilltop or lake views. Hot beverage and snack provided. Approx. 4.5 hours. Options: a dog team ride under the stars, making dreamcatchers, or heated 2-person recliners for cozy viewing. Day packages offer snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog team rides or drive your own dog team. Package includes one activity, hot drinks, and tubing on our giant slide. Transportation provided from Yellowknife hotels. Premium winter clothing rentals.

dog sled ride is a guided tour on an 8 km route. Includes coffee and warm clothing. We offer our adventures in English, French, and Japanese. Dog sled on wheels! August 1 to October 31. Off season dog team rides on wheels. Learn how these world class athletes are trained for their upcoming racing season.

BLACHFORD LAKE LODGE Mike Freeland T: (867) 873-3303 F: (867) 920-4013 E: info@blachfordlakelodge.com www.blachfordlakelodge.com Wilderness fly-in lodge 20 min. from Yellowknife. Experience the spectacular Northern Lights August to early October, January to late April. Relax in our hot tub and see the Aurora dancing across the night sky. Try dogsledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or ice fishing. In summer, our “Follow in the Footsteps of the Royals” package includes hiking, paddling, fishing. Our award-winning eco-lodge features solar power, composting toilets, organic garden and greenhouses. All-inclusive prices. Special interest weekends, exclusive use for weddings, honeymoons, conferences.

BLUEFISH SERVICES Greg Robertson T: (867) 873-4818 F: (867) 873-2901 E: bluefishservices@ssimicro.com

www.bluefishservices.ca Guided fishing trips on Great Slave Lake for Pike, Grayling and Lake Trout. June to September. Packages for Lake Trout on the East Arm of Great Slave. Try our very popular 4-hour “catch-your-own” fantastic fish fry. Take a boat tour and get a different perspective on Yellowknife from the water. View bald eagles and historical sites or enjoy a fish dinner on the shore. Try ice fishing on Great Slave in the comfort of our unique SnoBear or experience the thrill of flying a power kite.

ENODAH WILDERNESS TRAVEL AND TROUT ROCK LODGE Ragnar Wesstrom T: (867) 873-4334 F: (867) 873-3825 E: info@enodah.com www.enodah.com Trout Rock Lodge is located on an Island in the North Arm of Great Slave Lake. There is no road access to the lodge. Transfer from Yellowknife in summer by floatplane and winter by Hagglund BV206 military track machine or snowmobile. Trout Rock Lodge offers licensed lounge, Internet, meeting / conference facilities, wood stove operated hot tub, indoor plumbing in summer, and operates year-round. Trout Rock offers the best Trophy Pike fishing in the world and is perfectly located and designed to view the spectacular, breath taking Aurora Borealis.

frontier fishing Lodge

On the East Arm of Great Slave Lake near Lutsel K’e.

AYLMER LAKE LODGE Kevin McNeil T: (780) 324-2080 E: kept@serbernet.com Aylmer Lake has been fished by few and is catch and release only (with the exception of shore lunches). This lodge, built in 1999, has only seen a handful of fishermen.

BATHURST ARCTIC SERVICES Boyd Warner T: (867) 873-2595 E: (867) 920-4263 E: info@bathurstinlet.com www.bathurstarctic.com Paddle our Arctic rivers! Canoe outfitting in the Central Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Burnside, Mara, Hood, Thelon, Back, Coppermine Rivers and more. One call does it all; we arrange air transport, rent canoes, kayaks, spray skirts, river reports/maps and other gear. June to October. We offer superb river knowledge to identify drop-off and pick-up locations. Incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. All trips custom priced.

BECK’S KENNELS Grant Beck T: (867) 873-5603 F: (867) 873-2593 E: gbeck@ssimicro.com www.beckskennels.com World class dogsled tours! Kennel owned and operated by World Champion dog racer, Grant Beck. Aurora by dogsled, traditional dogsled tours and learn to drive your own dog team experience. We also offer overnight dogs led adventures, November 1 to mid-May. The traditional

Accommodates 30 in lodge and cabins. Bathrooms c/w showers, sauna, meals, maid service, guides, 18’ boats and telephone. Trophy Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike and Whitefish. Open frOm June tO September. Write or call for a brochure

Box 32008, Edmonton, AB T6K 4C2 • Toll free: 1-877-465-6843 www.frontierfishinglodge.com • info@frontierfishinglodge.com NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

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FRONTIER FISHING LODGE Wayne Witherspoon TF: (877) 465-6843 T: (780) 465-6843 F: (780) 466-3874 E: info@frontierfishinglodge.com www.frontierfishinglodge.com All-inclusive fly-in fishing lodge located near the village of Lutsel K’e, where the Stark River meets the east arm of Great Slave Lake. Frontier Fishing Lodge is a modern facility with experienced guides, worldclass fishing for Lake Trout, Northern Pike, and Arctic Graying. From Yellowknife your all inclusive package begins with a chartered flight and transportation to the lodge, and provides lodge accommodations, all meals (including a daily shore lunch), housekeeping service and professional guiding, using our spacious 18’ boats.

GREAT SLAVE ADVENTURES Terry Wallis T: (867) 445-2226 F: (867) 766-2792 E: gsa@theedge.ca www.greatslavefishing.ca Specializing in outdoor adventures on Great Slave Lake during the summer and winter. Our services are fully equipped to ensure a safe and enjoyable day of fishing or daily fishing boat charters from Yellowknife. We offer an affordable opportunity for those visiting Yellowknife to fish

and explore Great Slave Lake. The owner has been fishing, hunting and travelling on Great Slave Lake for many years and has extensive experience in outfitting, guiding hunters, anglers and eco-tourists.

HEARNE LAKE LODGE

contract and charter bush flight services, including expedition support, flightseeing tours, and canoe trip drop off and pickup. We know this area – it is our back yard.

INDIAN MOUNTAIN LODGE

Ken Yoder TF: (866) 729-7453 T: (866) 729-7453 F: (866) 729-7453 E: hearne1@hearnelakelodge.com www.hearnelakelodge.com Remote fly-in fishing lodge, accessible in summer exclusively by floatplane and by ski plane and snowmobile in the winter. Open from June to mid September and January to April. Fish for Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling and Whitefish. Lake and river fishing from one lodge. We cater to both novice and hardcore fishers and can supply all the equipment if you wish. Wireless Internet and phone available.

HOARFROST RIVER HUSKIES LTD. T: (778) 330-0904 E: hfrost@netkaster.ca www.hoarfrostriverhuskies.com We are the Olesen family. We live and work from our base and home at Hoarfrost River on the tip of Great Slave Lake, 280 km northeast of Yellowknife. Our two bush planes – a 1-passenger Husky and a 4-passenger Bush Hawk – are operated year-round. We provide all

Don Briggs T: (403) 931-0012 F: (403) 931-0012 E: drbbjb@davincibb.net Fish for trophy Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling at our lodge located in East Arm, Great Slave Lake. Fly in from Yellowknife. 5 guest cabins with en suite. Enjoy wonderful meals and our lounge with panoramic views of secluded McLeod Bay. The boats are fully equipped. Tackle and guide provided, if required. We promote catch and release fishing. There are spectacular sights to see, wonderful hikes to take and beautiful northern flora and fauna to watch. The fishing is lake and stream fishing. You can fly-fish, troll or cast, minutes from the lodge.

LAC LA MARTRE ADVENTURES David Thompson T: (810) 334-9381 F: (810) 385-5407 E: sherrid@telus.net www.nwtfishing.com Sight fish for monster Northern Pike in the crystal clear waters of Lac La Martre. Great Lake Trout fishing all season long. No need for downriggers. Our experienced guides will make your trip one to remember. Many of our first time clients leave saying they caught the biggest fish of their life. Comfortable cabins and lodge.

MACKAY LAKE LODGE Gary Jaeb T: (867) 873-8533 E: gary@truenorthsafaris.com www.truenorthsafaris.com MacKay Lake Lodge is situated on a gravel esker mid-way along 160-kilometre Mackay Lake. In the heart of the Berrenlands, thousands of caribou pass by during the annual migration and there is some of the best fishing in the world. Giant Lake Trout, Arctic Graylingand Northern Pike can be caught under the midnight sun from the end of June until September when the Aurora dances in the night sky. Full service, all-inclusive from Yellowknife. Conference facilities, licensed for 24 persons. 3,500-foot gravel runway.

MY BACKYARD TOURS

MONSTER PIKE FISHING AT TROUT ROCK LODGE on the legendary Great Slave Lake

Fully guided cast or fly-fishing for trophy pike. Fly-in to the comfortable lodge with indoor plumbing, licensed lounge and wireless Internet. Fish from 18’ Jon Boats with 40hp outboards. June and July only.

Visit enodah.com to book your visit or call 1-867-873-4334 4568_NWTT_EG_Ads_Enodah.indd 1 88

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Amanda Peterson T: (867) 920-4654 F: (867) 920-4654 E: peterson@ssimicro.com www.mybackyardtours.com See Yellowknife through the eyes of people who came for two years and stayed a lifetime. Have fun learning about Yellowknife’s history, meet local artisans in their studios or hike to Cameron Falls on our expertly guided half or full day tours. Want to learn more? Our weeklong adventures in the Berrenlands will immerse you in the Northwest Territories authentic splendour while you witness the annual caribou migration on the Berrenlands. Day tours range from 2.5 to 4.5 hours in length. Custom packages are available as well as step-on guide services.

NAMUSHKA LODGE Elise Chorostkowski T: (867) 920-2495 F: (867) 873-6904

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E: namushka@yk.com www.namushkalodge.com Come to Namushka Lodge for your own private getaway. Fly in from Yellowknife to fish on Harding Lake, 32 air miles east of Yellowknife. Pontoon boat, 16’ Lunds, freezer, cooking facilities, showers, hot tub and horseshoe pit. Enjoy fishing for Lake Trout, Pike, Whitefish and walleye. Photography and bird watching (bald eagles, loons, grebes). Visit us in the spring for Aurora viewing and snowmobiling. No schedules to follow. You do everything at “your” pace. We accommodate groups of up to 14 and operate from June 15 to Sept 15.

