2016 Discover Yellowknife Guide

Transcription

2016 Discover Yellowknife Guide
FRE
E!
DISCOVER
OUR YELLOWKNIFE
A vibrant city in the heart of the wilderness
2016
VISITORS
GUIDE
TRAVEL TIPS • MAPS • ACTIVITIES
JF Bergeron/NWTT
Located in INUVIK, NWT
tundranorthtours@gmail.com
TUKTOYAKTUK
Exclusive Boat Tours
TOURS
(Boat, Air, Ice Road & Custom Tours)
Terry Parker/NWTT
Tuktoyaktuk
Arctic Circle
Herschel Island
EXPLORE, INVEST, RECRUIT, WORK
CDETNO supports NWT entrepreneurs in attracting francophone investment,
hiring bilingual staff and tapping into lucrative French speaking markets.
VISITER, INVESTIR, EMBAUCHER, TRAVAILLER
TOUR PACKAGES
from Yellowknife include
flights, accommodation &
our Tuk flight or boat tour
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Canoes
Kayaks
Snow Machines
BOOK ONLINE OR CALL US TODAY!
Aux Territoires du Nord-Ouest, le CDÉTNO est la référence francophone pour les
entrepreneurs, investisseurs, employeurs, chercheurs d’emplois et les visiteurs.
1 866 849 9139
www.cdetno.com
4912, 49th Street Yellowknife NT X1A 2NA
Avez-vous considéré les Territoires du Nord-Ouest pour votre prochain événement?
CONSULTEZ LE GUIDE DU CONFÉRENCIER EN FRANÇAIS
tundranorthtours.com
1-800-420-9652 • (867) 678-0510
ABORIGINAL OWNED & OPERATED
The City of Yellowknife
WELCOMES YOU!
Discover Yellowknife is a cooperative effort from our own City staff, the
friendly tourism staff at the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre and the team
at Up Here Publishing.
This year we are celebrating food! Yellowknife is a northern, multicultural city
located on the shores of Great Slave Lake, which means a wonderful variety
of options are available. Treat yourself to bison, muskox, reindeer or char for a
northern night out. Enjoy a meal of Korean, Ethiopian and Japanese food while
watching the midnight sun or preparing for an evening of aurora viewing.
Test out local recipes and buy fresh lake trout, walleye, whitefish, inconnu
and Northern Pike directly from Great Slave Lake fishers themselves. You can
cook your own shore lunch over a fire pit and grill in one of our Territorial
Parks located nearby.
During summer and fall, mingle with locals at Somba K’e Civic Plaza,
overlooking Frame Lake, at the weekly Farmer’s Market. Depending on the
season you will find everything from locally tapped birch syrup and freshly
harvested produce to home-cooked Indian and Thai dishes. A growing number of food vendors offering take-out dishes are found throughout the city.
If you’re a gardener, you will be surprised at the variety of produce grown in
the community gardens located throughout the city.
Whether you choose to dine out, buy fresh or enjoy local recipes offered
by one of our many tour operators, I’m confident you will be pleasantly
surprised by the food variety and experience offered in Yellowknife!
Welcome to Our Yellowknife,
Mayor Mark Heyck
BILL BRADEN
4 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
yellowknife.ca
communications@yellowknife.ca
Connect with the
City of Yellowknife on
CONTENTS
8 INTRODUCTION
A quick look at our city with
some common facts vs. myths,
and a bit of local lingo
44 WHAT TO DO YEAR-ROUND
How to keep busy in all types
of weather, snow or shine
12 GETTING HERE
48 ARTS AND CULTURE
14 WHEN TO COME
52 FREE TO SEE
18
58 WHERE TO STAY
By air or by road, we’re easy to
get to—and easy to get around
Yellowknife: a year at a glance.
Here’s what’s happening in 2016
Sure it gets cold up here.
But it also gets fun
Sample itineraries
18
Dogsledding22
• Ice Fishing
22
• Cross-country skiing
22
• Aurora viewing
23
• Kite skiing
24
• Ice road driving
25
• Snowshoeing25
• Winter festivals
25
• Indoor recreation
26
• Ice skating 26
• Share your experience 28
•
•
32 WHAT TO DO: SUMMER
Days when the sun never
seems to set leave you
sleepless in the best way
Sample itineraries
• On the water
• Fish guide
• On land
• Hiking trails
• Guide to bugs
• Bushplane guide
• Festivals and events
• Bear safety guide
• Share your experience
Take in a concert or try your
hand at some Northern crafts
Free exhibits, tours, and
activities around town
From homey bed and
breakfasts to first-class hotels
WHAT TO DO: WINTER
•
64 FOOD & DRINK
From high-end northern
cuisine to innovative food
trucks and classic diner fare
72 WHERE TO SHOP
Everything you need in gear,
Northern crafts, and gifts
76 FLY-IN LODGES
Get out of the city into the
exciting wilderness in an
endless variety of ways
78 BEFORE YOU LEAVE
32
34
36
38
38
38
40
41
41
42
Key souvenirs to remind you of
your time in Yellowknife
Insurance
Replacement Vehicles
We’ll pick you up
COVER PHOTO: ANGELA GZOWSKI
DID YOU KNOW?
911 does not exist here
Instead use these emergency numbers:
Police: 867-873-1111
Fire and ambulance: 867-873-2222
THE VOICE OF CANADA’S FAR NORTH
6 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
Locally owned and operated for over 40 years!
Yellowknife
867-920-2970 867-873-3424
Reservations, Out-of-town and Worldwide Toll-Free
1-800-387-4747
YELLOWKNIFE AIRPORT, 101 Bristol Court Airport
Email yk_ncr@live.ca
For worldwide service please call 1-800-CAR-RENT /D I 1-800-227-7368
SCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE 7
www.nationalcar.ca

YELLOWKNIFE:
AN INTRODUCTION
You’ve just arrived in the capital
of the Northwest Territories and
one of the most vibrant, diverse
communities in Canada’s North.
has evolved into a surprisingly
cosmopolitan city, home to
dozens of nationalities in a
population of just under 20,000.
camping, fishing, or taking in the
tunes at the city’s famous Folk on
the Rocks music festival. Winter
is the crisp, invigorating season
of dogsledding, snowmobiling
and ice fishing, and jaw-dropping
Northern Lights displays that
draw visitors from around the
world.
Though the Yellowknives and
Tłįcho˛ Dene have lived and
travelled through the region for
thousands of years, Yellowknife
was permanently settled 82 years
ago, following the discovery of
large gold deposits. From its
rough-edged beginnings as a
frontier mining town, Yellowknife
Yellowknife offers many of the
urban amenities you’d find in
any Canadian centre. At the same
time, this is a magical place on the
edge of a great wilderness, where
the outdoors in all its glory is
easily accessible. In summer, the
sun stays up for nearly 24 hours−
meaning endless days full of
Let this guide be your starting
point as you explore your new
surroundings. We’ve included
everything we know—but you’re
sure to find surprises all on your
own! Find us on Facebook, Twitter
and YouTube, or come visit us in
person at City Hall. Welcome to
Yellowknife.
イエローナイフ: はじめに
貴方は、ノースウェスト準州の
州都であり、カナダ北部の最も活
気に満ちたコミュニティのるつぼ
のひとつに到着しました。
イエローナイフ族とデネ族は何千
年もの間、この地域に居住または
移動してきましたが、イエローナ
イフが定着したのは80年ほど前、
豊富な金鉱の発見によります。辺
境の鉱山の町として始まり、イエ
ローナイフは2万人弱の人口、数
十もの民族からなる国際都市とし
て驚くほど発展してきました。
イエローナイフは他のカナダ中
心部で見られるような洗練され
た快適な設備もたくさん提供し
ています。それと同時に、壮大
な眺めの野外にすぐにアクセス
できるという、偉大な大自然の
一端にある不思議な場所です。
夏は、
太陽が24時間近く昇ります-つ
まり、キャンプ、フィッシング、ま
たは有名な“Folk on the Rocks”
という音楽フェスティバルなど、
終わりなく一日中楽しめます。冬
には犬ぞり、スノーモービルやア
イスフィッシングの身の引き締ま
るような爽快な季節、そして世界
中から観光客を引きつける驚愕
のオーロラが現れます。
欢迎你光临加拿大西北地区首
府黄刀市! 这里是黄刀Dene族
和Tlicho Dene族的祖籍地,但
愿这个坐落于美丽辽阔的亚北极
原野上的城市带给您前所未有
的感受!
歡迎你光臨加拿大西北地區首
府黃刀市!這裡是黃刀Dene族和
TlichoDene族的祖籍地,但愿这个
坐落于美丽辽阔的亚北极原野上
的城市带给您前所未有的感受!
ぜひ、この案内書を貴方の新
しい環境を探検するにあたっ
てのスタート地点にしてくださ
い。私たちの知るすべてを書き
記します。しかし、貴方自身で
驚きを見つけると確信していま
す! Facebook、Twitterおよび
YouTubeも開設していますの
で、そちらもご覧ください。もし
くは、シティーホールへお越しく
ださい。 ようこそ、イエローナ
イフへ。
ノースウェスト準州の州都であり、
イエローナイフデネ族とティへよう
こそお越しくださいました。極北地
域の広大な荒野での滞在がより良
いものになることを心よりお祈り申
し上げます。チョーデネ族の発祥
地である、イエローナイフ
1935-1937
A gold find at the west
end of Yellowknife Bay
spurs a mini gold-rush.
Con Mine is developed
and a town is settled.
8 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
1948
Giant Mine,
Yellowknife’s
other gold
mine, begins
production.
Want to get a feel
for the place?
Put these on your reading list:
If you don’t want to stick out like a
sore thumb, here are a few special
items you will need to blend into the
Yellowknife landscape.
Solomon Gursky Was Here
by Mordechai Richler
Late Nights on Air
by Elizabeth Hay
Old Town
by Fran Hurcomb
WINTER
PARKA AND SNOWPANTS: Many
local operators include parkas and
snowpants in their tour packages. Not
planning on taking a guided tour?
You can rent gear from My Backyard
Tours (mybackyardtours.com) and
NARWAL Northern adventures
(narwal.ca). It’s best to book your gear
rental in advance of your visit. We also
recommend that you dress in layers,
wear wool socks (not cotton) and, if
possible, long underwear. If you can’t
find any in your hometown, you can
purchase those items here.
HAND AND FOOT WARMERS:
Recommended for extended
outdoors trips. You can purchase
these in town.
KEEP YOUR CAR WARM: If you’re
renting a vehicle, check that your
accommodations have a spot to
plug it in at night so the battery and
engine block stay warm. Give time to
warm up your car before you drive.
CONTACT LENSES: If you wear
glasses, beware: when you’re bundled
up and your face is covered in a scarf,
your lenses will inevitably fog up.
If you want to be able to see where
you’re going, contacts are a safe bet.
SUNSCREEN/SUNGLASSES/HAT:
We don’t blame you for wanting to
enjoy every minute of the long sunlit
days. Just keep your skin protected
while you’re at it!
SWIMSUIT/TOWEL: Fresh water
is our trademark. With countless
lakes to choose form, chances are
you will spend most of your summer
swimming, canoeing, kayaking,
tubing, or paddle boarding.
AFTERBITE: Mosquitoes. Horse flies.
Blackflies. Need we say more?
EYEMASK: Yellowknife is south of
the Arctic Circle, which means we
don’t get 24-hour daylight—but even
though the sun does set, it doesn’t
get very dark at night for most
of the summer. If you’re worried
about getting to sleep when it’s
still bright out, we suggest using
an eyemask. That being said, most
accommodations will have dark
curtains to keep out the bright light.
FACT OR FICTION
A quick history
FOR CENTURIES,
the Weledeh Dene
live and travel in the
region, fishing in the
Yellowknife River in the
summer.
literature
RECOMMENDED GEAR
1967
Yellowknife is
declared the
capital of the
Northwest
Territories.
1991
Diamonds
are found at
Point Lake.
Staking rush
ensues.
1999
Nunavut
breaks
away
from the
NWT.
yellowknife.ca
2016
The ideal
year to visit/
move to
Yellowknife.
Seriously.
communications@yellowknife.ca
SUMMER
BUG SPRAY/BUG JACKET: You can
purchase bug spray in town. If you
plan to head out into the bush, a bug
jacket is a good idea—and you can
purchase those in town too.
Connect with the
City of Yellowknife on
There are some blurry areas when
it comes to what’s true and what’s a
myth about Yellowknife:
YELLOWKNIFERS LIVE IN IGLOOS:
Fiction. However, Yellowknifers
build igloos recreationally. Contact
NARWAL Adventures (see page 22).
IT GETS COLD: Fact. In the winter,
it can drop past -30 C (we try not
to think about the wind chill), and
daylight hours are limited. When the
sun is out, it’s bright and brilliant.
Rather than hiding from winter, we
celebrate the season with festivals
and activities (See When to Come,
page 14, and What to do: Winter,
page 18). And it’s not cold all year
long; in July, the average high is 21 C.
YOU’LL SEE LOTS OF WILDLIFE: Fact.
Yellowknife boasts fantastic birding
opportunities, especially in spring.
To see bison, head down Highway 3,
past Behchokò˛ , and you’ll likely run
into one or a few. Around town or
along the Ingraham Trail, you might
spot foxes, ravens, beavers, and
eagles, among other animals.
WATCH OUT FOR POLAR BEARS:
Fiction. Polar bears are, however, a
symbol of the Northwest Territories,
because they do live near the Arctic
Ocean, so you’ll see polar bear
insignia in many places. To see one
in real life, however, you’ll have to
head much farther north.
YOU CAN SEE NORTHERN LIGHTS
YEAR-ROUND: Fiction. We are known
as the world capital for aurora viewing,
and rightly so. Most winter, as long as
the sky is clear, it’s filled with ribbons
of green (in the summer, the sky
doesn’t get dark enough to glimpse
the lights until August). For auroraviewing tours, see page 23.
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
9
Fiction. The city is on the 62nd
parallel, which is in the subarctic.
And even though Yellowknife is only
400 kilometres from the Arctic Circle,
there’s no road to take you there—so
you’ll either have to fly north, wait
till winter and drive there along the
ice road, or in the summer, grab a
canoe and take a couple of weeks to
paddle there.
THE ROCK: The rock in the middle
of Old Town, on top of which sits
Pilot’s Monument, is a tribute to the
bush pilots whose work helped build
communities in the North. (Insider’s
tip: It’s a Yellowknife tradition to drive
around the rock three times honking
your horn after your wedding—with a
fleet of your guests right behind you.)
THE DOWNHILL SKIING IS GREAT:
Fiction. If you’re a skier, the best we
can offer is some killer cross country
skiing across our big lakes and at our
ski club’s trails. Mountains are not
found in this region of the North.
RAGGED ASS ROAD: The woodyard,
a historic neighbourhood in even
more historic Old Town, features
the infamous Ragged Ass Road. In
the 1970s, Yellowknifer Lou Rocher
joked that it was Ragged Ass Road
since it was a bit of a dive of an alley.
The City accepted this road name
but learned soon enough to weld
the sign onto its post; it was a local
favourite to steal and put up in your
own house. See page 78 on how to
get your own Ragged Ass Road sign.
DENE NATION: An organization
that represents many of the NWT’s
indigenous peoples: Denesoline,
Tłįcho˛, Deh Gah Got’ine, K’ashot’ine
and Dinjii Zhuh (or Gwich’in). “Dene”
means “The people” in most of these
languages.
DETTAH: This is a First Nations
settlement on east Yellowknife Bay
about 6.5 km out of city limits. In
Tłįcho˛ it means “burnt point.”
Furniture...
and so much more!
SOMBA K’E: This is Yellowknife’s
name in Tłįcho˛ . It means “where the
money is.” It is also the name of the
plaza beside City Hall.
MAHSI CHO OR MAHSI: “Thank you
Come see our four floors of
Furniture & Home Décor
very much” in Tłįcho˛.
FREEZE-UP: The period when the
lakes are freezing up, which usually
begins in November. To check
whether the ice is thick enough to walk
on, check yellowknife.ca/en/livinghere/ice-measurement-and-safety.asp
867.873.2004
4610 50th Ave
Yellowknife, NT
qualityfurniturenwt.com
BREAK-UP: The period when the
lake ice is thawing. This process
usually begins in April.
INUKSHUK: Although these are not
actually indigenous to Yellowknife
and are more commonly found farther
north and east, some artists still make
small Inuksuit here. These abstract
statues, resembling a person, help
travellers navigate the land.
GREAT SLAVE LAKE: At 28,568
square kilometres, it’s the tenth
largest lake in the world, and the
deepest body of water in North
America. Yellowknife borders the
lake’s north arm. “Great” is used
to distinguish this lake from the
smaller Lesser Slave Lake in Alberta.
As for “Slave,” Samuel Hearne, who
crossed the lake in 1771, named
the lake after the Slavey, a major
subgroup of the Dene.
T
PERATED
B
&O
Y
10 C I T Y G U I D E • D I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E
COURTESY FARMERS MARKET/ANGELA GZOWSKI
Homebaked goods at the
summertime Farmers Market
BACK BAY: On the north side of the
Old Town peninsula is Back Bay, a
popular spot for canoeing, stand up
paddleboarding, and kayaking.
people of mixed descent—part
European, part First Nations. The
Métis are a separate group from any
First Nation or Inuit, with distinct
characteristics.
®
OR
REV
YO
’S
S
Key words and slang to know
to get by in the ‘Knife
MÉTIS NATION: Comprised of
UR
LOCAL LINGO
YELLOWKNIFE IS IN THE ARCTIC:
N’DILO: Drive to the very end of
Latham Island in Old Town and
you’ll find this Yellowknives Dene
community.
O
Fact. If you want to give it a try, the
Dettah Ice Road can be accessed
from the main dock in Old Town, or
off of School Draw Avenue, and is
a roughly 10-kilometre drive one
way. Don‘t try using snowmobile
tracks as a road; wait for the public
announcement that the ice roads
have been established. For more
information, check dot.gov.nt.ca.
OWN
ED
AN INTRODUCTION

THIS IS THE YUKON: This is,
unfortunately, one of the absolute
most common misconceptions
about Yellowknife. If you’re reading
this, remember: Yellowknife is in the
Northwest Territories, not the Yukon.
YOU CAN DRIVE ON THE ICE:
UR NEIGHB
O
R
g
an
e
La
ke
Rd
ld
A
ir p
or
tR
d
250 Old Airport Road
Yellowknife NT X1A 3G3
Phone:(867)766-3195
Store hours: 8am-9pm every day!
Fresh food, sushi bar, Joe Fresh
clothing, pharmacy & hot meals to go.
THE LEDGE: This is the Legislative
Assembly, an architecturally and
culturally unique building for our
city, completed in 1993. See page
52 to learn about its free tours.
Worth switching supermarkets for.®
®/TM the trademarks and logos displayed are trademarks of Lablaws Inc. All rights reserved. © 2013 Loblaws Inc.
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
11

