Wild wild Northwest: How to conquer Canada’s rugged territories

With a waterfall twice nan tallness of Niagara, nan longest remote hiking trail in North America, and a organization of conscionable 44,000, nan Northwest Territories is simply a onshore of chaotic extremes.

Most travelers who make it to this immense tundra, much than two-and-a-half times nan size of California with 10 times much caribou than people, are pursuing nan light. 

Situated correct under the Earth’s set of maximal auroral activity, it shines pinch 240 nights of nature’s reply to an ’80s stone laser show. But erstwhile they’ve arrived, they thin to stay. 

“The abundance of nan onshore stands unsocial successful an progressively industrialized North America,” said Joel Hibbard, a second-generation stream guideline and co-owner of Nahanni River Adventures. “Vibrant civilization and a scenery that bears nan marks of nan past crystal property group nan shape for an acquisition recovered obscurity other connected earth.” 

Wondering wherever to start? We’ve sewage you covered. 

City of gold

All roads successful nan Northwest Territories lead to Yellowknife, whether you’re heading onward to nan arctic aliases chasing nan aurora crossed nan horizon.

“Due to its gold-mining history, group mightiness image 1 of those distant Wild West towns pinch 1 main thoroughfare and a mates of cabins,” said Tyler Abela, trading head of Northwest Territories Tourism.

Yet Yellowknife offers plentifulness to spot and do from browsing museums packed pinch artifacts and eating connected fresh-caught cod at Bullock’s Bistro to exploring Houseboat Bay, a one-of-a-kind community. There’s moreover a Tim Hortons. 

Aurora explora

If the aurora eluded you successful Iceland, Greenland and Norway, it’s clip to caput to nan Northwest Territories where, statistically speaking, luck should favour you.

“We person nary mountains and nary oceans, which create an unstable, cloudy upwind system,” said Joe Bailey, proprietor of North Star Adventures. “That equals much clear nights than immoderate different aurora state successful nan world.”

Increase your likelihood moreover further by joining Bailey, who earned nan nickname “Aurora Hunter” for his earthy expertise to way nan arena utilizing indigenous knowledge and technology. “We thrust 60, 70, possibly 100 miles to find clear entity and nan aurora. We person each nan latest apps, but sometimes my gut will conscionable show maine to spell westbound and location it is.”

Vibe tribe

A small complete half of nan NWT’s organization hail from 33 indigenous communities. Purchase locally made crafts like jewelry and tundra-proof mitts and be a cultural demonstration of traditions for illustration drumming, dancing, and canoe races. One of nan champion ways to study astir nan area’s autochthonal practice is by hiring an Indigenous-owned circuit company.

“That measurement you’re not conscionable going hiking aliases crystal fishing,” said Donna Lee Demarcke, CEO of Northwest Territories Tourism.. “You’re gaining penetration into what nan activity intends to their culture.”

Traveling pinch an Indigenous-operated business besides helps you make authentic connections. “In nan summer, we go boating successful nan Arctic Ocean and eat muktuk pinch nan Inuits,” said Bailey. “It’s not for tourism — they’re practicing their culture.”

Catch all

Here beryllium monsters: The NWT is location to galore record-breaking lakes, including Great Slave, wherever nan bottommost marks nan lowest earthy constituent of North America, and Great Bear, nan largest reservoir successful Canada. Patrolling these depths are line-busting, bad-tempered bluish pike and trout nan size of 40- to 80-pound children.

“The fishing up present is perfectly endless,” said Demarcke. “There are hundreds of lakes crossed nan territory. Not only are nan food large, but they’re plentiful and accessible.”

Wild, chaotic West

There are six national parks to take from — including Nááts’ihch’oh  (meaning “the upland that’s crisp for illustration a porcupine”). It’s truthful immense and new, hikers tin still thief representation routes that will go nan charismatic way network.

Be judge to canoe aliases raft the Nahanni, arguably Canada’s astir celebrated and epic river.

“The Nahanni appeals to those pinch a curiosity for different ways of life and a desire to immerse themselves successful Canada’s earthy and taste history and acquisition immoderate of nan finest untouched wilderness near connected earth,” said Hibbard. “A travel connected nan Nahanni is simply a travel done nan astir visually divers spot connected world successful a protected area larger than nan state of Belgium. With Canada’s deepest canyons, it is simply a scenery that defies nan imagination.”