NANOOK AURORA TOURS Yoshifumi Otsuka T: (867) 446-6800 E: nanook@aurora-guide.com www.aurora-guide.com Small group tours with an experienced Japanese guide.

NARWAL NORTHERN ADVENTURES LTD Cathy Allooloo T: (867) 873-6443 F: (867) 873-2741 E: outdoors@narwal.ca www.narwal.ca Licensed outfitter, Great Slave Lake and surrounding northern watershed. Canoe, kayak, and equipment rentals available. Helping paddlers enjoy safe and memorable northern adventures since 1981. Equipment rentals include sea and whitewater kayaks, ABS and inflatable canoes.

NORTH STAR ADVENTURES Joe Bailey T: (867) 446-2900 E: info@northstaradventures.ca www.northstaradventures.ca We offer city tours, buffalo viewing, Great Slave Lake boat tours, fishing tours, Aurora viewing, ice road tours, snowmobile tours, wildlife viewing, photography expeditions and Dene cultural experiences. As a 100% Aboriginal tour company, guests are given a truly, genuine northern Aboriginal experience! Visit our website for more information about our summer and winter getaway packages. So if you are in town for a few days or thinking about visiting us, give us a call or send us an email and let us show you the North!

PETERSON’S POINT LAKE LODGE Amanda Peterson T: (867) 920-4654 F: (867) 920-4654 E: peterson@ssimicro.com www.petersonspointlake.com It’s not just flying over 200 miles north of Yellowknife that captures your sense of adventure, it’s catching monster sized Lake Trout and witnessing the annual caribou migration. Each summer guests reel in 20-60lb Lake Trout to be released and caught again. Fly-in all-inclusive fishing and photography packages from Yellowknife. Comfortable lodge with dining area and lounge, shared guest cabins, hot shower/sauna and great meals complement a fantastic day fishing or photo shooting wildlife. Superb trips combined with camaraderie and personalized service will entice you to return annually.

PLUMMER’S GREAT SLAVE LAKE LODGE Chuck Coulter T: (204) 774-5775 F: (204) 783-2320

E: fish@plummerslodges.com www.plummerslodges.com Plummer’s Great Slave Lake Lodge has been one of North America’s favorite fishing destinations since its humble beginning back in 1938. Since then, generations of anglers have fished Taltheilei Narrows catching the world renowned giant Lake Trout that the lodge is famous for. With its own private airstrip, and the ability to house over 40 guests at a time, Plummer’s Great Slave Lake Lodge is perfect for corporate retreats, family getaways, or a place for new and old friends to gather and enjoy some of the finest fishing the North has to offer.

PROSPECTOR HERITAGE TOURS Gordon Piro T: (867) 766-2403 E: info@theprospector.net

SANDY POINT LODGE Duncan Cooke T: (867) 874-2303 F: (867) 874-3806 E: dcooke@arcan.nt.ca www.spl.yk.com Fly-in fishing on Gordon Lake, 100 km NE of Yellowknife. Lake Trout (to 56 lbs.). Capacity: 18 in cabins. Meals, showers, hot tub, fireplaces, kitchenettes, large lodge dining room. Boats/motors, satellite phone. Historical sites and old gold mine sites interpretive tours. June/July. Full-service. Advance booking only.

TUKTO LODGE Robert Huitikka TF: (800) 760-0924 T: (807) 484-2512 F: (807) 484-2282 E: info@arcticfishing.com www.arcticfishing.com Trophy “catch and release” fishing for Lake Trout (to 52 lbs), Arctic Grayling (to 4 lbs) on river rapids on Dubawnt Lake and Mosquito Lake. American Plan. Hiking, bird watching, canoeing, rafting. Six months advanced booking. Call or visit website for up to date rates and travel arrangements.

WARBURTON BAY LODGE Daniel Jaeb TF: (888) 359-9532 T: (867) 873-8533 E: info@truenorthsafaris.com www.truenorthsafaris.com Caribou migrations, peregrine falcon nests, cliff swallow colonies, possible arctic wolves, tundra grizzly bears and muskox are part of an adventure at Warburton Bay Lodge. Catch and release Lake Trout and Grayling fly-fishing. Join us for a spectacular arctic adventure at Warburton. Week-long packages from Yellowknife.

STRONG INTERPRETATION Rosanna Strong T: (867) 873-5546 F: (867) 873-5546 E: sinterp@ssimicro.com Walking on ancient rocks through the land of little sticks, watching migratory birds display in an open pond or taking a step through time to see Yellowknife’s beginnings – these are all options that Strong Interpretation can provide to you. Tours are custom built to your specification and led by a guide with over 25 years of experience in the boreal forest. Fun, entertaining, and informative, we are looking forward to showing off our home to you!

TROPHY LODGE Wallace Finlayson T: (867) 873-5420 F: (867) 920-4655 On the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. Capacity: 16 in 4 housekeeping cabins. Fishing for trophy Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling and Northern Pike. Everything included except food and fishing equipment. Conference facilities. Late June to September. $2800 + GST per week from Yellowknife.

TRUE NORTH SAFARIS Gary Jaeb TF: (888) 359-9532 T: (867) 873-8533 E: gary@truenorthsafaris.com www.truenorthsafaris.com True North Safaris has over 40 years of experience in providing authentic northern adventures –including hunting, fishing, wildlife and Aurora viewing. Our head office is in Yellowknife, and our professional staff will pick you up at your home or hotel and guide you on Great Slave Lake, to our Bear Camp on the Mackenzie highway, or one of our lodges in the Berrenlands. Travel the winter road with the ice road truckers, dodge wood bison on the Mackenzie Highway, travel by boat or fly in.

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WATTA LAKE LODGE Robin Wotherspoon T: (867) 873-5330 E: fishing@wattalake.nt.ca www.wattalake.com Comfortable lodge 20 minutes from Yellowknife. Package includes: return air charter, boats, motors, gas, accommodations, meals, linens, traditional shore lunches, guide support. Bring your own licence, fishing gear (barbless hooks), alcoholic beverages. Double occupancy for 12. Rustic main lodge offers dining and lounge, with woodstove, large deck. Lake trout (to 34 lb), Arctic Grayling (to 3 lb), Northern Pike (30 lb) and Whitefish. Scenic area. Conferences. Group rates available. 3 days/2 nights or 5 days/5 nights. Mid-June to mid-September.

YELLOW DOG LODGE

offer a variety of arctic excursion packages going to Yellowknife, Virginia Falls, Norman Wells, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. We rent 18 -and 20-foot aluminum powerboats and snowmobiles.

YELLOWKNIFE TOURS Angela Lee T: (867) 873-4600 F: (867) 669-7118 E: yellowknifetours@gmail.com www.yellowknifetours.com Aurora tours for the Chinese market. World class Aurora viewing in Yellowknife with the only guides offering services in Mandarin, Cantonese and English. Our Aurora package includes Aurora viewing, dogsled tour, snowmobile tour, ice fishing tour, city tour, accommodation and airport transfers.

WHAT’S GOING ON BEHCHOKO HAPPY DAZE

Late August www.tlicho.ca Just a 100-kilometre (62-mile) drive from Yellowknife, the community of Behchokò hosts its annual Happy Daze summer fest featuring talent shows, canoe races, Dene games, a community feast and more.

Gordon Gin T: (403) 668-9936 E: gord@yellowdoglodge.ca www.yellowdoglodge.ca This multi-activity fly-in fishing lodge is located only 15 minutes by floatplane northeast of Yellowknife between Duncan and Graham Lakes in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Northern Pike and Lake Trout make up the majority of the quarry, but there are also opportunities for Arctic Grayling and Whitefish. Canoeing, kayaking, boating, hiking and wildlife watching are also available. The Aurora Borealis fills the night sky and brings dramatic closure to the day’s fishing. Our hot tub is the best place to watch these spectacular light displays. Children 12 and under receive 50% discount.

YELLOWKNIFE GOLF CLUB T: (867) 873-4326 F: (867) 920-7487 www.yellowknifegolf.com Visitors are welcome at our 18-hole sand and artificial turf course. Full pro shop, carts, licenced clubhouse.

YELLOWKNIFE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

TERRY PARKER

Carlos Gonzalez T: (867) 444-8320 E: ykoutadv@yahoo.ca www.yellowknifeoutdooradventures.com From June 1 to October 10, we provide city tours, harbour tours, dinner cruises, half day/full day guided pike fishing trips on Great Slave Lake. Fall Aurora viewing August 15 to Sept 30, winter Aurora viewing December 15 to April 10, snowmobiling tours and dogsled tours. We

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YELLOWKNIFE 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

Yellowknife Whether you choose bush trails and boating or martinis and theatre, this lively, cosmopolitan city on the shore of Great Slave Lake is for wilderness lovers and urbanites alike. Built on gold mines and bush planes, Yellowknife is a vibrant city of 19,000 residents—local First Nations, lifetime transplants (the “came-for-two-years-stayed-for-20” types) and the young folk who land here for opportunity and adventure. Yellowknife is the territory’s political and administrative centre but we have a wild side, too. This is rock and lake country, where you’re never more than 10 minutes from wilderness, but where you can get a cappuccino, catch a movie or hit the pub. Whether you’re passing through or settling in, there’s plenty to do in this charming capital.

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BILL BRADEN

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FOLK ON THE ROCKS

DAVE BROSHA

After a long (long) winter, Yellowknifers go wild in the summer with a series of outdoor celebrations. But the crown jewel is Folk on the Rocks, a 33-year-old music fest reliably held on the third weekend of July on the sandy shores of Long Lake. It attracts some of Canada’s best talent, from folkies to hip-hop artists to indie rockers and the always mesmerizing beats of the Dene Drummers. There are also food trucks, a children’s stage, art displays, swimming and, of course, a boisterous beer garden where the party generally starts.

