Blachford Lodge a stunning eco-friendly lodge is situated in pristine wilderness, 100 km from the city of Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories. It is only accessible by bush plane and operates in summer, fall and winter, offering seasonal unrivalled views of the night sky, unpolluted by artificial light. Blachford Lodge is one of the most sought-after destinations for aurora viewing in the Canadian north. Summer is flooded with bright sun, long days, and trophy fishing for Pike, Trout and Grayling.
Our guest facilities include free wireless internet, hot tub, sauna, and Aurora-watch wake-up service. Unusually for a remote lodge accessible from Yellowknife, our main building includes running hot water and showers, as well as comfortable hotel-style toilets. There are 5 guest rooms in the main lodge, and 5 separate stand alone log cabins. These log cabins provide a special blend of comfort and adventure, taking you back to the days of the fur-trappers, European pioneers and indigenous peoples who helped make northern Canada the vibrant, yet still timeless place that it is today. Check out our virtual tour here!
Blachford Lodge has become one of the world’s top Aurora viewing destinations for very good reason. The Eco-initiatives and authentic experiences offered by the lodge are topped off by the best Aurora viewing opportunities on earth. From far and wide, guests travel to Canada’s north to be wow-ed by the hospitality, outdoor experiences, and dazzling skies that the lodge has to offer.
For more information, please visit our website or give us a call – we would love to host you in Canada’s spectacular Northwest Territories.
Whati is situated on the third largest lake, Lac La Martre, in the NWT and the location offers guests a pristine and untouched environment to view the Aurora Borealis, while you can also enjoy an uninterrupted view of the beautiful scenery of the Lac La Martre lake. Guests can sit back and relax in a comfortable vehicle (small group sizes of 2-6 people) while we embark on a picturesque 3-hour (250km) drive from Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories.
We are pleased to offer the following package between April 18th & 22nd so you can join the Community of Whati for the Spring Carnival! Everyone’s welcome to enjoy traditional games, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice fishing (depending on ice conditions) and a community dance.
Transportation between Yellowknife and Whati
Accommodations (2-nights)
Snowshoes for your use.
Opportunity to sign up for snowmobiling tours, ice fishing and more!
The Yellowknife Historical Museum and Interpretive Centre showcases Yellowknife’s Indigenous, sporting, cultural, geological, and mining history. Along with our exhibit hall, this Museum also has a gift shop that is stocked almost entirely by local artists and a Restaurant/Café area open for lunch and dinner.
Our Museum has a wide verity of interests for locals and tourists. In our exhibits, you will see a variety of displays highlighting:
The history of the Earth: landforms, rocks, and minerals
The history of the people: Indigenous Culture, arts, entrepreneurial settlers, sports, and recreation
The History of industry: prospecting, mining, agriculture, fishing, and remediation
Exhibits that have been of local interest for School tours are our exhibits featuring Inuit and Dene games, hockey, dog sledding, curling and an interactive play area for children and those who are children at heart. We also have an extensive public collection of information regarding the geological and cultural history of Yellowknife including that of the gold and diamond mining in the area, following that journey right up to the Giant Mine Remediation Project.
The Yellowknife Historical Museum and Interpretive Centre is located on Chief Drygeese Territory, the traditional territory of the Wiiliideh Yellowknives Dene First Nation and home of the North Slave Métis. We respectfully acknowledge our presence on the Indigenous land around Yellowknife.
This is a community-driven Museum run by the non-profit organization the Yellowknife Historical Society. Entry is by donation.
The hours for our Restaurant, The Miner’s Mess, operated by Hidden Gem are:
Monday Closed
Tuesday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
2025 New Moon dates: January 29, February 27, March 29, April 27
Opening in December, 2024 will be our 5 newly renovated cabins. We are adding more comfort, beauty, and overall enhancements to your experience with us.
Winter outdoor activities include cross-country skiing on 20 kilometers of groomed trails, snowshoeing, sliding, ice skating, ice fishing, fat-biking, kick-sledding and snowmobile tours (at an additional charge). Strap on your snowshoes, or stick to your winter boots and try to spot some northern wildlife. Spend your evenings relaxing relax in our cozy lounge areas, relax in the sauna, or kick back in our hot tub while watching the Aurora dance overhead.
Fishing licenses must be purchased prior to your arrival at Blachford Lodge. If you’d like to try ice-fishing during your stay, please visit: https://licences.enr.gov.nt.ca/
Flights
When booking your flights in/out of Yellowknife, please ensure that you arrive in Yellowknife the night before the charter flight departure to the lodge. Flights to/from YZF and BLL operate between 8:00am and 2:00pm MT.
Please check with us prior to booking your departing flight from Yellowknife. Because at times both scheduled and charter flights may experience delays, we do not recommend booking a flight from Yellowknife prior to 5:00 pm MT.
