With the re-introduction of the Yellowknife Event Calendar, I thought there might not be a need for a specific post on the annual craft sales that happen in the fall in Yellowknife leading up to the Christmas season. However, I was wrong.

So much like in 2018, 2017 and 2016, here is your 2019 craft sale line up in Yellowknife. For obvious reasons I’m not going to list the ones that have already happened. And I’m strictly adding craft sales that we already have posted on our Event Calendar, so if you would like a craft sale added that is missing, please use the event submission form here.

November 16th Craft Sales

Yellowknife Makers Market – 10:00 am – Tree of Peace

Sip, Shop + Brunch – 10:00 am – Copperhouse Eatery and Lounge

YK Seniors Society Craft Sale – 10:00 am – Baker Community Centre

November 23rd Craft Sales

Weledeh Catholic School Craft Sale – 10:00 am – Weledeh School

Sir John Franklin High School Craft Sale – 10:00 am – Sir John Franklin High School

Polar Blitz Art Show and Sale – 10:00 am – Chateau Nove Hotel

Christmas Bazaar – 10:00 am – Northern United Place

November 24th Craft Sales

Polar Blitz Art Show and Sale – 10:00 am – Chateau Nove Hotel

November 30th Craft Sales

UCW Christmas Tea and Sale – 2:00 pm – Northern United Place

Annual Christmas Sale – Pottery & Quilting – 10:00 am – St. Patrick’s High School

Mildred Hall Holiday Craft Sale – 10:00 am – Mildred Hall School

Signed. Art Saturdays – 10:00 am – Signed.

December 3rd Craft Sales

Yellowknife Farmers Market – Christmas Market – 5:00 pm – Centre Square Mall

December 7th Craft Sales

Range Lake North School Craft Sale – 10:00 am – Range Lake North School

Christmas Bazaar – 10:00 am – Northern United Place

December 14th Craft Sales

Winter Market ESJS PAC – 11:00 am – St. Joseph School

YKDFN Christmas Craft & Bake Sale – 10:00 am – N’Dilo Gym

Sip, Shop + Brunch – 10:00 am – Copperhouse

December 15th Craft Sales

Winter Market ESJS PAC – 11:00 am – St. Joseph School

December 21st Craft Sales

Dene Nahjo Winter Market – 12:00 pm – Explorer Hotel

Add Another Craft Sale

Remember, if we are missing a craft sale to submit it through our Yellowknife Event Calendar submission page.

If you like this list, please share it with your friends on social media.

You might be coming to Yellowknife for a multitude of reasons. Maybe it is for work or business, or maybe it is to see the Aurora Borealis or catch some world-famous fish. Whatever the reason it is interesting to understand how Yellowknife came to be the city it is today.

Firstly, Yellowknife is the Capital City of the Northwest Territories but long before Yellowknife was established it has been the home of the Yellowknives and Tłįcho Dene. The Dene have lived and travelled through this area for thousands of years. For more information on the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, you can visit their website. For information about the Tłįcho Dene, you can also see their website.

Featured Listing

Yellowknife was permanently settled in approximately 1934, when gold deposits were discovered in the area. 

For the next 70 years, gold mining helped build Yellowknife into the bustling city it has become today. Although in 2004 gold production in Yellowknife came to a close. To learn more about the mining history of Yellowknife, you can visit the website of the Yellowknife Historical Society. 

As Yellowknife grew became the centre for industry in the Northwest Territories, it also became the Capital City in 1967. This brought an influx of government officials from Ottawa. To this day, Yellowknife is widely known as a Government town, with the Territorial Government being a leading employer in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories as a whole.

While the gold production was slowing down, a new wave of energy came to Yellowknife when Diamonds were discovered 350 miles north of the city in 1991. By 1998 the first diamond mine in Canada went into operation. Several more diamond mines opened around Yellowknife over the next 20 years with the most recent opening in 2016. Mining and the industries that support it are the next biggest employer in Yellowknife and the NWT after the Territorial Government.

In roughly 2010, Aurora tourism started to take off in Yellowknife. While having been around since about 1989, its full potential took 20 years to fully develop and in just 9 years Yellowknife has become a primary destination for Aurora Viewing. Each year this draws visitors from around the world to Yellowknife.

Yellowknife has grown from its rough-and-tumble gold mining days to a modern city. While only boasting a population of just under 20,000 people there are dozens of nationalities that call the city home. 

While offering many modern amenities, such as nice restaurants and hotels, multiple shopping options, it is also only seconds away from the Northwest Territories wilderness and all the possibilities that come with it. 

In the summers, the sun never sets, so it makes camping, paddling, boating, hiking or just general enjoyment of the outdoors easy and desirable. While in the winter, when the lakes freeze and the trails are covered in snow, skiing, skating, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are as common as anything else.

Scattered throughout the year in Yellowknife are many annual festivals – see our full list here – bringing together residents and visitors to celebrate, be it on a sandy beach listing to folk music at Folk on the Rocks, or in a Snow Castle on a frozen lake.

At the end of the day, Yellowknife is a wonderful place to live and enjoy life, but also an extraordinary place to visit, regardless of the time of year.

If you are looking to move to Yellowknife or are new to Yellowknife look through our section on Moving to Yellowknife. If you are interested in visiting Yellowknife look through our Visiting Yellowknife section.

To learn more about what life is like in Yellowknife, look through our Life in Yellowknife section.