LAND OF LAKES

PAT KANE

Not including Great Slave, Yellowknife and surrounding areas boast countless lakes, both big Yellowknife Yellowknife and small. VS With so much water around, you barely have to set foot on land if you don’t want NWTto. We have marinas harbouring MARS sailboats and cruisers, and places to rent a canoe, kayak or pontoon boat so you can get out on the water—under the midnight sun, if you prefer. Despite what you may think of northern waters, swimming is totally possible in any lake by July, when are most comfortable. Locals go to the sandy beach at Fred Henne Park or at In the NWT youtemperatures need WILL AND KATE a parka in the winter Prelude Lake Park, a half-hour drive from downtown. Behind the shrouding of trees you’ll find ROYAL VISIT 2011 when outside. smooth sloped rocks, the perfect jumping pad into any lake.

DAVE BROSHA

NWT

CURIOSITY AND THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YELLOWKNIFE AND MARS

Did you know… in August 2012, NASA named the landing spot where the Curiosity space probe landed Yellowknife, Mars? That’s because rocks in the Yellowknife area are over 4 billion years old – about the same age as the rocks found on Mars. On MARS you need a space suit year round.

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GOLF, NORTHERN STYLE

YELLOWKNIFE

DAVE BROSHA

Let’s just say our 18-hole golf course is 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE unique. It’s largely sand, but you’ll always have a perfect lie when you tee up from your portable square of Astroturf. These may not be the manicured greens you’re used to, but this 65-year-old course has a rough, organic beauty, with views of Long Lake and the surrounding birch and jack pines. Clubs and carts are rentable at the fully stocked pro shop.

HANS PFAFF

GO WALKIN’ AFTER MIDNIGHT…(or anytime)

WILDCAT CAFÉ

You can’t come to Yellowknife and not have a caribou burger or a pile of flapjacks at the Wildcat. Nestled right where it was built in 1937 on the same rock in Old Town, the Wildcat is the sole survivor of several loghouse restaurants in Yellowknife, when it was more mining camp than city. Friday nights are legendary here for raucous music jams, when local talent rocks this vintage house.

There are several marked, well-worn trails in and around Yellowknife that will take you through the urban wilds. Steps from downtown, the 7-kilometre (4-mile) McMahon Frame Lake Trail is half easy stroll on a paved walkway, and half easy hike over lichen-covered rock outcrops. The loop begins at the visitor centre (map available here) and includes Somba K’e Civic Plaza, The Legislative Assembly, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and gives visitors the opportunity to see the territory’s 33 community flags. Nearby, the shorter 2-kilometre (1-mile) Niven Lake Trail will take you in the vicinity of shorebirds, muskrats and beavers that congregate in this lush marshland. Prospector’s Trail is a semi-boardwalked trail in Fred Henne Territorial Park looping more than three kilometres (two miles) along stunning bedrock formations where prospectors blasted some 70 years ago. Other beautiful trails are scattered around town, from the Yellowknife Ski Club to Tin Can Hill and Range Lake.

DIAMONDS: OUR SHINING STORY

THE GOLD RANGE

PAT KANE

The story of NWT diamonds is a great one, a modern-day mining rush that catapulted Canada to one of the world’s top diamond producers. You can learn all about it at the Northern Frontier Visitor Centre, which features exhibits, photo displays and the opportunity to watch a diamond being polished from rough rock to glittering gem.

It’s thanks to bush pilots that this city was built and today Cessnas and Twin Otters still enable access to the roadless bush. Head to the float bases scattered on the shore in Old Town and hop on one of these workhorse beauties for a stunning aerial tour of the city. Trudge up 70 wooden steps to Pilot’s Monument in Old Town to learn about the original bush pilots and aviation engineers who flew here some 80 years ago. Be sure to stick around in mid July for the famous Midnight Sun Floatplane Fly-In, when dozens of vintage and modern planes land here for a weekend celebration of flight.

ITI/GNWT

COME FLY WITH US

Another hold-out from our scrappier mining days is the infamous Gold Range Hotel and its Strange Range bar, still a lively place to have a beer, see live bands, dance the two-step and return for breakfast at the attached greasy spoon—a local favourite.

OLD TOWN AND LATHAM ISLAND

This is the original Yellowknife neighbourhood, where the city was born on the shores of Great Slave Lake’s bays. Vestiges of the past remain: the old bush-gear store called Weaver and Devore, the Wildcat Café and the city’s first bank, now an inhabited little log cabin on Otto Drive on Latham Island. This part of town has that quaint cottage feel, with its colourful clapboard and log houses, houseboats, and the float planes hugging the shoreline.

MUSEUMS, GALLERIES AND COOL BUILDINGS

We may be wild, but this city has culture and class too. There are several art galleries displaying world-renowned northern art, while the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is where you can browse exhibits about our people, history and wildlife. Take a guided tour at the territorial Legislative Assembly under the snowhouse-inspired circular chamber and learn about our consensus-style government. Throughout the city, watch for tipi and log structures and the quirky northern-inspired designs by local architects.

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ACCOMMODATIONS ARDEN AVENUE BED AND BREAKFAST 120 Arden Avenue T: (867) 873-5384 E: arden@theedge.ca www.ardenbnb.ca Our comfortable, spacious, smoke-free home was designed with a bed and breakfast in mind. Arden Avenue Bed and Breakfast is located in the upscale residential area of Frame Lake South. Your bed and breakfast experience is just what you need for your home away from home to refresh and relax.

ARNICA INN 4115 Franklin Avenue Kathy Yurris TF: (877) 873-8511 T: (867) 873-8511 C: (867) 444-9555 F: (867) 873-5547 E: arnicainn@ssimicro.com www.arnica-inn.com Located near the shores of Great Slave Lake in Yellowknife, this 43-room hotel offers guests a quaint stay, with direct access to both old town and downtown. Offering free wireless Internet, airport shuttle service, continental breakfast. Full kitchenette suites are available for those looking at longer stays. For more information, please visit our website.

CAPITAL SUITES 5603-50 Street TF: (877) 669-9444 T: (867) 669-6400 F: (867) 669-6456 E: ykfrontdesk@capitalsuites.ca www.capitalsuites.ca 77 hotel rooms and executive suites with direct phone lines. Daily, weekly, monthly rates. Complimentary in-room wireless high speed Internet. Work out facility, short and long term storage for our guests, free parking. Business centre, free airport shuttle. One block from hiking, biking trails, downtown Yellowknife. We also help plan events, weddings.

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

Walking distance to downtown, movies, restaurants, government offices and hiking trails. The Coast Fraser Tower is also one of the few pet friendly hotels in Yellowknife.

COUNTRY CABIN RENTALS Dave and Pauline Sundberg T: (867) 444-0039 E: info@countrycabinrental.com www.countrycabinrental.com

COAST FRASER TOWER HOTEL 5303-52 Street Catherine Travis TF: (800) 716-6199 T: (867) 873-8700 F: (867) 873-8708 E: info@coasthotels.com www.coasthotels.com The Coast Fraser Tower is Yellowknife’s premier all suite hotel with beautifully appointed guest rooms, with a selection of one and two bedroom suites, fully equipped kitchens, and picturesque balconies. We cater to individual travellers’ needs. Continental breakfast, fitness centre and steam room, wireless Internet, 24-hour front desk service.

AURORA HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST 222 Niven Drive Gloria Bott T: (867) 446-1821 www.bbcanada.com/12662.html Located in beautiful Niven Lake, close to downtown and a short walk to historic Old Town. Comfortable queen rooms available with luxurious bedding and hosts who are eager to make your stay in Yellowknife enjoyable. Call for rates. VISA, MC, Interac, cash/cheque accepted.

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When

EXPLORING the North...

BAYSIDE BED AND BREAKFAST 3505 McDonald Drive Debbie & John Doody T: (867) 669-8844 C: (867) 445-5003 E: info@baysidenorth.com www.baysidenorth.com Located in Old Town, on Yellowknife Bay. Free Wi-Fi and breakfast – your choice from the Dancing Moose Cafe breakfast menu. Great views in summer and winter. Great place for Aurora viewing in fall, winter and early spring. Ideal for R&R, any season. Well suited for vacationers and business travellers.

BLUE RAVEN BED AND BREAKFAST 37 Otto Drive Tessa Macintosh T: (867) 873-6328 F: (867) 920-4013 E: tmacfoto@me.com Charming Blue Raven Guest House perched atop Latham Island in picturesque Old Town Yellowknife. Relax by the glowing fireplace or out on the deck overlooking Great Slave Lake. Great Aurora viewing from the house. Pleasant home-stay atmosphere. Just several minutes walk from northern restaurants, intriguing gift shops, charters and parks. Serving up Northern hospitality for nearly 25 years! Accommodates 6 in 3 rooms with 2 shared bathrooms. Full breakfast. Wireless Internet. Smoke-free. Year-round. $85 single, $100 double. Visa, MC accepted.

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Rent our beautiful cabins, which are located close to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. The cabins are on the scenic Ingraham Trail at Prelude Lake. This area, with its many trails and access to other lakes, is a great location for photographers, boaters and people who just love the outdoors and nature. Prelude Lake is also a great starting point for those wishing to explore the Ingraham Trail and its waterfalls, lakes and trails.

DAYS INN AND SUITES HOTEL 4401-50 Avenue Ibrahim Neviri TF: (877) 839-1236 T: (867) 873-9700 F: (867) 873-9702 www.daysinn.ca Located in the heart of downtown Yellowknife, Days Inn and Suites Hotel specializes in exceeding the expectations of all our guests. We offer complimentary wireless Internet, local phone calls, airport shuttle, newspaper and in-room coffee. Earn Wyndham® Rewards with every stay! Relax in one of our robes as you enjoy our sauna/exercise room located on our fourth floor.

DISCOVERY INN 4701 Franklin Avenue (50th Avenue) TF: (866) 873-4151 T: (867) 873-4151 F: (867) 920-7948 E: discoveryinn@theedge.ca www.discoveryinn.ca

Conveniently located in downtown Yellowknife, within 1 block to all downtown shopping, government offices, and restaurants. 41 rooms with private bath, cable TV, phone, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, kitchenette, guest laundry service. Complimentary parking. Family restaurant. Call for corporate, group and long-term rates. VISA, MC, Amex, EnRoute.