Includes:
Flightseeing charter Yellowknife – Blachford – Yellowknife
Lodge or cabin accommodation
Introduction and hints about aurora photography
Aurora Watch service
Two hour interpretive experience each day
Use of Lodge Facilities: Dining room, Aurora lounge, fireplaces, northern library, bathrooms with showers, basins and toilets, hot tub, sauna, open decks
Comprehensive pre-departure information
Use of seasonal equipment (canoes, SUP, fat tire bike, kayaks, hiking trails, fishing excursion, motorized boat)
Welcome Drink & Orientation
All meals
All snacks
Coffee, tea, juice
Use of hot tub and sauna
Handicraft workshops in the lodge
Yoga equipment for personal use
Access to some of the best Aurora viewing in the world
High speed wireless internet
NOT INCLUDED:
Items of a personal nature
Travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages from licensed bar
Snowmobile Tours
Winter Clothing Rental (available – just ask!)
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Winter Gear Rental
Down parka, insulated snow pants, felt-duffle-lined boots, and lined mitts. Includes delivery of gear to bush plan departure location, fitting, and pick up from bush plane arrival location.
Fishing licenses have to be purchased in Yellowknife, prior to departure to Blachford Lodge. For more information and to obtain your license please click HERE.
Add Ons
Do you need any help with booking your Yellowknife components to your stay? We’re happy to help. Please contact our office for:
Hotel reservations
Private transfers
Snowmobiling
City tours
Aurora tour
Winter clothing delivery and rental options
Not exactly what you’re looking for? Contact us for more information!
PRICING:
For Holiday packages (travel December 21st, 2024-January 2, 2025, please see our Holiday packages page. Packages have additional add-ons and vary in departure date and pricing.
All rates below are adult rates:
LODGE & CABIN ACCOMMODATIONS
3 nights (Saturday-Tuesday)
$3,597
4 nights (Tuesday-Saturday)
$4,796
7 nights (starting Saturday or Tuesday)
$8,393*
Flight-seeing Charter (YZF-BLL return, per person)
$499
*Flight is included in 7-night stay package
**All packages are priced per person in Canadian Dollars
Aurora watchers and stargazers agree there are few better places to see the Aurora than Blachford Lodge. From mid-August, when night skies turn a velvety black to late October when the lake begins to freeze, Blachford guests can be treated to late night shows of the northern lights. On calm nights the lake also reflects the sky, doubling the awe-inspiring images. Autumn is a great time to sit outside in comfort and just lean back and enjoy the show.
To avoid disappointment, we recommend a minimum three-night stay at the lodge to maximize your chances of a beautiful aurora show. We provide daily forecasts of the intensity of the anticipated show, based on several sources including NASA, and our own local astronomynorth.com.
Flights
When booking your flights in/out of Yellowknife, please ensure that you arrive in Yellowknife the night before your charter flight departure to the lodge. Flights to/from YZF and BLL operate between 08:00am and 2:00pm MT.
Please check with us prior to booking your departing flight from Yellowknife. Because at times both scheduled and charter flights may experience delays, we do not recommend booking a flight from Yellowknife prior to 5:00 pm MT.
INCLUDED:
Flightseeing charter Yellowknife – Blachford – Yellowknife
Lodge or cabin accommodation
Introduction and hints about aurora photography
Aurora Watch service
Two hour interpretive experience each day
Use of Lodge Facilities: Dining room, Aurora lounge, fireplaces, northern library, bathrooms with showers, basins and toilets, hot tub, sauna, open decks
Comprehensive pre-departure information
Use of seasonal equipment (canoes, SUP, fat tire bike, kayaks, hiking trails, fishing excursion, motorized boat)
Welcome Drink & Orientation
All meals
All snacks
Coffee, tea, juice
Use of hot tub and sauna
Handicraft workshops in the lodge
Yoga equipment for personal use
Access to some of the best Aurora viewing in the world
High speed wireless internet
NOT INCLUDED:
Items of a personal nature
Travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages from licensed bar
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Guided Fishing
Price Per Person
2 hours per person
Included in package
Half Day (4 hours) per person
$200
Full Day (8 hours) per person
$300
2025 PRICING:
We are adding more comfort to your Blachford Lodge experience! Our renovations are taking place this summer and late fall to update accommodations and add more features to your cabin and/or lodge room.
Accommodation: Cabin or Lodge Room
All rates below are adult rates.
3 Nights (Saturday-Tuesday) – $3,597
4 Nights (Tuesday – Saturday) – $4,796
7 Nights (Starting Saturday or Tuesday) – $8,393
Flight-seeing Charter (YZF-BLL return, per person)
$499
*Flight is included in 7-night stay package
**All packages are priced per person in Canadian Dollars
