Canada’s Northwest Territories are often viewed as cold, remote, and desolate, In actual
fact, its capital, Yellowknife, a thriving city with an incredibly active lifestyle.
We traveled here in February to find out what kind of adventures we could find.
Here are our Top 10 amazing winter activities in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, with
kids!
#10 Yellowknife in the winter has short days and long nights.
The locals take every chance they can get to get outside in the sun.
We joined Bluefish Services for some kite-flying on Great Slave Lake.
#9 In March, Yellowknife features an incredible snow castle near the edge of Great Slave Lake.
While it was still under construction while we visited, it was still a popular photo spot
for local and visitors alike.
#8 Aboriginal people and culture make up a big part of the local experience in Yellowknife.
Make sure to take the time to explore the aboriginal communities of N’Dilo near old
town, and Dettah, which, during the winter is reached by the next item on our list.
#7 The Dettah Ice-Road stretches across Yelloknife Bay, in Great Slave Laketo the town of Dettah.
While many of the lakes in the regions are plowed for local use, This stretch becomes
an official highway, complete with traffic rules and speed-limits.
#6 Yellowknife features some awesome indoor attractions that are perfect for kids.
The Visitor Centre gives kids a chance to stamp their passports with a Yellowknife stamp,
and the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre offers a detailed peek into the history
and culture of the area and includes a lot of hands-on activities for kids.
#5 Winter hiking is amazing, and with a nearly infinite amount of wilderness surrounding
the city, Yellowknife has plenty to offer for families to explore the outdoors.
And the best part about winter hiking in Yellowknife … no bears!
#4 A classic northern activity, Hitting the trails at the reigns of a dog-sled team.
Our kids loved flying around the lakes while mushing a team of competition sled dogs.
#3 The town of Yellowknife is known for it’s unique personality, nowhere is this more evident
than in the city’s old-town.
Street names like Ragged Ass Road and areas lined with classic log-buildings give a taste
of what it was like during the early days of the city’s history.
#2 Yellowknife has a thriving art community.
Local items such as bone, fur, rock and wood are used to create unique and beautiful work
that speaks to the local history and culture.
We also joined Oldtown Glassworks for an afternoon of shaping and sandblasting personal glass
art to take home with us.
#1 A visit to Yellowknife wouldn’t be complete without seeing the spectacular Northern Lights.
At only 400 km from the Arctic Circle, Yellowknife is considered one of the world’s top spots
to see this unforgettable natural phenomenon.
If you are thinking of checking out Yellowknife, make sure you head over to our blog and read
all about Yellowknife with kids!