GETTING
HERE
Remote
but do-able
BY PLANE
You can get here by connecting
through Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa
and Whitehorse via Air Canada,
Canadian North, First Air, WestJet
and Air North. You can find out
everything you need to know about
flight arrivals and departures on the
Yellowknife airport (YZF) website.
For live updates of highway
conditions visit dot.gov.nt.ca.
BY ROAD
Driving yourself to Yellowknife
has never been easier, since
the construction in 2012 of the
technologically innovative Deh Cho
Bridge, spanning the Mackenzie
River. You can access the Mackenzie
Highway (NWT Highway 1) via
Alberta’s Highway 35 or British
Columbia’s Highway 77 and the
YELLOWKNIFE
NWT
Fort
Providence
.
Hay River
Fort Resolution
Enterprise
Fort Smith
BY BUS
Frontier Coach Lines, based out
of Hay River, NWT, connects
the communities of Fort Smith,
Fort Providence, Behchokò˛ and
Yellowknife along the Mackenzie
Highway. For just over $100, it can get
you from Hay River to Yellowknife,
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
(except for holidays). 874-2566.
Frontiercoachlinesnwtltd.ca,
frontiercoach@northwestel.net
Small enough to walk everywhere—
but here are some more options:
RENTING VEHICLES
High Level
ALBERTA
Grande
Prairie
You can rent cars and trucks at
various businesses around the city
and at the airport. Major rental firms
here include Hertz, Budget Car and
Truck, National Car Rental, Royal
Rent-a-Car and Yellowknife Motors.
Grande
Cache
Hinton
EDMONTON
12 C I T Y G U I D E • D I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E
TAXI SERVICES
Aurora Taxi: 867-873-5050,
aurorataxi@live.ca
City Cab: 867-873-4444, ykcitycab.ca
CITY BUS SERVICES
There are three regular routes:
Route A – Borden/Downtown
Route B – Frame Lake/Northlands
Route B – Express (weekdays during
the schoolyear only)
Route C – Old Town/Niven
Buses run from around 7:10 a.m.
to 7:25 p.m, Monday to Saturday,
all year. There is no transit service
on Sundays or statutory holidays.
Accessible transit is available 6:40
a.m.-7:10 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8
a.m.- 7 p.m. on Saturdays.
Fares range from $2-$3 for single
tickets; $50-$75 for monthly passes,
and $20-$30 for 11-ride punch passes.
For more details, go to Yellowknife.
ca/transit
GETTING AROUND HERE
check out
F
B.C
ROM
Liard Highway (NWT Highway 7).
When you start to see the region’s
distinctive pink granite along the
side of the road, you’re getting
close! From Edmonton, the route
is approximately 1,500 km—about
20 hours of driving. Note that there
is no reception along much of the
highway. Try and minimize any time
spent driving after nightfall: bison
frequently wander onto the road and
are hard to see. Drive safely!
BIKE RENTALS
You can rent bikes from Old Town
Glassworks, at 3510A McDonald Dr.
FREE BIKES
During the summer season there are 10
free bicycles available on a first-come,
first-served basis at the Northern
Frontier Visitors Centre, provided by local
company Outcrop Communications
and their GoMobile program.
See “What to do – Summer”
for hiking and walking trails FLIP TO PAGE 32.
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
13

WHEN
TO COME
AT A GLANCE:
ONE YEAR IN YELLOWKNIFE
When is the best time of year
to visit? The answer, of course,
depends on your interests.
Here’s what the city has to offer
throughout the year.
JANUARY
It’s aurora-viewing, dogsledding,
snowmobiling, ice-fishing season.
New Year’s Eve: Fireworks at Frame
Lake start at 8 p.m. on December 31.
World Snow Day: On January 17,
learn how to build a snow shelter,
play a match or two of Ultimate
Frisbee, and more. yellowknife.ca/
en/getting-active/special-events.asp
FEBRUARY
Some Yellowknifers escape to
the Caribbean; others escape to
the bush for winter camping. The
Northern Lights are stunning.
City of Yellowknife Heritage
Days: Get a taste of the city’s history,
February 19-21.
MARCH
With long, sunny days and aurorafilled nights, it’s the best time of
winter to be playing outside.
The Snowking Festival: For the
entire month of March, you can
visit the giant snow castle on frozen
Yellowknife Bay. Sip some hot
chocolate, take in the art exhibits
and concerts, and say hello to the
Snowking. snowking.ca
14 C I T Y G U I D E • D I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E
Long John Jamboree: On the last
weekend of March, Yellowknifers
celebrate winter with a festival in and
around the snow castle on Yellowknife
Bay. Family-friendly activities abound.
longjohnjamboree.ca
Diavik 150 Canadian
Championship Dog Derby:
Don’t miss the 150-mile dogsledding
competition that starts at the Longjohn
Jamboree site.
APRIL
Days are longer and brighter, and the
temperature starts creeping up. The
ice is starting to thin and the snow
starts to melt. Skies are generally
cloudy, marking the off-season for
aurora viewing.
The NorthwesTel Ski Loppet:
You can ski five, 15 or 25 kilometres,
choose your own start time,
and pause for cookies and other
snacks along the way, April 3.
skiyellowknife.com/events
Ptarmigan Ptheatrics: the annual
musical: Catch Yellowknife talent
onstage at the Northern Arts and
Cultural Centre for Monty Python’s
Spamalot, April 28-May 7.
facebook.com/ptarmiganptheatrics
MAY
As the ice starts breaking up, it’s not
Yellowknife’s prettiest time of year—
but for locals, the warming weather
is cause for celebration.
Yellowknife to Hay River: Want
to hop on a bike and pedal 500
kilometres down the Mackenzie
The tamarack trees turn yellow.
Though the nights grow darker, it’s
the off-season for aurora viewing.
Community Labour Day BBQ:
Free burgers at the Stanton
Territorial Hospital parking lot.
visityellowknife.com
Celebrate Northern culture:
Arts workshops for the Canadawide Culture Days, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
culturedays.ca
Highway? Sign up for the three-day
YK2HR (Yellowknife to Hay River)
bike trip and start training.
Get to know your Northern
authors: The NorthWords Festival,
featuring workshops and open-mic
events, celebrates Northern and
indigenous writers. northwordsnwt.ca.
OCTOBER
The first snowfall usually comes
around Halloween; kids trick-or-treat
in their winter coats. The sky is
rarely clear, so the aurora is often
impossible to see.
Yellowknife International Film
Festival: Presented by Western
Arctic Moving Pictures, featuring
films by Northern and international
artists, October 28-November 2.
naccnt.ca, ykfilmfest.com
JUNE
Welcome to summer! Celebrate the
longest, brightest day of the year
on June 21.
The Yellowknife Farmers Market:
Held every Tuesday from early June
to September, 5:15-7:30 p.m. at the
Somba K’e Civic Plaza, the farmers
market offers fresh, locally-grown
produce, homemade foods, and
crafts. There’s live music sometimes.
facebook.com/ykfarmersmarket
The World Shore Lunch
Competition: This cook-off pits
Yellowknife teams against each
other as they whip up mouthwatering dishes with freshly caught
Great Slave Lake fish, June 4.
visityellowknife.com
If you plan
to visit in the
summer, don’t
miss the Folk on
the Rocks music
festival
Try the catch of the day at the iconic Bullocks Bistro
PATRICK KANE/UP HERE
National Aboriginal Day: June
21 is a statutory holiday in the NWT.
Catch the festivities around town, or
out at the Yellowknife River.
Midnight Golf Classic: Celebrate
the long days of summer with
a round of golf at on June 17.
yellowknifegolf.com
HANNAH EDEN/UP HERE
Valentine’s Day skate: Bring
friends or your sweetheart to the
Multiplex—or take your skates to the
rink outside of City Hall.
The Frostbite 50: The annual
cross-country ski race starts and ends
at the Yellowknife Ski Club, March 19.
ykmultisport.com
SEPTEMBER
The Beer Barge: In the 1940s,
Yellowknifers celebrated the
arrival of the barge that brought in
supplies from down south. Times
have changed, but the celebrations
live on—with BBQ and live music.
nwtminingheritage.com
JULY
Take advantage of the outdoor
concerts and on-water recreation,
and enjoy the long, sun-filled days.
Canada Day: Starting with the
parade down Franklin Avenue,
followed by live entertainment at the
Somba K’e Civic Plaza, join the July 1
festivities in downtown Yellowknife.
Folk on the Rocks: It’s the biggest
music festival of the summer,
drawing talent from across the
North and the country, July 15-17.
folkontherocks.com
AUGUST
Enjoy a day on the water; stay up
late to maybe glimpse the aurora.
Old Town Ramble & Ride: A street
festival featuring local merchants,
artists and musicians around the
city’s historic quarter, August long
weekend. oldtownyk.ca
NWT Pride: Workshops, storytelling,
poetry slams, open mics, BBQs, live
entertainment, watergun battles and
open arms. nwtpride.ca
Old Town Pond Sailor’s Regatta:
On the last weekend of August,
homemade sailing vessels go headto-head in a race on Yellowknife Bay.
Most important rule: no electronics.
NOVEMBER
The parkas emerge. Lakes start to
freeze. Keep an eye on the City website
for updates on ice thickness, so you
know when it’s safe to walk on the ice.
Pumpkin lane: After Halloween,
residents bring their jack-o-lanterns
to the McMahon Frame Lake Trail
for display. Stroll down the trail to
admire the many designs.
Santa Claus Parade: Santa Claus
starts at City Hall and parades through
Yellowknife’s downtown, usually
mid-November. yellowknife.ca/en/
getting-active/special-events.asp
DECEMBER
The ice is usually thick enough to
walk, skate, and ski on. The skies
begin to clear, making way for the
Northern Lights.
Holiday lights: Take a stroll through
Somba K’e Civic Plaza and down
McMahon Frame Lake Trail for the
Christmas lights, early December.
 yellowknife.ca or visityellowknife.com
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
15
DISCOVER
CANADIAN DIAMONDS
Experience the A-Z of diamonds!
• Billions of years of history
• Follow a diamond on its journey from beneath the arctic tundra to the
beautiful and brilliant stone you see today
NWT DIAMOND CENTRE
DISCOVER THE ORIGINS OF DIAMONDS
ノースウエスト準州ダイヤモンドセンター
ダイヤモンドの起源を探ります
• See the tools of the diamond industry and watch real diamond cutters
at work!
• See real Canadian rough and polished diamonds, mined, cut and polished
right here in Yellowknife!
Entry is free!
西北地区钻石中心
探索钻石的本源
西北地區鑽石中心
探索鑽石的本源
NWT 다이아몬드 센터
다이아몬드의 기원을 찾아보세요
Visitors Centre
ビジターセンター
游客中心
遊客中心
방문자 센터
FIND US HERE!
THE NWT DIAMOND CENTRE
ここ !ノースウエスト準州ダイヤモンドセンター
我们就在这儿 !西北地区钻石中心
我們就在這兒!西北地區鑽石中心
Courtesy of Diavik Diamond Mine
저희 위치! NWT 다이아몬드 센터
16 C I T Y G U I D E • D I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E
5105-49th Street, Yellowknife, NWT
|
1.867.920.7108
D I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E • C I T Y G U I D E 17
Together, the snowcastle and the
aurora light up winter nights
WINTER
WHAT TO DO:
6
Experience a delicious meal and
a refreshing beverage at NWT
Brew Co.’s The Woodyard Brewery, a
vibrant craft brewery and restaurant
located in Yellowknife’s Old Town.
7
Experience local culture and
tradition at its finest with a
knowledgeable cultural guide.
Become introduced to the Dene
people and the significance of their
land and cultural traditions. Visit a
cultural camp and immerse yourself
in Dene culture, art and foods. Listen
to the beat of the traditional drums
and join the excitement of traditional
Dene Hand Games.
Hanging off the side of the YK Centre on Franklin Avenue, there’s a scrolling screen
that displays the time and, most importantly, the temperature. You’ll pass parka’d
visitors standing underneath, posing for photos and pointing up gleefully at
the screen’s astounding temperatures of -30, -40 or even -50 C. But despite the chill,
winter is the season of fun for many Yellowknifers: a time of Northern Lights viewing,
dogsledding, snow sports, frozen lakes and longjohns. In this section, you’ll find
various ways to enjoy the season and have an unforgettable stay.
IF YOU HAVE
HRS
1
The Northern Frontier Visitors
Centre is the perfect first stop to
begin your Yellowknife adventure. The
staff provide a wide range of
complimentary visitor services,
including professional visitor
counselling, helpful travel information
and literature, interactive displays and
exhibits, and even an aurora
Information Centre. Take the time to
learn about Yellowknife’s many
You can learn useful skills at
Yellowknife’s winter festivals
RILEY VELDHUZEN/NWTT
18 C I T Y G U I D E • D I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E
2
Head over to the Legislative
Assembly and enjoy a free
guided tour. You will learn about the
unique features of the Northwest
Territories, such as our nonpartisan
form of government, as well as the
unique artwork and architecture that
can be found throughout the
building. Free tours are available
Monday to Friday at 10:30 a.m.
3
Next, stop by the Prince of
Wales Northern Heritage Centre
and immerse yourself in the art,
history, culture and biology of the
Spectacular Northwest Territories.
This museum is free to enter and
hosts a wide assortment of excellent
displays, as well as a hidden gem of a
restaurant, open only for lunches and
attracting a bustling local crowd.
4
Then, head down to Old Town,
and explore this vibrant, artistic
community nestled along the shores
of Yellowknife Bay. Explore heritage
sites such as Weaver & Devore and
Bullocks Bistro, and capture stunning
views of Yellowknife’s iconic
IF YOU HAVE
houseboats. Once the ice roads are
officially open, venture out onto frozen
Great Slave Lake for a once-in-alifetime experience traversing over the
deepest lake in North America. Warm
up with a delicious meal at one of Old
Town’s many restaurants and immerse
yourself in the true spirit of Yellowknife.
JASON SIMPSON/NWTT
24
outdoor activities and cultural
experiences so you can enhance your
stay. Make sure to grab a free souvenir
pin, check out the various displays, get
a real-time aurora Forecast, and take a
selfie with Snowy the Polar Bear.
(Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite!)
5
Yellowknife’s long and cozy winter
nights provide endless
opportunities for spectacular aurora
viewing experiences. Arrange a tour
with a qualified aurora tour operator for
your best chance of ensuring yourself a
successful and memorable experience.
The Northern Frontier Visitors Centre
can assist in matching you up with an
operator who is the right fit for your
preferred aurora viewing style.
IF YOU HAVE
72
HRS
1
Enjoy a magical winter
experience dogsledding
across a frozen lake and twisting
and turning through picturesque
nature trails. Beck’s Kennels and
Aurora Village have dedicated and
devoted dog teams excited to give
you a ride to remember. Channel
your inner musher and even
experience driving the dog team by
yourself!
2
Fresh fish is the finest bounty
that Great Slave Lake has to
offer, and there’s nothing like the
thrill of that nibble and tug on your
line. Enjoy an afternoon of ice fishing
and experience the unique northern
comfort of a heated SnoBear or a
vintage Bombardier.
3
Immerse yourself in northern
art and culture by visiting the
many unique galleries in town.
Yellowknife’s Old Town is well known
for its quality selection of souvenir
prints, sculptures, furs and artwork.
Drop by Old Town Glassworks,
channel your artsy side and produce
your very own personalized
handmade recycled glass souvenir.
4
The Dancing Moose Café is the
place for a tasty and enjoyable
breakfast or lunch experience. Nestled
in the heart of Yellowknife’s historic Old
Town, the restaurant provides stunning
and views of Great Slave Lake.
5
Visit the NWT Diamond Centre
where the stories of the
territory’s diamond mines—located
300 kilometres north of
Yellowknife—are told in this
interpretive exhibit, showcasing the
fascinating geology of kimberlite
deposits, the technology of mining in
the subarctic, and the process to turn
a rough stone into a beautiful
diamond. Visitors may enjoy a
complimentary diamond polishing
demonstration and may purchase
diamonds that have been mined, cut
and polished in the NWT. Diamond
Polishing demonstrations occur
Monday to Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
ONE
WEEK
1
Drive to Cameron Falls along the
Ingraham Trail, about 50
kilometres from Yellowknife. From
the trailhead, it’s a 20-minute hike to
get to the frozen falls. Note: because
of low water levels in the past three
years, the falls might be considerably
smaller than what you might’ve seen
in pictures.
2
Get your exercise and explore
the outdoors on skis or
snowshoes. You can rent gear from
Overlander Sports or NARWAL
Adventures. The Yellowknife Ski Club
provides groomed trails, but if you’re
feeling adventurous, feel free to
blaze your own trails on the frozen,
snow-covered lakes.
3
Learn about the storied history of
Old Town by downloading the
Old Town Soundwalk app from iTunes
or Google Play. The app’s multimedia
features help you immerse yourself in
Yellowknife’s Old Town. ➽
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
19
WINTER

4
Frozen Rock Studio is a collection
of artists dedicated to cultivating
the traditional fine art of Inuit carving.
Drop by their studio to browse items
available for purchase and watch them
at work creating new masterpieces.
5
Made famous by History
Television’s Ice Pilots NWT,
Buffalo Airways has one of the
world’s most unique fleets of antique
planes still in operation. Hangar
tours are available Monday-Friday by
appointment only.
6
There are many stories written
here on this northern landscape
of Yellowknife. Strong Interpretation
is there to interpret those stories with
customized and flexible tours for
people looking for that authentic
Yellowknife experience through
hands-on, fun, and enlightening
experiences.
7
If you’re here in March, head out
to the Snowcastle on Yellowknife
Bay for art shows, concerts,
family-friendly activities—and meet
the Snowking himself.
8
Enjoy a comfortable and
informative tour of Yellowknife’s
renowned Back Bay in a state-of-theart SnoBear, the perfect way to
traverse Yellowknife’s exotic and
rugged landscape in style!
9
Snowmobiling is a practical and
exhilarating way to experience
the Canadian North. Numerous
operators provide professionally
guided snowmobile tours that access
to our region’s most fascinating,
picturesque and remote scenery—and
getting there is a blast!
10
Glide smoothly across the
icy surface of Yellowknife
Bay in a high-tech hovercraft! Able to
transition smoothly from wet to dry
surfaces and operate in all forms of
inclement weather, RYLO Express can
provide a tour of Yellowknife by land
and water or by ice and snow, any
time of year. (867-446-7986)
20 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
Various operators offer dogsledding
tours—and with some, you can learn
to drive your own dog team
PHOTO BY FRAN HURCOMB
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
21
WINTER

