Northwest Territories General Information Area: 1,171,918 sq km (452,480 sq miles). Population: 42,083 (official estimate 2000). Population Density: 0.03 per sq km. Capital: Yellowknife. Population: 18,028 (official estimate 2000). GEOGRAPHY: The Northwest Territories stretch from the Mackenzie Mountains on the Yukon border to the open barrenlands to the east, from the shores and islands of the Arctic Ocean to the woodlands in the south. Canada’s longest river, the Mackenzie, flows 1800km (1125 miles) from Great Slave Lake to its delta on the Beaufort Sea. Language: Although Canada is officially bilingual (English and French), English is more commonly spoken in the Northwest Territories. Time: West of 102°W: GMT - 8 (GMT - 7 in summer). Note: Summer officially lasts from the last Sunday in April to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October. Public Holidays Public holidays are as for the rest of Canada (see general Canada section), although Victoria Day is not listed and the following holidays are also observed: Aug 4 2003 Civic Holiday. Aug 2 2004 Civic Holiday. Travel - International AIR: The best way to reach the more remote areas within the Territory is by air. Float planes are commonly used to reach the northern lakes. The largest operators into the region are Air Canada and First Air. Numerous regional airlines offer scheduled and charter services to communities within the Northwest Territories. Airports: Yellowknife Airport (YZF) is less than 1km (0.6 miles) from the town centre (travel time – 10 minutes). International visitors will need to fly to Calgary or Edmonton (in Alberta) or Winnipeg (in Manitoba) and board a domestic flight to Yellowknife. SEA/LAKE/RIVER: Ferry crossings for road travellers are provided free during the summer months by the territorial government for the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence, for the Mackenzie and Arctic Red Rivers at Tsiigehtchic, for the Liard River at Fort Simpson and for the Peel River at Fort McPherson. During winter, ice bridges are provided at these crossings, but no crossing is available for some weeks in spring and autumn each year during break-up and freeze-up of the ice. Cruises are available on Great Slave Lake and from Yellowknife to Inuvik on the Mackenzie River during the summer. Speedboat tours, guided canoe trips and river rafting trips are offered on Great Slave Lake, the Mackenzie Delta, the Nahanni River and other more remote rivers. Sail boats are available on Great Slave Lake for charter or package tours. ROAD: The major routes are along the Dempster Highway from the Yukon to the Mackenzie Delta, the Mackenzie Highway from Alberta to the Great Slave Lake region, and the Liard Highway from British Columbia to the junction of the Liard and Mackenzie Rivers, near Fort Simpson. During the winter months, ice roads providing supply routes to remote communities almost double the size of the highway network. Documentation: International driver’s licences are accepted in the Northwest Territories. Drivers should ensure that their insurance is valid and take advice on precautions for driving in cold weather conditions. Ice roads require special vehicles. Coach: There are two bus companies running scheduled services in the region: Frontier Coachlines (tel: (867) 873 4892; fax: (867) 669 0855) serves Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Fort Simpson from Hay River. Greyhound Canada (tel: (800) 661 8747; toll free in USA and Canada) runs services from Edmonton, Alberta to Hay River and Yellowknife. Companies offering charter and organised bus tours for groups include the Arctic Tour Company, Box 325, Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories X0E 1C0 (tel: (867) 977 2230; fax: (867) 977 2276), whose tours include a five-day Dempster Highway tour, Beluga whale-watching and Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) viewing. Accommodation HOTELS: Although most of the towns have hotels and bed & breakfast establishments open all year, accommodation can be scarce and often quite basic. There can be long distances between settlements of any size, especially in the Arctic zone. ‘Lodges’ designed for outdoor activity holidays can be found in many settlements. For details contact Northwest Territories Tourism for an Explorers’ Guide (see Contact Addresses section). CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Campsites are generally open from late May to September and are run by both government and private organisations. Some outfitters have established ‘outposts’ (semi-permanent camps) with tents, beds and meals, usually offered as part of organised trips. A number of companies can arrange motor camper rentals, with a range of fully-equipped vehicles. Full details can be obtained from Northwest Territories Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction Most of the province’s population and commercial activity is based in Yellowknife and around the Great Slave Lake. The smaller communities to the north of Yellowknife are largely populated by aboriginal people living a more traditional way of life. The Inuit and Dene comprise almost 50 per cent of the Territories’ population and tend to live in or around small communities that have existed for hundreds or thousands of years. Four of the Northwest Territories’ five tourism regions are featured below. NORTHERN FRONTIER REGION: Yellowknife, the Territories’ capital, is a small city perched on the pre-Cambrian shield, which adjoins the Great Slave Lake. The city’s main industries are government/service industries and mining. Two major gold finds were made here in the 1930s, followed more recently by the discovery of diamonds north of Yellowknife. The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre showcases northern Canadian culture and wildlife, with temporary art exhibitions. Boats and canoes can be hired for trips on the Mackenzie River and the Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes. These tours often follow old trapping and fur-trading routes. An experienced guide is essential. Near the capital are the Dene (aboriginal) settlements of Dettah, Rae-Edzo and Wekweti, or Rock Lake (formally known as Snare Lake), where a largely traditional way of life is still maintained. DEH CHO REGION: Two highways serve the Big River Country to the west of Yellowknife and visitors may view this area from the road or fly deep into the interior. In the far southwestern corner of this territory lies Nahanni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mackenzie Mountains. Access to the park itself is by air from Fort Simpson, Fort Liard (BC) or Watson Lake (Yukon) as there are no roads in the wilderness area. Several operators offer boat and raft tours on the river taking in the magnificent 100m high (312ft) Virginia Falls (twice the height of Niagara). SOUTH SLAVE LAKE REGION: Wood Buffalo National Park, south of the Great Slave Lake, is a noted centre for naturalists and birdwatchers. The Waterfalls Route, a 325km (203 mile) driving route beginning at the NWT/Alberta border on Highway 1, links the traveller with more than seven unusual territorial parks and waterfalls. Twin Falls Territorial Park, just north of Enterprise, has two waterfalls, Louise Falls and Alexandra Falls, which are linked together by a 3km (1.9 mile) hiking trail along the spectacular Hay River Canyon. INUVIK REGION: The Arctic coastline and islands of the territory have a spectacular landscape and fascinating history. The cliffs and valleys of Tuktut Nogait, the Territories’ newest National Park, harbour birds of prey and offer lush habitat for caribou and musk oxen. Inuvik, in the far northwest, sits on the majestic Mackenzie River Delta and is accessible by road from Dawson City in the Yukon (at limited times of the year). Cruises on the Delta and the Inuvialuit and Dene settlements such as Aklavik are the main attractions. Aulavik, on Banks Island, includes archaeological sites dating back more than 3000 years. Much of this rough and forbidding terrain is best visited as part of a package tour or with other experts. Sport & Activities Stretching up to the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic from a latitude of 60°N, the Northwest Territories are part of Canada’s remote north, inhabited largely by native peoples but visited by intrepid adventurers. The territories consist largely of wilderness, punctuated in places by human settlements. An experienced guide is usually advisable for expeditions. For more general information about sport and activities in Canada, see the main Canada section. Watersports: Canoeing and whitewater rafting are particularly popular. Tours and trips can be arranged to suit all levels of ability, although the area is most attractive to advanced canoeists. A favourite destination is the Nahanni River in the southern Mackenzie Mountains, featuring falls, rapids and torrents flowing through a highland wilderness. A trip along its entire length would take ten to 20 days. The Mackenzie River itself offers good canoeing, as do other rivers in the area. Those in the west are more popular, while in the east the rivers are less often tackled. River reports are available on a daily basis; contact Northwest Territories Tourism for details (see Contact Addresses section). Novice canoeists are advised to go with a guide. River cruises can be taken on the Mackenzie River, with the opportunity to stop off at Dene (Aboriginal) settlements and traditional camps, or on the Thomsen River, Banks Island, through spectacular unspoiled scenery. Fishing on the thousands of clear, unpolluted lakes is a very popular sport. Chief catches are trout, great northern pike and grayling. Numerous operators offer drop-off and pick-up flights to remote areas. Other: Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts have exceptional opportunities to observe and record unusual sights. Wood Buffalo National Park, south of Great Slave Lake, hosts Canada’s largest herd of free-roaming bison. Over 700,000 barren-ground caribou migrate across the Northwest Territories and special tours can be arranged to their calving grounds along the shore of the Beaufort Sea. Musk oxen inhabit the tundra, moose live in the boreal forests, grizzly bears roam freely and Dall’s sheep graze in the mountains. Beluga whales, polar bears, birds and sea mammals can be observed near the coast. During the brief spring, hosts of tiny wild flowers cover the tundra area; a macro lens is needed to photograph them. Five national parks provide trails for hiking and other facilities. Sandy hills known as ‘eskers’ offer easy hiking with good viewpoints. More challenging hiking can be found on the Canol Heritage Trail, through mountains and valleys to the Yukon. The northern lights (aurora borealis) can be seen in winter on clear nights from September to January. In midsummer the light lasts all night, and the landscape takes on a surreal quality. Social Profile Food & Drink: Arctic char, grayling, musk ox and caribou are specialities. Most alcohol is imported and supplies vary from town to town. Hotels and restaurants in main towns normally have a good selection, including Canadian whiskies. Shopping: There are over 40 co-operatives in the Territories specialising in handicrafts, furs, fisheries, print shops and retailing. First Nations handicrafts and footwear are made locally for sale. The often higher cost of goods (an increase of up to 20 per cent on the rest of Canada) is due to the supply and distribution charges caused by the large distances involved. Special Events: For full information about special events please contact Northwest Territories Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). Listed below is a selection of special events celebrated in the Northwest Territories during 2003: Jan 2 Sunrise Festival, Inuvik. Mar Canadian Championship Dog Derby; Caribou Carnival (dogsled race, skating, snoeshowing), Yellowknife. Apr Muskrat Jamboree (muskrat skinning and snow shoe races), Invuik. Jun Kingalik Jamboree (duck plucking and fish filleting), Holman; Mining Week, Yellowknife. Jun 21 Raven Mad Daze, Yellowknife. Jun 21-22 Midnight Sun Golf Tournament; Midnight Sun Triathlon, Yellowknife. Jul Billy Joss Open (celebrity golf tournament). Jul 11-20 Great Northern Arts Festival, Inuvik. Aug Ikhalukpik Jamboree, Paulatuk; South Slave Friendship Festival, Fort Smith; Wha Ti Annual Fishing Derby, Wha Ti. Sep Vista Cup Race (short sailing race), Yellowknife. Business Profile Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, 4807 49th Street, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A 3T5 (tel: (867) 920 4944; fax: (867) 920 4640; e-mail: admin@chamber.yellowknife.nt.ca; website: www.chamber.yellowknife.nt.ca). Climate The region experiences a diverse climate. The north has Arctic and sub-Arctic winters whereas the south is more temperate with mild summers and cold winters. Required clothing: Winter weather requires down-filled and other polar-temperature gear. Special clothing is required for adventure expeditions. Good-quality windproof and waterproof clothes, warm jerseys, gloves and moulded-sole shoes are needed at all times of the year. In the summer, thinner clothes are required. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.