Frequently Asked Questions
ARTS & CRAFTS
Where can I buy NWT Arts and Crafts? Unique arts and crafts are available in just about every community of the Northwest Territories. In larger communities, shops and galleries offer a wide selection of Northern art, crafts, sculptures and jewelry. In smaller communities, you may find arts and crafts in the local grocery store or town office. When buying art, look for the NWT Arts logo indicating art made by an artist in the NWT.
For more information on Arts and Crafts in the Northwest Territories visit the NWT Arts website.
AURORA PHOTOGRAPHY
How to take the best Aurora pictures? In general, a smartphone and a photo-editing app, or cameras with options for manual settings, along with a tripod will get you some spectacular images of the Aurora Borealis. Aurora Photography workshops are also available in Yellowknife. There are many great websites that can help you with what you need to know about taking great Aurora pictures. We suggest the Canadian Space Agency Northern Lights page as it not only has tips on photographing the Aurora and great information about the science behind the Aurora Borealis, it also features an AuroraMAX live-view camera for live streams of the Aurora from Yellowknife, NT.
AURORA VIEWING TIPS
What are the best times to view the Aurora? Although the Aurora is active year-round, it is not visible during the long, bright days of Canada’s northern summer. You need a combination of clear nights, darker skies and no light pollution to provide maximum viewing of the Aurora. Some of the best times for Aurora viewing is from mid-August to early October and from the beginning of December through to mid-April.
BANKING
What can we expect for banking? Automated teller machines (ATMs) are common throughout the larger communities in the Northwest Territories. They can be found at banks as well as some grocery stores, gas stations, variety stores and shopping centres. Depending on the size of the community you are travelling to, ATMs may be limited to the local Northmart or Co-op general stores.
Yellowknife has most of the major chartered banks in Canada: Bank of Montréal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Royal Bank of Canada, CIBC and TD Bank. Minimum hours of operation will be from 1000 hours to 1500 hours, Monday to Friday.
CLOTHING
What clothing should we pack? We recommend winter gear rentals for all visitors to Northern Canada, with temperatures that can drop below -40°C (-40°F), proper protection from the elements from head to toe is imperative. Our trusted rental gear will keep you warm and safe during your winter visit.
When visiting the NWT in the spring, summer and fall, we recommend dressing in comfortable layers in case of a sudden change in weather conditions. Good-quality windproof and waterproof clothes, and warm jerseys are always essential when travelling in Northern Canada. If you are planning any hiking or outdoor activities away from the communities, a good quality bug jacket is recommended.
ICE ROAD
Can I drive the Ice Road? Some of the first ice roads in history were built in the 1930's in Northern Canada and ice roads are still being used today. There are many opportunities to drive on an ice road in the Northwest Territories during the winter months (December to March). Yellowknife to Dettah and Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk are a couple of the ice roads easily accessible to visitors.
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE
Will my mobile phone work in the NWT? If your phone is on the Bell network, your mobile will work in Yellowknife and most major communities. Check with your service provider before you leave your home city.
PASSPORT
Do we need a Passport to visit from the USA? Yes you must have a valid passport when travelling into Canada from the United States. A passport is usually the only reliable piece of identification that is universally recognized. If you already have a passport, check its expiry date. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after the date of departure or return. Please visit the Canada Border Services Agency site for more information.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Should I purchase extra Travel Insurance? Accidents do happen and Touch the Arctic Tours strongly recommends that all customers obtain Travel Insurance, as well as Medical, Evacuation, Lost or Stolen Luggage and Repatriation Insurance, covering all applicable dates of travel with Touch the Arctic Tours. Your work or health insurance plan may only cover a fraction of medical and hospital costs incurred if an accident should occur. For this reason we strongly advise you to acquire additional travel insurance coverage when you travel. Please ask you travel agent or one of the Touch the Arctic Tours agents who will be happy to assist.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Drop into the friendly visitor centres in the NWT for current information about activities in each region. You will find a seasonal visitor centre at key points along our highways and year round information centres in Yellowknife and Norman Wells. For a full listing of Visitor Centre’s across the Territory, please click here.
WEATHER
What is the weather like? Here is what you need to know, The Northwest Territories climate is relatively dry, with temperate, sunny summers, in which temperatures can rise above 25°C (77°F). During the peak summer months you can enjoy our famous Midnight Sun evenings where in some parts of the NWT the sun never sets. Our warm season, which lasts from late May to mid-September offers visitors a chance to enjoy the numerous outdoor activities the NWT has to offer.
The winter months, the cold season, lasts from the beginning of November to late March during which time the thermometer can plunge to a bone chilling -40°C (-40°F), especially North of the Arctic Circle. The cold clear evenings give us the brilliant, crisp beautiful night skies prefect for Aurora viewing, but the chilling winter weather requires the proper clothing. For more detailed weather information, you can find information on average weather patterns here, and current weather forecasts here.
WILDLIFE
Will I really see wildlife? The Northwest Territories' vast landscape of mountains, rivers, lakes, wetlands, arctic tundra, lowlands and boreal forest provides a wilderness environment ideal for many species of wildlife - viewing them can be a little more complicated. There are parks in the Northwest Territories which make some wildlife watching relatively easy. The Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary and the Wood Buffalo National Park of Canada can be accessed by highway and it is common to view bison and Sandhill cranes within the park boundaries and sometimes even on the highway driving to Yellowknife. Chartering an aircraft from one of the local airline charter companies is another way to enhance your chances of seeing some of the different species of wildlife in the NWT.