DOGSLEDDING
For thousands of years, sled
dogs were the fastest means
of transportation in the North,
essential for hunting and
travel. Today, dogsled racing
is still popular in the North.
Here are a few ways you can
get a taste of mushing. Also
check Fly-in Lodges (page 76);
some lodges offer dogsledding
experiences.
AURORA VILLAGE
Aurora-viewing tours include
dogsledding during the day and
aurora-viewing at night. Also
offered: tobogganing, snowshoeing,
snowmobiling, aboriginal crafts
lessons and city tours. 867-6690006. auroravillage.com, info@
auroravillage.com
AURORA WONDERLAND
/BECK’S KENNELS
Owned by dogsledding champion
Grant Beck, the kennel offers
traditional dogsledding tours,
drive-your-own dogsled outings and
aurora viewing by dogsled. 867873-5603. beckskennels.com, info@
beckskennels.com
Find a spot and wait for the trout,
pike and walleye to bite. Make
sure to pick up your fishing
licence at local convenience
stores or Canadian Tire.
BOB TURNER ENTERPRISES
Aboriginal ice fishing
demonstrations and hot lunch. B&B
services also available. 867-4466502. rturner@theedge.ca
BDENE ADVENTURES
Cultural and historical tours of
Yellowknife, Dettah and N’Dilo, with
demonstrations of aboriginal crafts,
snowshoeing, ice fishing, traditional
hand games, drumming and more.
867-444-0451; 867-445-4520.
bdene.com, tours@bdene.com
BLUEFISH SERVICES
Ice fishing in the comfort of a
heated SnoBear. 867-873-4818.
bluefishservices.ca
GREAT SLAVE ADVENTURES
Day trips, ice fishing and aurora
viewing. Winter cabin rental.
867-766-2792. greatslavefishing.ca,
gsa@theedge.ca
GREAT SLAVE LAKE TOURS
Ice fishing tours, including
commercial fishery demonstrations
and the opportunity to catch your
own fish from the comfort of heated
fishing huts. All you can eat fish
dinner/sashimi. Wild tea picking.
COURTESY AURORA VILLAGE
ICE FISHING
AURORA WONDERLAND
/BECK’S KENNELS
Aboriginal ice fishing demonstrations.
867-873-5603. Beckskennels.com,
info@beckskennels.com
Catch the Dog Derby during the
Long John Jamboree in March
NARWAL NORTHERN
ADVENTURES
Snowmobile to choice ice fishing
spots, warm up in a fishing hot with
hot chocolate afterwards. Pick up
your fishing licence in advance. 867873-6443. narwal.ca
YELLOWKNIFE NORTHERN
LIGHTS TOUR
Photography-focused auroraviewing tours offered in English and
Mandarin. 647-718-6899. facebook.
com/aurorachasingphil
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
For groomed cross-country ski
trails, visit the Yellowknife Ski
Club. If you plan to take your
skis or snowshoes out on any
of the lakes, make sure the ice
is thick enough by checking
yellowknife.ca/en/living-here/icemeasurement-and-safety.asp).
YELLOWKNIFE SKI CLUB
14 kilometres of groomed trails;
a warm chalet for members. 867669-9754. skiyellowknife.com,
yk_ski_club@yahoo.com
BILL BRADEN
BANTING LAKE TENT
The Yellowknife Ski Club leases out
a 16x14 canvas tent located past
Vee Lake, just off the Ingraham Trail.
867-444-8466. skiyellowknife.com/
club-facilities/banting-lake-tent,
banting.tent@gmail.com
OVERLANDER SPORTS
Ski and snowshoe rentals. 867-8732474. overlandersports.com
AURORA VIEWING
Thanks to its prime spot below
the auroral oval, Yellowknife
is one of the best places in the
world to view the aurora.
ARCTIC TOURS CANADA
Tours offered in English, Japanese,
Chinese, and Korean. 867-4467335. arctictourscanada.ca, info@
arctictourscanada
There’s nothing like a
bonfire after a day outdoors
22 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
Aurora and wildlife viewing. 867875-8077. greatslavelaketours.com.
shawnbuckley@northwestel.net
ARCTIC TOURS CANADA
Tours offered in English, Japanese,
Chinese and Korean. 867-4467335. arctictourscanada.ca, info@
arctictourscanada
THE AURORA BOREALIS
EXPERIENCE
Photography-focused tours near
Prelude Lake. 867-444-0772.
theauroraborealisexperience.com,
theauroraborealisexperience@
gmail.com
AURORA DREAM TOURS
Tours offered in English, Mandarin
and Cantonese. 867-4443888. auroradreamtours.com,
auroradreamtours.yk@gmail.com
AURORA NINJA PHOTO TOUR
Aurora photography workshops
available in English, Mandarin
and Cantonese. 867-688-8884 or
867-445-6688. ykauroraninja@
gmail.com
AURORA VILLAGE
Northern Lights viewing centre
30-minute drive outside of
Yellowknife. Heated, reclining
“Aurora Kotatsu” seats for winter
tours. 867-669-0006. Auroravillage.
com, info@auroravillage.com
AURORA WONDERLAND/BECK’S
KENNELS
Travel by dogsled to a heated winter
cabin to view the aurora. 867-8735603. beckskennels.com, info@
beckskennels.com
AURORA YELLOWKNIFE TOURS
Aurora viewing packages, with
options for doglsedding and ice
fishing. 867-444-5456. ayk5102@
gmail.com
GREAT SLAVE LAKE TOURS
Glimpse the aurora overhead while
ice fishing on Great Slave Lake. 867874-3617. greatslavelaketours.com,
shawnbuckley@northwestel.net
HELLO AURORA
Tours offered in English and Korean.
867-445-9088. helloaurora.net,
haurora@daum.net
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
23

MY BACKYARD TOURS
City tours include an ice road portion.
867-920-4654. Mybackyardtours.
com, peterson@ssimicro.com
WINTER
The edges of Frame Lake are
perfect for watching fireworks
on New Year’s Eve
NORTH STAR ADVENTURES
Hour-long tours down the Dettah
Ice Road, minimum three people,
offered Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday at 11 a.m. 867-446-2900.
northstaradventures.ca, info@
northstaradventures.ca
SNOWSHOEING
AURORA DREAM TOURS
Scenic hikes. Tours offered in English,
Mandarin and Cantonese. 867444-3888. auroradreamtours.com,
auroradreamtours.yk@gmail.com
BILL BRADEN
MY BACKYARD TOURS
Day trips for Northern Lights viewing.
867-920-4654. Mybackyardtours.
com, peterson@ssimicro.com
NANOOK AURORA TOURS
Tours offered in Japanese. 867-4466800. aurora-guide.com, nanook@
aurora-guide.com
NARWAL NORTHERN
ADVENTURES
Head out on snowmobiles to look
for aurora; warm up in a wall tent
with a woodstove and enjoy a hot
traditional meal with bannock. 867873-6443. narwal.ca
NORTH STAR ADVENTURES
Guided aurora viewing tours
by snowmobile with aboriginal
guides.867-446-2900 for English
and Chinese-speaking guests;
867-446 5374 for Korean-speaking
guests. Northstaradventures.ca,
info@northstaradventures.ca
SEAN’S GUEST HOUSE
Aurora tours and accommodation.
867-444-121. seansguesthouse.com
SONNY AURORA & SUNSHINE
Aurora tours and bed and breakfast
accommodation in Yellowknife’s Old
Town. Tours offered in Mandarin,
Korean and English. 867-4450151. bbcanada.com/sunshine,
sonny.0160@gmail.com
YELLOWKNIFE
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Snowmobile to a wilderness cabin on
Great Slave Lake for aurora viewing, and
try your hand at dogsledding. 867-4448320. yellowknifeoutdooradventures.
com, ykoutadv@yahoo.ca
YELLOWKNIFE TOURS
Aurora-viewing packages include
options such as ice fishing,
snowshoeing and dogsledding. Tours
offered in English and Chinese. 867873-4600. yellowknifetours.com,
aurora@yellowknifetours.com
KITE SKIING
Over the past decade, kiteskiing has become the latest
big adrenaline-fueled sport to
take hold in the North. With the
open expanse of frozen Great
Slave Lake, there’s plenty of
space for you to give it a try.
AQUILON POWER KITE
Learn to kite-ski with two certified
instructors. Lessons and excursions
can be customized to your needs.
867-445-9758. Aquilonpowerkite.
com, info@aquilonpowerkite.com
BLUEFISH SERVICES
Gear and equipment provided
for a kite flying session on
Yellowknife Bay. No previous
experience necessary. 867-8734818. bluefishservices.com,
bluefishservices@ssimicro.com
ICE ROAD DRIVING
Made famous by the History
Channel’s reality show
Ice Road Truckers starring
Yellowknifer Alex Debogorski,
the 600-kilometre Tibbitt-toContwoyto Winter Road was
first constructed in 1982 to
service mines in the Northwest
Territories and what is now
Nunavut. The NWT currently
has five ice roads connecting
communities. Though private
vehicles are discouraged on
most of the ice roads, you can
access the Dettah Ice Road from
the main dock in Old Town or
off School Draw Avenue.
AURORA VILLAGE
Solo or guided snowshoeing tours..
867-669-0006. auroravillage.com,
info@auroravillage.com
AURORA WONDERLAND
/BECK’S KENNELS
Snowmobile to an aboriginal camp
and strap on a pair of snowshoes
for a scenic hike. 867-873-5603.
beckskennels.com, info@
beckskennels.com
STRONG INTERPRETATION
The boreal forest has many stories
to tell in the winter. Strap on a
set of snowshoes for this unique
guided adventure. 867-873-5546,
experienceyellowknife.com
WINTER FESTIVALS
Every March, Yellowknife
celebrates winter’s turn to
spring with the Snow Castle,
Yellowknife’s famous fortress
built of snow and ice, and an
exceptional venue for concerts,
art exhibits, parties and
weddings. Construction on the
structure begins in November
and December, and you’ll start
to see it take shape in January.
If you head out on the ice, you
might meet Anthony Foliot, the
Snowking himself, and his crew
hard at work.
The Snowking Festival
From March 1-28, 2016, the
Snowcastle will grace the ice of
Yellowknife Bay. Head down to
Houseboat Bay for a tour, hot
chocolate, art shows, concerts
and more. The Snowcastle is also
a popular venue for parties and
weddings. If you’re in town during
The Long John Jamboree at the end of
March draws Yellowknifers of all ages.
ARCTIC EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE
Cruise down the ice road in a white
limousine. Fits eight comfortably.
867-446-5656. arcticlimo@gmail.com
RILEY VELDHUZEN/NWTT
24 C I T Y G U I D E • D I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
25
WINTER

Step into a heated teepee
to warm up; step outside
to watch the skies light up
the winter, but not in March, pass by
Yellowknife Bay anyway; you might
see the Snowking and his crew hard
at work. snowking.ca
873-2003
480 Range Lake Road
The Long John Jamboree
Catch the ice carving competition,
dogsled races, doggy fashion show,
trivia contest, beard-growing contest,
“beach” volleyball tournament (yes,
you read that correctly), live music,
fireworks and more, March 25-27,
2016. longjohnjamboree.ca
For a listing of clubs, schedules
and passes, visit yellowknife.
ca/en/getting-active/sports.
asp. For indoor activities to do
year-round, visit page 44.
SHOOTING
PERFORMANCE CENTRE
Open October through April, this
is the place to shoot targets—and
have a good time while you’re at it.
Located in Kingpin Bowling Lanes
building, on corner of 52nd Avenue
and 51st Street. 867-920-4309.
yellowknifeshootingclub.ca
ICE SKATING
Near the end of October, you
might catch the brief window
when the lakes are frozen, but
the snow hasn’t fully set in
yet. That’s when the lakes are
smooth and ideal for some
outdoor skating—but to be safe,
always check official sources
to make sure the ice is thick
enough. After the snow starts
falling, covering the lakes, the
City clears a skating rink on
Frame Lake.
COURTESY AURORA VILLAGE
INDOOR RECREATION
Aurora Tips
What are the best ways to see
the Northern Lights?
Forecast: Although the aurora are unpredictable, the best months to
view the aurora are January through March and late August or early
September. If you’re here in April/May or October/November, you likely
won’t see much—the humidity coming from the breakup and freezeup of
the lakes in and around Yellowknife tends to cloud the skies. Once you’re
here, check @Auroramax on Twitter, astronomynorth.com, or visit the
Northern Frontier Visitors Centre for an aurora forecast. Also look for small
lighthouses outside certain Yellowknife businesses, such as Gallery of the
Midnight Sun and Sushi North, and note their colours: a green light means
the lights are active; red means there’s a Northern Lights storm.
View: The trick is to simply get away from street lights. If you’re on
foot, you’ll see them better from Frame Lake. If you’ve got wheels, head
to the ice road to Dettah and then stop along the side of the road for a
magnificent view. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, drive down
the Ingraham Trail and turn off at any of the lakes. Don’t pull over on
the highway itself, though, and be careful: many a driver has been so
caught up in the light show overhead, they’ve accidentally driven into a
snowbank. Keep your eyes on the road!
Capture: Want to give Northern Lights photography a shot? Be sure to
bring a tripod and a spare battery; your batteries will drain quickly in the
cold. Set your ISO to at least 800, and leave your aperture open as wide as
it can go. If you’re not planning to take your own photos, pick up a print or
photo of the aurora from galleries and studios across town (see p. 48).
Canada’s number one
vehicle rental company.
Low everyday rates
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867.920.9209
Toll Free 1.800.383.9211
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867.874.7777
Toll Free 1.800.661.0716
Fax 867.874.7716
SERVICE YOU DESERVE
bnewman@kinglandford.com
26 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
27
SHARE YOUR
YELLOWKNIFE
FESTIVAL
EXPERIENCE
AND WIN !
#ykfestivals
or visit ykfestivals.ca for a
chance to
WIN A FANTASTIC E
OUTDOOR ADVENTUR
28 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
ANGELA GZOWSKI
videos
Post your stories, photos and ls
tiva
fes
fe
about Yellowkni
ng
on Twitter and Instagram usi
CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
29
Open
Water
CHARTERS
A touch of class
yellowknife nwt
Bringing You Home Since 1984
Fly-out Packages
Tours designed
• Trophy Fishing
out of town
• Wildlife for
Photography
visitors, new
Yellowknife
Day Tours
residents
and
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visiting
friends
• Sightseeing
andGallery
relatives!
• Meet the Artist
Check us out at:
www.adamdentalclinic.ca
PO Box 1118
5209 Franklin Avenue
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N8
Telephone: 873-2775
24Hr Emergency: 873-1250
Fax: 920-2775
Hours: 7:00am-8:00pm Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:00pm Sat.
0383-A012_YK1_4c_UH YK GUIDE_1/4 (2.25” x 3 11/16”)_FINAL
• Hiking/waterfalls
Custom Tours
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Fly-out Packages
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Sightseeing, Fishing, Hunting,
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Open Water Charters is a Northern Owned
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offers a wide variety of affordable air
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ykopenwatercharters@gmail.com
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Committed to Keeping Your Smiles
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Call today to make your
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Education District No. 1
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30 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
Monday-Friday 8am-6pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
T-SHIRTS & SOUVENIRS
213 UTSINGI DRIVE, KAM LAKE INDUSTRIAL PARK
P (867) 873-8322
WWW.POLARTECH.CA
Comprehensive family dental care in a
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walk through Yellowknife’s
cultural heart... download the app!
Let local residents, musicians, artists,
and bush pilots take you in a full sensory
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Book an appointment or drop-in
Frame Lake Plaza
312C Old Airport Road
Yellowknife, NT X1A 3T3
Available on iTunes and Google Playstore.
MADE IN YELLOWKNIFE, NWT
For Emergency Service
after hours call 669-1796
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
31
SUMMER
SUMMER
WHAT TO DO:
The season may be short, but many Yellowknifers live for the summer. From live
music under near-endless sunlight in the city to unlimited adventure opportunities
in the wilds, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy.
IF YOU HAVE
24
HRS
1
Make an early stop at the Northern
Frontier Visitors’ Centre, where you
can plan your visit. Free GoMobile bikes
are available to borrow for the day (first
come, first served), and while you’re
there, make sure to grab a free souvenir
pin, check out the various displays, and
take a selfie with Snowy the Polar Bear.
(Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite!)
2
Head over to the Legislative
Assembly for a free guided tour.
You will learn about the unique features
of the Northwest Territories, such as our
nonpartisan form of government, as
well as unique architecture and art.
3
Next, pay a visit to the Prince of
Wales Northern Heritage Centre
and immerse yourself in the art, history,
culture and biology of the spectacular
Northwest Territories. This free museum
hosts a wide assortment of excellent
displays, as well as a hidden gem of a
restaurant. Open only for lunches, the
Museum Café is a favourite among the
local lunchtime crowd.
4
Then, head down the hill to Old
Town and explore this vibrant,
artistic community along the shores of
Yellowknife Bay. Check out heritage sites
such as Weaver & Devore, Bullocks Bistro
or the storied Wildcat Café, which all
32 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
operate out of their 1930s-era buildings.
Sample Northern delicacies at the area’s
uniquely local dining spots.
5
The endless daylight of summer
makes the evening feel more like
the afternoon, and many often find that
they have energy to match. Hit the dance
floor at one of our thriving downtown
bars, or check out the live music that plays
most nights of the week at many of the
city’s pubs. Or, take a look at the event
calendar on visityellowknife.com to
discover what’s going on during your visit.
IF YOU HAVE
72
HRS
DAY 1 Stop in at the Northern
Frontier Visitors Centre for information
on which tours are available, as well as
other events that might be happening
during your visit. Here, you can borrow
one of the free GoMobile bikes for the
day, use one of the computer terminals
and free wifi, and check out the
displays. From there, why not enjoy
some of our pristine and accessible
hiking trails? There are trails available
within the city limits as well as outside
the city along the Ingraham Trail
Highway. Interpretive guided hikes are
available through Strong
Interpretation, and there are also
smartphone apps such as the Old Town
Soundwalk or Balado Discovery (both
available on iTunes and Google Play),
which will immerse you in the rich
history of Yellowknife as you explore
the city on foot. Finish the day with a
relaxing waterfront meal at one of Old
Town’s many fine restaurants.
DAY 2
Spend a day on the
water! Choose from a wide assortment
of activities, including world-class sport
fishing, powerboat cruises with a shore
lunch dinner, canoeing, kayaking, and
stand up paddleboarding. Head down
the Ingraham Trail to access numerous
smaller lakes that are beloved by local
fishermen and watersport enthusiasts
alike. Boat rentals are available through
Prelude Lake Marina, located at the
Prelude Lake campground. If you’ve
brought a picnic, fire pits are available
at most of the boat launch areas
(though you will have to bring your own
firewood), but it’s only a short drive
back to town if you prefer to dine out.
DAY 3
Take the day to sightsee
with some of Yellowknife’s free tours.
Buffalo Airways, of Ice Pilots NWT fame,
offers free guided tours every day with
advance notice. Explore their sprawling
hangar filled with historical aircraft,
including planes that actually participated
in the 1944 D-Day landings. Make sure to
stop by the NWT Diamond centre
between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. for a free
diamond polishing demonstration
(offered on weekdays only). In the
evening, sample the flavours of
Yellowknife’s diverse downtown culinary
scene—and maybe catch some live music.
IF YOU HAVE
Fresh, homecooked foods are on offer
at the weekly Farmers Market
ONE
WEEK
DAY 1 Start your visit with the
Northern Frontier Visitors Centre to
plan an itinerary, find out about tour
availability as well as community
events. While you’re in the area, check
out the Legislative Assembly for guided
tours, and the Prince of Wales Northern
Heritage Centre, where you can
immerse yourself in local art, history
and culture. Both the Legislative
Assembly and heritage centre include
fantastic cafés that are perfect for a
lunch or afternoon snack. Take an
afternoon trip to the NWT Diamond
Centre for a free diamond polishing
demonstration between 2:30 and 3:30
p.m. on weekdays, and then explore the
downtown area’s great variety of dining
and entertainment venues.
DAY 2
It’s time to get to really
know the area. Most of the city is easily
accessible on foot, and free GoMobile
bikes are available at the Visitors Centre.
The McMahon Frame Lake and Niven
Lake trails provide a wealth of natural
beauty right inside the city, and
numerous hiking trails are easily
accessible along the Ingraham Trail
Highway. For an urban tour, Yellowknife’s
eclectic and vibrant Old Town is rich in
both heritage sites and artistic venues,
including several fantastic galleries. Two
smartphone apps (The Old Town
Soundwalk and Balado Discovery, both
available on iTunes and Google Play) can
provide historical commentary, and the
Old Town area hosts a good selection of
dining options for any time of day.
DAY 3-5
Now you can really
dive into the great outdoors. Yellowknife’s
world-class fishing operators can provide
thrilling multi-day expeditions, where
BILL BRADEN
you’ll reel in some of the world’s biggest
freshwater fish. You can also check out
some of Yellowknife’s neighbouring
communities, such as the quaint hamlet
of Dettah, situated just across Yellowknife
Bay, where you can learn about the
indigenous way of life with an immersive
cultural tour provided by B Dene
Adventures. Many wilderness lodges are
also only a short 15-30 minute flight or
boat ride outside the city.
DAY 6
Take this day to relax with
a leisurely canoe, kayak, or stand up
paddleboarding ride in Yellowknife
Bay, available through various
businesses in town. If you prefer
something indoors, check out the glass
cutting workshops available through
Old Town Glassworks, or take a free
guided tour of the Buffalo Airways
hangar, where you can check out
historical planes dating back to the
Second World War, and even book a
flight-seeing tour. Dinner options
abound, with numerous restaurants
located throughout the city.
DAY 7
By the end of your visit, we
hope you’ll have made it to at least one of
our summer festivals, whether it’s
Aboriginal Day (a statutory holiday
celebrated on June 21—visit Somba K’e
Civic Plaza or Yellowknife River for
festivities), Canada Day, Folk on the
Rocks, the bi-annual Float Plane Fly-In,
the World Shore Lunch, Old Town Ramble
and Ride, or NWT Pride. If you haven’t,
not to worry: grab some fresh fish from
one of the trucks parked downtown or by
the docks in Old Town, and have your own
celebration.
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
33
SUMMER