EMBLETON HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST/ INN 5203-52 Street Faith and Ken Embleton TF: 1-888-909-5203 T: (867) 873-2892 F: (867) 873-4927 E: ehouse@theedge.ca www.bbcanada.com/embletonhouse 4 over-sized hotel-like bed and breakfast luxury studio suites with many over the top amenities. It’s in a convenient city center location close to entertainment, shopping and all government buildings. 3 private bedrooms in shared apartment with all the comforts of home. Each private bedroom has secure lockable door. Guests share common areas of apartment. This space is clean, quite and comfortable in a convenient city center location close to entertainment, shopping and all government buildings.

EVA AND ERIC’S BED AND BREAKFAST 114 Knutsen Avenue Eva and Eric Henderson

The Coast Fraser Tower

5303 - 52 Street, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada Tel: (867) 873-8700 Fax: (867) 873-8708

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T: (867) 873-5779 E: ericeva@hotmail.com www.ericeva.ca Close to Frame Lake stores and regional hospital. Capacity: 10 in 4 non-smoking rooms. 3 rooms with one Queen bed, 1 room with 2 beds one queen one double (for $130 per night, maximum 4 people). Full breakfast. Shared bath, Cable TV, Wi-Fi, phone, guest lounge, laundry, fully equipped kitchen. Smoking outside. No pets. $90/single, $100/ double, no GST. Year round.

EXPLORER HOTEL 4825-49 Street Jamie Bolduc TF: (800) 661-0892 T: (867) 873-3531 F: (867) 873-3213 www.explorerhotel.ca Full service hotel with exceptional views; located downtown near shopping. 187 rooms with AC, cable TV and Wi-Fi. Deluxe suites with fireplaces and jacuzzis. Fitness facility. VISA, MC, Amex, EnRoute, JCB. Close to hiking trails, Visitor Centre and the Legislative Assembly. Airport shuttle. Pets allowed. Laundry service. English, French, German and Japanese spoken. Trader’s Grill offers superb steaks with a warm and relaxed atmosphere, friendly people and great service. Unwind in the Trapline Lounge. Banquet facilities with 10 meeting rooms and capacity of 350 people.

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100% Smoke Free Property Free SuperSTART® Breakfast Free wireless internet in each room Business Centre & Fitness Room Free Local Calls Pet Friendly Adjacent to Wal-Mart, Marks Work Wearhouse & Tim Horton’s Shopping Area Mini Fridges & Microwaves in all rooms

Yellowknife 308 Old Airport Road YK, NWT X1A 3G3 867.669.8888 800.800.8000 super8.com Friendly, Clean, and simply super.SM

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NARWAL NORTHERN ADVENTURES 4702 Anderson Thompson Boulevard Cathy Allooloo T: (867) 873-6443 F: (867) 873-2741 E: outdoors@narwal.ca www.narwal.ca Located in historic Old Town adjacent to Back Bay. Unique location offers aurora and wildlife viewing. Eight minute walk uptown. Close to gift shops, stores, float plane base, playground, fitness club, restaurants and scenic walking/ski trails. Wireless Internet access. Home-baked continental breakfast. Canoe and kayak rentals on site. Training and guided tours with Aboriginal northerners by canoe or kayak. Great Slave Lake and northern watershed. Sea, whitewater kayaks and canoes. A Northern owned and operated family business. Leading safe and memorable northern adventures since 1981.

NORTHERN LITES MOTEL 5115-50 Street Jimmy Kong T: (867) 873-6023 F: (867) 920-4713 E: northernlitesmotel@yahoo.com www.yellowknifehotel.com Located in downtown Yellowknife. 26 rooms and suites. Microwaves and fridges, Cable TV, kitchenettes available. Free parking, wireless Internet, laundry services. All major credit cards. Pets by prior arrangement.

NOVA COURT 476 Range Lake Road Darin Ryden TF: (866) 570-6682 T: (867) 873-6686 F: (867) 873-6687 E: novacourtbooking@ssimicro.com www.scpl.com We are conveniently located near many restaurants, department and grocery stores and Stanton Territorial Hospital. Nova Court offers fully furnished kitchenettes as well as spacious single rooms to accommodate all travellers.

POLAR DEVELOPMENTS LTD. 4503-52 Avenue T: (867) 873-5701 F: (867) 873-5702 E: polardev@yk.com www.polardevelopments.com/apthotels.html Embrace the suite life! Polar Developments defines hotel living by providing a unique feeling of luxurious comforts together with practical convenience. Apartment-style hotel suites equipped with a full kitchen, office workspace, high speed Internet, TV and DVD, fitness centres and balconies/common deck with stunning views of lake or city. Properties include the Anderson Thomson Tower and the Watermark Tower.

SUPER 8 YELLOWKNIFE 308 Old Airport Road Deborah Hudson T: (867) 669-8888 F: (867) 669-8801 E: gm@super8yellowknife.com www.super8yellowknife.com Super 8 Yellowknife is the only 100% smoke-free hotel in town and is proud to be considered Buffalo Airways’ accommodation of choice! We offer SuperStart Continental Breakfast daily, in-room high-speed wireless Internet, mini-fridges, microwaves in all rooms, business and fitness centre, free parking with some winter plug-ins, guest laundry, free calls, pet friendly. Adjacent to Wal-Mart, Tim Horton’s and Mark’s Work Warehouse, we are within easy access to shopping, restaurants, hospital, walking trails and other local attractions.

THE WATERFRONT BED AND BREAKFAST 5505 45 Street Donna Nash Alain T: (867) 873-8113 E: waterbb@ssimicro.com www.bbcanada.com/waterbb Private suite in house on the shore of Great Slave Lake. Double and single bed with double futon couch in living room, perfect for families. Kitchen, private bathroom, TV, DVD, phone, wireless Internet, private dock, beach, sauna, sundeck, canoe and kayak available. 10 min walk from downtown and Old Town. English and French spoken. Open year round. Rates with and without breakfast.

YELLOWKNIFE BAY FLOATING B&B Daniel Gillis T: (867) 444-8464 E: YKBayFloatingBnB@gmail.com www.ykbayfloatingbnb.com This is a one-of-a kind experience: a private floating home at anchor in Yellowknife Bay surrounded by water, with views of Yellowknife’s houseboat community. This floating home is a premium-built residence with all the amenities, including hot running water, a full-size bathroom with tub and shower, washing machine and a fully functional and modern kitchen with gas appliances. Upon arrival, we will ferry you in summer; in winter, you can drive right up to the house! Adventure tours offered in the summer include fishing tours, sailing, water skiing, hiking and camping. In winter, enjoy dogsledding, cross-country skiing, kite skiing and snowmobiling.

YELLOWKNIFE INN 5010-49 Street TF: (800) 661-0580 T: (867) 873-2601 F: (867) 873-2602 E: yksales@yellowknifeinn.com www.yellowknifeinn.com The Yellowknife Inn offers luxury accommodations in the heart of downtown Yellowknife. Well suited for both business and leisure travelers, our pet friendly hotel offers 129 guestrooms and suites that are perfect for all your travel needs. Each one of our guestrooms and suites are designed to provide our guests with a pleasant and enjoyable stay.

AIR TRANSPORTATION ADLAIR AVIATION LTD. T: (867) 873-5161 E: yellowknife@adlair.ca www.adlairaviation.com On and off-strip charter service in Kitikmeot region of Nunavut, and Yellowknife in the NWT. Twin Otter (tundra tires/skis), King Air 200, Learjet 25B (air ambulance).

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Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

AHMIC AIR LIMITED Stephen Jeffrey T: (867) 920-4400 E: info@AhmicAir.com www.AhmicAir.com Float plane service using classic de Havilland Beaver aircraft from Yellowknife’s Back Bay. Specializing in tourism activities, we provide unique air tours, fishing adventures, camping and canoeing experiences, along with moving guests to local lodges. Private charter services to local camp owners. Most destinations are within 75 miles of Yellowknife but we fly throughout Canada’s northern territories. We strongly believe that your flights should be a distinct part of your northern vacation and aim to make your experience fun, memorable and safe.

AIR TINDI Travis Arychuk T: (867) 669-8200 E: charters@airtindi.com www.airtindi.com Scheduled and charter flights across the North and southern Canada with 25 aircraft seating 1 to 46 passengers, equipped with wheels, floats, skis and tundra tires. Specialists in the North; serving canoeists, hunting and fishing clients, government and local communities, scenic tours and groups. Scenic floatplane tours for 3 to 17 passengers. Yellowknife area: 30 minutes, Great Slave Lake East Arm: 4 hours, Nahanni Scenic Air: full day trip includes lunch and dinner. All tours start at our float base in Old Town Yellowknife. Daily scheduled flights connecting Fort Simpson, Lutselk’e, Wekweeti, Whati, Gameti and Yellowknife.

ARCTIC SUNWEST CHARTERS Thom – Ashlee Pilgrim T: (867) 765-0914 (dispatch) T: (867) 873-4464 (general) E: info@arcticsunwest.com www.arcticsunwest.com Meeting the needs of charter customers interested in mining and exploration, recreation and adventure, and corporate or executive travel. Aircraft variety allows for year-round operation.

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Aklavik, Deline, Tulita, and Yellowknife. Visit our unique aviation museum at Dot Lake, historic buildings and art tell the story of flight in the Mackenzie Valley.

SUMMIT AIR T: (867) 669-9789 E: info@summitair.net www.summitair.net Dornier 228 and Shorts Skyvan for charters, up to 19 passengers. Main industries served: government, mining, mining exploration, tourism, and eco-tourism. Over 20 years of specialized charters across the North.

TRINITY HELICOPTERS Rob Carroll T: (867) 669-7031 E: rob@trinityhelicopters.com www.trinityhelicopters.com Offering full tourism support for daily flightseeing tours, heli-fishing and remote drop off. We also provide full helicopter support to mining, exploration, oil and gas and forestry. A Det’on Cho partner. Service in other NWT communities also available, ask for details.

ATTRACTIONS AND TOURISM INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE NWT TF: (800) 661-0784 T: (867) 669-2200 www.assembly.gov.nt.ca Discover the unique world of consensus government and how it is applied and practiced in the NWT. Free daily guided and self-guided tours available for individuals or groups. Café and library on site.