Check out the Yellowknife Online guides to each month in Yellowknife here.

Looking for current events in Yellowknife, check out our event calendar.

Quick facts about Yellowknife in September

Weather, daylight, and Aurora in September

Average Temperature: 6.7°C – Warmest 10°C, Coldest 3.2°C
Average Hours of Daylight: 12:54:35 – Shortest 11:28:01, Longest 14:12:14
Average Aurora Observation Nights: 18.8
Tourism Popularity: Camping season is ending and the Fall Aurora Season is peaking. Accommodations are PACKED!

Long pants, wool sweaters, fall colours. That is a simple definition of Yellowknife in September. It is time to start bringing out those wool socks. It is a time when residents start to think about winter and what needs to be done to prepare for the fall freeze up.

For visitors, it is a time to visit for the spectacular Aurora Borealis without needing that Canada Goose parka (you’d still look cute in it though). To take in the beautiful daytime colours of fall while also being mesmerized by the Northern Lights dancing across the sky.

But this isn’t a secret anymore. Accommodation vacancy rates in September in Yellowknife are almost 0. If you plan on visiting in September book that accommodation quick and early.

Start that campfire and let’s get into September.

Weather and Climate

The year prior to this writing Yellowknife had experienced a colder than usual summer, with September being no different. It has been windier and produced some impromptu snow showers. Weather which was much more associated with October. At the same time in 2017, September was a beautiful, warm month. Point of this paragraph being you should expect fall weather, and to pack an extra sweater even if you don’t think you’ll need it.

A usually drier month, September has been known to rain. While Yellowknife isn’t a coastal city – making it a great place to experience the Aurora Borealis – Yellowknife is on the shores of a very large lake so while the seasons are changing and the lake water is warmer than the air there can be pockets of micro-climates that cause sporadic weather. Until the lake itself is frozen.

Aurora Forecast and Viewing

September is one of the best months to view the Aurora Borealis in Yellowknife statistically speaking. It is warm (warmer than the middle of winter). It is relatively dry (or so it used to be). And the open lakes create the most unimaginable views of reflecting Northern Lights.

According to Astronomy North, the organization that tracks viewable aurora nights throughout the year, September isn’t the highest tracked month of visible Aurora but combined with the other benefits of visiting Yellowknife during this month it makes it a popular choice.

What to wear in September

September is without a doubt considered fall in Yellowknife. The leaves are changing. There can be a cool North winds. It is time to use that Fall attire we so rarely know what to do with. That said you might need different clothing for different activities.

Around Town

If you are just walking around town, commuting, or just out for a gander long pants, wool socks (we love these ones), long sleeve shirt, sweater, and Fall jacket (like this one) with hiking boots would be perfectly acceptable. A hat and gloves should be nearby for quick access if needed.

Camping/Lounging

When out camping – the last chance for this year – it should be all about getting cozy and warm. Long fleece-lined pants, wool socks, heavy sweater, and a hat and gloves would be best. A blanket wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Hiking

While out hiking in September you will not have to deal with any bugs. However long pants are best with good hiking boots. A sweater with a windbreaker jacket might be all you need while you are being active.

Aurora Viewing

You will be out at night, which can even cooler than the daytime, possibly below 0ºC. Not moving much in cooler temperatures can be cause for long fleece-lined pants – or even longjohns -, warm socks, a heavy sweater, and even a lined windbreaker or jacket. Pack gloves and a hat too. Make sure you are comfortable.

The best tip for how to dress in Yellowknife is to always dress in layers that you can add and remove as you need. So overdress for the weather then take off layers if you get too warm.

What else should you pack

September is part of the Fall Aurora season, so even though you might not be coming for the Northern Lights, it is still a big focus. Here are some ideas of what to bring:

Camera – A good camera is a requirement for taking good photos of the Aurora Borealis, if that isn’t your goal, most phone cameras work just as well. Yellowknife has some great landscapes and wildlife though, so maybe a good DSLR should be on your pack list.

Wide-angle Lens – If you are wanting some spectacular photos of the Aurora Borealis, a wide-angle lens is almost a must – not but helpful. It will help you capture the entire sky as it lights up.

Tripod – To stabilize your shots of the Aurora Borealis and Northern Lights, a tripod will help you capture crisp and sharp shots.

Waterbottle – Always a good idea no matter the activity.

For Anything Outdoors

If you are planning on doing anything outside here are some basic things you should carry with you at all times.

Extra Socks – If you’re out for a walk or hiking you may unintentionally hit a wet spot giving yourself a good soaker. Have that extra pair of wool socks on hand.

Long Johns – Or Long Underwear – Because you just never know.

Snacks – Keep yourself fueled or as a backup if you’re longer than expected.

Whistle – For those times when you might need to make some noise.

Map – Know where you are going.

Bear Protection – Bears are out and stocking up for winter.

Things you can do in September

Here are some of the key activities you can do in September (did we miss anything?):

Aurora Viewing

A big activity in August is viewing the Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis. We even have a guide on how to view the Aurora Borealis yourself. As well as the different types of tours you can take.

We can also help you book the best possible aurora tours.

Camping

Campgrounds are all open unto about September 15th, but nothing is stopping you from packing your bag and heading out on a hike for a night or two. Just note that around Yellowknife there are few designated hiking trails that are more than 10km. We also offer a hiking buddy service.