B DENE ADVENTURES
Aboriginal cultural tours, boat tours.
867-444-0451. bdene.com
ON THE WATER
BLUEFISH SERVICES
Guided fishing trips and boat tours.
No previous fishing experience
necessary. 867- 873-4818, 867-4458553. bluefishservices.ca
The city is surrounded by
pristine lakes and waterways,
with plenty of room for
fishing, canoeing, kayaking
and boating. Arrange guided
fishing expeditions and tours
with local operators, or rent
your own vessel.
NARWAL NORTHERN
ADVENTURES
Tours, instruction and canoe and
kayak rentals at daily, weekly and
monthly rates. Tours also include
fishing trips and hikes, and on
Thursday nights, don’t miss the
Floating Dinner Theatre—three hours
of live entertainment, traditional
dinner, and paddling in Voyageur
canoes. 867-873-6443. narwal.ca,
outdoors@narwal.ca
LONG LAKE BEACH
Believe it or not, you can get a
fantastic tan up here. Long Lake
beach is at the Fred Henne Territorial
Park, out by the airport; beach
volleyball nets available.
RENTALS, FISHING TOUR AND
DAY TRIP OPERATORS
AURORA VILLAGE SPORT FISHING
Explore Prosperous Lake in a
traditional 26-foot freighter canoe.
867-669-0006. auroravillage.com.
info@auroravillage.com
The Old Town Pond
Sailor’s Regatta in
August is a classic
NORTH STAR ADVENTURES
An aboriginal-owned business
offering fishing tours and more. 867446-2900. Northstaradventures.ca,
info@northstaradventures.ca
OLD TOWN PADDLE & CO.
Rent out stand-up paddleboards,
sign up for lessons, or buy your
own paddleboard for a fun and
easy way to get out on the water.
oldtownpaddle.com
OMEGA MARINE
Inflatable and aluminum boats (and
motors) are for rent at this business
on the shore of Great Slave Lake.
867-873-3770 or 1-800-873-5104.
For Parts & Service Emergencies call
867-444-5378. omegamarine.ca,
omegamarine@theedge.ca
OVERLANDER SPORTS
This downtown sports gear retailer
also offers canoe and kayak rentals at
daily, weekly and monthly rates. 867873-2474. overlandersports.com,
sales@overlandersports.com
BILL BRADEN
YELLOWKNIFE OUTDOOR
ADVENTURES
Fishing is a big part of the experience
here, including trophy fishing and
fish fry dinner tours. Also available:
birding and photography, as well
as bison viewing. 867-444-8320.
yellowknifeoutdooradventures.com.
ykoutdadv@yahoo.ca
YELLOWKNIFE TOURS
From mid-August to September,
enjoy aurora-viewing tours around
town and at nearby Trout Rock Lodge.
867-873-4600. Yellowknifetours.
com, aurora@yellowknifetours.com,
yellowknifetours@gmail.com
The following nearby lakes have
boat launches:
• Great Slave Lake
(at both Old Town & Giant Mine)
• Vee Lake/Walsh Lake
• Prosperous Lake
(at Cassidy Point & Secondary)
• Madeline Lake
• Pontoon Lake
• Prelude Lake
• Powder Point
(for Prelude East & Hidden Lake)
• Reid Lake
• Tibbitt Lake
LICENCES
Visitors and residents between 16
and 65 can purchase NWT fishing
licences and find out about catch
limits from government offices,
lodges, convenience stores, and
Canadian Tire. You can also get them
online at enr.gov.nt.ca (licences are
free for anyone over 65). Canadian
visitors can purchase a seasonal
licence for $20, or a three-day licence
for $15. Non-residents pay $40 for a
seasonal licence, $30 for a three-day
licence. Be sure to carry your licence
at all times while fishing.
BILL BRADEN
3 4 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
PRELUDE LAKE MARINA
AND RENTALS
Rent fishing boats, pontoons and
RVs at Prelude Lake Territorial Park,
30 km east of Yellowknife on the
Ingraham Trail. 867-446-5779.
preludelakemarina.com
Bring a towel, lie back, and enjoy the
music at the main stage of the Folk on
the Rocks music festival in July
SUMMER

Great Slave Lake Lodge
Lodges on Great Bear Lake
• Plummer’s Tree River Lodge
•
•
ARCTIC LODGES
NORTHERN PIKE
Let us fly you to our lodges on Great Slave
and Great Bear Lakes for World Record
Lake Trout and Grayling. Visit our Tree River
Lodge in Nunavut for the world’s biggest
Arctic Char and world famous service.
Esox lucius
Pike are greedy and relatively easy to
hook. But hold on tight; they’re fighters!
Often called jackfish, pike generally run
from 2-7 kg (5-15 lbs), and some tip the
scales at more than 18 kg (40 lbs). Pike
prefer warm, slow-moving, weedy water.
You can catch these year-round.
CALL TODAY FOR A FISHING
ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
1.800.665.0240
FISH@PLUMMERSLODGES.COM
An angler’s paradise
Forget the gold mines, the real
treasure’s in the water
WALLEYE
LAKE WHITEFISH
LAKE TROUT
Coregonus clupeaformis
Found in Great Slave Lake’s Yellowknife
Bay, as well as at Tartan Rapids outside
the city and in lakes along the Ingraham
Trail, whitefish average 1 kg (2 lbs).
These fish provide a lot of action, but
must be hooked gently, as they have
fragile mouths.
Salvelinus namaycush
Lake trout average 4.5 kg (10 lbs), but
catches of 18 kg (40 lbs) are common.
They grow slowly in our cold waters,
taking 12 or more years to mature. The
big ones can be found in the East Arm
of Great Slave Lake.
Sander vitreus vitreus
Also commonly called pickerel (a
misnomer), these are arguably the
most prized shorelunch in the area,
and what you catch is culinary quality.
On average, walleye weigh in at 1-2 kg
(2-4 lbs), but people have been known
to reel them in at 3 kg (7 lbs). Catch
these year-round throughout the
Mackenzie River watershed and in the
tributaries of Great Slave Lake, as well
as other little lakes in the area.
INCONNU
Stenodus leucichthys
Inconnu average from 3-5 kg (7-11 lbs), although it’s not uncommon to reel in
9-14 kg (20-30 lbs), and some reach up to 22 kg (50 lbs). The name is French for
“unknown,” but they’re well known in Great Slave Lake and Marion Lake, where
they’re often called coney.
ARCTIC GRAYLING
Thymallus arcticus
Grayling are treasured by anglers for their
feistiness, which guarantees an exciting
battle, but are limited to the open water
season. Members of the whitefish family,
the pretty little fish with sail-like dorsal
fins are found at the mouths of rivers. They
average from 0.5 to 1 kg (1-2 lbs) and can
reach up to 1.5 kg (3 lbs).
36 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
THE WORLD’S FINEST FISHING
PLUMMERSLODGES.COM
Home of the
Canadian North
Midnight Golf Classic
June 17-18, 2016
Proud of our
68 years of tradition
Visitors
Welcome
Yellowknife Golf Club is the
unique experience every golfer
should tick off their golfing
bucket list, come enjoy this
experience of a life time on North
America’s most Northern 18 hole
Championship Golf Course.
• Fully stocked Pro Shop
• Licensed Lounge & Restaurant
• Full Length Driving Range
• Club, Mat, and Power Cart Rentals
www.yellowknifegolf.com
progm@yellowknifegolf.com
Available
• Lessons from CPGA Professionals
867-873-4326
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
37
SUMMER

ON LAND
STRONG INTERPRETATION
Guided experiences exploring
the boreal forest from its
animals to plants; leisurely
strolls through Yellowknife’s Old
Town, and more. 867-873-5546.
experienceyellowknife.com,
walkyellowknife@gmail.com
THE NORTH COUNTRY STABLES
On the outskirts of the city, this
property has four outdoor paddocks,
an outdoor riding arena and riding
trails. Private and group lessons for
all levels of riding are available. Horse
leasing is also offered, with half and
quarter leases. Run by the Great Slave
Animal Hospital. 867-920-2211,
Gsah.ca/en/north_country_stables.
html, gsah@ssimicro.com
THE OUTDOOR RANGE
Head down Highway 3, turn when
you see the sign for the sandpits.
Bring your own guns. 867-445-4783,
yellowknifeshootingclub.ca
YELLOWKNIFE GOLF CLUB
An 18-hole, par-72 golf course with
unique sand fairways and reasonable
green fees is just off Highway 3,
across from the airport. If you don’t
have time for the full 18, whack a few
balls on the driving range. 867-8734326, Yellowknifegolf.com, progm@
yellowknifegolf.com
TENNIS
The city has three outdoor tennis
courts at Somba K’e Prk, McNiven
Beach and near the Multiplex. 867920-5616. Yellowknifetennis.com,
info@yellowknifetennis.com
HIKING TRAILS
Yellowknife is a hiker’s dream,
whether you’re looking for
casual afternoon strolls or
intense week-long expeditions.
There is no shortage of trails
within city limits, not to
mention an abundance of
popular hikes farther up the
Ingraham Trail.
MCMAHON FRAME LAKE TRAIL
This 9 km trail circles Frame Lake in
the centre of town, and is popular
with walkers, bicyclists, joggers
and dog-walkers. An extension of it
leads towards the Bristol Monument,
Lakeview Cemetery and Jackfish Lake.
Insider’s tip: bring plenty of bug spray.
NIVEN LAKE TRAIL
Running alongside a marshy
ecosystem, home to amphibians,
waterfowl, muskrats and beavers,
this two-kilometre trail is a must for
wildlife fans.
YELLOWKNIFE SKI CLUB TRAILS
A day-use fee of $10 ($25 per family)
gives access to multiple routes—from 2
to 10 km—full of scenery and wildlife.
BIG HILL LAKE
Big Hill Lake is a hidden treasure of
the Yellowknife area. Accessible by
driving down the Ingraham Trail to
Madeline Lake (25 km east), with
access and parking available on a
rough pull out on the south side of
the highway. The 6 km round-trip
hiking trail is marked in the summer
months only. Please contact Visitors
Centre staff for more information
on access.
PRELUDE LAKE TRAIL
The 2.5 km scenic nature trail in
Prelude Lake Territorial Campground
provides gorgeous views of Prelude
Lake, and interpretive signing will
explain everything you need to
know about the North’s wildlife and
vegetation.
CAMERON FALLS TRAIL
This 2 km round-trip pathway to
Cameron Falls on the Cameron River
is accessible from the Ingraham Trail,
46 km east of Yellowknife. The falls
are a prime day trip destination with
many beautiful views of the taiga
landscape. Interpretive panels are
available to highlight some of the
geological features of the area.
PROSPECTORS’ TRAIL
Accessible from the Fred Henne Park
Campground, this four-kilometre
trail is full of geological phenomena.
Nationally Accredited Instructors
Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Tours
• Canoe & Kayak Certification Programs
• Licensed Outfitter; Northern Guides
• First Aid Certification Programs
• Bed & Breakfast
School Programs, Youth Camps
Wilderness Survival
• Voyageur Canoe Tours
• Igloo Building
• Northern Owned & Operated
since 1981
•
•
•
•
www.narwal.ca
outdoors@narwal.ca
867.873.6443
Weather economic
climate change.
Staying on top of northern finances since 1969.
w w w . a v e r y c o o p e r. c o m
4918-50th St. Laurentian Bldg., Box 1620, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P2
T: 867.873.3441 TF: 1.800.661.0787 F: 867.873.2353
THE YELLOWKNIFE GUIDE TO BUGS
They may not be poisonous but they can be really
annoying. Know what’s what and how to defend yourself.
MOSQUITO
MOSQUITOES: Newcomers who aren’t accustomed to mosquitoes tend to get swollen welts from
HORSEFLY
BLACKFLY
their bites at first. Not to worry—soon enough your body adapts, and you won’t feel or see a thing.
Use bug spray, wear light colours, and avoid using scented products. Bonfires keep them away in the
evening. Bug jackets are available at local stores, and if you happen to purchase moccasins made of
tanned moosehide, it’s thought the smoky scent of the hide wards off mosquitoes.
BLACKFLIES: These small suckers are going to aim for the backs of your ears and neck. Their bites
won’t hurt but will bleed—make sure you’re on swatting patrol during their high season, usually in
June. HORSEFLIES OR BULLDOGS: These are large and common around lakes. They aren’t deterred
by bug spray, so your best defense is baggy clothes, since they will bite through the tight-fitting kind.
38 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife’s
Camera
Experts
Lower YK Centre, Yellowknife
Phone 867.873.5441
Toll Free 1.877.737.7773
sales@roysav.ca
www.roysaudiovideo.ca
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
39
SUMMER

