Hello dear readers, my name is Devin. I have lived in two cities in Canada, Toronto and Vancouver. These two bustling metropolises have brought me abundant and diverse happiness. However, as I boarded the flight to Yellowknife, the hustle and bustle of the cities faded into the tranquility of the wilderness.
Located in Canada's Northwest Territories, Yellowknife attracts adventurers and aurora enthusiasts with its unparalleled natural wonders. The peak tourist season in Yellowknife is from September to the end of April. In other months, because it is close to the Arctic Circle and it is extremely dark, you cannot see the aurora. Even if there is an aurora in the sky, you cannot see it. We chose to go in January, which is the coldest and dakrest time, so we have a greater chance of seeing the aurora.
Through the pages of this blog, my goal is to share the richness of my aurora journeys and invite readers on their own journeys of discovery.Let us embark on this fantastic journey about aurora, nature and life together. May this blog become a harbor for your soul and inspire your desire to explore the unknown world!
In terms of purchasing air tickets, there are only 4 cities with flights to Yellowknife: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto. There are relatively few direct flights, and most of them connect in Calgary or Edmonton. Because Yellowknife is a popular tourist attraction, it is best to buy air tickets in advance, otherwise the price will vary a lot. For example, if you buy a round-trip ticket from Vancouver to Yellowknife more than 20 days in advance, you can buy it for $600 for a direct round-trip flight, and about $550 for a transfer. If you arrive 10 days in advance, it may cost $1,500 for a round-trip direct flight and about $1,000 for a transfer.
Yellowknife is a very small town, so the airport is very small and crude, so the plane is naturally a small one. How small is it? It's so small that you can barely stand up when entering the bathroom. It's a bit difficult for men to turn around. If you are a girl, it may be even more inconvenient. You have to pull the armrest to go to the toilet. If you are not careful, you may wet your pants when you go to the toilet. The planes arriving in Yellowknife are never on time, they are always late. No meals are provided on the plane, but free drinks such as water and orange juice are provided. There is paid Wi-Fi on board: 6.50CAD for one hour; 8.95CAD for one flight; 22.95CAD for a whole day, and you can pay for it with a credit card.
It is worth mentioning that Canada is a country where English and French are the main languages, so flight attendants will alternately announce relevant matters in the two languages. When checking in, I happened to be assigned a seat at the emergency exit. The staff would ask Do you speak English? When she heard someone who spoke English, she didn't say anything. If you happen to hear that you don’t speak English, the seats will be rearranged and people who understand English will be arranged to sit at the emergency exit, so readers who are concerned about language can also go boldly!
After landing from the plane, we saw the first interesting place in Yellowknife: there is only one luggage carousel in the airport, and there is a polar bear on it! This is not a fake bear, it is a real polar bear. So you can take pictures here. There are four places in Yellowknife with polar bears: the airport, museum, Explorer Hotel, and City Hall. My companion and I did not choose to stay at the Explorer Hotel, but we highly recommend readers who like polar bears to choose this hotel!
When people mention aurora, the first thing that people think of must be Norway, Finland and Iceland. However, in fact, the probability of seeing aurora in Northern Europe is not very high, and the intensity is relatively weak. In comparison, Yellowknife Town in Canada is more suitable. According to official statistics, the number of days where you can see the aurora here is 300 days a year, and the probability of seeing the aurora in three nights can reach 98%.
Although official reports say that the aurora can be seen 300 days a year, there are still many influencing factors, such as rain, snow, cloudy weather, full moon conditions, and weak aurora intensity. Under these conditions, it is difficult to see the Aurora, so before deciding to set off, it’s best to check Yellowknife’s weather and Aurora intensity. Websites that predict aurora intensity.
The most important thing to watch the aurora in winter is to keep warm. If you don't keep warm well, you will easily get frostbite. We checked the local temperature before boarding the flight in Toronto and it showed -32 degrees. In fact, this is the first time I have been to such a cold place. I brought a lot of cold-proof clothes, ordinary clothes are definitely not enough (such as warm clothes in Toronto). After arriving there, I rented some warm clothes from a local tour group because I didn’t have any special equipment. These include the thickest Goose down jacket expedition, feather pants, snow boots and gloves, which can be rented for about $100 per person for three days. There are two advantages to renting clothes locally. First, you don’t need to bring too many clothes with you on the plane. Second, the rented down jackets are brightly colored and look better when taking photos in the dark. It is recommended to wear ski goggles for outdoor activities. If you have electric heating equipment, you can also bring it, such as electric vests and gloves.