Hiking

Hiking is an easy weekend activity and a quick escape from the city. We have a Yellowknife Online Hiking Trail Guide found here. A reminder though, Yellowknife is not a well established National Park. We have an abundance of wilderness but few long-trek marked trails for hiking. If you’re interested in multi-day excursions, canoeing might be more your style.

Biking

Whether it be with a regular bike, mountain bike or fat bike, with the snow gone summer biking season begins. Fat Bikes, which are great all year, provide a fun way to crawl over the rocky landscape Yellowknife sits on. Fat Bikes can be rented or you can join a Fat Bike tour. For the regular mountain biker, there are many trails that have been noted or are under development by the local MTB club. Trailforks has most of them mapped out.

Outdoor Sports

Many outdoor sports might be winding down for the summer, but some sports like slow-pitch, fastball, volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, golf, and cricket might still be taking place. A good list of all the sports organizations in Yellowknife can be found on the City of Yellowknife’s website.

Water Sports

Be it boating, canoeing, kayaking or SUPing(?), it is easy to be on the water when in Yellowknife. Yes, September can be cool on the water, but there is still time to get out there. You can always rent a canoe or kayak to try out or if you’re just visiting, but there are a few boating tours out there still too.

Other things you can do in September

Eat Out – Yellowknife is a melting pot of different cultures from all over the North and the World. From Vietnamese and Ethiopian to Northern Fare and just good diner food with a twist. You would need more than a week to successfully eat a different cuisine each day while in Yellowknife. Keep in mind that August is the last month of the season to eat at the famous Wildcat Cafe before it closes for the winter.

Grab a Coffee – Like the abundance of eateries, Yellowknife likes coffee too, local coffee. Sure we have two Tim Hortons, but we love our local shops. Be it Luluz, Javaroma, Birchwood Coffee K’o, Gourmet Cup, Dancing Moose Cafe, Mario’s Marvelous Movie Emporium or Barren Ground Coffee. Yellowknife has your caffeine fix on lockdown.

Things you can not do in September

August is a summer-ish month. Even if it is raining, it is definitely summer. So while Yellowknife embraces and loves its winter activities and lifestyle there is still a snowless and warm summer therefore not abling many activities prominent in the winter from being possible.

• Ice Fishing
• Drive on an Ice Road
• Dog Sledding
• Ice Fishing
• Visit the Ice Caves
• Skiing
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing
• Snowmobiling/Snow Motorcycle
• Skating on an outdoor rink
• Ski-joring/Kicksledding
• Kite-skiing
• Visit the Snowcastle

Annual Community Events

August, while maybe not as popular as June or July, still boasts a few annual events worth attending and checking out.

Yellowknife Farmers Market

The popular weekly event happens on Tuesday evenings at the City Hall/Somba K’e Civic Plaza. The Yellowknife Farmers Market brings together artisans, chefs, growers and bakers in a celebration of locally grown and produced food. It is a great event to bring the whole family to each week for something to eat and stock up on for the week ahead (we sell freshly baked bread there ;). yellowknifefarmersmarket.ca

Yellowknife Internation Film Fest

The Yellowknife International Film Festival (YKIFF) is hosted by Western Arctic Moving Pictures (WAMP), in the capital city of Canada’s Northwest Territories. YKIFF showcases film and new media works from all over the Canadian and Circumpolar North with selected international works. The Yellowknife Film Festival often takes place at the very end of September and the beginning of October.

CIBC Run for our Lives Mud Run

To change up your typical annual Run For Our Lives events, the Stanton Foundations hosts a Mud Run at the Yellowknife Sky Club. The event sees teams race through a full-body obstacle course over ground, in water and through the mud. More information can be found on the Stanton Foundation website.

Driving in September

Road conditions in September are not out of the ordinary. Roads are mostly asphalt with sprinklings of gravel patches and potholes. Some might say those potholes are worse than driving on snow and ice, so don’t get swallowed up in one. Also, try not to spray the vehicle behind you with gravel should you be stopped on some.

Note there is no snow on the ground in September so you do not have to worry about slippy road conditions yet.

Road Construction Season

While most summertime road construction should be wrapping up you should still check the City of Yellowknife website for ongoing construction and road closures to plan your routes accordingly.

It is also often reported the highway – Highway 3 – Between Behchoko and Yellowknife becomes increasingly bad due to permafrost movement and with road construction delays. Plan to go slow on that last 100km into Yellowknife.

Finally, make sure if you are renting a car to not park right on the road of Highway 4 (Ingraham Trail). This is unsafe.

Have something to add? Leave us a comment or send us an email.

Yellowknife by the month is a series we are producing to give you a better idea of what Yellowknife has to offer throughout the year. To learn about what Yellowknife is like in other months follow our tag Yellowknife by the Month.

Finding a family-friendly place to eat in Yellowknife can sometimes be challenging. Currently, the Northwest Territories does not allow minors in any licensed establishment, where food isn’t the primary product. This means that families are not able to dine together in any pub or bar in Yellowknife.

For this article, we are looking at establishments that are family-friendly and open for dinner service. We thought we would also exclude fast-food establishments, coffee shops and take-out only eateries as we have another article listing those places or want to focus on places that specialize in sit down dinner service.

So if you are looking for a local establishment that is family-friendly for dinner in Yellowknife, this article is for you.

Stake Restaurant

Some might remember Diamante’s, located in the Range Lake Strip Mall. Stake Restaurant is the reincarnation of that restaurant. They have a focus on fine steaks and accompanying sauces, along with a sleuth of other food options.