You’ll meet local characters
at the annual Beer Barge
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Spot the difference
For complete event listings
go to visityellowknife.com/
events. Make sure to share
your event photos online with
#ykfestivals!
Central to our past, present
and future, Yellowknife’s bush
planes come in many species
Here’s a quick guide to the
most iconic workhorses
of the city’s skies and their
identifying characteristics.
DC-3
JUNE:
Aboriginal Day/Summer Solstice
Most major events are hosted in
the Somba K’e Civic Plaza, but a
variety of live music performances,
workshops and children’s activities
are also spread throughout the city
at locations in Old Town, Fred Henne
Park and Yellowknife River.
Physical characteristics: Full, tapered
belly resembling a fish; low wings that
angle toward a central, three-pronged
tail; plumage variable, but Northern
species often have a green mask. Sound:
Single persistent howl. Population:
607 (produced 1936-42, 1950). Related
planes: None. It’s been said that the only
replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3.
Notable fact: Starred in the History Channel’s Ice Pilots NWT.
Beer Barge
On the shores of Back Bay, the NWT
Mining Heritage Society reenacts
the arrival of Yellowknife’s seasonal
supply barge back in the 1940s.
nwtminingheritage.com
DeHavilland Twin Otter
Physical characteristics: 9.2m long;
box-shaped body and blunt, pug-like
nose; once described as “a big ol’ pelican”
—slow, cumbersome, but carries its weight
in fish. Sound: Loud snarl punctuated
with piston-like bangs and pings. Population: 1,657 (produced 1947-1967).
Related planes: Norseman, Turbo Beaver. Notable fact: The Beaver is named
after Canada’s national animal, but the
first Canadian-designed DeHavilland was
named after another noble ambassador:
the Chipmunk.
Cessna 185
Physical characteristics: 7.9m long;
feline nose, slender tail; agile, lithe,
maneuvers well, highly responsive; can fly
on floats, wheels, floats with wheels, and
skis. Sound: On take-off, it emits a ping
followed by an uninterrupted, soundbarrier-breaking screech. Population:
More than 4,400 (produced 1961-1985).
Related planes: Found Bush Hawk.
Notable fact: Founder Clyde Cessna
tested all his prototypes and once leapt
from an inverted plane mid-flight.
Piper Cub
Pilatus Porter
Physical characteristics: 6.8m long;
highly recognizable by its eager, snub
nose and open, friendly face, the Cub’s
low-hanging belly and stocky legs lend
it a slow, sturdy air. Sound: The butterfly of bush planes, the Cub flies nearly
silently. Population: 19,888 (produced
1938-1947). Related planes: Super Cub.
Notable fact: The Cub is the most
popular training plane.
Physical characteristics: 11m long; boxshaped snout, wiry legs and square wingtips; unattractive but spry. Sound: Noisy
growl, similar to the Beaver. Population:
562 (produced 1959-present). Related
planes: Helio Courier, Helio Stallion.
Notable fact: The Pilatus holds the world
record for highest landing by a fixed-wing
aircraft: In 1960, it touched down on a
5,750-metre mountain peak in Nepal –
but then crashed on its way out.
4 0 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
World Shore Lunch
Championship
The North’s top chefs and foodies face
off at the Northern Frontier Visitors
Centre. Who can prepare the tastiest
fish dinner? A panel of judges—and
crowds of hungry Yellowknifers—will
decide. visityellowknife.com/event/
world-shore-lunch-championship
JUNE-AUGUST:
Farmers Market
Local merchants gather in Somba
K’e Civic Plaza to sell homegrown
produce and homemade treats
ranging from ice cream to full-on
Indian buffets. You can also pick up
crafts from local vendors. 867-4459603. yellowknifefarmersmarket.ca
JULY:
Canada Day Parade
Grab a flag and get ready to
catch some candy from the floats
travelling Franklin Avenue on July 1.
Afterwards, head to the Somba K’e
Civic Plaza for live entertainment and
family-friendly fun.
Folk on the Rocks
The summer’s social and musical
highlight, this family-friendly festival
attracts audiences and talent from
around the world to its multiple
stages on the shores of Long Lake.
867-920-7806. Folkontherocks.com,
exec_director@folkontherocks.com
AUGUST:
Old Town Ramble and Ride
Held in Yellowknife’s most historic
neighbourhood, the Ramble and Ride
offers up intriguing walking tours,
arts and crafts workshops, musical
performances, local crafts and
children’s activities. oldtownyk.com
NWT Pride
The volunteer-run organization hosts
a weekend-long event featuring music
and workshops. nwtpride.com
SPORTS LEAGUES
Want to join a team and kick or
throw a ball around? Here are some
leagues you might want to check out:
Volleyball: nwtvolleyball.ca
Softball: yellowknifeslopitch.com
Fastball: ykfastball.ca
Soccer: nwtkicks.ca/leagues/
yellowknife-adult-soccer-league
Ultimate Frisbee: facebook.com/
yellowknifeultimateclub
Basketball: ykba.com
Tennis: yellowknifetennis.com
B-B-B-BEARS?! How to stay safe in bear country.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY TONIA COWAN
DeHavilland Beaver
Physical characteristics: 15.8m long;
sleek, pointed nose and full, bottomheavy breast; long, blunt-tipped wings set
toward the centre of the back; plumage
variable, but notable species include
the Kenn Borek (red back and white
underbelly) and the Canadian Forces
(solid red with a large blue dot under the
wing). Sound: Quiet growl, intermittent
low whooshes when propellers reverse
direction mid-flight. Population: 844
(produced 1965-1988, 2008-present).
Related planes: The single-engine Otter.
Notable fact: In 2001, when Antarctica’s
resident doctor needed a medevac from
her -60C winter outpost, the Twin Otter
was the only plane rescuers trusted to
perform the mission.
BILL BRADEN
Stay alert as you walk. Whether travelling with a companion (recommended) or alone, whistle
or sing as you walk. Wildlife will hear you coming and likely go the other direction. If going
outside of the city, carry deterrents such as bear spray, bear bangers, and/or an air horn,
and become familiar with their safe usage beforehand. If you run into a black bear, stay
calm. Raise your arms to make yourself appear big, talk firmly to the bear and back away slowly.
If it approaches, use your deterrents. If camping, store food far from your tent, in odour- and
bear-proof containers. FOR MORE TIPS VISIT: Env.gov.yk.ca/publications-maps/documents/
howyoucanstaysafe.pdf
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
41
SHARE YOUR
YELLOWKNIFE
FESTIVAL
AND WIN !
videos
Post your stories, photos and ls
tiva
fes
fe
kni
low
about Yel
ng
on Twitter and Instagram usi
#ykfestivals
or visit ykfestivals.ca for a
chance to
WIN A FANTASTIC SUMMER
FISHING ADVENTURE
42 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
PHOTO: KYLE THOMAS/FOLK ON THE ROCKS
EXPERIENCE
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE
43
 YEAR ROUND
WHAT TO DO:
SPORTS FACILITIES
When the mercury dips below
-40 C, go inside. If you’re
fearing sun stroke, go inside
too. Here are a few ways to stay
active under a roof.
RUTH INCH MEMORIAL POOL
Check online program for swim times
and descriptions. 6002 Franklin
Avenue. 867-920-5683, yellowknife.ca
YELLOWKNIFE CURLING CLUB
Family-friendly curling facility. Open
daily. 6008 Franklin Avenue. 867-8734805, yellowknifecurling.com
YELLOWKNIFE CLIMBING CLUB
Family-friendly indoor bouldering
gym. Birthday rentals. 113 Kam Lake
Road, ykclimbingclub@gmail.com
THE MULTIPLEX
A multi-purpose facility at the
intersection of Kam Lake Road,
Franklin Avenue and Old Airport
Road. It includes two arenas, a
gymnastics club facility and more.
yellowknife.ca/en/getting-active/
Multiplex.asp
THE YELLOWKNIFE FIELDHOUSE
A bright, beautiful, modern facility
that includes two indoor multi-sport
fields, a preschool playground, and
an indoor track. It’s located right
beside the Multiplex. 45 Kam Lake
Road. 867-669-3457.
FITNESS CLUBS
Whether you’re into sun
salutations or CrossFit, here’s
where you’ll find it.
ARCTIC JIU JITSU
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs for adults
and for children. 4920 54th Avenue
(shares its space with Just Fitness—see
below). 867-445-1687, Arcticbjj.com
BREAKAWAY FITNESS
Weight and cardio rooms, personal
trainers and group fitness class.
Shares a building with Sarah’s Hot
and Ready, which offers gourmet
lunches on Mondays, Wednesdays,
and Fridays (see page 64).
5003-48th Street, 867-920-4220,
breakawayfitness.ca
“What’s
satisfyingly
unique here,
is [in sports]
you get to rub
shoulders with
people from
every sector of
the population.”
HANNAH EDEN/UP HERE
PAUL GARD
YELLOWKNIFER &
SOFTBALL CANADA
HALL
4 4 C I TOF
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UIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
COLLECTIVE SOUL SPACE
Yoga classes and workshops
for adults and for teens. 491050th Street, 867-445-5888,
collectivesoulspace.org
Paddleboard rentals and lessons are
available at Old Town Paddle & Co.
COURTESY OLD TOWN PADDLE
JUST FITNESS
Intense training programs include
bootcamps, MMA, CrossFit, and
more. Also home to Arctic Jiu Jitsu
(see above). 4920-54th Street. 867873-BFIT, justfitnessyk.com
INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
Movies, billiards, and bowling
TAIGA YOGA
AND THERAPY CENTRE
Yoga classes, workshops, and
massage therapy. 4916-49th Street.
867-766-2881, taigayoga.com
AFTER 8 BILLIARD ROOM
Well-known for its pool tables and
tournaments, After 8 hosts state-ofthe-art karaoke nights. 5001 Forrest
Dr. 867-669-9983.
RACQUET CLUB
Squash courts, fitness classes,
personal training, weight and cardio
rooms and an in-house massage
therapist. Hours vary seasonally.
4002-49th Avenue. 867-920-2224,
ykracquetclub.com
CAPITOL THEATRE
Yellowknife’s only movie theatre and
arcade are good for family outings or
date nights. 4920 52nd Street.
867-873-2302, movies.yk.com.
KINGPIN BOWLING CENTRE
This family and league bowling joint
comes with an attached lounge,
pool tables and large-screen TV. It’s
known by some as the city’s best kept
secret for a fun night out.
5125-52nd Ave. 867-920-2695.
SAM’S MONKEY TREE PUB
The pool tables pair especially well
with Wing Nights on Wednesdays.
483 Range Lake Rd. 867-920-4914,
Samsmonkeytree.com
check out
ARCTIC COMBAT FITNESS & MMA
MMA, Judo, Muay-Thai and more.
160 Enterprise Drive. 867-445-2164,
afcmma.ca
For art shows and
cultural activities SEE P48.
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
45
Daily, weekly, monthly rentals.
Compact & midsized cars,
SUVs and trucks.
Please call
867.766.5000
(Across from the Expolorer Hotel)
• Inuit & Dene sculpture and fine crafts
• northern apparel and outerwear
• northern gifts and souvenirs
• infants & children's wear
• Canadian Diamonds
• Dawn Oman art and merchandise
5005 Bryson Drive
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2A3
gallerymidnightsun@theedge.ca
Phone (867) 873-8064
Fax (867) 873-8065
galleryofthemidnightsun.com
Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 6:00, Sunday 12:00 – 5:00
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Showcasing NWT culture and heritage
CityCab
Open Daily 10:30am - 5:00pm - Open until 9pm on Thursdays
Visit the
Museum Café
Mon - Fri 11am - 2pm
1993 Ltd.
873-4444
CityCab
23
Download our mobile app from Google Play or the App Store.
1993 Ltd.
873-4444
www.pwnhc.ca | 867.873.7551
Glass gifts & Workshops
Handmade from recycled glass with
Handmade from recycled glass with
original northern designs
original northern designs
(867) 669-7654
oldtownglassworks.com
(867) 669-7654
3510 McDonald
Drive, Old Town
oldtownglassworks.com
3510 McDonald Drive, Old Town
4 6 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
since 1988-- Proudly Serving
SINCE
1988 PROUDLY SERVING
The
North
THE NORTH
The fights you need to get there:
- Sightseeing Flights
- Medevac,
- Wildlife Surveys,
- Cargo Services,
- Tourism Support,
- Scheduled Flights,
- Remote Camp Support.
1 888-545-6794
www.airtindi.com
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
47
ASSOCIATION FRANCOCULTURELLE DE YELLOWKNIFE
Cultural shows and resources for
francophone newcomers.
867-873-3292, afcy.info
NORTHERN ARTS & CULTURAL
CENTRE (NACC)
Yellowknife’s premier performance
venue. Box office hours: Tues-Fri
11-6; Sat 12-6. 4701 52nd Avenue,
867-766-6101, naccnt.ca
the kids’ play area is popular. 4750
48th Street. 867-873-7551, pwnhc.ca
WESTERN ARCTIC MOVING
PICTURES (WAMP)
Nonprofit producing and showcasing
films and digital media. Coordinates
the annual Yellowknife International
Film Festival (YKIFF) in the fall. 4916
49th Street. 867-766-2586, wamp.ca
YELLOWKNIFE ARTIST RUN
COMMUNITY CENTRE (ARCC)
A non-profit organization facilitating
the presentation of Yellowknife and
NWT artwork. ykarcc.com
Where Northern art shines
AURORA EMPORIUM
ART GALLERY
Local arts and crafts.
867-688-0111, auroraemporium.ca,
auroraemporiumartgallery@gmail.com
DOWN TO EARTH GALLERY
Art workshops and pieces by
local artists. 5007 Bryson Drive.
867-920-0711, facebook.com/
downtoearthgallery
Visit
OUR NEW
WEBSITE
www.northernimages.ca
northern art by
northern artists
FIREWEED STUDIO
Locally made pottery. Open JuneSept, Saturdays 11-4, and during the
Farmers Market (see above). 867920-4573, ykguild.wordpress.com,
yellowknifeguild@gmail.com
Yellowknife 867 873 5944
FROZEN ROCK STUDIO
Locally made carvings. 49A Avenue
and 41st Street. 867-446-2853.
“Its people. Its
youth. Knowing
that we’re all in
the same boat
together, pushing
each other to get
out there.”
GODSON
YELLOWKNIFE HIP HOP
ARTIST, ON HOW HIS
SURROUNDINGS INSPIRE
HIS MUSIC
HANNAH EDEN/UP HERE
OLD TOWN GLASSWORKS
Turn recycled bottles into works of art.
Retail hours: Mon-Fri 10-6; Sat-Sun
12-5. Workshop hours available on
website. 3510 McDonald Drive. 867669-7654, oldtownglassworks.com
YELLOWKNIFE GUILD OF ARTS
AND CRAFTS (“THE GUILD”)
Workshops in clay, fibre arts, stained
glass and jewellery-making. 113 Kam
Lake Road. 867-920-4573, ykguild.
wordpress.com
PRINCE OF WALES NORTHERN
HERITAGE CENTRE (PWNHC)
The museum exhibits NWT art,
history and culture year-round, and
YELLOWKNIFE FARMERS MARKET
Browse locally-made crafts at Somba
K’e Civic Plaza, outside City Hall, very
Tuesday starting at 5:15 p.m. from
4 8 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
GALLERIES
Jaco Ishulutak, Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Fisherman 2011
ARTLESS COLLECTIVE
Produces films in the North by
Northerners. 42-B Otto Drive. 867873-3735, artlesscollective.com
Canada’s leading retailers of Inuit arts and crafts for 40 years.
Yellowknife is known for its rich and diverse arts scene. Dive in!
northern images

ARTS&
CULTURE
early June to mid September.
yellowknifefarmersmarket.ca
We carry a wide
selection of unique
GALLERY OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
Inuit and Dene art. 5005
Bryson Drive. 867-873-8064,
galleryofthemidnightsun.com
northern Arts, Crafts,
Carvings, Shirts
NORTHERN IMAGES
Prints, photos, carvings, and more.
Mon-Fri 10-6. Sat 12-6. 4801
Franklin Avenue. 867-873-5944.
northernimages.ca, websales@
arctic.coop
8-4905 48th St.
Yellowknife, NT X1A 3S3
Tel: 867.873.9696
Fax: 867.873.8973
northernsouvenirs@gmail.com
VISUAL EFFECTS
Custom framing, plus Northern
art for sale. 4905 48th Street .
867-873-3536, visual-effects.ca,
info@visual-effects.ca
MOTHER EARTH ROCKS
Homemade carvings of stone and
bone, plus beads from carving dust.
3608 Franklin Avenue. 867 446-1643,
motherearthrocks.wetpaint.com,
ldhudson@ssimicro.com
and much more.
Northern
Souvenirs & Gifts
Located right downtown






Open Year-Round
Summer Hours:
Mon-Fri AB
9am-8pm
Winter Hours:
• Mile 180 of the Mackenzie Highway # 35 (Midway between Edmonton,
& Yellowknife, NWT)
Sat/Sun/Hol 10am-8pm Tues-Sat 9am-4pm
• All Services Available Visit our Web Site: www.highlevel.ca
All Services Available in High Level, Alberta
Visitor Information • Giftshop • Outdoor Picnic Area • Large Parking Area • Museum Admission by donation
• Feature display “Northern Trading Post” over 1600 food & medicine containers in a General Store Setting.
P. 780-926-4811
• F. 780-926-2814 • hlmuseum@highlevel.ca
• Human History featuring First People to live in this area, Farming & Trapping/Fur
Trade in the region, including a photo display.
• Special events thoroughout the year.include Chirstmas Open House, Art Shows, Craft Sale, Childrens’ Progamming.
• Summer
Farmers Market • GIF TSHOP • MUSEUM • PICNIC AREA • L ARGE PARKING AREA
VISITOR
INFORMATION
www.highlevel.ca
10803—96 St. Physical . 10511—103 St. (mailing) . High Level, AB, Canada T0H 1Z0
Phone: 780-926-4811 Fax: 780-926-2814 Email: hlmuseum@highlevel.caD I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E •
CIT Y GUIDE
49
308 Old Airport Road | (867) 669-8888
www.super8yellowknife.com
Quality Rescued & Refurbished Bicycles
RENTALS, REPAIRS,
SALES, & WORKSHOPS
312 Old Airport Road • Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A 3T3
Phone: 867.765.0605 • Fax: 867.765.0606 • Email: yel@thebrick.com
www.thebrick.com
Open 7 Days a Week
We want to move you.
Corporate Relocations | Office Relocations
Packing | International Relocations
Scheduled Freight Service
Local & Long Distance Moving
Storage: Palletized – Heated
3510 McDonald Drive, Yellowknife, NT, Canada
  
867.669.7654
oldtownbikeworks@ssimicro.com
   
GREAT SLAVE
DENTAL
CLINIC
Something to
YOUR
NORTHERN
RELOCATION
SPECIALIST
www.matco.ca
50 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
120 Enterprise Drive, Yellowknife NT
Ph: (867) 873-3333 Fax: (867) 873-4998
smile about for
a lifetime.
5014-48th Street, Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories X1A 2P9
Tel: 867.873.2450
Fax: 867.873.5032
9090
EMERGENCY: 867.444.3635
NEW PATIENTS WELCOME
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
51

FREE
TO SEE
By car, bike or on foot, here are
a few essential stops.
and pick up some brochures. City
Hall summer hours: Monday-Friday,
8-4:30. Winter hours: MondayFriday, 8:30-5. 807 - 52nd Street.
867-920-5600, yellowknife.ca
CITY HALL & SOMBA
K’E CIVIC PLAZA
In summer, the Somba K’e Civic
Plaza is a prime picnic spot. Visit the
Tuesday afternoon farmers market,
plus the odd performance. In the
winter, it’s magically lit up with lights
galore. Check out the lobby display
THE NORTHERN FRONTIER
VISITORS CENTRE
Your culture and information onestop shop. Start your day here and
get all the resources you need to
map out your visit, whether you have
a few hours, a day, or a week. And if
you want a pair of wheels, the centre
18 FREE THINGS TO DO IN
YELLOWKNIFE
“ In those days, Old Town was still all shacks and dog
teams tied to pieces of bombardiers and people sitting
around having fires, and people just heading out in the
bush. It was so exciting. It totally inspired me.”
FRAN HURCOMB LONG-TIME OLD TOWN PHOTOGRAPHER
offers free bikes to rent, courtesy of
Outcrop Communications. Summer
hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-5:30;
Sat-Sun 10-5. Winter hours:
Monday-Friday, 9-5; weekends
and holidays 10-5. 1-877-8814262. visityellowknife.com, info@
visityellowknife.com
THE NWT LEGISLATIVE
ASSEMBLY
Perched on the banks of Frame
Lake, the “Ledge,” as it’s fondly
known, is where decisions are
made in the NWT. Tours are highly
recommended—they’re offered
Monday to Friday at 10:30 a.m.,
while self-guided audio tours are
available during opening hours.
To book tours for large groups, call
1-800-661-0784, or 867-669-2230.
Ledge hours: Monday-Friday 10:305. assembly.gov.nt.ca
THE PRINCE OF WALES
NORTHERN HERITAGE CENTRE
At the museum, tour the latest art
and history exhibits. Check the
calendar for events, lectures, and
conferences, and on the last Sunday
of every month at 3 p.m., drop by
the Museum Café for a free classical
music concert, brought to you by
the Classics On Stage Yellowknife
(COSY). Museum Hours: Daily,
10:30-5. 867-873-7551. pwnhc.ca.
NWT DIAMOND CENTRE
Discover how diamonds are mined
in the NWT. Free diamond polishing
demonstrations are offered Monday
to Friday, 2:30-3:30. 5105 49th
Street, 867-920 7108.
MCMAHON FRAME LAKE TRAIL
One of the few walking trails
maintained year-round, Frame
Lake offers spectacular views of the
surrounding wilderness. After that,
check out Tin Can Hill, near the old
Con Mine site, for a short walk.
HANNAH EDEN/UP HERE
52 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
OLD TOWN
For the architecture or history buff,
check out Yellowknife’s historic
lakefront district, Old Town. The
On a clear night, the Northern Lights
put on a spectacular show—for free
JAMES MACKENZIE/NWTT
Wildcat Café and Weaver & Devore
are two of the City’s founding
businesses. Yellowknife’s first bank
still stands, a little log cabin on Otto
Drive. You’ll also glimpse the work
of the city’s most famous architect,
Gino Pin, who designed the futuristic
townhouses on McDonald Drive as
well as the “Eraser House” on Latham
Island—its slanted shape mirrors the
contours of the region’s many mine
headframes.
THE WOODYARD
AND RAGGED ASS ROAD
At the base of School Draw
Avenue, near Old Town, are Willow
Flats, Peace River Flats and the
Woodyard, Yellowknife’s original
neighbourhoods. In Willow Flats you’ll
find Ragged Ass Road, one of the most
famous streets in town, named by a
local prospector. Stroll through the
three neighbourhoods and spot some
of Yellowknife’s original plywood
shanties and shacks, where the town’s
first miners and prospectors settled in
the 1930s. Many are still inhabited by
off-the-grid locals.
PILOT’S MONUMENT
Overlooking Old Town and Latham
Island, this monument pays tribute
to the North’s early bush pilots. From
here, watch floatplanes land on Great
Slave Lake; it’s got the best view of
the city year-round.
HOUSEBOATS
From atop Pilot’s Monument, or from
the dock off Franklin Avenue in Old
Town, you’ll get a great view of the
houseboats of Yellowknife Bay. Our
distinctive, floating community got its
start in the 1970s, when local character
Tim Shandrick parked his home in
Yellowknife Bay. Today, owners live
year-round, canoeing to the mainland
in summer and walking on the ice
starting around mid-November.
INGRAHAM TRAIL
If you’ve got a car (or if you’re an
experienced cyclist and you’ve got
access to a good road bike), spend
Tip: Want an insider’s tour of the city’s best neighbourhoods?
Download the Old Town and New Town walking guides at yellowknife.ca.
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
53
BUFFALO AIRWAYS
Call ahead to book a spot on a tour
of the Northern airline’s iconic
fleet made famous on the National
Geographic Television show, Ice
Pilots NWT. Call 867-873-6112 and
ask for the AirWear store to book
your spot; tours are offered at noon,
Monday-Saturday. Available yearround. buffaloair.com
BRISTOL MONUMENT
In homage to the North’s aviation
history, the Bristol freighter, once
operated by Wardair, now overlooks
Highway 3 near Yellowknife Airport.
In 1967, it became the first plane
to land at the North Pole, and three
years later, it was donated to the city
as a monument. It has stood in this
spot ever since.
Tip: Check out Google Street View for a virtual tour of the city.
In Fort Providence, overlooking the Mackenzie River
SWIMMING
On a warm summer’s day, pick
any lake along the Ingraham Trail
and dive in (but try to avoid boat
launches). Or bring your towel and a
volleyball to Fred Henne Beach—or
if you’ve got a dog, take it to the
“Doggy Docks” on the other side
of the parking lot. Don’t worry, the
water’s safe for humans too.
SKIING
From December to early April,
bring your skis, or rent them at
Overlander Sports, and head out on
any of our numerous lakes and trails;
favourite spots are Yellowknife Bay
and Vee Lake. Tip: you’ll find lots of
snowmobile tracks along the trails,
and these are safe to follow.
Visit yellowknife.ca for directions and
conditions.
OUTDOOR MINING
HERITAGE MUSEUM
Visit the site of Giant Mine’s “A” shaft
near the Great Slave Cruising Club’s
public boat launch. Here, you can
find ore cars and train tracks, loading
machinery, old photos from the
mine’s heyday and more. Pack some
snacks and enjoy them at the nearby
picnic tables.
YELLOWKNIFE DUMP
No joke—for many Yellowknifers,
this spot off Highway 4 is one of the
city’s quirkiest attractions. Oldtimers
and newcomers alike head here to
salvage furniture, household items
and more.
TOBOGGANING
In the winter, the City maintains
three slip-sliding snow hills at 51st
Avenue, Bristol Pit and Parker Park.
Choose from several hikes along the
Ingraham Trail and enjoy the view
NORTHERN INTERIORS
Custom Blinds, Shades, Drapery,
Bedding, Fabrics and Hardware
(867) 920-2289 drapes@ssimicro.com
www.northerninteriors.ca
35 Modern Rooms - Kitchenette Units Available - Restaurant
Conference Facilities - Licensed Lounge - ATM
Satellite TV - Wireless Internet - Arts & Craft Shop
24 hour On-Site Gas Bar
Phone: (867) 699-3511 Fax: (867) 699-4300
snowshoe@ssimicro.com
snowshoeinn.ca
When You’re
Serious About
Staying Warm!
FULL SERVICE BOOK STORE
Canada Goose, Resolute
and Snow Mantra Parkas
Toll Free 1-800-944-6029
Phone: (867)920-2220
Fax: (867)873-6105
4923-49th St. NWT
info@yellowknifebooks.com
www.yellowknifebooks.com
Year-Round Tours!
FREE TO SEE

