7 Reasons Why We Can’t Wait for Winter in the NWT
Cold weather is by no means a constant in the Northwest Territories, but the snow and cold temperatures are an iconic part of everything we look forward to as the sun starts to dip below the horizon earlier each day. The anticipation for true Canadian winter activities is palpable as people start to fantasize about their plans “after freeze up”.
It’s a good thing winter here starts early, because here are 7 of the spectacular reasons why we simply can’t wait for winter in the Northwest Territories.
Getting out on the scenic trails around the NWT’s communities is possible any time of year, but for some nothing beats the feeling of zooming around the backcountry terrain with your skis and poles. Whether you’re taking a tour with one of our operators, making tracks out on a frozen lake, or following the well-worn path of a groomed trail, cross-country skiing keeps you moving and warm while enjoying our great outdoors.
6. Driving the ice roads
Driving on ice, often on slick city streets, is something most drivers dread, but driving on the ice roads in the NWT is quite the opposite. Nothing beats the surreal satisfaction you’ll get when your GPS says you appear to be driving in the middle of a lake. Watch for traffic as you find a clear patch to stare down through the ice into the nearly-black waters below, through the lattice-work of beautiful cracks. It’s also a great way to get away from city lights to see truly spectacular Northern Lights, without straying too far from your warm car. The frozen waters of the NWT become the staging grounds for many of our winter adventures, but maybe none are as popular as our next one…
5. Lake Hockey
There are few things that signify the true start of winter more than playing hockey outside on the frozen water. As soon as the ice is thick enough, people are out shovelling off the ice and building embankments to form make-shift hockey rinks. With thousands of lakes across the territory, we’re never too far from a rink to skate on. On Yellowknife’s Houseboat Bay, the houseboaters come together to build a truly impressive outdoor rink. Whether you’re skating around by yourself, practicing your stickwork, or taking part in a game where the losing team buys drinks for the winners, the hockey rink is where rivalries are formed, friendships are cemented, and legends are made.
4. Dogsledding
A dogsledding tour is a can’t-miss experience in the NWT. On a day tour, meet the dogs and be taken on an amazing high-speed journey through the pristine boreal forest, the iconic winter landscape of the North. At night, ride out into the crisp night air and catch a spectacular showing of the Aurora. With a tour operator, you’ll be treated to warm tea and bannock on your arrival back from the outing. We’re not sure who’s more excited for dog-sledding season, us or the dogs.
3. Ice Fishing
In the NWT, fishing doesn’t stop when the water freezes up. While most of your time ice fishing is relaxing by the fishing hole and waiting, it is an experience like no other. With a hot drink and a good friend to pass the time with, ice fishing can be just as stress-reducing and contemplative as summer fishing trips. While a hot and hearty breakfast will keep you warm on the ice, it’s the rewarding meal after the fishing trip that Northerners look forward to.
2. Snowmobiling
The snowmobile is the winter cousin to the motorcycle. Enthusiasts wait anxiously for the weather to turn in their favour, after maintaining their snowmobile through the summer months. When snow finally settles in and covers the roads and backcountry paths, the distinct sound of their engines begins to tear into the winter air. Snowmobiles are the adrenaline-junkies way of getting around through winter snow, and also probably the fastest! Many Northerners own one personally, but there are several tour operators that offer snowmobile adventures. We don’t know a better way to quickly get off-the-grid and out to our favourite secret fishing spots.
1. Aurora Watching
Whether you’ve been in NWT for just a day, a couple of months or your whole life, the beautiful Canadian Northern lights are something you never get tired of watching. Come December, the nights are long and dark, making it the perfect time to bundle up and admire the clear night skies coming to life with the dance of the Aurora. The NWT is perfectly positioned beneath the earth’s “Auroral Oval” – making it a scientific fact that you can see the best Auroras in the world right here in the Northwest Territories. There are a million different places to see the fantastic northern lights, but nothing beats the surprise you feel stepping out of your car, looking up and seeing the Aurora dancing above you.
Find the best way to fill your day while you wait for the Northern Lights to return at nightfall with more winter activities to do during your visit to the NWT.
Being the home of the best Northern Lights in the world is a pretty big claim, but we’ve got the facts to prove it. Before you come to see for yourself, read these 7 reasons why the NWT has the world’s best Aurora.
Related Stories
Intriguing tales from Canada's Northwest Territories
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......
We are an experienced team in the tourism industry and we provide services in Mandarin, Cantonese, English and other Asian......
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
Your Dene Connection in Yellowknife. B. Dene Adventures is a Traditional Dene Culture Camp business which teaches the Dene way......
We are the Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ got’ine. People of the community of Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́, “the place where rivers come together”, in......
Tundra North Travel is an Inuit company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories that was established with the dream of being......
Red Cliff Adventures has a traditional camp that is located in Lutsel K’e, on the shores of the East Arm,......
Nestled in the Nahanni Range of the Mackenzie Mountains on Cli Lake, is the North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge. It is......
Enodah Wilderness Travel / Trout Rock Lodge/ Enodah Kennel offer high-quality Aurora viewing experiences by night and dogsled tours by......
With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......
Offering four-hour Aurora tours including the ice road and City of Yellowknife. Pick-up and drop-off available. Small groups. Service in......
Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......