Copperhouse Eatery

Long-time owners of the building on Range Lake Road opened Copperhouse in 2018 and while one side does feature a licensed lounge, the family-friendly side provides a modern style restaurant for families dining that also includes a view of the giant pizza oven in operation. And now with a patio for those hot summer evenings.

Thorton’s

Thorton’s has gone through a couple of iterations over the years, with it’s most recent featuring a new patio right on 51st street during the summer. Thorton’s has traditionally focused on modern and upper scale small dishes, but that doesn’t mean the whole family can’t enjoy those plates.

Coyote’s Bistro on Franklin

Coyote’s Bistro on Franklin is also the second iteration of the owner’s vision of a restaurant with the original location in what is now Copperhouse. Now located on Franklin Avenue it is very family forward. Catering to many longtime Yellowknifer, as well as those visiting from the northern community. Coyote’s is also centrally located between many hotels.

Trader’s Grill in Explore Hotel

Trader’s Grill in the Explorer Hotel is much is exactly like a what you would expect from a homey hotel restaurant but with the comforts and style of the North. A large window looking into the Boreal Forest and a giant fireplace to keep you warm in the winter. The menu also pays homage to the North with dishes such as elk, bison, local fish and Arctic Char.

Quarry Restaurant in the Chateau Nova

The hotel restaurant, which might seem like an option only for hotel guests, is open to the general public and is a family-friendly option. It is a large restaurant with a high ceiling and lots of room for big families if needed.

Elke’s Table on 47th

Elke’s is a small and quaint restaurant, almost like a bistro on the main floor of what looks to be a regular house (so don’t miss it when you stroll by). The chef/ owner focuses on German-Mediterranean cuisine but also local fish and chips, along with homemade desserts. The restaurant is small so either call ahead if your party is larger than 4 people. In the summer you could also enjoy the patio/picnic tables outside (with evening sun).

Bullocks Bistro

The famous restaurant for its delicious local fish and chips and salad dressings has grown up in recent years from it’s haphazard and chaotic beginning to be the memorabilia ridden walls and ceiling hotspot for visitors and residents. Commonly a treat for local, it is family-friendly but with only 36 seats total inside making a reservation is definitely adviced, especially during fall and winter.

YK Hot Pot

A shared dining experience isn’t all that YK Hot Pot provides, but it is the centrepiece. This restaurant allows visitors and residents the chance to try the Chinese delicacy of hot pot.

Zehabesha

A cult favourite amongst many Yellowknifer, Zehabesha came only the Yellowknife food scene in 2012 and introduced Yellowknife to Ethiopian food. Family-friendly so much so that kids will love the idea of sharing their dishes and getting to eat with their hands. Found on the corner of 50th Street and 51st Avenue.

Korea House

Korea House might be the only Korean inspired restaurant in town, but don’t let that stop you from trying a dish or seven. Styled like a cafeteria/take-out joint, meals do come out quick and eating in is encouraged. Also located on 51st Avenue, diners can try dishes such as bibimbap, bulgogi and stews like kimchi and tofu.

Sushi North

Also styled like a cafeteria/take-out joint, Sushi North was the first sushi restaurant in Yellowknife and still thriving to this day. Located above Sutherlands Drugs on Franklin Avenue, they also provide a local spin on their combos with an Aurora Set and YK Set.

Sushi Cafe

Sushi Cafe also located on Franklin Avenue, but further south provides a dining room with table service that is dimly lit creating an ambiance that encourages guests to stay for a long time and thoroughly enjoy their time there. An added bonus to your meal is the accompaniment of sake, but only for mom and dad.

Savannah’s Family Restaurant

Family-friendly and family-run. It isn’t unusual for the whole family to be working the floor at Savannah’s to make sure everything is running smoothly. The restaurant is a Somali-inspired family eatery on Franklin Avenue that opened in 2019. Guests will recognize things like curry and injera but will be blown away from the spice diversity.

Boston Pizza

For a time being Boston Pizza might have been one of the only places in Yellowknife where families can dine. With the added bonus of a kids menu it was pretty easy, but maybe a little repetitive for parents who might want to try something new once and while.

Red Apple

One of two Chinese restaurants in Yellowknife that offers a Chinese buffet for dinner. Located on Franklin Avenue in the Discovery Inn building, Red Apple also offers an a la carte menu of both American-Chinese and western dishes.

Mark’s

An underground staple for many years, Mark’s also offers a dinner time Chinese buffet and a la carte menu of both American-Chinese and western dishes. The entrance can be found in the parking lot of the Scotia Centre building

Gold Range Bistro

A classic in Yellowknife squeezed in between the Gold Range Hotel and a now-empty building, the Gold Range Bistro lays claim to having the largest eggroll ever, along with many other western and American-Chinese menu items.

Taste of Saigon

Taste of Saigon is one of two Vietnamese Restaurants in Yellowknife, located on 50th Street towards Frame Lake. Known for their speedy service, you will find many vermicelli dishes along with a selection of Pho.

Vietnamese Noodle House

The other Vietnamese Noodle House located on Franklin Avenue just up from the Red Apple has been a staple in Yellowknife for well over 20 years with many locals having their favourite dish number memorized so they can order quickly upon return.