NORTHERN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTRE

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NORTHERN FRONTIER VISITOR ASSOCIATION TF: (877) 881-4262 T: (867) 873-4262 E: info@northernfrontier.com www.northernfrontier.com Visitor information for Yellowknife, north Great Slave Lake area and the NWT. Exhibits include diamond and historical displays, wildlife exhibits and local arts and crafts. Open year-round.

NWT RIDERS ASSOCIATION www.nwtra.ca The NWT Riders Association was formed in 1999 with the objective of encouraging safe riding and fostering awareness of motorcycles in Yellowknife and other NWT communities. We are a non-brand-specific group of riders. Come ride with us.

NWT SENIORS SOCIETY TF: (800) 661-0878 T: (867) 920-7444 E: seniors@yk.com www.nwtseniorssociety.ca Services for seniors visiting Yellowknife. Knowledgeable Arctic Ambassadors can assist with activities and events.

PRINCE OF WALES NORTHERN HERITAGE CENTRE T: (867) 873-7551 E: pwnhcweb@learnnet.nt.ca www.pwnhc.ca Learn about the natural and cultural history of the North at this beautiful museum located on the shores of Frame Lake in downtown Yellowknife. Visit permanent and temporary exhibits, collections and archives. Tours are available upon request. Open daily, 10:30 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.

T: (867) 766-6101 www.naccnt.ca Live performances in this attractive 313-seat theatre. Check the website for coming attractions.

BUFFALO AIRWAYS TF: (877) 269-8299 T: (867) 873-6112 E: buffalo@buffaloairways.com www.buffaloairways.com Scheduled and charter air service, covering the entire NWT. Daily scheduled service between Yellowknife, Hay River. For overnight courier service, please call (867) 873-2084.

GREAT SLAVE HELICOPTERS T: (867) 873-2081 F: (867) 873-6087 E: info@greatslaveheli.com www.gsheli.com Serving the NWT for over 25 years with bases in Norman Wells, Inuvik, Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and Yellowknife as well as in Manitoba and Alberta. We have 15 different models of aircraft available to suit the individual needs of our customers. Serving forestry, oil and gas, mining, environmental and tourism.

NORTH-WRIGHT AIRWAYS LTD. T: (867) 920-4287 www.north-wrightairways.com Charter and scheduled air service, expediting for canoeing, hiking on the Canol Trail. Mountain specialists, wilderness outfitting. Scheduled service between Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Colville Lake, Inuvik,

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DINING

BLACK KNIGHT PUB

A TASTE OF SAIGON T: (867) 873-9777 Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Contemporary atmosphere. Open Monday to Saturday, 10:30am to 10pm.

T: (867) 920-4041 www.blackknightpub.com Scottish pub features Bison burger, certified Angus beef, fantastic fish and chips. Great atmosphere and friendly staff.

BULLOCKS BISTRO T: (867) 873-FISH Enjoy locally caught fish in an Old Town Heritage (1936) building. Informal and funky atmosphere.

COYOTES BAR GRILL T: (867) 873-8818 F: (867) 873-8158 www.coyotesbarngrill.ca Yellowknife’s only steakhouse – serving fresh Alberta beef and local fresh fish. We also serve a delicious Sunday brunch. Call or visit website for more details.

DANCING MOOSE CAFÉ John Doody T: (867) 669-8844 C: (867) 445-5003 www.dancingmoosecafe.ca Located in Old Town on Yellowknife Bay. Great views, bistro style. Summer outdoor dining. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Evenings Wednesday to Saturday.

FUEGO INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT AND TWIST RESTO-LOUNGE T: (867) 873-3750 F: (867) 669-9364 www.diningon50th.com Quality international and northern cuisine. First rate service in an enticing atmosphere. Live music nightly. Check out Twist Lounge upstairs (873-3753) for evening entertainment and Saturday brunch.

GOURMET CUP Leslie Bromley T: (867) 873-8782 F: (867) 873-2869 Coffee, tea, lattes, smoothies, etc. Sandwiches and soups in winter, sandwiches and salads in summer. Closed Sundays. Bulk coffee and tea for sale.

JAVAROMA CAFÉ T: (867) 669-0725 www.javaroma.ca Fine selection of coffees, teas, specialty drinks and light meals. Open mic nights each Saturday. Stop by and visit one of Yellowknife’s hot spots. Seven days a week.

LATITUDES RESTAURANT AND MACKENZIE LOUNGE T: (867) 920-7880 or 873-2601 www.yellowknifeinn.com/dining-entertainment/index.cfm Conveniently located next to the Yellowknife Inn in the Centre Square Mall. Enjoy a diverse menu sure to please. The Mackenzie Lounge opens daily, except Sunday, at 3pm, food service until 10pm.

LE FROLIC BISTRO BAR Pierre LePage T: (867) 669-9852 F: (867) 873-3614 www.lefrolic.com Elegant French Bistro/Bar in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories established in 1999. The Bistro has two levels, the upper one is a little more private and features an astonishing wine cellar. We serve the best food in town and offer live music every weekend.

LE STOCK POT DELI Pierre LePage T: (867) 873-5540 F: (867) 873-3614 www.lestockpot.com Full service deli with bakery; serving grilled panini sandwiches, pizza by the slice, quiches, sausage rolls, pot pies, lasagna, stew, fresh bread and baked goods. Cappuccino bar.

MUSEUM CAFÉ Wally Sheper T: (867) 873-7570 Enjoy an amazing lunch at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre located on the shores of Frame Lake in downtown Yellowknife. Lunch served 11:30am to 2pm weekdays. Closed Saturday, Sunday and all Statutory Holidays. Catering services available year round.

SUSHI NORTH T: (867) 669-0001 Fresh Japanese sushi rolls from take-out or eat-in restaurant. Many tasty varieties to choose from!

SUSHI CAFÉ T: (867) 920-0776 Fine Japanese food. Comfortable atmosphere, eat in or take out.

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SAM’S MONKEY TREE PUB AND DIAMONTE RESTAURANT T: (867) 920-2971 F: (867) 920-2939 A cornerstone of the Yellowknife social scene, located in the Range Lake Mall, the Monkey Tree Pub has much more to offer. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff, considerate servers, and welcoming management will make you feel right at home. Our wide range of entertainment includes live bands, deejays, and dancing.

THORNTON’S WINE AND TAPAS ROOM T: (867) 669-9463 Intimate tapas restaurant with extensive wine list. Open winter only.

TJ’S NUT & COFFEE SHOP Tony Procure E: tjsnuthut@hotmail.com A nut and coffee shop in Yellowknife.

TRADERS GRILL AND TRAPLINE LOUNGE Clayton Thompson TF: (800) 661-0892 T: (867) 873-3531 www.explorerhotel.ca Newly renovated restaurant with view and cozy lounge in the Explorer Hotel. Trader’s Grill features a diverse menu. Exquisite Sunday brunch from 10am to 2pm, reservations recommended. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Also, enjoy the cozy and tasteful Trapline Lounge.

VIETNAMESE NOODLE HOUSE T: (867) 873-3399 Popular lunchtime destination for Yellowknifers. Eat in or take out.

WILDCAT CAFÉ T: (867) 873-4004 Newly restored example of Yellowknife’s early architecture, a log building with open deck. The ‘Cat was named a Heritage site in 1992, and a reproduction is located in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. Open mid-May to early September. Extremely popular with both visitors and local residents.

EQUIPMENT RENTALS NARWAL NORTHERN ADVENTURES RENTALS Cathy Allooloo T: (867) 873-6443 F: (867) 873-2741 E: outdoors@narwal.ca www.narwal.ca Licensed outfitter, Great Slave Lake and surrounding northern watershed. Canoe, kayak, and equipment rentals available. Helping paddlers enjoy safe and memorable northern adventures since 1981. Equipment rentals include sea and whitewater kayaks, ABS and inflatable canoes.

OMEGA MARINE

1-800-944-6029 Phone 867-920-2220 Fax 867-873-6105 4921-49th St. NWT Commerce Place info@yellowknifebooks.com

www.yellowknifebooks.com

Robert O’Rourke TF: (800) 873-5104 T: (867) 873-3770 F: (867) 873-3696 E: omegamarine@theedge.ca www.omegamarine.ca Boat and motor rentals. Inflatables from 10 to 15 feet w/ 3.5 to 18hp motors, available as fly and go package or tow and go. Rentals include such items as PFDs, safety equipment, and gasoline. Advanced booking is highly recommended. Satellite phones are available for rent. Propeller sales and repairs with over 800 propellers in stock. Many marine supplies from anchors to zincs are in stock and parts for most outboard and inboard engines can be obtained through Omega Marine.

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

OVERLANDER SPORTS Bill Stirling T: (867) 873-2474 F: (867) 920-4079 E: sales@overlandersports.com www.overlandersports.com Complete wilderness travel store with huge selection of brand name equipment. Canoe and sea kayak rentals. Spray decks for all boats, free in-town delivery and pickup of boats. Ask about our winter rental packages.

POLAR TECH 213 Utsingi Drive Gord Olsen T: (867) 873-8322 E: admin@polartech.ca Polar Tech is a full-line retailer representing Harley-Davidson, as Trails End Harley-Davidson, as well as Evinrude, Honda, MirroCraft, and BRP products. Specializing in Logo T-shirts and giftware; Trails End Harley-Davidson is Canada’s most northern H-D retailer. Polar Tech Rentals supplies equipment to homeowners and industry alike. Open 6 days a week.

PRELUDE LAKE MARINA Rick Barry T: (867) 446-5779 E: rick@preludelakemarina.com www.preludelakemarina.com May 15 to October 1. Boat and wave runner rentals available. Prelude Lake docking slip rentals. Concession on site. Enquire about snowmobile rentals in season.

YELLOWKNIFE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES RENTALS Carlos Gonzalez T: (867) 873-5800 F: (867) 873-5804 E: ykoutadv@yahoo.ca www.yellowknifeoutdooradventures.com Boat, snowmobile and cabin rentals available.

OPERATORS AND ACTIVITIES See the North Slave Region for a list of Operators and Activities in Yellowknife.