an afternoon driving down the
Ingraham Trail. Scenic and dotted
with day-use areas, it’s ideal for a
picnic on a sunny day. (See enclosed
map on page 40 for directions).
Weaver & Devore
Trading Ltd.
3601 Weaver Drive, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2J5
Phone (867) 873-2219 Fax (867) 873-9020
www.weaverdevore.ca
Aurora - Wildlife - Fishing Sashimi & Fish Dinner
1, 2 and 4 hour tours
GreatSlaveLakeTours.com
867.875.8077
Shawn Buckley
Great Slave Lake Tours NWT
Kilt&
Castle
8 Nahanni Drive 867.873.3688
50/50 Mini Mall 867.873.3818
icywind8b@yahoo.ca Mail orders welcome.
Aurora Wonderland &
Beck’s Kennels
Beckskennels.com
867-873-5603
Check out our cozy Irish pub
Great food and great service
Open every day 11am until 2am
HANNAH EDEN/UP HERE
5 4 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
867-766-5458 5019-49th Street
Various Cabin Locations
World-class Dog Sled Tours
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
55
Give it some
PAO!
Cash.
That’s your reward.
SERVICE CENTRE LP
Yellowknife Co-op Members
Receive a Rebate of 9¢/litre on fuel
3.25¢/litre on home heating
oil and propane
Fort Providence
HOME COOKING & TAKE OUT
Western and Chinese Cuisine
867.873.3309 • 867.920.7878
Delivery - Take Out - Eat In
Lower Level, Scotia Centre
5102 50th Ave., Yellowknife, NT
Join Today!
Membership costs $1!
Glen Abernethy MLA Great Slave
glen_abernethy@gov.nt.ca
867.767.9143 (EXT 12186) or 1.800.661.0784
mla-greatslave.ca
867-873-5770
www.ykcoop.com
Yellowknife Catholic Schools
• Corporate rates available
• Kitchenettes/fireplace suites
• Air conditioned rooms
• Free wireless internet
• Mini fridges /microwaves
in every room
• Located between Old Town and
downtown
• Continental breakfast
Call Toll Free:
877.873.8511
Reserve online at:
www.arnicainn.ca
56 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
Celebrating over 60 years of
Excellent Programming
Where Learning Lights the Spirit
Où l’apprentissage reflète l’esprit
Yedàı Nez T’à Hoghàgoet
Our district provides a strong, moral, ethical
environment for our students. We encourage
a loving, Christian perspective which
supports Catholic principles and thought.
Students from all religious backgrounds are
respected … and welcomed!
5124-49th Street
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P4
Phone: 766-7400 www.ycs.nt.ca
Men’s & Ladies’ fur accessories
& beautiful handmade jewelry
Mon-Sat 12:30-5:30 pm
3602 Franklin Ave, in Old Town
867.873.6748 justfurs@yahoo.ca
Naomi
Bourque
Jewelry
justfursyellowknife.com naomibourque.com
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
57

WHERE
TO STAY
ANDERSON THOMSON TOWER
This apartment-style hotel offers
suites with kitchens in a secure
downtown building with a fitness
centre, ensuite office workspaces
and wireless high-speed internet.
5300-49 St. 867-873-5701,
polardevelopments.com,
hotelsuites@polardevelopments.com
ARNICA INN
Forty-two rooms at the bottom of the
scenic hill between Old Town and
downtown, with kitchenettes and A/C
available. Now houses popular Twin
Pine Diner. 4115 Franklin Ave. 867873-8511. 1-877-873-8511,
arnicainn.com, arnicainn@ssimicro.com
CAPITAL SUITES
Furnished studios, 1– 2-bedroom
and family suites at this downtown
facility, which also offers high-speed
wireless internet, airport shuttle
service, a fitness room and a
business centre. 100-5603 Franklin
Ave. 867-669-6400. 1-877-6699444, capitalsuites.ca,
ykfrontdesk@capitalsuites.ca
COAST FRASER TOWER
Fully equipped kitchens, balconies,
24-hour front desk service, three
meeting rooms and complimentary
breakfast are available at this central
spot. 5303 52nd St. 867-873-8700,
1-800-663-1144, coasthotels.com
DAYS INN AND SUITES
Large, comfortable rooms in the
heart of downtown, with select suites
offering kitchenettes, queen-sized
beds and Jacuzzis. 4401-50th Ave.
867-873-9700. 1-877-839-1236,
daysinnyellowknife.com,
gm@daysinnYellowknife.com
DISCOVERY INN
Close to the city’s business and
government centres, this hotel is
also close to shopping facilities and
restaurants. 4701 Franklin Ave.
867-873-4151, discoveryinn.ca
discoveryinn@theedge.ca
THE EXPLORER HOTEL
Overlooking the city yet close to
all major features, the 187-room
Explorer is one of Yellowknife’s
best-known hotels, featuring stateof-the-art conference facilities and
an upscale restaurant. 4825-49 St.
867-873-3531. 1-800-661-0892,
explorerhotel.ca,
res2@explorerhotel.ca
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City of Yellowknife Visitor Guide Size: 1/2 page Horizontal 
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ANDERSON THOMSON TOWER 5300 – 49th Street Apartments & Hotel Suites to welcome you in Yellowknife
1 & 2 Free HS Bedrooms Internet* -­‐ -­‐ Panoramic Energized views Parking -­‐ -­‐ Indoor Fitness storage** Center -­‐ -­‐ Secure Sundeck & building Balconies *Hotel only * *Apartment only Wherever you decide to stay in town,
you’ll be able to take in Yellowknife’s
natural beauty, its history, and its
thriving arts scene
(867) 873-­‐5701 DAVE BROSHA
58 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
hotelsuites@polardevelopments.com apartments@polardevelopments.com
-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐ Developers, Owners & Operators DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
59
WHERE TO STAY

From Pilot’s Monument in Old Town, you’ll
get a 360-degree view of the city and its
surroundings
BILL BRADEN
LUCY’S PLACE
Rent rooms or the full three-bedroom
condo in Yellowknife’s uptown, with
access to a kitchen, two bathrooms, and
a washer and dryer. Complimentary
reading material, board games,
barbecue access and bikes included. 19
Butler Road. 867-446-5053,
ykrentals.com/accommodations,
lucysplace@northwestel.net
NORTHERN LITES MOTEL
Twenty rooms with microwaves and
fridges. 5115-50th St. 867-8736023, yellowknifehotel.com
QUALITY INN & SUITES
A longstanding, recently renovated
hotel in the heart of downtown
Yellowknife, close to shopping,
dining and City Hall. 5010-49th St.
867-873-2601,1-800-661-0580,
6 0 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
SUPER 8 MOTEL
Located in Frame Lake South, this petfriendly hotel is close to our famous
Tim Hortons plus Stanton Hospital
and the airport. 308 Old Airport Rd.
867-669-8888, 1-800-800-8000,
super8.com, gsm@super8.com
WATERMARK TOWER
Offering downtown, apartmentstyle hotel suites with kitchens, the
Watermark also has a fitness centre,
ensuite office workspaces, wireless
high-speed internet and balconies.
4503-52nd Ave. 867-873-5701,
polardevelopments.com,
hotelsuites@polardevelopments.com
washer and dryer. Located near
the airport, with public transport,
shops, restaurants and the hospital
nearby. 8 Glick Court. 867-8732498. arcticchalet.ca, admin@
arctichalet.ca
ARDEN AVENUE B&B
Located uptown, there are three
queen-sized rooms, one with ensuite
kitchen, plus a living and dining
area and workout room, as well as a
continental breakfast.
120 Arden Ave. 867-446-5656,
ardenbnb.ca, arden@theedge.ca
AURORA YELLOWKNIFE JENNY’S
Single, twin and double rooms
available in this downtown home
includes a spacious back deck with
a barbecue. Free parking available.
5102 52nd Street. 867-765-5465,
yellowknifebnb.com,
ayk5102@gmail.com
INSTANT WIN CASH
CHOOSE YOUR PRIZES!
Your source for local news,
sports, events and more!
IT’S EASY
IT’S FREE
BAYSIDE
www.baysidenorth.com
B&B
BED & BREAKFASTS
ARCTIC CHALET B&B
Spacious, luxurious rooms with
private decks, private entrance and
guest BBQ, WiFi, cable TV, en-suite
IT’S FUN
IT’S LOCAL
Š
NOVA COURT
All 54 rooms are equipped with
internet and satellite TV at this
uptown location. Most suites include
washer and dryer. Monthly and
corporate rates available. 476 Range
Lake Rd. 873-6686, 1-866-570-6682.
yellowknifeinn.com,
frontdesk@yellowknifeinn.com
Open for
Breakfast & Lunch
Tuesday – Sunday
8am to 4pm
Located in historic Old Town on Great Slave Lake
867.669.8844 john@baysidenorth.com
3505 McDonald Drive
P: (867) 669-8842 dancingmoosecafe.ca
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
61
WHERE TO STAY

BAYSIDE BED & BREAKFAST
In iconic Old Town, on the shore
of Great Slave Lake, this charming
spot features a popular café, a wraparound deck and impressive view of
the lake. Four rooms and a cabin, WiFi
and guest lounge. 3505 McDonald Dr.
867- 669-8844, baysidenorth.com,
info@baysidenorth.com
BIRCHES BED & BREAKFAST
A comfortable home within walking
distance of downtown, restaurants,
art galleries and walking trails.
4 Rycon Dr., 867-873-2913,
bbcanada.com/12945.html,
birchesbandb@northwestel.net
BLUE RAVEN BED & BREAKFAST
Atop Old Town’s Latham Island,
overlooking Great Slave Lake, offers
a crackling fireplace in winter, and
a spacious deck in summer. Full
breakfast. 37 Otto Dr. 867-873-6328,
tmacfoto@me.com
EMBLETON HOUSE
BED & BREAKFAST
Four private luxury studio suites—
with kitchenettes, bathrooms,
massage tubs, computers, TV,
internet, phones, self-service
breakfast, fire places, skylights—
and three, lockable private B&B
bedrooms with shared kitchen, living
room, bathroom, phone, TV and
internet. 5203-52 St. 867-873-2892,
1-888-909-5203, embletonhouse.
com, ehouse@theedge.ca
ISLAND HAVEN GUEST HOUSE
Quiet, lakefront property in Old
Town with four rooms, bay window
views of Great Slave Lake. Deck for
aurora viewing. 34 Morrison Drive.
867-446-6091, islandhaven@
guysyne.com
NARWAL BED & BREAKFAST
This scenic Old Town location
on Great Slave Lake is within
walking distance of downtown. It
has a kitchenette with self-serve
continental breakfast, lounge area
with TV, DVDs and videos, highspeed wireless internet access—and
discounted canoe & kayak rentals.
There’s even dinner theatre offered.
It is owned and operated by a longterm Northern family with traditional
knowledge. 4702 Anderson
Thomson Blvd. 867-873-6443,
narwal.ca, outdoors@narwal.ca
OLD TOWN LOG CABINS
Log cabins for rent in Old Town.
3806 Bretzlaff Drive. 867-873-6959,
867-445-4727.
Find Your New Home Today!
SUNSHINE BED AND BREAKFAST
Newly-renovated, located down in
scenic and historic Latham Island.
8 Lessard Drive. 867-445-0151.
WILLOW RIDGE RETREAT
Off-the-grid guesthouse on
Ingraham Trail, powered by sun and
wind energy. Easy access to kayaking,
canoeing, skiing, dogsledding and
more. Prelude West. 867-920-2019,
willowridgeretreat.ca
YELLOWKNIFE BAY FLOATING
BED & BREAKFAST
Want to live like a houseboater?
Here’s your chance. Hot running
water, full-size bathroom, washing
machine, fully functional kitchen
and internet access. Houseboat Bay,
Great Slave Lake. 867-444-8464 or
867-445-6363, ykbayfloatingbnb.com
Now renting bachelor, 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedroom apartments & townhomes
Many suites include:
In-suite laundry • Dishwasher • Balconies • In-suite storage
Professionally managed by onsite staff
Make your next home with us!
Contact us today 867-920-2909
NorthviewREIT.com
Downtown Yellowknife as seen
from Old Town at night
...has the right vehicle
for the right price.
NEW DODGE / CHRYSLER UNITS
CARS – VANS – JEEPS – 4×4 TRUCKS
MINE READY TRUCKS
CALL 867-766-3838 TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION
OR CALL 1-800-263-0600 OR VISIT WWW.HERTZ.CA
DAVE BROSHA
62 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
63