Wild Cat Cafe

While only seasonal, open from the end of May to September that Wild Cat Cafe is most certainly family-friendly, and even embraces the idea of communal dining. So even if you didn’t show up with a family, you might end up with one anyway. One big happy family, and potentially on the beautiful patio overlooking Back Bay of Great Slave Lake. Dishes are meant to hold to true to the originals of the historical restaurant by being northern inspired as well as economical.

Did we miss a restaurant? Has one closed? Contact us and let us know so we can keep this article as accurate as possible.

It isn’t uncommon for us to interview someone on the How To Be a Yellowknifer Podcast only to learn later that they have decided to move away from Yellowknife. We know lives take us in all direction and not everyone is destined to stay in Yellowknife forever. However, in the case of Stephanie Vandeputte, we knew she and her family were leaving Yellowknife, so consider this an exit interview.

Stephanie is originally from Belgium but moved to Canada 11-years ago. Then 5-years into her time in Canada, her and her husband, who is originally from the East Coast, decided to move to Yellowknife.

In our chat with Stephanie, we talk extensively about why and how someone from Belgium and new to Canada would consider Yellowknife a place to live. We dive into how she and her husband planned out their move here and learned about Yellowknife and job potential.

We go on to talk about how Stephanie became involved in the community in some big ways through her jobs, and how she overcame some fear and anxiety to pull off giving her own TEDx Talk in December of 2018

And while we didn’t talk specifically with Stephanie about Folk on the Rocks in this episode. She and her husband were frequent attendees and spoke with us, in partnership with Folk on the Rocks, 2-years ago about what it was like going from attending the festival on their own and then with their young daughter at the time.

We talk with Stephanie about so much more on this episode and wish her all the best as she and her family move back to Belgium.

If you haven’t already, check out what is coming to Folk on the Rocks this year on their website.

Be sure to subscribe to the How To Be a Yellowknifer Podcast to hear the stories and insider knowledge on Yellowknife from residents new and old to young and seasoned.

Yellowknife Online is your practical and informative guide of Yellowknife for newcomers, visitors and residents alike. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Summer is Yellowknife a magical and beautiful experience. It is by a locals standards, the complete opposite from the winter. The days are long and warm, with an almost Midnight Sun that confuses the mind into thinking it doesn’t need sleep. Summer in Yellowknife is something everyone should experience. If you are interested we have online guides for June, July, and August, to help you plan your trip.

If you are travelling to Yellowknife for work or play, taking a tour or two is a good way to learn and experience everything Yellowknife has to offer. We are happy to share with you a list that we have curated of all the summer tours available in Yellowknife. Everything from history and city tours, to fishing tour and cultural tours.

Hiking Tours

There is a lot of great hiking around Yellowknife and just outside of the city. Some of the best trails you have to drive to, so often times your best way to experience them is through a tour provider. Many tours head out to the popular Cameron Falls, while others also hit hotspots like Prelude Lake Hiking Trail and the Cameron River Ramparts

• My Backyard Tours – Cameron Falls & Ramparts Hiking Tour
• Strong Interpretation – Canadian Shield Sampler
• Narwal Adventures – Hiking Tour
• Arctic Tours Canada – Cameron Falls Hiking Tour
• Aurora Village – Cameron Falls Hiking Tour
• Hello Aurora – Cameron Falls Hiking

Interpretive/Culture Tours

To go beyond just a typical hiking or boating tour, taking an interpretive or cultural tour is an excellent way to learn more about what is surrounding Yellowknife. Interpretive and cultural tours are about sharing knowledge and experiences of the land, the animals, and the indigenous people who have called it home for thousands of years.

• Strong Interpretation – Interpretive Hiking and Walking Tours
• Narwal Adventures – Floating Dinner Theatre Experience
• B Dene Adventures – Indigenous Cultural Experiences
• AuroraTours.net – Aboriginal Cultural Experiences
• Tugah Norther Experiences – Traditional Cultural Experiences

Yellowknife City Tours

A Yellowknife City Tour is a wonderful introduction to Yellowknife and, sometimes, a leason on the history of Yellowknife. A simple Yellowknife City Tour will take you around to a few sights to show you want every visitor might see. A great Yellowknife City Tour will wheel you around Yellowknife in and out of popular and lesser known areas while weaving stories of how Yellowknife came to be. From the indigenous people of the area, to the early explorers, all the way up to when gold was discovered. A Yellowknife City Tour should leave you wanting more with a list of things to check out and explore during your time in Yellowknife.

• Yellowknife Online – Personalized small-group Yellowknife Community Tour
• My Backyard Tours – Yellowknife City Tour
• Strong Interpretation – Old Town Walking Tour
• Aurora Village – Yellowknife City Tour
• Arctic Tours Canada – Yellowknife City Tour
• North Star Adventures – Sightseeing City Tour/Ice Road Tour
• Hello Aurora – City Tour
• Aurora Ninja – City Day Tour

Fishing Tours

Fishing is a big part of life in the Northwest Territories. For many years up to present day, fishing is a big source of food for many. However, it is also a very popular pastime for many others. Lakes are abundant all around Yellowknife, and being on the shores of Great Slave Lake makes it an easy choice for some great fishing, be it an afternoon, full day or multiple days.

• Bluefish Services – Great Slave Lake Fishing Packages
• Yellowknife Sportfishing – Great Slave Lake Fishing Packages
• Great Slave Lake Tours – Traditional Net Fishing Experience
• North Star Adventures – Great Slave Lake Fishing Packages
• B Dene Adventures – Great Slave Lake Fishing Tour

Outdoor Activity Tours

Outdoor Activity Tours are tour that are obviously outside, but don’t fit into another category at the moment.