SHOPPING ARCTIC JEWELLERS Hau Huynh T: (867) 669-8884 F: (867) 669-8184 www.arcticjewellers.com Canadian diamonds, mined and cut in Canada. Jewellery repair.

BARREN LAND JEWELLERY AND GIFTS T: (867) 873-3030 F: (867) 873-4030 Unique jewellery, clothing, and giftware. Many items made by Canadian designers. Diverse items sure to impress you! Shop in comfort close to hotels, restaurants, cafes and grocery stores.

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ERASMUS APPAREL Sarah Erasmus T: (867) 444-0307 E: sarah@erasmusapparel.com Erasmus Apparel delivers the latest t-shirts with the most unique designs inspired by living in the North. Our aim is to deliver the northern aesthetic through expertly printed apparel so you can show your love for the North everywhere.

FIREWEED STUDIO T: (867) 920-4573 www.ykguild.wordpress.ca This historic log building once housed a blacksmith shop at the Giant gold mine. Designated a historic building in 1996, it now serves as the Fireweed Studio. Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts members display their one-of-a-kind works for viewing and sale. Located in Sombaa Ke Park, the studio is open during the summer on Saturdays and holidays 11am to 4pm from June 21st until Labour Day.

GALLERY OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN Lisa Seagrave T: (867) 873-8064 F: (873) 873-8065 E: gallerymidnightsun@theedge.ca This is the NWT’s largest gallery and gift shop, offering fine arts and crafts from across the North. Located in Yellowknife’s historic Old Town, in a traditional trading post style setting. We carry a wide selection of

outerwear, tees and sweatshirts, northern apparel, books, souvenirs, furs and craft supplies. We offer a fine selection of Canadian diamonds and jewellery. Not just a place to shop, Gallery of the Midnight Sun is an authentic northern experience.

GALLERY ON 47TH T: (867) 445-2017 Art Gallery displaying northern art and artists.

INKIT LTD. TF: (800) 661-0871 T: (867) 873-5094 F: (877) 873-2815 E: sales@inkit.ca www.inkit.ca Inkit offers the very best in authentic northern t-shirts. View the online samples or come in to our Tee Room and see all the varieties.

JUST FURS T: (867) 873-6748 F: (867) 766-2664 E: justfurs@yahoo.ca Unique shop in Old Town specializes in fur items – northern style hats, headbands, earmuffs, mitts, fur scarves, vests, slippers and mukluks. Check out our selection of handcrafted northern made items for gifts or souvenirs of your visit. Lulu Bijou features one of a kind jewellery, designed and made in Yellowknife.

102 YELLOWKNIFE | FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES AT TWITTER.COM/SPECTACULARNWT ITI_4564_Arts_Explorer guide ad.indd 1 12-11-13 10:16 AM

NORTHERN FRONTIER VISITOR ASSOCIATION TF: (877) 881-4262 T: (867) 873-4262 F: (867) 873-3654 E: info@northernfrontier.com www.northernfrontier.com Visit our retail store at the Visitor Centre downtown. The Discover North Airport Gift Shop is a great first introduction to Yellowknife or the perfect place to pick up a last minute gift on your way out of town! You’ll find everything from local artisan crafts to souvenirs to visitor information.

NORTHERN IMAGES Sally Joyce T: (867) 873-5944 F: (867) 873-9224 E: ni.yellowknife@arcticco-op.com www.northernimages.ca A division of Arctic Co-operatives Ltd., a co-operative service organization owned and controlled by the Aboriginal people of Canada’s North, Northern Images is one of Canada’s leading retailers of Inuit and Dene arts and crafts. Marketing handcrafted sculptures, prints and crafts created in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. To Canada’s northern residents, art and crafts represent an important expression of their unique cultural identity. Pride in craftsmanship characterizes the selection of fine art, craft, northern apparel, and gift items available.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

NORTHERN NEWS SERVICE LTD. T: (867) 873-4031 F: (867) 873-8507 E: nnsl@nnsl.com www.nnsl.com A news company based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories with approximately 60 employees. It is one of the few remaining independent newspapers in Canada, producing all-original content with little to no reliance on syndicated news. NNSL publishes seven different papers weekly: Kivalliq News, Inuvik Drum, Dehcho Drum, Yellowknifer (Wednesday and Friday editions), News/North (Northwest Territories News/North and Nunavut News/North).

OLD TOWN GLASSWORKS T: (867) 669-7654 F: (867) 669-7645 E: info@ygr.coop www.oldtownglassworks.com Etching popular northern designs on unique, recycled glass since 1994. Visit our glass gift shop or come by for a workshop and make your own souvenir (call to reserve your spot). We have an assortment of glasses, bowls, vases, premium soy candles, scented soaps, window ornaments, jewellery and much more. Please visit our website.

ORIGINALS BY T-BO T: (867) 873-5672 Northern jewellery designer.

OVERLANDER SPORTS Bill Stirling T: (867) 873-2474 F: (867) 920-4079 E: sales@overlandersports.com www.overlandersports.com Complete wilderness travel store with huge selection of brand name clothing and equipment. Canoe and sea kayak rentals. Spray decks for all boats, free in-town delivery and pickup of boats. Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 6pm.

RAGGED ASS ROAD SHOPPE Mike Maduke T: (867) 873-6999 F: (867) 920-4077 E: lakeawry@raggedassroad.ca Come here to pick up your own tie-dyed long johns and Ragged Ass Road Sign plus other items bearing this popular name. Shop in store or online. Downtown.

TLICHO ONLINE STORE T: (867) 392-6925 F: (867) 392-6985 E: onlinestore@tlicho.com www.tlicho.ca/tlicho-onlinestore Trading traditional arts and crafts made by Native Americans for collectors from around the world. Specializing in arts and crafts of the Tlicho First Nation and Northerners of the Northwest Territories. Our product line consists of books, CDs, DVDs, moccasins, jewelry, cardholders, bags, painting and more!

YELLOWKNIFE

UP HERE PUBLISHING TF: (866) 572-1757 T: (867) 766-6710 F: (867) 873-2844 E: subscribe@uphere.ca www.uphere.ca Award winning northern magazine covers the North eight times a year. Subscriptions available online or by phone. Check our website for information on other specialty publications and northern products.

YELLOWKNIFE BOOK CELLAR

2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

NATIONAL CAR RENTAL TF: (866) 878-5557 T: (867) 920-2970 F: (867) 920-2932 E: tedsudrives@ssimicro.com www.nationalcar.com We have been in business over 30 years. Now a second-generation company, we offer a variety of vehicles for rental or lease. Located in our new building at the Yellowknife airport, we strive to meet our National branding. Daily, weekly, monthly rates, free pickup and drop off.

Judith Drinnan TF: (800) 944-6029 T: (867) 920-2220 F: (867) 873-6105 E: info@yellowknifebooks.com www.yellowknifebooks.com Serving the North for over 30 years. Drop by and browse our excellent selection of new Northern books. Special orders and book searches available.

Rick Barry T: (867) 446-5779 E: rick@preludelakemarina.com www.preludelakemarina.com Motor home and boat rentals. Docking slips available. Concession on site. From May 15 to October 1. At Prelude Lake on the Ingraham Trail near Yellowknife.

VEHICLE RENTALS AND SERVICES

ROYAL RENT-A-CAR

BUDGET CAR AND TRUCK RENTAL TF: (800) 363-9211 T: (867) 766-4187 www.budget.com Low everyday rates, weekend specials, short and long term rentals. Economy cars to sport utilities, 4x4 trucks, fleets. Vehicle availability and services may vary.

HERTZ YELLOWKNIFE TF: (800) 263-0600 T: (867) 766-3838 F: (867) 920-4070 E: hertz@yellowknifechrysler.com www.hertz.ca Convenient airport location, competitive daily, weekly and monthly rentals. Please call and our courteous and cheerful staff will pick you up anywhere in town. Our fleet of current model Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles include Command Start for your convenience. All major credit cards, and Aeroplan points on qualifying rentals. 7 days a week. Book online at Hertz.ca or call 1-800-263-0600. For local reservations call 867-766-3838

PRELUDE LAKE MARINA

Roy Ferrier T: (867) 873-3400 F: (867) 873-3555 E: xferrier@ssimicro.com We are committed to providing the very best in customer services and pricing. Airport or hotel pickup. Offer compact to full-sized vehicles. Frequent renter discount program. Special rates for long-term medical visits.

YELLOWKNIFE MOTORS LTD. T: (867) 766-5002 F: (867) 766-5001 E: yellowknifemotors@gmcanada.com www.yellowknifemotors.com General Motors authorized sales and service. Daily/weekly car and truck rentals.

Glass gifts & Workshops 100% recycled, hand-crafted glassware

3510 McDonald Drive, Old Town

(867) 669-7654

www.ygr.coop NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM

YELLOWKNIFE 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE

WHAT’S GOING ON CABIN FEVER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Early February www.musicnwt.ca Usually held at the Top Knight pub, this cozy, afternoon-into-evening event assembles dozens of the territory’s best musicians for a two-day concert that is sure to cure your cabin fever.

SNOWKING WINTER FESTIVAL

March (all month) www.snowking.ca Now into its 18th year, this much-heralded month-long winter carnival takes place amid a snowcastle made by the Snowking and his tundra toughened helpers on frozen Yellowknife Bay. Enjoy concerts, ice-skating, puppet shows, a film festival and art exhibits.

LONG JOHN JAMBOREE

Late March www.longjohnjamboree.ca Yellowknife’s latest spring festival is in its second year. Held on frozen Yellowknife Bay, this is a three-day outdoor party that includes live music, art booths, winter sports, kid’s activities, traditional Dene games, a fashion show and an ice-carving competition – just to name a few.

DIAVIK 150 CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP DOG DERBY

Late March www.diavik150.com This 60th annual derby is the dogsledding race of the year. Held over 3 days, mushers cover 150 miles in and around Yellowknife, so there’s always a great view of the action.

CANADIAN NORTH MIDNIGHT SUN GOLF CLASSIC

June (solstice weekend) www.yellowknifegolf.com Sign up early for this well-attended 18-hole golf tourney (in its 28th year) under the midnight sun. Includes a banquet, pro workshops and prizes.

