Yellowknife

YELLOWKNIFE

Delivers non-stop outdoor adventure

by JILL MROSS

It’s been a while since I’d taken a trip outside of my comfort zone. Perhaps that’s why the chance to see the northern lights in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in mid-March (think temps of -10° F for a high – pretty frigid for a Florida girl like me!) appealed to my sense of adventure. Also into play was a birthday present for my husband who was celebrating a milestone year. It was a winning holiday all-around and one that’s well suited for travelers like us who seek the road less traveled.

From Orlando we overnighted at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport and I’m so glad we did. I don’t think you can get any more convenient than this AAA Four-Diamond hotel that’s directly connected to the airport on the arrivals level, just steps away from ticket counters and security. In addition, the property’s attention to detail in both décor and dining was greatly appreciated as well.

The Yellowknife Airport is a small, efficient operation located less than a 10-minute drive from our hotel and nearby city center. (Good to know: There is no jetway so dress accordingly in the winter months when deplaning. While it was a short walk for us, I was caught off guard and quickly got a taste of what was ahead, temperature-wise.)

Our hotel for the next four nights was at The Explorer, a comfortable three-star property that recently expanded with a new 72-room wing, plus an upgrade to existing guestrooms and other areas. High marks go to the hotel and restaurant staff for their eagerness to please and pride in their community.

I mention pride because it was a thread woven throughout our entire stay in Yellowknife. It’s why our local city tour with Mike and aboriginal tour with Guy and his son Rainer, members of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, lasted more than three hours, far beyond the original itinerary as they all shared tales of local lore. It’s why Greg, our icefishing host (and yes, I did reel in a 4 pound pike!), a former big-city accountant turned adventure guide, has called Yellowknife home for 45 years. The community works together – and not just the great tourism folks – to make visitors feel welcome.

And what about the aurora viewings during our stay? Wasn’t that the main reason for our visit? Well, to call the Northern Lights experience “incredible,” “breath-taking,” and just plain “wow” would not do them justice. Our package included two nights of viewing – one at Aurora Village with about 200 other guests and a second outing with just five of us in a private log cabin. While we had our fingers crossed we’d see the lights, nothing is guaranteed in this type of outing. (Another good to know: Yellowknife averages 90 to 100 percent Aurora viewing success – along with Iceland, Greenland, and Norway – due to their location in a magnetic halo. Best viewing months in Yellowknife: September through April with peak periods in December and March.) We saw the lights both nights, yet enjoyed totally unique displays of colors and frequency and movement each evening. It’s a must to see them in different venues and kudos to Tannis from Touch the Arctic Tours for making that happen. She also arranged for our special winter clothing attire, which became our second skin in order to survive the elements. It’s an absolute must if you’re visiting during the colder months.

To call the Northern Lights experience “incredible,” “breath-taking,” and just plain “wow” would not do them justice."

While Yellowknife is a year-round vacation destination and a perfect venue for fishing, hiking, and water-sports during the summer, the March timing was perfect for us as we also got to experience the ice road, dog sledding, and the popular month-long SnowKing Festival. At the heart of this winter wonderland is a huge castle made entirely of snow and ice. It takes the volunteers two months to build the creation. On any given day, the Snowcastle might host a childrenˇs play, followed by an arts exhibit or a rock band, a film festival and finish the night off by transforming into a dance club, making it a great option for multi-generational family trips. Our visit happened to coincide with the annual Long John Jamboree that’s located adjacent to the festival and home to an ice carving competition that draws artists from around the world. It’s truly another wow experience.

We saw the lights both nights, yet enjoyed totally unique displays of colors and frequency and movement each evening."

We’re back home now in warm and sunny (and humid) Orlando. And, while I feel a bit lighter without my parka and other heavy duty clothing, every so often, come evening, I look up and relive the memories of those shimmering, dancing, bursts of brilliant greens and yellows and purples in the night sky. Until next time, Yellowknife …