• Borealis Bike Tours Unlimited – Fat Biking Tours – Custom guided tours around Yellowknife

Flightseeing Tours

This is like a sightseeing tour, but from the air. A few different avaiation companies based here in Yellowknife provide these tours around the city as well as the surrounding area for a variety of durations.

• Air Tindi – Long standing bush plane and northern aviation company based at the Yellowknife Airport and in Old Town.
• Amhic Air – Small scale floatplane and ski-plane operation based on Old Town Yellowknife.
• Acosta Helicopters – Helicopter company based at the Yellowknife Airport

Wildlife Viewing Tours

I wouldn’t say that Yellowknife is a wildlife destination, but there are many critters and beasts that roam around the area. Often times little animals such as foxes and ptarmigan can be seen just around town or while on another tour. However, if you are interested in seeing a larger animal you have to get a good distance out of town. Buffalo – or Bison – can often be seen between Behchoko and Fort Providence, with a couple companies offering tours, which is mainly just transportation.

• Arctic Tours Canada – Wildlife Buffalo Tour
• Aurora Village – Wildlife Buffalo Tour
• North Star Adventures – Buffalo Viewing Tour

Are there other tours out there that we have missed? Let us know.

If Shiri MacPherson were to be nominated for an award the category would be along the lines of Most Passionate Yellowknife Volunteer. Her dedication to volunteering and supporting local events is second to none and we talk all about it in this episode of the How To Be a Yellowknife Podcast.

As part of a Yellowknife Online and Folk on the Rocks partnership, this is the second How To Be a Yellowknifer episode that focuses not only on people who live in Yellowknife but also on Folk on the Rocks festival and what it means to them.

According to Shiri, who is only 18 years old, she has been volunteering at Folk on the Rocks, the annual music and arts festival that takes place in July on the shores of Long Lake, since she was about 8 years old. She has essentially grown up and spent most of her childhood within the Folk on the Rocks family. Even celebrated her birthday at the Folk on the Rocks AGM in November.

Having graduated high school in 2018, we reflect on what life is like growing up in Yellowknife and what it is like to leave for post-secondary education for the first time.

Yellowknife is just nice, much different than southern Alberta.

Her advice for anyone who is new to Yellowknife is to just get involved. There is always an AGM happening and organizations are always looking for people.

Sometimes you just show up at an AGM [for an organization] and people just assume you want to be on the board.

For 2019, Shiri is moving up from Folk on the Rocks volunteer to be the Stage Coordinator of Main Stage, a role her father previously held for a number of years. And recognizes the Main Stage will always be her favourite part of Folk.

My baby is getting a makeover

– Referring to the renos to Main Stage in 2019

Listen to all that and more on this episode.

If you haven’t already, check out what is coming to Folk on the Rocks this year on their website.

Be sure to subscribe to the How To Be a Yellowknifer Podcast to hear the stories and insider knowledge on Yellowknife from residents new and old to young and seasoned.

Yellowknife Online is your practical and informative guide of Yellowknife for newcomers, visitors and residents alike. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Ashley Makohoniuk has lived in Yellowknife for about 8 years and most of that time she has volunteered for Folk on the Rocks, the annual music and arts festival that takes place in July on the shores of Long Lake.

As part of a Yellowknife Online and Folk on the Rocks partnership, this is the first How To Be a Yellowknifer episode of three that focuses not only on people who live in Yellowknife but also on Folk on the Rocks festival and what it means to them.

Over those 8 years volunteering with Folk on the Rocks, Ashley has gone from Director-at-Large to current Folk on the Rocks President, gotten married, and had two beautiful children. 

Throughout this episode, you will hear each of Ashley’s children make surprise cameos, all the while Ashley recounting what Folk on the Rocks and Yellowknife mean to her, and how she has adjusted to both now with two children.

If you have a young family and have wondered what Yellowknife or Folk on the Rocks is like with small children, this is the episode for you.

In this episode, we mention our Yellowknife Online Guide to Folk on the Rocks and our aggregated list of Yellowknife Facebook Groups.

If you haven’t already, check out what is coming to Folk on the Rocks this year on their website.

Be sure to subscribe to the How To Be a Yellowknifer Podcast to hear the stories and insider knowledge on Yellowknife from residents new and old to young and seasoned.

Yellowknife Online is your practical and informative guide of Yellowknife for newcomers, visitors and residents alike. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Dog walking and Yellowknife go hand in paw. We’re lucky to be surrounded by wonderful trails and beautiful natural scenery. As Yellowknifers we’re also no strangers to the cold! And neither are our fur babies, who still need regular exercise even when the temps dip well below zero degrees. That means it’s time to get creative with our snow covered paths.

We (YK Sitter) recently asked our followers @YKSitter867 what their favourite wintertime routes were. We’ve compiled their responses, some of our own go to trails and our tried and true tips here for you.

Tips and Tricks

Bundle up!

This may seem obvious, but the quickest way to ruin a good walk is to be underdressed. Protect your face, neck, hands and head as these are the most exposed areas.

But don’t overdress

It’s a fine line in the winter, the further you walk, the warmer you’ll get. If you’re too warm when you start you’ll get uncomfortable quickly as you begin to perspire. Layer appropriately but not too much!

