Travelling in the North



Preparing for your trip

Northern Canada may be sparsely populated, but its human inhabitants share almost one-third of Canada's landmass with an abundance of wildlife: caribou migrating in the thousands, muskoxen, bison, polar bears, grizzly bears, Dall's sheep, whales, seals, wolves, all kinds of seabirds, and much, much more.

The Northwest Territories (NWT), Nunavut and Nunavik are the homeland of various groups of aboriginal peoples: Dene, Inuit, and Métis. Their long, rich histories, cultures and traditions leave visitors with indelible, treasured memories. In most communities, you'll have no problem conversing in English.

When traveling to northern Canada, always remember to plan ahead. Leave nothing to chance. While it's possible to drive to the western Northwest Territories, virtually all travel in other parts of NWT, in northern Quebec and remote Nunavut is by plane. Book your flights and accommodations well in advance.

Lodgings in all but the largest centers are limited. In smaller communities, it may also be necessary for you to share your hotel room with another guest of the same sex. When bad weather forces the cancellation of a flight, there is a sudden influx of additional hotel guests.

Also remember that few communities in northern Canada have bank branches. Bring adequate cash or travelers cheques to cover your needs.

If you're heading out on the land, away from the communities, it's advisable to go with a licensed guide, outfitter or tour operator. If you do go alone, register your plans with the RCMP, or with the local search and rescue group, accessible through the hamlet office.

For more information about the NWT, contact NWT Arctic Tourism to request a copy of their "Explorers' Guide."

To learn more about Nunavut, contact Nunavut Tourism to obtain their "Arctic Traveller Vacation Planner," complete with a detailed pull-out map.

To find out more about Nunavik (northern Quebec), see "The Region of Nunavik" on The Avataq Cultural Institute' web site.

Good online maps of the NWT, Nunavut and Quebec can be found at the National Atlas of Canada site.

To learn more about northern Canada beforehand, hop on the Internet and check out CBC North from Yellowknife, from Inuvik, from Iqaluit or from northern Quebec.

Weather Conditions

Two words dominate the weather in northern Canada: breakup and freezeup. While northern Canada has four distinct seasons like the rest of Canada, spring tends to look a lot like winter, with the exception that there is much more glorious sunshine! When the ice breaks up, the boating season has arrived (good news for hunters, who turn to fishing) and soon it will be sealift season, a once-a-year event when huge ships unload annual supplies ordered by stores, companies and individuals. Freezeup marks the coming of winter and a change in hunting patterns.

Temperatures are slightly warmer in subarctic NWT. Here, ice begins to break up around mid-April for the North and South Slave Regions, mid-May for the Deh Cho Region and mid-June for the Inuvik Region. Conversely, freezeup takes place later than in Nunavut.

Depending on where you are in Nunavut or Nunavik, the sea ice begins to freeze around September-November, and stays frozen until July-August. Winter's coldest spell comes around January, February and March, when temperatures can go from daytime highs of -20°C to -30°C or lower. Low humidity reduces the impact of the cold, making a -20° C day feel more like -5°C in Southern Canada. Winds, however, can cause frostbite, so it's wise to have a parka with a ruff around its hood for wintertime visits. Summer temperatures can range from daytime highs of 10°C up to 30°C.

Head north above the Arctic Circle and you'll find communities get longer daily stretches of darkness in winter and daylight during summer — those furthest north experience months of never-ending nights in winter, and continual daylight in the summer.

What to pack

From freezeup to breakup (all year except summer)

  • warm coat
  • warm mitts
  • hat and scarf
  • warm boots...loafers or sneakers will not be enough
  • wind pants or long underwear if you plan on walking around town
  • good sunglasses with UV (ultraviolet) filters. Anyone without sunglasses who is out on the land in the spring risks snow-blindness
  • sunscreen
  • moisturizing lotion and lip salve (Arctic spring weather can be drying)
  • casual business attire. Nearly everyone wears pants, sweatsuits or tights, usually with T-shirts, casual shirts and sweaters.
  • any personal items you may need, such as a blow dryer, personal toiletries like contact lens supplies and medical prescriptions. Don't depend on getting them in Nunavut. Stores are especially low on supplies just before sealift season
  • a camera

From breakup to freezeup (summer)

  • clothing you'd typically wear during cool spring or fall conditions in southern Canada
  • T-shirts
  • parka, gloves, hat for evenings. Expect conditions near the water to be cold all summer
  • low-heeled, sturdy footgear
  • warm wool or pile sweaters for cool days and nights
  • sunglasses and sunscreen
  • any personal items you may need, such as a blow dryer
  • personal toiletries and medical prescriptions
  • a camera

What time is it?

All of the NWT is on Mountain Time.

Starting April 2001, Nunavut's three regions revert to the time zone system that existed prior to 1999. The Kitikmeot region (including the communities of Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Umingmaktok, Bathurst Inlet, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven and Kugaaruk) will be on Mountain Time. The Kivalliq region (including the communities of Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Whale Cove, Repulse Bay, and Coral Harbour) will be on Central Time. The Baffin Region (including the communities of Iqaluit, Cape Dorset, Kimmirut, Sanikiluaq, Qikiqtarjuaq, Pangnirtung, Clyde River, Pond Inlet, Nanisivik, Arctic Bay, Igloolik, Hall Beach, Resolute and Grise Fiord) will be on Eastern Time.

All of Quebec is on Eastern Time.