The all new Namushka Lodge! Come enjoy all the new amenities of a fly-in fishing lodge! Located on Harding Lake, 32......
Destination NWT Limited is a tourism operator located in Yellowknife, Canada. DNWT specializes in outdoors adventures, aurora photography, and cultural experiences: Best rated Snowmobile Tour, winter gears included, exciting trail riding Aurora Tour in a Luxurious lakeside Lodge Unique Aurora tour while Ice Fishing indoors Full panoramic moonroof vehicle for Aurora Viewing DNWT’s tours allow […]...
Explore Yellowknife is an adventure tour operator based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.We offer authentic northern tours like no other. Witness......
DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......
Our professional tour guides will take you on amazing Aurora viewing tours, city tours, ice road tours and much more.......
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
With Bluefish Outfitting you’ll get an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Bluefish Outfitting offers personalized, guided fishing trips and boat tours on......
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
World class dogsled tours! We are one of the largest professional sled dog kennels in Canada. Over 150 happy, healthy......
If are looking for a spectacular weekend retreat nestled in the serenity of the Mackenzie Mountains at Ten Stone Mountain Lodge. North-Wright......
Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures is a professional fishing charter company with a professional NWT fishing guide looking to help you catch......
Great Slave Lake Tours offers winter and summer trips on Great Slave Lake, the ninth biggest lake in the world......
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Join us on an Aurora hunting adventure. Our skilled tour guides know all the best places around Yellowknife to capture......
Come explore more then half a century of marine history under the Aurora!...
We offer winter clothing rentals. Our winter clothing will keep you warm and comfortable for your outdoor fun – ask us......
Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......
We operate a fully equipped luxury coach and offer City Tours, Aurora Tours and tours to the Nahanni National Park Reserve......
We offer tours such as aurora viewing, dog sledding, snowmobile rides, ice fishing and more. Come experience a once in......
Extend your trip to Fort Simpson with a visit to our Dene Camp, K’iyeli. We have options available for an......
Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......
We are a local Aboriginal tour company based in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Our focus is on......
Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......
Create your own story. We offer a variety of services to make your Sahtu adventure a reality! We offer everything from......
Raven Tours is a tour operator in Yellowknife, NT, Canada. We offer Aurora Viewing, Snowshoeing, and Hiking Tours. We hope to......
Guided hunting, community tours of Tuktoyaktuk and much more. Visit a local home to enjoy a unique opportunity to appreciate......
If you are looking for an Aurora Experience of a lifetime in Yellowknife – the best place in the world to......
Our goal is to provide unique customized services for high-end customers. We excel at making personalized tours. You can see......
Join us for a fishing trip of a lifetime in the barrenlands of Northern Canada. Experience some of the world’s......
An Indigenous, family owned business with much history, knowledge and stories to share about the Spectacular Northwest Territories! We used......
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......
Welcoming and friendly with a rustic charm and all modern conveniences, Grey Goose Lodge immediately catches your eye as you......
For 35 years, Sambaa K’e has offered world-class fishing on Trout Lake just north of the Northwest Territories-British Columbia border.......
Yellowknife Online produces Yellowknife specific articles and content for visitors, residents, and newcomers. Yellowknife Online has recently transferred that knowledge......
Chuck Gruben is an active Inuvialuit hunter and trapper very knowledgeable in the Tuktoyaktuk area offering customized tours (hunting, hiking,......
Dancing Skies is a new tour operator in Yellowknife, led by an experienced northern lights chaser and photographer with a passion for contemplation. Specializing in private tours and small groups of up to 5 people, we prioritize silent, serene observation and photography of the aurora, far from the crowds. With expertise in Space Weather data, […]...
Beaufort Sea Adventures is a family-owned and Indigenous-operated business, proudly offering Arctic experiences in Tuktoyaktuk. Our family lives and breathes the North, giving us a unique insight into the hidden gems that make Tuktoyaktuk truly special. We offer guests an authentic cultural immersion, sharing our Inuvialuit heritage, stories, and deep connection to the land and […]...
We offer dog sled tours in and around Tuktoyaktuk, the Pingo National Landmark and to Husky Lanes. Please contact us......
Offering Cultural tours, sport fishing, canoeing and snowmobile tours. Contact us for more information....
Join us on a subarctic adventure! Spend five nights viewing the Northern Lights, enjoying outdoor activities, and experiencing the culture......
We offer Yellowknife daytime and aurora viewing tours. Please contact us for more information!...
As a local Indigenous man Bob has traditional knowledge and insight into the land that the average northerner does not......
Call us about our exciting year-round packages and experience the best of the Dehcho region and Denendeh....
The Aurora Borealis Experience specializes in exciting, safe and memorable outdoor adventures....
Aurora viewing tours, city tours, and hikes at Cameron Falls. We book all your activities and accommodation....
Providing culturally based tours of Tuktoyaktuk with an opportunity to dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean! Ask us about......
Summer and winter packages on the Taltson River. Drive out by snowmobile from Fort Resolution or fly out from Fort......
We offer: Nature and wildlife viewing Snowmobile tours Fishing tours Boat tours Polar bear and muskox hunts. Contact us for......
We run a small all-inclusive lodge that can handle ten people at a time. From this lodge we organize hunting......
We offer the following: Boat & Fishing tours Community & Cultural tours Dog sled tours Snowmobile / ATV tours Polar......