Bundle up your Pup too!

When temperatures are low they’ll want their boots and jackets on too. Ice and snow free paws are happy paws.

Be alert and prepared

Safety first! Our winters are dark – it’s important to have reflectors on so you can be seen. Attach a light to your Pups collar too, to keep them visible and safe. We also recommend always having a flashlight on you when walking the trails.

Pick up the poop!

Don’t forget poop bags. Cleaning up is important even when the snow is on the ground. Attach a bag holder to your leash so you never forget and consider compostable options!

Shorter walks are better than no walks.

It’s cold – we know, your pup may even be reluctant to go out, but their exercise is important even in the winter months. Consider a shorter route on the really chilly days.

Call us!

YK Sitter knows that sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day. Take back your evening or lunch break with help from us! We provide 30 and 60 minute fun filled walks for your dogs that are guaranteed to give your pup the exercise they need. Private walks are booked by location; either your neighbourhood or an adventure out for off leash walkers. Round trip travel (if applicable) and a fresh water change are included.

Routes

Niven Lake Trail

Great for those that live in the Niven subdivision area, this scenic route is easy to walk and well maintained. This trail features benches and viewing platforms and has garbage bins along the path.

Tin Can Hill

Tin Can Hill is a designated ‘off leash’ area for dogs, so we only recommend it if your pup plays well with others – it’s one of our favourites! With lots of trails and a natural setting, it is an excellent area for doggy fun and frolic! The entrance can be found at the end of School Draw Avenue.

Rat Lake Trail

Near Tin Can Hill, this trail comes recommended by many of our friends and has quick and easy access from Con Road. It’s conveniently located near residential neighbourhoods and downtown, and, like Tin Can Hill, is a natural retreat within city limits.

Range Lake and Parker Park

Ideal for those who live in this residential area, or people who just want to try something new, this is a great location for on-leash dog walking. We’ve never had any complaints from our furry friends on this one! Be sure to clean up after your pooch, as this is a public park. Access can be found off Finlayson Drive, or onto Range Lake from Rivett Drive.

Frame Lake Trail

Located close to the city centre, the Frame Lake Trail has a number of different starting locations including downtown, YK Co-op and the hospital, making it a popular choice for Yellowknifers. To change things up in the winter you may walk across the lake — made easier with pylons set up by the City of Yellowknife to guide you.  Like Range Lake and Parker Field, this is a public park, so make sure that your doggy is leashed and you leave nothing behind.

Cameron falls

Approximately an hour’s drive from Yellowknife, this hike is perfect for the owner of a dog who loves car rides with lots of off-leash exercise at the end of it. This is a beautiful walk, in both summer and winter, and is sure to be a fun adventure for both you and your pup.

NWT SPCA

Enjoyed this list but don’t have a pup to walk? The NWT SPCA always needs volunteers for their animals – it’s a great way to help them out and get in a good walk yourself!

This article was compiled and produced by YK Sitter. If you have an additional tip or route you like to take with your pooch, please leave a comment below. YK Sitter can also be found on Instagram and Facebook.

There is more to do in Yellowknife than you might think. For starters, we have our list of free activities you can get up to in Yellowknife. However, there is also a long list of daytime tours you can participate in during the winter. So if you are travelling to Yellowknife for business, or to see the Aurora Borealis, or if you have just never left the comfort of your downtown apartment and office job since you moved to Yellowknife, this list is for you.

Now for simplicity sake, we are going to make this into a series. Part one, this one, winter daytime tours, and part two, summer daytime tours. To check for the summer daytime tours list, check out our daytime tours tag here.

On to the list! I will break it down by the type of tour, with a short description of what the activity actually is and then list the tours that I know of (if one is missing contact me). This list will change and evolve over time. Keep in mind that I’m trying to only list the actual tour provider and not a reseller of someone else’s tour.

Featured Tours

Full disclosure, featured tours are paid listings that go to help support Yellowknife Online content creation.

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Sundog Adventures

Take a dog-assisted kicksledding tour around beautiful Yellowknife Bay. Explore the Back Bay Ice Caves or visit the Snow Castle!
Phone: 1-867-446-8687
Website/Email: Learn More

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Yellowknife Community Tour

Learn about Yellowknife from a passionate life-long Yellowknifer. History, cultural, things to do.
Phone: 1-867-444-0901
Website/Email: Learn More

Hiking Tours

There is a lot of great hiking around Yellowknife and just outside of the city. Some of the best trails you have to drive to, so often times your best way to experience them is through a tour provider. Many tours head out to the popular Cameron Falls, while others also hit hotspots like Prelude Lake Hiking Trail and the Cameron River Ramparts

• My Backyard Tours – Cameron Falls & Ramparts Hiking Tour
• Strong Interpretation – Canadian Shield Sampler
• Arctic Tours Canada – Cameron Falls Hiking Tour
• Aurora Village – Cameron Falls Hiking Tour
• Hello Aurora – Cameron Falls Hiking

Interpretive Tours

To go beyond just a typical hiking tour, taking an interpretive tour is an excellent way to learn more about what is surrounding Yellowknife. What type of forest we are in, what types of animals call this area home, what foods can be naturally harvested, and the different types of geography we are on. An interpretive tour is educational, informative and a great way to see and learn about this area.