FOOD&
DRINK
spot, which also has baked goods
and sandwiches. Lower level of the
YK Centre Mall, 3-4802-50 Ave. 867873-8782, gourmetcupyellowknife.ca
CAFES & LUNCHES
Lighter fare, great for a
midday meal
MUSEUM CAFÉ
Café fare (we recommend the catch
of the day) with a Northern touch,
served up in an attractive, sunlit
room on the second level of the
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage
Centre. Open for lunch Mon-Fri.
4750-48 St. 867-873-7570,
pwnhc.ca/about/cafe
BUBBLE TEA NORTH
Bubble tea is the main item, of
course, but this little spot also offers
frozen yogurt, snow ice and fresh
fruit smoothies. 5115–48th St. 867766-2012, bubbleteanorth.com
THE FAT FOX
Quick, healthy lunches, sit-down
or take-out, with a bit of curry or
Mediterannean flair. Also serves a
proper English cream tea. Expected
to open early 2016. 5008 50th St.
thefatfox.ca
THE DANCING MOOSE CAFÉ
Attached to Old Town’s Bayside BnB
on the shore of Great Slave, the Moose
serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
to a mix of locals and visitors. 3505
McDonald Drive. 867-669-8842.
JAVAROMA GOURMET COFFEE
A popular coffee and meeting spot
with sandwiches, bagels and panini,
as well as fresh baked muffins and
pastries. Wi-Fi access. Two locations:
5201 Franklin Ave, 867-669-0725,
and at the Yellowknife Airport, 867445-2269, javaroma.ca
GOURMET CUP
A large selection of coffees are
available in this bright basement
If you’re a foodie,
you won’t want to
miss the Farmers’
Market on Tuesday
nights from June to
September
COURTESY FARMERS MARKET/ANGELA GZOWSKI
6 4 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
THE LENNY BURGER
If you’re not feeling up to munching
on the iconic burger, there’s also
fish and chips, bison sausages, and
bison bratwurst. 4919 48th St. 867446-6300.
SARAH’S HOT AND READY
Healthy, inventive lunchtime fare is
on the menu Monday, Wednesday
and Friday. Choose from a selection
of salads, soups, sandwiches and
homemade desserts. 5003-48
St. 867-445-7634, facebook.com/
sarahshotandready
“I’m also a marriage commissioner. I do weddings wherever they
TWIN PINE DINER BURGER
PALACE AND SANDWICH
EMPORIUM
Protein-filled lunches, brunches and
early weekday dinners. The menu
changes regularly, but burgers are a
specialty. Located at the Arnica Inn on
Franklin Ave. 867-873-4806.
@Twinpinediner on Twitter
want. If you wanted to get married at the museum, I’ll be there.
If you wanted to get married at Prelude Lake, I’ll be there. Have
gavel, will travel.” TONY WHITFORD PAST COMMISSIONER
FINE DINING
This city may be small, but we’ve
got great chefs of all ranges
BULLOCKS BISTRO
This heritage building-housed eatery
is known for serving up the catch
of the day from Great Slave Lake,
seasonal game (muskox, elk and
buffalo), and a down-home, salty
Old Town attitude. 3534 Weaver Dr.
867-873-3474.
CASUAL FARE
Grab a pint with your meal for
the full experience.
THE BLACK KNIGHT
This Scottish pub offers hearty pub
fare, daily specials (Greek Knight,
Wings Knight, etc.) and a large
selection of beer on tap. Upstairs, the
Top Knight frequently hosts special
events and music performances.
4910-49th St. 867-920-4041,
blackknightpub.com
BOSTON PIZZA
Casual chain dining with pizza,
pasta, salads and ribs in a room full
of big-screen TVs. The family dining
area, separate from the bar, is a
haven for local parents after a long
day. 5102-48th St. 867-920-2000,
bostonpizza.com
THE CELLAR BAR & GRILL
A live-music venue serving steaks,
quesadillas, seafood dishes and
more. Its Wingless Wednesdays,
featuring baby back ribs with a
variety of sauces, are a hit. 491050th Ave. 867-920-7819.
COYOTE’S BAR & GRILL
Alberta beef and table-side flambéed
desserts are the highlights of this
family-friendly uptown steakhouse,
which also offers a Friday lunch buffet
and Sunday brunch. 484 Range Lake
Rd. 867-873-8818, ykcoyotes.com
DIAMANTE RESTAURANT
Chef-driven, seasonal Italian cuisine
with a contemporary flair is on the
menu at this uptown spot. There’s
an impressive wine list and live
piano on weekends. Delivery. 483
Range Lake Rd. 867-920-2971,
diamanterestaurant.com
HANNAH EDEN/UP HERE
ELKS CLUB
The Elks Lodge’s dining room is open
to the public for weekday lunch (mains,
soup and salad combos, burgers and
specials) and Saturday breakfast. 491949th St. 867-873-4563, ykelks.com
GOLD RANGE BISTRO
Western and Chinese dishes are
served up in this classic diner-styled
eatery, which is popular with locals
for its hearty breakfasts and sassy
servers. 5010-50th St. 867-873-4567.
HOT SHOTS PUB & GRUB
The name says it all for this strip mall
establishment, which delivers pub
fare along with occasional specials.
4 Stanton Plaza Mall. 867-669-7529.
THE KILT AND CASTLE
An Irish pub with prime rib dinners
on Sundays. 5019- 49th St. 867-7665458, facebook.com/kiltandcastle
L’ATITUDES RESTAURANT
This Yellowknife Inn-associated
restaurant serves up a variety of
sidewalk café-style items (pastas,
sandwiches, fish & chips and daily
specials) along with all-day breakfast.
Centre Square, 4905 Franklin Ave.
867-873-2601.
THE RED APPLE
This family-style restaurant offers
a Western and Chinese menu.
The lunch buffet is popular. 4701
Franklin Ave. 867-766-3388.
SAM’S MONKEY TREE PUB
Steak, ribs, pasta and a range of
other options—including a selection
of poutine, hot lunch specials and
more. 483 Range Lake Rd. 867-9204914, samsmonkeytree.com
TWIST
Come for the food, stay for the patio.
5915-50th St., 2nd floor. 867-873-3753.
THE WOODYARD
This new Old Town brewpub offers
craft beers and pub menu items—the
beef dip is a favourite—plus vegan
and gluten free options. Keep an eye
out for updates on its local brews.
3905-50th Ave. 867-873-2337,
nwtbrewingco.com.
NORTH OF 60 STEAKHOUSE
They offer everything you’d expect
from a family-oriented steakhouse,
and serve brunch, too.
312 E Old Airport Rd. 867-669-7001.
THE LODGE AT AURORA VILLAGE
With buffalo steaks and whitefish on
the menu, the Lodge is reserved only
for those who book tours at Aurora
Village, located 20 minutes out of
town at Cassidy Point. 867-6690006, auroravillage.com
THORNTON’S TAPAS BAR
Small plates and a big wine list are
the major draws of this downtown
spot, which holds regular events like
their “Wine Down Wednesdays,”
when all wines and bubbly are
half-price, and a popular family-style
Sunday Brunch. 5125-52nd Ave.
867-669-9463.
TRADER’S GRILL STEAKHOUSE
The Explorer Hotel’s main dining
room offers steaks plus sophisticated
takes on muskox, Arctic char and other
Northern delights. Known for its highend Sunday brunch buffet. 4825-49th
Ave. 867-873-3531, explorerhotel.ca
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65
FOOD & DRINK

WILDCAT CAFÉ
Yellowknife’s oldest restaurant, this
recently restored heritage building
is open during summer season only,
offering a simplified, Northerncentric menu. Shoot for a seat on the
patio. 3904 Wiley Rd. 867-873-4004
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE
Yellowknife gets more and
more multicultural every year.
What better way to learn about
each other than through food!
EPIC GRILL
Housed in the Legislative Assembly,
this breakfast and lunchtime spot
offers Filipino cuisine. 4517-48th St.
867-688-1878.
ELKE’S TABLE ON 47TH
German and Mediterranean cuisine—
think Schnitzel and moussaka on the
menu. Expected to open early 2016.
4911-47th St.
K&M CONCESSION STAND
Turkish coffee and borek—a fetaand-parsley pastry—are on offer at
this concession stand serving the
Yellowknife Fieldhouse, along with
more traditional concession fare.
45 Kam Lake Rd. 867-669-3457.
KOREA HOUSE
Downtown Korean barbecue, with sitdown, take-out and delivery options.
The bibimbap is a local favourite.
5103 50th Street. 867-669-0188.
MAIN STREET DONAIR & FALAFEL
Wraps and Lebanese cuisine served
up at the front of Centre Square
Mall. We recommend the garlic and
sweet sauce on your wrap. Take-out
and sit-down. 4905 Franklin Ave.
867-766-3354.
MAIN STREET PIZZA & DELI
Stone cut pizza, East Indian dishes,
soup, sandwiches, donair and
shawarma. 5012 53rd Street. 867766-3354.
MARK’S FAMILY RESTAURANT
Long-running Chinese-Canadian
eatery in the basement of the Scotia
Centre, with a popular lunch buffet.
Sit-down, take-out or delivery. Liquor
is served. 5102 Franklin Ave. 867920-7878.
THE RED APPLE
This family-style restaurant offers a
Western and Chinese menu. Open
Sundays. 4701 Franklin Ave.
867-766-3388.
SUSHI CAFÉ
A wide range of Japanese food
that goes beyond sushi to include
traditional Japanese appetizers,
teppanyaki and more. Sit-down,
take-out or delivery. 5309 Franklin
Ave. 867-920-0776.
SUSHI NORTH
The all-Japanese kitchen also offers
sandwiches in the summer, and—on
Saturdays only—okonomiyaki
(Japanese seafood pizza). Take-out
or sit-down. 200 – 4910 Franklin Ave.
867-669-0001, sushinorth.ca
A TASTE OF SAIGON
This popular central location for Pho,
stir-fries and rice dishes is a favourite
for the downtown office crowd at
lunch, and packs in families for dinner.
Take-out or sit-down. 4913-50th St.
867-873-9777, atasteofsaigon.ca
Lunch: 11am Monday-Friday
Dinner: 5pm Monday-Saturday
Weekend piano performers.
Casual-family friendly atmosphere.
Homemade pasta.
Delivery available.
VIETNAMESE NOODLE HOUSE
Vietnamese food in a log cabin. Their
menu includes plenty of non-noodle
selections including stir-fries and rice
plates. Take-out or sit-down. 4609
Franklin Ave. 867-873-3399.
867-920-2971
diamanterestaurant.com
ZEHABESHA
This downtown spot offers Ethiopian
food (including traditional injera
flatbread with vegetarian and
non-vegetarian offerings), along
with some Western items. Take-out,
delivery and sit-down. 5004-51st Ave.
867-873-6400.
NIGHTLIFE
Party with Yellowknifers, week
nights and weekends alike.
AFTER 8 PUB
Well known for its pool tables and
tournaments, After 8 hosts state-ofthe-art karaoke nights. 5001 Forrest
Drive. 867-669-9983, facebook.com/
after8pub
6 6 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
PATRICK KANE/UP HERE
Several restaurants around
town serve up Northern
flavours—and hospitality
THE BLACK KNIGHT PUB
Live music performances light up
weekends, both on the main stage
and upstairs at the Top Knight at this
downtown Scottish bar. 4910-49th St.
867-920-4041, blackknightpub.com
Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday
Best Saturday brunch in town
Weekend dj.
Wednesday wings.
Free burgers Thursday.
Plus nightly specials.
867-920-4914
samsmonkeytree.com
483 Range Lake Road
FOOD & DRINK

BOSTON PIZZA
A separate sports bar sits beside this
popular family restaurant, with daily
drink specials and televisions playing
the biggest games. 5102-48th St.
867-920-2000, bostonpizza.com
THE CELLAR
Local bands and singer-songwriters
take the cozy corner stage next to
the fireplace on weekends—and
sometimes during the week.
4910 50th Ave. 867-920-7819,
dale@thecellarbarandgrill.ca
COYOTE’S
The lounge section of this uptown
steakhouse offers popcorn, pool
and everything for the late-nighter.
484 Range Lake Rd. 867-873-8818,
ykcoyotes.com
HOT SHOTS PUB & GRUB
This strip mall dart bar delivers pub
fare along with occasional specials. 4
Stanton Plaza Mall. 867-669-7529.
KINGPIN BOWLING CENTRE
This family and league bowling joint
comes with an attached lounge,
pool tables and large-screen TV. It’s
known by some as the city’s best kept
secret for a fun night out. 5125-52nd
Ave. 867-920-2695.
THE RAVEN’S PUB
This Top 40 dance club right next
door to the Gold Range brings in a
young, fun-loving, late night crowd—
and it’s normally the last place to
close. 5030-50th St. 867-669-9755.
TWIST
The 2nd-floor patio is one of its
biggest draws, and their mojitos are
highly recommended. 4915-50th St.,
2nd floor. 867-873-3753.
FAST FOOD
When time is tight and
familiarity is a priority, the city is
home to all the usual suspects.
A&W
Centre Square Mall. 4905-50th Ave.
Take-out and sit-down. 867-6697071, aw.ca
YK’s Premier Steakhouse,
serving only the best Alberta
Sterling Silver Beef.
SERVING A WIDE VARIETY OF DELICIOUS
NORTHERN CUISINE IN A FRIENDLY AND RELAXED ENVIRONMENT.
Buffalo Burgers, Fresh Local Whitefish, Arctic Char,
Bison Rib-eye, Pickerel, and more!
Located at 484 Range Lake Road
DOMINO’S PIZZA
10 Stanton Plaza. 867- 920-2020.
Take-out and delivery. dominos.ca
MCDONALD’S
Two locations: 202 Old Airport Rd.
867-873-9555; Wal Mart, 313 Old
Airport Rd. Take-out and sit-down.
867-873-9556, mcdonalds.ca
THE GOLD RANGE
Yellowknife’s oldest and most
authentic bar offers frontieratmosphere, colourful characters and
live music from local legends, Welders
Daughter, Tuesday to Saturday. A must
for a true Yellowknife experience.
5010-50th St. 867-873-4441.
HARLEY’S HARDROCK SALOON
Nightly exotic dancing with a
crowd that mixes old and young.
5018 Franklin Ave. 867-873-6789,
harleyshardrocksaloon.com
6 8 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
HANNAH EDEN/UP HERE
Food trucks offer variety
in Yellowknife’s summer
food scene
favoured by a 20s/30s crowd—
particularly on Wednesday wing nights.
The patio is a draw in the summer sun,
while pool tables and a dance-floor keep
them busy all night. 483 Range Lake Rd.
867-920-4914, samsmonkeytree.com
THE TRAPLINE LOUNGE
This cozy, upscale lounge at the
Explorer Hotel offers fireside charm
to both visitors and locals. 4825-49th
Ave. 867-873-3531, explorerhotel.
ca/trapline-lounge
PIZZA HUT
312 Old Airport Rd., across from
Wal-Mart. Take-out and delivery.
867-669-6700, pizzahut.ca
QUIZNOS SUBS
Two locations: 349 Old Airport Rd.,
across from Wal-Mart and in the
Yellowknife Airport. Take-out and sitdown. 867-920-7827, quiznos.ca
(beside the Shell Gas Bar)
Sushi Café
Open Monday - Saturday
Party trays & cooked options available
Takeout & delivery/ Fully licenced
Why cook
when you can
Finger Finge
Cook?r C oo
Order over 100 menu
items online!
Ordering for a large group?
No problem, ask us about
our catering menu.
For home, office, or
sporting events.
SUBWAY
Two locations: 5103 50th St. 867920-2727; Stanton Plaza, Old Airport
Rd. 867-920-2700. Take-out and
sit-down. subway.ca
TIM HORTONS
309 Old Airport Rd. Take-out and sitdown. 867-873-4999, timhortons.ca
10
$
BRUNO’S PIZZA
Pizza-by-the-slice at the counter, as
well as whole pies available for pickup and delivery. Late hours make this
a long-time favourite for the post-bar
scene. 5124-53rd St. 867-920-2130.
SAM’S MONKEY TREE PUB
Drinks are the priority at this spot
HOME OF THE
STEAK
& EGGS
(867) 920-2000
5102-48th Street
Yellowknife, NT
Find our location online at:
Call for store hours
867.920.0776 • 5309 Franklin Ave.
Registered trademark of Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership, used under
license. © Boston Pizza International Inc. 2010.
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
69
FOOD & DRINK

CURBSIDE CUISINE
Food truck season usually
runs from late May to midSeptember, when the balmy
weather lends itself most to
dining al fresco in Somba K’e
Civic Plaza.
MURRAY’S
CURBSIDE TREATS & EATS
The big red food truck on Franklin
Avenue (and sometimes at Fred
Henne Beach) is best known for its
bannock balls, but you’ll also like the
Montreal smoked meat sandwiches
and lemonade.
STARVIN MARVIN BISTRO
A little taste of Russia in Kam Lake,
Yellowknife’s industrial district. Try
their classic borscht, or the Starvin
Marvin roll, a rice paper wrap packed
with hamburger, rice and veggies.
WISEGUY FOODS
Chef Robin Wasicuna’s inventive
twist on burgers (accompanied
by garnishes such as kimchi or
homemade peanut butter), parked
outside the Northern Frontier Visitor
Centre.
ONE OF A THAI
Their summer food truck serves up
popular home-style Thai cuisine,
including favourites like pad thai and
a variety of daily specials influenced
by owner Sousanh Chanthalangsy’s
mother’s cooking.
SAFFRON
Authentic Indian cuisine is taking the
city by storm. Their vegetarian samosas
and butter chicken are highlights.
GASTOWN GRILL
On your way in our out of town,
you’ll see a silver trailer in Gastown’s
parking lot, serving old-fashioned,
comforting and hearty meals.
THE FRESH SQUEEZE
Healthy and wholesome juices,
smoothies and wraps (with plenty of
vegan options). Helps you avoid the
afternoon sleepies.
GROCERY STORES
The city is well served with those major
grocery stores—YK Direct Charge Co-op
(321 Old Airport Rd., 867-873-5770,
ykcoop.com) and Your Independent
Grocer (two locations: downtown,
14-4910 50th Ave., 867-669-9100;
uptown, 250 Old Airport Rd., 867-7663195, yourindependentgrocer.ca).
BUCKLEY’S FISH
There are actually three Buckleys
offering freshly caught freshwater
fish. Call Roger (867-447-1958),
Barry (867-874-3007), or Shawn
(867-875-8077).
GREAT SLAVE FISH PRODUCTS
Pick up freshly caught fillets, whole
fish and smoked fish from this truck,
usually parked on 50th Avenue, or
from their floating warehouse on
Yellowknife Bay. 867-873-9896.
KIM’S CONFECTIONARY
This unassuming convenience store
across from Northern United Place on
Franklin is actually a hidden treasure
chest full of Asian condiments,
ingredients and frozen specialties.
5309-50th St. 867-873-5100.
EATING IN
We live in a place where our
food surrounds us, so we
are a home-cooked kind of
town. Here are the options for
everything else we need that
we can’t find in the wild:
LULUZ MARKET
A gourmet grocery store, Luluz is
home to an extensive deli section
featuring European cheeses and
meats, and fresh breads. It also
offers organic, gluten-free and other
specialty ingredients, and prepared
meals. 480 Range Lake Rd. 867873-2003.
The competition heats up at the
World Shore Lunch Competition
NORTHERN FANCY MEATS
An independent butcher, NFM offers
a fresh, wide-ranging collection of
cuts and prepared meats, along
with seafood and wide range of deli
specialties. You’ll get hooked on
the beef jerky! 314 Woolgar Ave.
867-873-8767.
HANNAH EDEN/UP HERE
70 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
PRE-ORDER AT SUSHINORTH.CA
WEAVER AND DEVORE
The front of this YK staple serves as
a mini-grocery store for Old Towners
and residents of N’Dilo. 3601 Weaver
Dr. 867-873-2219.
Healthy, Tasty, Fresh, Quick
Toll Free: 1-888-802-3486
Phone: 867-920-4977
Fax: 867-873-9225
www.yellowknifeliquorstore.com
FOLLOW YOUR NOSE DOWN THE STAIRS
FOR COFFEE AND SO MUCH MORE.
Specializing in Corporate Orders.
YK Centre, Lower Level (down the hall from Roy’s Audiotronic) 3-4802 50th Ave. Ph: 873-8782
“Your Health - Our Priority”
Ian Wasserman - BSP, Pharmacist/Owner
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Professional Services
Accu-Pak Bubble Packaging
FREE Prescription Delivery
Health & Wellness Events
Medication Reviews
Diabetes Products & Services
On-Going Blood Pressure
Monitoring
STORE HOURS
Monday to Friday:
9:30am – 6:00 pm
Saturday:
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sundays and Holidays:
Closed
314 Old Airport Road - Steps away from Frame Lake Community Health Clinic
Ph: (867) 920-7775 • email: ms0336@store.medicineshoppe.ca • Check us out of Facebook
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
71

