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northwest

TerritorieS

Northwest Territories
photo by:
NWTAT
of the world’s greatest sport fishing destinations. The
legendary lakes of Great Slave and Great Bear hold
record-book Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Arctic
Char, Northern Pike, and Pickerel.
Wildlife: The majestic musk ox roams the tundra
while Dall sheep race up the side of a mountain
where no visible footholds exist. Gyrfalcons,
hawks, golden eagles, and tundra swans grace the
skies while the polar bears roam the arctic coast
and islands. Whether viewing the migration of
thousands of caribou on the tundra or spotting bison
on the side of the road, the wildlife remains wild and
free in their natural habitat.
Outdoor Adventures: Hike the rugged Canol
Heritage Trail in the Sahtu, kayak the East Arm of
Great Slave Lake, shootthe Rapids of the Drowned
in Fort Smith, raft the South Nahanni River, cruise
along the Mackenzie River, canoe one of the many
wild or placid rivers, sailGreat Slave Lake, fish at
one of our great northern lakes, hunt trophy animals,
or camp under the stars.
Winter Adventures: Winter lives up to the
promise of unbroken snow and glittering ice,
clean crisp air, and skies that hold icy sundogs
in the daytime and fiery Northern Lights in the
evenings. Tour operators offer a variety of exciting
winter activities including Dene village tours,
wildlife viewing by plane, helicopter, snowmobile
or dog team, a tour along the Dempster Highway,
winter ice road driving, ice fishing, trap line visits,
cross-country skiing, and evening trips out to a
remote cabin to view the Aurora away from city
lights. Enjoy single or multi-day guided dog sled
adventures or customized, cross-country treks where
you can relax and ride in the sled or learn how to
mush your own team. Experience the traditional way
Located north of the 60th parallel between the Aboriginal Culture: The Northwest Territories of life by building and living in an igloo, going on a
Yukon and Nunavut, the Northwest Territories covers is one of the few regions where aboriginal people dog sled expedition or taking day or week long trips
an area roughly twice the size of Japan. About 42,000 continue to live and share their culture as they did out to northern communities.
people live in the NWT, with one third residing in thousands of years ago. Experience activities such as
the capital city of Yellowknife and the remainder in guided hikes featuring medicinal plant use, tours of Hwy 1 – Mackenzie Highway
the other 31 towns, hamlets, or villages. The region’s traditional villages, and visits to bush camps where
This highway, the longest in the Northwest
aboriginal people, the Dene, Métis, and Inuvialuit you’ll be whisked away on a dogsled are just a few of Territories, starts at the NWT/Alberta border and
make up approximately half the population. the choices. Celebrate centuries of northern heritage
Territorial Parks: Northwest Territories parks and through music, art, and dance. Listen to the legends continues for approximately 690 kilometres to the
campgrounds are well-maintained sites in wilderness and stories of life long ago, while letting your heart community of Wrigley. The first 188 kilometres are
settings that offer excellent hiking trails, sandy beat to the rhythm of drummers. paved, as well as 60 kilometres from the junction of
beaches, thundering waterfalls, and an abundance of Arts and Crafts: The Dene, Métis, and Inuvialuit the Liard Highway to Fort Simpson.
wildlife and birds. of the Northwest Territories are masters at creating
Festivals and Events: A wide variety of special exquisite artwork and crafts using traditional skills Hwy 2 – Hay River Highway
events are held throughout the year in almost every passed down through generations. Utilizing their This highway, the NWT’s shortest, connects the
community and include spring and winter carnivals, unique skills in stone carving, tufting, beading and town of Hay River to Highway 1 at the community
summer art and music festivals, film festivals, bike quillwork, northern artisans create distinctive works of Enterprise. The highway runs through Hay River,
races, championship dog sled races, sailing, and of art. terminating on the southern shore of Great Slave Lake.
snowmobile races Fishing: The Northwest Territories ranks as one Its total length is 48.6 kilometres, all of which is paved.

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