• Strong Interpretation – Interpretive Tours

Ice Caves Tours

An Ice Caves tour is like a very short hike and depending on who you are with, also part interpretive tour. The Ice Caves themselves are a natural phenomenon and just really neat to crawl into and look around. Some tours will just offer to take you to the caves, while others will offer you a more in-depth look at how they are created.

• Strong Interpretation – Ice Caves and Frosty Stories Tour
• My Backyard Tours – Ice Falls Tour
• Arctic Tours Canada – Snowshoeing to Ice Caves

Yellowknife City Tours

A Yellowknife City Tour is a wonderful introduction to Yellowknife and, sometimes, a leason on the history of Yellowknife. A simple Yellowknife City Tour will take you around to a few sights to show you want every visitor might see. A great Yellowknife City Tour will wheel you around Yellowknife in and out of popular and lesser known areas while weaving stories of how Yellowknife came to be. From the indigenous people of the area, to the early explorers, all the way up to when gold was discovered. A Yellowknife City Tour should leave you wanting more with a list of things to check out and explore during your time in Yellowknife.

• Yellowknife Online – Personalize small-group Yellowknife Community Tour
• My Backyard Tours – Yellowknife City Tour
• Strong Interpretation – Old Town Walking Tour
• Aurora Village – Yellowknife City Tour
• Arctic Tours Canada – Yellowknife City Tour
• North Star Adventures – Sightseeing City Tour/Ice Road Tour
• Hello Aurora – City Tour
• Aurora Ninja – City Day Tour

Ice Fishing Tours

Ice fishing is a favourite pastime for many Northern residents and in another form it is a traditional way of life. Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories has always heavily relied on fishing as a food source, which is why so many of our location restaurants boost using local fish on their menus.

• Bluefish Services – Ice Fishing Experience in a mobile snowmachine
• Yellowknife Sportfishing – Ice Fishing with a local fishing guide
• Great Slave Lake Tours – Traditional Ice Fishing
• Arctic Tours Canada – Ice Fishing Tour in ice fishing tent
• North Star Adventures – Arctic Ice Fishing Tour

Dog Sledding Tours

Dog Sledding was a staple way of life in the North for a long time, be it for check traplines, traveling from community to community, or racing in local dog derbies. While all of this still exists in one form or another, today you can also head out on your own dogsled. You can take a ride in a big sled or try your hand at driving your own dog team.

We keep a list of local Dog Sled Tours here on Yellowknife Online.

Snowshoeing Tours

Snowshoeing is a fun way to get out and explore the winter wonderland that surrounds Yellowknife. There is nothing quite as satisfying as hearing the crunch of the snow under your snowshoes as you trek over untouch lands. Read up on the different snowshoeing tours offered in Yellowknife, some are simple and let you try out snowshoes, while other will take you out into the wilderness on traditional snowshoes and teach you about their traditional uses.

• Strong Interpretation – Stories in the Snow – Snowshoeing
• Aurora Village – Snowshoeing Tour
• Tugah Northern Experiences – Snowshoeing Experience

Winter Activity Tours

A bit of a generic category but when there is only one tour operator for a specific winter activity I didn’t think they needed their own category. There are a few tours that will take you out into the great outdoors in a few different and unique ways. Such as a Fat Biking tour, which is a bike with oversized tires that allow you to float on top of the snow. Or a kicksledding tour that is assists by huskies, kind of like driving your own mini dog team.

• Borealis Bike Tours Unlimited – Fat Biking Tours – Custom guided tours around Yellowknife
• Sundog Adventures – Kicksledding tours with huskies around Back Bay in Old Town.
• Arctic Tours Canada – Snowmobiling Tour
• North Star Adventures -Snowmobiling Tour
• Aurora Ninja – Snowmobile Tour

Indigenous/Cultural Tours

And finally, a unique way to learn about Northern Canada, especially around Yellowknife is through an Indigenous Cultural tour. When you join an indigenous cultural tour you get to emerge yourself in a culture that has inhabited the area and land around Yellowknife for thousands of years. Different tours will demonstrate different components but at the end of the day, you will get to experience part of the local culture and come away with a better, deeper, understanding their traditions and ways of life.

• Narwal Adventures – Igloo Building Experience
• B Dene Adventures – Indigenous Cultural Experiences
• AuroraTours.net – Aboriginal Cultural Experiences
• Tugah Norther Experiences – Traditional Cultural Experiences
• North Star Adventures – Indigenous Culture Tour

Flightseeing Tour

This is like a sightseeing tour, but from the air. A few different avaiation companies based here in Yellowknife provide these tours around the city as well as the surrounding area for a variety of durations.

• Air Tindi – Long standing bush plane and northern aviation company based at the Yellowknife Airport and in Old Town.
• Amhic Air – Small scale floatplane and ski-plane operation based on Old Town Yellowknife.
• Acosta Helicopters – Helicopter company based at the Yellowknife Airport

Wildlife Viewing Tour

I wouldn’t say that Yellowknife is a wildlife destination, but there are many critters and beasts that roam around the area. Often times little animals such as foxes and ptarmigan can be seen just around town or while on another tour. However, if you are interested in seeing a larger animal you have to get a good distance out of town. Buffalo – or Bison – can often be seen between Behchoko and Fort Providence, with a couple companies offering tours, which is mainly just transportation.

• Arctic Tours Canada – Wildlife Buffalo Tour
• Aurora Village – Wildlife Buffalo Tour
• North Star Adventures – Buffalo Viewing Tour

Are there other tours out there available during the day? Let us know.