WHERE
TO SHOP
From raven paintings, to teapots, to booties for your
furry friend, we’ve got you covered.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Tasteful gifts and keepsakes
ARCTIC JEWELLERS
Gold jewelry, Canadian diamonds.
Centre Square Mall, 26-5014 49 St.
867-669-8884. arcticjewellers.com,
arcticjewellers@gmail.com
INKIT LTD.
Graphic design, cut vinyl,
embroidery, custom T-shirts, and
flags. Mon-Fri 8:30a.m.-5p.m. 512448th St. 867-873-5094. Inkit.ca
LULUZ MARKET
High-end kitchenware and hard-tofind ingredients. Stay for a Panini
and coffee. Mon-Thur 10-6, Fri 10-7,
Sat 9-6, Sun 12-5. 867-873-2003.
480 Range Lake Rd. facebook.com/
luluzmarket
NORTHERN CRAFTS
Your stop for beads, hides and
hand-made crafts. Mon-Sat 10
-6p.m. Downstairs YK Centre Mall.
4190-50 Ave.
NORTHERN SOUVENIRS
A wide range of souvenirs. Mon-Sat
10 -6p.m. (Sun 12-5 p.m. in summer)
4905-48 Street. 867-873-9696,
northernsouvenirs@gmail.com
NORTHERN TRANSITION
Custom parkas and Northern arts
and crafts. Centre Square Mall.
5014 49th Street. 867-873-9908.
northerntransition.com
72 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
OLD TOWN GLASSWORKS
Locally-made and recycled glassware.
Two-hour stenciling workshops
available at $40 per person. Mon-Tue
10a.m.-6p.m., Wed-Fri 10a.m.8p.m., Sat-Sun 12p.m.-5p.m. 3510
McDonald Drive. 867-669-7654,
oldtownglassworks.com
LAKE AWRY CAP & CREST
Apparel and souvenirs bearing the
“Ragged Ass Road” logo, plus other
gear. YK Centre. 4190-50 Ave. 867873-6999, lakeawry.com,
lakeawry@raggedassroad.ca
SIGNED
Home of the iconic, stuffed Ptarmi
the Ptarmigan—plus signs, digital
printing and cut vinyl. Mon-Thur
9-5:30, Fri 9 -5, 5024 51st Street
(Upstairs). 867-920-0770, signedyk.
com, janet@signedyk.com
THE QUILTED RAVEN
Quilting patterns and supplies.
Mon-Fri 10 -5:30p.m., Sat 10-5,
5003 53rd Street. 867-920-0303.
thequiltedraven.com
CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES
Get a winter parka and you’ll
fit right in
BIJOU BOUTIQUE
The perfect store for gift shopping
has teapots, candles, and more.
Mon-Fri 10-6. Sat 10-5. 50/50 Mini
Mall, 5004 50th Avenue. 867-7662456.
BUFFALO AIRWEAR
Coats, hoodies and other souvenirs
from the storied Buffalo Airways. Call
in advance for a tour of the hangar.
Mon-Fri 12-5, Sat 12-4, 108 Berry St.
867-765-6023, airwear.bigcartel.com
www.thequiltedraven.com
ALL THE SUPPLIES A QUILTER NEEDS
ERASMUS APPAREL
T-shirts, hoodies and other clothing
with original Yellowknife designs.
Don’t leave town without one!
Mon-Sat 10-6. 4602-50 Ave. 867444-0307, erasmusapparel.com
We have over 2000 bolts of fabric including:
Northcott, Princess Myra, Island Batiks and Kaffe
Fassett.We also carry a large selection of notions,
books, kits, and more!
FOR WOMEN ONLY
One-of-a-kind women’s clothing
and accessories. Mon-Fri 9:30-6. Sat
10-5. Scotia Centre (106-5102 50th
Avenue). 867-873-9613.
We have a large selection of works by local
artists – Janet Pacey Patterns, Canadian North
Patterns, caribou notions by Roger Bisson, and
various types of quilts by Yellowknife quilters.
FOR MEN ONLY
Men’s clothing and accessories—
mostly fancy. Mon-Fri 9:30a.m6p.m. Sat 10a.m-5p.m. Lower Level
YK Centre Mall #22, 4802 50th ave.
867-873-5940, formenonlyyk.com
HARLEY’S SOUVENIR
AND SHIRT SHACK
Clothing and accessories, plus a tattoo
parlour, by the legendary Harley’s
HardRock Saloon. 5018 51 St.
867-873-8731.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Mon. – Fri. 10am – 5:30pm
Sat. 10am – 5pm
Closed on Holiday weekends
5005-53rd Street, Yellowknife, NT
(downtown, behind the Adam Dental Clinic)
867.920.0303
ICEBLINK
High-end clothing and accessories
for women, plus yoga apparel.
Mon-Fri 10-6 and Sat 10-5. 50/50
Mini Mall, 5004 50th Avenue.
867-873-3033, facebook.com/
iceblinkyellowknife
JUST FURS LTD.
Men’s and ladies’ hats, headbands,
sheared beaver accessories, mitts,
scarves, slippers, jewellery, made
from Northern furs. Mon-Sat
12:30-5:30. 3602 Franklin Avenue
(Old Town). Also available at the
airport giftshop. 867-873-6748.
justfursyellowknife.com
VINTAGE & VOGUE
Eclectic clothing and accessories in
this deluxe consignment store. Tue-Fri
10-6. Sat 10-5, 5012-50th Ave.
867-873-8483.
Arctic Jewellers
Aurora Advance
Aurora Sensations
Bootlegger
Diamond Nails
Rogel’s Barber Shop
Northern Transitions
Ogre’s Lair Game Shop
Reddi Mart
SLR Consulting Canada Ltd.
The Source
Yellowknife Tours Ltd.
Yellowknife Public Library
669-8884
873-2503
873-4600
766-4758
766-2457
873-4166
873-9908
444-8526
873-9844
765-5695
920-4814
873-4600
920-5642
5022-49th Street
Fax 873-9835
For leasing inquiries contact:
Carol-Ann Colpitts 306-337-1900
ccolpitts@mccor.ca
867-873-9802
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73
WHERE TO SHOP

SPORTS AND RECREATION
Paddle, kick and swing
OVERLANDER SPORTS
Outdoor gear, canoe and kayak
rentals in the summer, cross-country
ski rentals in the winter. Mon-Fri
9:30a.m- 6p.m. Sat 9:30a.m.-5p.m.
4909 50th Street. 867-873-2474,
overlandersports.com
FURNITURE
Get comfortable
QUALITY FURNITURE
A Yellowknife standard for furniture
and home décor. Mon-Sat 9a.m6p.m. 4610 50th Avenue. 867-8732004, qualityfurniturenwt.com
SECOND HAND SWAP SHOP
Accepts, trades and sells gently used
furniture. Mon-Sat 9a.m-6p.m. 46
Street and 50th Avenue. 867-8736435, qualityfurniturenwt.com
ROY’S AUDIO VIDEO UNLIMITED
Need a new phone charger? Or big
screen TV? Mon-Sat 10a.m-6p.m.
10-4802 50th Ave. 867-873-5441,
roysaudiovideo.ca, sales@roysav.ca
DRUGSTORES
Feeling ill? Here’s your fix.
THE MEDICINE SHOPPE
Mon-Fri 9:30-6, Sat 10-2. 314
Old Airport Rd. 867-920-7775,
medicineshoppe.ca
SHOPPERS DRUG MART
Mon-Fri 8a.m.-10p.m. Sat-Sun
9a.m.-10p.m. 4911 49th Street.
867-873-4055; 1-800-746-7737,
shoppersdrugmart.ca
SUTHERLAND’S DRUGS LTD.
Pharmacy, health supplements, gift
items, magazines—and, sometimes,
a resident rescue dog patrols the
aisles. Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 9-5. 50th
Street and 50th Avenue. 867-8734555, sutherlandsdrugs.ca
HARDWARE
For the builders and fixers
TRUE VALUE HARDWARE
Tools, paint, and equipment. MonThur 8:30-5:30, Fri 8:30-5, Sat 10-5,
5024 51st Street. 867-765-5675,
truhardware.ca
REITMANS
Mon-Sat 10a.m.-9p.m. Sun 10a.m.6p.m. #100 - 314 Old Airport Road.
867-669-9400, reitmans.com
MARK’S WORK WEARHOUSE
Mon-Fri 9a.m.-9p.m. Sat 9a.m.-6p.m.
Sun 10a.m.-6p.m. 307 Airport Road.
867-669-9267, marks.com
THE SOURCE
Mon-Fri 9:30a.m.-8p.m. Sat
9:30a.m.-6p.m. Sun 12.-5p.m.
Centre Square Mall. 5022-49th St.
867-920-4814, thesource.ca
4916 49TH ST | (867) 766-2881 | TAIGAYOGA.COM
50/50 MINI MALL | 5004 50TH AVE | 873-3033
BOOTLEGGER
Mon-Thur 9:30a.m.-6p.m. Fri 9:308p.m. Sat 9:30a.m.-6p.m. Sun 12.5p.m. Centre Square Mall. 5022-49th
St. 867-766-4759, bootlegger.com
(867) 873-9613
Scotia Centre
Downtown Yellowknife
soft clothing and lovely things
BIG-BOX
Surprise! We’ve got these, too
WALMART
Everyday 7a.m.-10p.m., 313 Old
Airport Rd. 867-873-4545, walmart.ca
CANADIAN TIRE
Mon-Sat 8a.m.-9p.m. Sun 9a.m.6p.m. 328 Old Airport Road.
867-873-2403, canadiantire.ca
HOME HARDWARE
BUILDING CENTRE
Mon-Fri 8a.m.-6p.m. Sat
8:30a.m-5:30p.m. Sun 10a.m.-5p.m.
332-334 Old Airport Road.
867-669-9945, homehardware.ca
STAPLES
Mon-Fri 9a.m.-9p.m. Sat 9a.m.6p.m. Sun 11a.m.-5p.m. 314 Old Airport
Rd #130. 867-766-6220, staples.ca
NORTHERN ESSENTIALS
@forwomenonlyyk
Some more local favourites
ARCTIC FARMER
Greenhouse for gardeners and
lawncare enthusiasts, plus a store
with gifts, clothing and more.
106 Drybones Dr., 867-8732369, carine@arcticfarmer.com,
arcticfarmer.com
BOREALIS KENNELS
& PET SPECIALTIES
Pet food, toys, accessories and coats
and booties for the cold. 8 Nahanni
Drive (867-873-3688) and the
50/50 Mini Mall (867-873-3818).
borealiskennels@theedge.ca
THE BRICK
Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun, noon-5
p.m. 312 Old Airport Road. 867-7650605, thebrick.com
WEAVER AND DEVORE
Yellowknife’s oldest general store, with
everything from outdoor camping,
hunting, fishing equipment, to
clothing suited to the subarctic climate.
Mon-Sat 9-6. 3601 Weaver Drive.
867-873-2219, weaverdevore.ca
WAREHOUSE ONE
Mon-Sat 10-9, Sun 11-6 p.m. 104314 Old Airport Road. 867-766-3450,
warehouseone.com
YELLOWKNIFE BOOK CELLAR
Your best source of literature from
—and about—the North. 4921 49th
Street. 867-920-2220.
forwomenonly@theedge.ca
F O R M A L H E A D TO E
CA S UA L
E
V
W E ’ G O T YO U C O V E R E D
Your Complete
Outdoor & Travel Outfitters
Lower Level YK Centre Mall
Yellowknife, NT
T/F 867.8735940
867-873-2474
Fax: 867-920-4079
4909 50th St., Yellowknife, NT
www.overlandersports.com
@formenonlyyk
@formenonlyyk
WWW.FORMENONLYYK.COM
@formenonlyyk
74 C I T Y G U I D E • D I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
75

FLY-IN
LODGES
Outdoor wilderness adventures are just a bushplane ride away.
For tour packages, view below:
ADVENTURE NORTHWEST
Big game hunting. 780-247-0247.
adventurenw.com,
kyler@adventurenw.com
AHMIC AIR
Flightseeing tours and charters.
867-920-4400. ahmicair.com,
info@ahmicair.com
AIR TINDI
Flightseeing tours and charters.
1-888-545-6794, 867-669-8200,
airtindi.com
ARCTIC SAFARIS
Guided trophy hunting; fishing;
photography. 867-873-3212.
AYLMER LAKE LODGE
Lake trout and Arctic grayling fishing.
780-536-7290, aylmerlakelodge.
com, aylmerlakelodge@gmail.com
BLACHFORD LAKE LODGE &
CONFERENCE RESORT
Access to Blachford, Magrum and
Grace lakes, trout and pickerel
fishing, summer and winter. 867873-3303, blachfordlakelodge.com,
info@blachfordlakelodge.com
ENODAH WILDERNESS TRAVEL/
TROUT ROCK LODGE
Summer: fishing, duck hunting.
Winter: ice fishing, snowmobiling,
aurora viewing. Meeting and
conference facilities and a licensed
lounge. 867-873-4334, 867-6697980. 867-444-9591 enodah.com,
info@enodah.com
FRONTIER FISHING LODGE
Guided fishing. 1-877-465-6843.
frontierfishinglodge.com
info@frontierfishinglodge.com
76 C I T Y G U I D E • D I S C O V E R O U R Y E L L O W K N I F E
THE GREAT CANADIAN
ADVENTURE COMPANY
Ice road tours and dogsledding,
fishing lodge packages.
1-888-285-1676, adventures.com,
info@adventures.com
GREAT SLAVE LAKE SAFARIS
Overnight trips to the East
Arm. 1-867-445-3625,
greatslavelakesafaris.com,
jd.greatslavelakesafaris@gmail.com
HEARNE LAKE LODGE
Guided fishing tours and more.
1-866-729-7453, hearnelakelodge.
com, info@gofishingcanada.com
LAC LA MARTRE ADVENTURES
Three-day and week-long fishing
trips. 1-877-335-8855,
1-810-334-9381, nwtfishing.com
LYNX TUNDRA LODGE
Self-guided fishing and canoeing.
1-867-872-5272, 780-464-7537,
lynxtundralodge.com
NAMUSHKA LODGE
Summer: fishing, cabin rentals; day
fishing trips. Winter: snowmobiling,
ice fishing, aurora viewing.
867-920-2495, namushkalodge.com,
namushka@yk.com
NONACHO LAKE FISHING CAMP
Trophy fishing. 1-888-652-8247,
1-587-991-2281, nonacho.com,
info@nonacho.com
NORTH STAR ADVENTURES
Fishing and sightseeing packages.
1-867-446-2900, 1-867-446-5374,
northstaradventures.ca,
info@northstaradventures.ca
OPEN WATER CHARTERS
Flightseeing tours and
charters. 1-867-446-1313,
ykopenwatercharters.com,
ykopenwatercharters@gmail.com
PETERSON’S POINT LAKE LODGE
Trophy trout, Arctic photography
workshops. 1-867-920-4654,
petersonspointlake.com,
peterson@ssimicro.com
PLUMMER’S ARCTIC LODGES
Three, four and seven-day fishing
packages. 204-774-5775, toll-free
1-800-665-0240, plummerslodges.
com, fish@plummerslodges.com
SANDY POINT LODGE
Fishing, hiking, golfing, berrypicking. 1-867-874-2303,
spl.yk.com, dcooke@arcan.nt.ca
867.444.0451
bdene.com
tours@bdene.com
SUMMIT AIR
Flightseeing tours and charters.
1-866-709-7717, 867-873-4464,
flysummitair.com,
info@flysummitair.com
TALTSON LAKE LODGE
Family-friendly guided fishing.
1-888-649-5566, taltsonlakelodge.ca
TROPHY LODGE
Fishing lodge on the East Arm
of Great Slave Lake. 1-867873-5420. trophylodgenwt.ca,
trophylodgenwt@gmail.com
WATTA LAKE LODGE
Guided fishing. 867-873-5330,
wattalake.com, fishing@wattalake.com
YELLOW DOG LODGE, INC.
Sport fishing, canoeing, hiking,
aurora viewing. 403-668-9936,
yellowdoglodge.ca,
gord@yellowdoglodge.ca
YELLOWKNIFE OUTDOOR
ADVENTURES
Winter: aurora viewing;
snowmobiling; city tours. Summer:
fishing; wildlife viewing; floatplane
tours; Nahanni River excursions;
dinner cruises. 867-873-5800,
yellowknifeoutdooradventures.com,
ykoutadv@yahoo.ca
Aurora Viewing
Unique Cultural Tours
Cabin & Camp Rental
Dene History
Traditional Drumming
Education & Corporate Events
YOUR DENE CONNECTION IN YELLOWKNIFE ALL YEAR ROUND
One Land... Many Voices
Guided Tours Schedule:
June 1 to August 31
Monday to Friday
10:30 am, 1:30 & 3:30 pm
and Sundays 1:30 pm
September 1 to May 31
Monday to Friday 10:30 am
Self-guided Audio Tours:
Weekdays 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Weekends 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Audio tours of the Legislative Assembly are available in the Official
Languages of the Northwest Territories, as well as Japanese.
For more information, visit www.assembly.gov.nt.ca or
call 867-669-2230 or toll free 1-800-661-0784.
DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE • CIT Y GUIDE
77

BEFORE
YOU LEAVE
Grab a souvenir—and we’re not just talking snowglobes.
Here are a few mementos you can’t leave the North without.
Make sure to catch a photo with the
infamous thermometer downtown
BILL BRADEN
PICTURES
The temperature display: This one’s
a classic. If you’re in Yellowknife in
the winter, head to the YK Centre
downtown—you can’t miss the digital
thermometer outside—and catch
a photo of you with that big giant
thermometer behind you, proudly
displaying the day’s temperature.
You’ll find yourself hoping for -40 C.
The Yellowknife Sign: Forget the
Hollywood sign; ours is surrounded
by our signature rocky outcrop near
the airport, and it’s got the city’s
iconic yellow knife on it to boot.
Houseboat Bay: The 360-degree
view from Pilot’s Monument is iconic
to Yellowknifers and visitors alike.
78 CIT Y GUIDE • DISCOVER OUR YELLOWKNIFE
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North of 60 certificate: Also found
at the Northern Frontier Visitors
Centre. For a small fee, you can get
your name printed on a certificate
stating you were North of 60. This is
especially popular for our overseas
guests. 4807 49th Street #4. 867873-4262, visityellowknife.com
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Just Furs barrette: Drop by the
picturesque fur shop in Old Town and
look for the fur rosette-shaped hair
pins that will forever remind you of the
North. 3602 Franklin Avenue. 867873-6748, justfursyellowknife.com
Old Town Glassworks: Choose from
an array of northern stencils and
sandblast your own glass souvenir of
the North. 3510 McDonald Drive. 867669-7654, oldtownglassworks.com
SOUVENIRS
NWT diamond: Want to spend big?
It’s pretty remarkable to have that
little certification card knowing the
diamond in your ring came from
Canada’s North. Find out more at the
NWT Diamond Centre.
5105 49th Street. 867-920-7108
Ptarmi: Yellowknifer Janet Pacey
is famous for her Ptarmis, cute
ptarmigan replicas in all forms. You
can get them all around town, or on
her site at janetpacey.com
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Yellowknife pin: These are given
free at the Northern Frontier Visitor s
Centre. All you have to do is ask.
Selfie with the Snowking: Find the
man with the ice-covered beard and
ask to take a picture with him. You’ve
just met YK royalty.
Ragged Ass Road sign: Instead of
stealing the sign from the street post
like people used to, buy one from
Lake Awry Cap & Crest Ltd at the YK
Centre. 4910 50th Avenue. 867-8736999, lakeawry.com
Aurora Village
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Dining
Corporate meetings
Parties
Wedding Receptions
Group events
and more!
The Lodge at Aurora Village
By reservation only.
Transportation is available.
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We fly from Edmonton to Yellowknife 10 times a
week with easy connections to and from just about
anywhere. That means there’s nothing holding you
back from taking the plunge and coming on up to
Yellowknife. You can also double dip by collecting
Aurora Rewards points and Aeroplan® Miles.
Visit canadiannorth.com, call 1.800.661.1505,
or speak to your local travel agent.
Aeroplan® is a registered trademark of Aimia Canada Inc.
CANADIANNORTH.COM