YELLOWKNIFE SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL

June 22 This party draws locals together to reenact the historic event of the annual beer barge arriving in Yellowknife. Live entertainment, music and storytelling. Get your tickets early.

FLY-FISHING DERBY

Early July www.enodah.com Hosted at Trout Rock Lodge, this 20th annual fishing fest invites visitors to ﬂy fish for Northern Pike, which are known to pack the waters of Great Slave Lake’s North Arm. Lessons, shore lunches and more.

MIDNIGHT SUN FLOATPLANE FLY-IN

July 12 to 14 The 10th anniversary of celebrating the NWT’s aviation history. Join pilots from across North America for a weekend of films, music, dancing, storytelling and seeing old friends.

FOLK ON THE ROCKS

July (third weekend) www.folkontherocks.com Heading into its 33rd year, Yellowknife’s premier music festival invites big-name southern acts and the best in northern talent, all under the amphitheatre main stage at Long Lake. There are also cultural and kids stage, beer garden, artist’s tent, fantastic food and more.

OLD TOWN RAMBLE & RIDE

August (long weekend) www.oldtownyk.ca This is a relaxed, wander-around kind of summer fest in the city’s Old Town, which hosts various live-music and art events, an architectural tour, city boat tours and loads of great food.

YELLOWKNIFE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Late September www.wamp.ca This 7th annual film fest is a week-long screening of northern made and international films by both emerging and established filmmakers, including workshops and filmmaker Q&As. Screenings are at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, a 300-seat downtown theatre.

DAVE BROSHA

Mid-June www.solsticefestival.ca Solstice is revered around these parts, and Yellowknife celebrates with 3 days of live music, art displays and cultural performances in Somba K’e park on the shores of Frame Lake. All events are free.

BEER BARGE

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM

YELLOWKNIFE

Yellowknife is a city of urban energy 2013 culture EXPLORERS’ fused with vibrant and GUIDE natural surroundings.

J.F. BERGERON

Indicates a member of Northwest Territories Tourism at the time of publication.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURISM | 2013 EXPLORERS’ GUIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | SPECTACULARNWT.COM

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Acho Dene Native Crafts Air Tindi Aurora Honey Black Feather Blackstone Visitor Information Centre Celine’s Bed and Breakfast Dehcho First Nations Deh Cho Suites Fort Simpson Gardens Fort Simpson Visitor Information Centre Great Slave Helicopters Great Slave Helicopters Ice Breaker Lounge Janor Guest House Jean Marie River Transient Centre KK Expediting Liard Valley General Store & Motel Ltd. Lindberg Landing Lucy’s Bed and Breakfast Mackenzie Rest Inn Maroda Motel Nahanni Butte Inn and General Store Nahanni Butte Outfitters Ltd. Nahanni Butte River Taxi Nahanni Inn Ltd. Nahanni Mountain Lodge Nahanni National Park Reserve Nahanni River Adventures Nahanni Shuttle Partnership Nahanni Wilderness Adventures North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge Ltd. Open Sky Creative Society Pandaville Restaurant Sambaa K’e Development Corporation Sambaa K’e Fishing and Tourism Lodge Shehtah Adventures Simpson Air South Nahanni Airways South Nahanni Executive Suites South Nahanni Outfitters Ltd. The Willows Inn Villers Air Services Ltd. Wolverine Air (1988) Ltd. North slave A Taste of Saigon Adlair Aviation 83 Ltd. Adventure Northwest Ahmic Air Limited Air Tindi Aquilon Power Kite Arctic Jewellers Arctic Safaris 106

70 66 66 68 67 66 28 66 66 67 67 67 67 66 66 70 66 66 66 66 66 66 70 70 66 66 67 68 70 68 70 67 68 70 70 70 67 67 66 70 66 66 67

Fort Liard Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Liard Nahanni Butte Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Liard Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Jean Marie River Fort Simpson Fort Liard Liard Highway Jean Marie River Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Nahanni Butte Nahanni Butte Nahanni Butte Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Trout Lake Trout Lake Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Simpson Fort Liard Fort Simpson

100 98 86 99 86 87 101 87

Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife

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Arctic Sunwest Charters Arden Avenue Bed and Breakfast Arnica Inn Aurora Caribou Camp Aurora House Bed and Breakfast Aurora Village Sport Fishing Aylmer Lake Lodge B. Dene Adventures Barren Land Jewellery Gifts Bathurst Arctic Services Bayside Bed and Breakfast Beck's Kennels Blachford Lake Lodge Black Knight Pub Blue Raven Bed and Breakfast Bluefish Services Budget Car and Truck Rental Buffalo Airways Bullocks Bistro Capital Suites Coast Fraser Tower Suite Hotel Conseil de développement Économique des TNO Country Cabin Rentals Coyotes Bar Grill Dancing Moose Cafe Days Inn and Suites Hotel Diamonte Restaurant Discovery Inn Embleton House Bed and Breakfast Enodah Wilderness Travel Erasmus Apparel Eva and Eric's Bed and Breakfast Explorer Hotel Fireweed Studio Frontier Fishing Lodge Fuego International Restaurant Gallery of the Midnight Sun Gallery on 47th Gameti Motel Gourmet Cup Great Slave Helicopters Great Slave Adventures Hearne Lake Lodge Hertz Yellowknife Hoarfrost River Huskies Ltd. Indian Mountain Lodge Inkit Ltd. Javaroma Cafe Just Furs Lac La Martre Adventures Lakeview Bed and Breakfast Latitudes Restaurant 108

99 95 95 87 95 87 87 86 101 87 95 87 87 100 95 87 103 99 100 95 95 44 95 100 100 95 100 95 95 87 101 95 95 102 88 100 102 102 86 100 99 88 88 103 88 88 102 100 102 88 86 100

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Le Frolic Bistro Bar Le Stock Pot Deli Legislative Assembly of the NWT Mackay Lake Lodge MacKenzie Lounge Museum Cafe My Backyard Tours Namushka Lodge Nanook Aurora Tours NARWAL Northern Adventures Ltd. National Car Rental North Star Adventures North-Wright Airways Ltd. Northern Arts and Cultural Centre Northern Frontier Visitor Association Northern Images Northern Lites Motel Northern News Service Ltd. Nova Court NWT Riders Association NWT Seniors Society Old Town Glass Works Omega Marine Originals by T-Bo Overlander Sports Peterson's Point Lake Lodge Plummer's Great Slave Lake Lodge Polar Developments Ltd. Polar Tech Prelude Lake Marina Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Prospector Heritage Tours Ragged Ass Road Shoppe Royal Rent-a-Car Sah Naji Kwe Lodge Sam's Monkey Tree Pub Sandy Point Lodge Snare Lake Lodge Strong Interpretation Summit Air Super 8 Yellowknife Sushi Cafe Sushi North Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve The Waterfront Bed and Breakfast Thornton’s Wine and Tapas Room TJ’s Nut & Coffee Shop Tlicho Government Tlicho Online Store Traders Grill Trapline Lounge Trinity Helicopters 110

100 100 99 88 100 100 88 89 89 89 103 89 99 99 44 102 98 102 98 99 99 103 101 103 101 89 89 98 101 101 99 89 103 103 86 100 89 86 89 99 98 100 101 86 98 101 101 28 103 101 101 99

Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Behchoko Yellowknife Yellowknife Wekweeti Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Lutselk’e Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Behchoko Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife

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Trophy Lodge Trout Rock Lodge True North Safaris Tukto Lodge Twist Resto-Lounge Up Here Publishing Vietnamese Noodle House Warburton Bay Lodge Watta Lake Lodge Wildcat Café Winterhawk Bed and Breakfast Yellow Dog Lodge Yellowknife Bay Floating B&B Yellowknife Book Cellar Yellowknife Golf Club Yellowknife Inn Yellowknife Motors Ltd. Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures Yellowknife Tours Yellowknives Dene First Nation sahtu Arctic Red River Outfitters Ltd. Cabin Fever Adventures Canadian Helicopters Limited Canoe North Adventures Colville Lake Bed and Breakfast Colville Lake Lodge Dechenla Wilderness Resort Drum Lake Lodge Fort McCauley Bed and Breakfast Gana River Outfitters Ltd. Grey Goose Lodge Ltd. Heritage Hotel Jackson's Arctic Circle Tours Little Dipper Bed Breakfast Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters Ltd. MacKenzie Valley Hotel Modeste Outfitters Mountain River Outdoor Adventures Inc. Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve Norman Wells Historical Society Norman Wells Transportation Ltd. North-Wright Airways Ltd. NWT Outfitters Ltd. Plummer's Great Bear Lake Lodge Plummer's Great Bear Lake Trophy Lodge Ram Head Outfitters Ltd. Rayuka Inn Redstone Trophy Hunts Ltd. Sahtu Aviation Museum Sahtu Helicopters Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated 112

89 87 89 90 100 103 101 90 90 101 86 90 98 103 90 98 103 90 90 28

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60 60 58 58 58 58 60 62 58 60 58 58 58 58 60 58 60 59 59 59 62 59 60 60 60 60 58 60 59 59 28

Norman Wells Norman Wells Norman Wells Norman Wells Colville Lake Colville Lake Norman Wells Tulita Norman Wells Norman Wells Deline Norman Wells Fort Good Hope Fort Good Hope Norman Wells Norman Wells Deline Norman Wells Norman Wells Norman Wells Norman Wells Norman Wells Norman Wells Deline Deline Norman Wells Norman Wells Norman Wells Norman Wells Norman Wells Deline

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ACTIVITIES

•

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•

• •

•

113

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Tee Jay Bed and Breakfast Trinity Helicopters Two Rivers Hotel Yamouri Inn south slave 2 Seasons Adventures Akaitcho Territory Government Alcantara Outfitting Ltd. Anchorage Bed & Breakfast Anna’s Home Cooking Aurora Nights Lodge Axehandle Guest House Back Eddy’s Lounge Restaurant Beaulieu Motel Berros Pizzeria Big River Service Centre LP Brabant Lodge Ltd. Budget Car and Truck Rental Buffalo Airways Cambridge Executive Suites Canadian Wild Canoe Arctic Inc. Canoe North Cultural Designs dbeck Kennels Dene Fur Clouds Ltd. Detan Cho Tourist Camp Dog House Sports Bar Driftwood Diner DV Suite Fort Smith Mission Historic Park Fort Smith Paddling Club Fort Smith Visitor Centre Gold n Gift Great Slave Lake Tours Hay River Golf Club and Campground Hay River Heritage Centre Hay River Visitor Centre Homesteaders Inn J's Bed and Breakfast Kasba Lake Lodge King George’s Bed and Breakfast Landa Aviation Log Home Rentals Loon Air Lynx Tundra Lodge Moraine Point Lodge and Wilderness Retreat Mountain Aven Enterprises Nonacho Lake Fishing Camp North Country Inn North of 60 Camps Ltd. North Star Resort 114

58 59 58 58

Fort Good Hope Norman Wells Tulita Norman Wells

80 28 78 75 77 78 74 77 74 77 74 80 82 76 75 78 78 78 81 81 81 74 77 77 74 76 77 77 82 81 75 77 77 75 74 78 74 76 74 76 78 78 76 81 76 78 80

Hay River Fort Resolution Fort Smith Hay River Fort Smith Fort Resolution Fort Smith Hay River Fort Resolution Fort Smith Fort Providence Hay River Hay River Hay River Hay River Fort Smith Fort Smith Hay River Hay River Hay River Fort Providence Fort Resolution Hay River Hay River Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Hay River Hay River Hay River Hay River Hay River Hay River Fort Resolution Fort Smith Fort Smith Hay River Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Yellowknife Hay River Hay River Hay River Fort Smith Fort Smith

INDEX | Follow us For uPDATEs AT twIttEr.com/spEctacularNwt

• • • •

•

• • • •

• •

•

• •

•

• • • • •

• • •

• •

• • •

• • • • • • •

•

• • •

• • • •

• •

• • • • • • • • •

•

• •

•

• • •

•

• •

•

• •

• • •

• •

•

• •

•

• • • •

•

• •

•

NorTHwEsT TErrITorIEs TourIsM | 2013 EXplorErs’ GuIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | sPECTACulArNwt.CoM

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ACTIVITIES

•

• • •

• •

•

• •

115

vic

g/ ein no Ca

sT ou

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SERVICES

south slave ü ü ü

ü ü ü

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Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre Northwestern Air Lease Ltd. NWT Kayak Association Paradise Garden and Campground Pelican Rapids Inn Ptarmigan Inn R HOUSE Bed and Breakfast Reliance Airways Ltd. River Front Motel Rocky Bay Fishing Lodge Salt River Elders Village Scott Lake Lodge Selwyn Lake Lodge Snowshoe Arts and Crafts Snowshoe Inn Taiga Tour Company Taltson Bay Big Pike Lodge Taltson Lake Lodge The Board Room The Diamond Willow Café The Harbour House Bed & Breakfast The Keys Dining Room The Pelican Boardroom Restaurant The Rusty Raven Gallery and Gift The Woodshed Gift and Garden Centre Thebacha Camp Services Thebacha Helicopters Thubun Lakes Lodge Twin Falls Inn Vandell Ventures Ltd. Visa Rentals, Leasing and Sales Whispering Pines Cottage Whooping Crane Guest House Wignes Lake Lodge Wilderness Edge Guest House Winnie's Dene Art Gallery and Gift Shop Wood Buffalo Inn Wood Buffalo National Park Yamozha Kue Society Dene Cultural Institute The Bucket List Tour westerN arctic Aventure Arctique Aklak Air Aklavik Inn Andre's Bed and Breakfast Arctic Adventure Tours Arctic Chalet Arctic Char Inn Arctic Ocean Tuk Tours Arctic Tour Company Aulavik National Park Banks Island Tundra Tours 116

77 76 77 76 74 76 74 76 76 80 74 80 80 82 74 80 78 80 77 82 76 77 77 82 82 74 76 80 74 78 82 74 75 80 75 81 75 77 77 81

Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Hay River Fort Smith Hay River Fort Smith Fort Smith Kakisa Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Providence Fort Providence Fort Smith Fort Resolution Fort Smith Hay River Hay River Hay River Hay River Fort Smith Fort Smith Hay River Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Enterprise Fort Providence Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Enterprise Fort Smith Fort Smith Hay River Hay River

52 50 50 50 52 50 50 52 50 51 53

Inuvik Inuvik Aklavik Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Ulukhaktok Tuktoyaktuk Tuktoyaktuk Sachs Harbour Sachs Harbour

INDEX | Follow us For uPDATEs AT twIttEr.com/spEctacularNwt

•

• • • • • •

• • •

•

• • • • • •

•

• •

•

• • • • • • •

• • • •

• • • • •

•

• • • • •

• •

•

• • • • •

• • •

• •

•

• •

•

• •

•

• •

•

• •

•

• • • •

•

• •

•

• •

•

• •

•

• •

•

• •

•

• •

NorTHwEsT TErrITorIEs TourIsM | 2013 EXplorErs’ GuIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | sPECTACulArNwt.CoM

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ACTIVITIES

•

117

vic

ü ü

Boreal Books Budget Car and Truck Rental C-TAP Guiding and Outfitting Services Canadian Helicopters Limited Capital Suites Chuck Gruben's Guiding and Outfitting Cloud Nine Dempster/Delta Visitor Information Centre Driving Force Vehicle Rentals Eagle Plains Hotel Service Station Fort McPherson Tent and Canvas Shop Gwich'in Helicopters Ltd. Gwich’in Tribal Council Hershal Island Territorial Park Husky River Cultural Tours Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Inuvik Community Greenhouse Ivaavik National Park Joanne's Taxi Kuptana's Polar Grizz Outfitters & Nature Tours Lessard Creek Big Game Outfitters Mackenzie Hotel Mavis' Craft Shop Midnight Express Tours Nitainlaii Visitor Information Centre North-Wright Airways Ltd. Nova Inn Ookpik Tours and Adventures Originals on Mackenzie Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church Parks Canada - Western Arctic Field Unit Paulatuk Visitor Centre Hotel Peel River Inn Pokiak Guiding and Outfitting Polar Bed and Breakfast Rendezvous Lake Lodge Roads End Driving Range Sea to Sky Expeditions Shangri La Yah Shivers Lounge The Cafe Gallery The Roost - The Backroom Tonimoes Restaurant Tuktoyaktuk Tours Tuktoyaktuk Vehicle Rentals Tours Tuktu Bed and Breakfast Tuktut Nogait National Park Twisted Ladle Ublugaik Adventures Ulukhaktok Adventures Up North Tours Western Arctic Regional Visitor Centre 118

59 47 52 51 50 52 52 51 53 50 53 51 28 51 52 28 51 51 52 50 53 50 54 52 51 51 50 52 54 51 51 50 50 52 50 52 52 52 50 52 52 52 52 52 54 52 51 52 53 53 52 52

Inuvik Whitehorse Tuktoyaktuk Inuvik Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Inuvik Dawson City Inuvik Dempster Hwy Fort McPherson Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Aklavik Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Sachs Harbour Paulatuk Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Fort McPherson Inuvik Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Paulatuk Fort McPherson Tuktoyaktuk Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Tuktoyaktuk Tuktoyaktuk Paulatuk Inuvik Ulukhaktok Ulukhaktok Inuvik Inuvik

INDEX | Follow us For uPDATEs AT twIttEr.com/spEctacularNwt

• • • •

• • • • •

•

• •

•

• • • •

• • •

• • • • •

•

• •

• • •

•

• • • • • • • • •

•

• • • •

• • • • •

•

• • • • • • • •

•

ein no

sT ou

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To u

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mb Nu

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SERVICES

• •

•

• • •

•

• •

•

• • •

NorTHwEsT TErrITorIEs TourIsM | 2013 EXplorErs’ GuIDE | 1.800.661.0788 | sPECTACulArNwt.CoM

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ACTIVITIES

•

• •

•

• •

•

119

ü ü ü

ü ü

ü ü ü ü ü

120

46 46 42 42 46 46 46 44 47 44 46 44 42 47 44 46 46 47 44 46 46 46 44 47 46 44 46 47 47 47 47 44 44 42 44 47

INDEX | Follow us For uPDATEs AT twIttEr.com/spEctacularNwt

r/ T ra

hic Ve

To u

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GettiNG here Adventure Canada Adventure Caravans Air Canada Air North Arctic Odysseys Association of Canadian Travel Agencies Association of Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters Canadian North CanaDream Inc. Deh Cho Travel Connection Denkzauber GMBH Department of Transportation, GNWT First Air Frontier Coachlines NWT Grand Prairie Regional Tourism Hotkey Marketing Group Marlin Travel MGM Bus Services Mighty Peace Tourism Association Miki Enterprise Inc Mile Post Consultants Inc Nagel Tours Ltd. Northern BC Tourism Association Northern Exposure Northwest Territories Adventure Co. Nunavut Tourism Quark Expeditions Select Holidays The Great Canadian Adventure Company The Great Canadian Travel Company Top of the World Travel Tourism and Parks, GNWT Trans Canada Trail WestJet Yukon Department of Tourism & Culture Yvonne Quick Inbound Receptive Tours

vic

SERVICES

• •

• • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

LEGEND ROUTES

THEMED ROUTES

Paved Surface

Trans Canada Trail

Dempster Highway

Unpaved Surface

Heritage River

Frontier Trail

Winter Access Only

Dempster Highway

Great Slave Route

Deh Cho Connection

Canol Hiking Route

Heritage Route

COMMUNITIES Capital

Ingraham Trail Community

SYMBOLS

Liard Trail Waterfalls Route

Ferry

Day Use Parks

Waterfall

Parks with Campgrounds

Historical Site

National Parks/Landmarks

Visitor Information

Diamond Mine

Wood Buffalo Route

ITO RIA

AG E

TRA I

NORTH AMERICA

RIT HE NOL CA TE SED OP O R P

REGIONS WESTERN ARCTIC NORTH SLAVE SOUTH SLAVE

Proposed Nรกรกts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve

SAHTU DEHCHO

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