Equipment used to photograph the aurora: a full-frame camera with high sensitivity and excellent performance, a large-aperture ultra-wide-angle lens, and some accessories (tripod, shutter release cable, headlight, spare batteries, etc.). It needs to be emphasized that the camera consumes power quickly in low temperature environments, resulting in shorter battery life, so backup batteries are very important. When the auroras are flying in the night sky and your camera is out of battery, you can only look at the sky and sigh, leaving you with huge regrets. Make sure to wear clothing that protects you from the cold. Enough warmth can keep you going for a while in extremely cold environments.
In a dark environment, the camera cannot complete autofocus. When photographing aurora, you need to switch to manual focus mode, turn on the live view to enlarge the image, and adjust the focus ring until the image is clear. If you can't see details clearly from the display, you can use your headlight to illuminate the foreground to help focus.
There is no fixed combination of parameters for photographing aurora, which is closely related to ambient light and aurora index. The basic combination is high ISO, large aperture, and the shutter speed may range from 1 second to 30 seconds depending on the changes in the aurora, but it is usually controlled within 10 seconds to capture the form of the aurora. The general rule is that when the aurora index is below KP3, the change is relatively slow; when the index reaches KP5 or above, the aurora dances in the night, with ever-changing forms in a few seconds. At this time, a shutter speed of 2-5 seconds is needed to capture the image. It can record the form of the aurora. If you are lucky enough to encounter the KP7 index, the aurora is like fireworks in the sky, and the exposure time may be controlled within 1-2 seconds. The above parameters can only be used as a reference. Auroras are unpredictable. When encountering auroras flying all over the sky, you need to adjust the shutter speed in time according to the situation at that time.
We chose a travel agency. The campsite here is very beautiful. We enjoyed the hot cocoa and tea provided by the travel agency in the warm tent, enjoying the warmth and comfort in this cold night. After resting indoors for about twenty minutes, I noticed that the sky outside was filled with a light pink color. After Miklos and I came outside, we were both attracted by this beautiful scenery. We hurriedly picked up the camera, Miklos helped me adjust the aperture and shutter speed, and then pressed the shutter. After a short wait, a photo of a pink sky was recorded forever. What we didn't expect, however, was that what happened next would be far beyond our expectations. Suddenly, the sky seemed to be on fire, and emerald-like beams of light burst out in the sky. As if sensing our mood, the aurora danced in the night sky. They jump rhythmically, as if inviting us to dance. We stared at this spectacular sight with our mouths open and our hearts filled with surprise. At this moment, we feel the wonderful charm of nature and appreciate the beautiful moments in life. This will be an unforgettable experience that we will cherish forever in our hearts.
I think what everyone is most interested in is the tour group, because the aurora needs to be far away from the light pollution of small towns, so local people need to drive to chase the light or take us to a special camp to wait for the aurora. There are many local travel agencies and their services are relatively complete. I can provide some information for reference: the local travel agencies in Yellowknife have some packages, which are usually three days and two nights or five days and four nights. These include hotel fees, which average around $600 to $800, and do not include other daytime entertainment activities. They also offer clothes for rent, which can be viewed on their official website. Since we choose to live in a B&B, our demand for choosing a travel agency is to take us to see the Aurora. Here we can put the official website of the travel agency we chose here: Aurora Travel Agency. Readers can go to the website to find the contact information and check the price by themselves.
Secondly, here are some notes I made from other tour operators, just for reference: 1. Tundra North Tours: They offer many types of Yellowknife travel experiences including aurora viewing, dog sledding, snowshoe adventures, etc. on their itineraries Arrangements are flexible and can be customized to suit guests' needs. The tour guides are experienced and have in-depth knowledge of local culture and history, and can provide tourists with rich explanations and guidance. Services provided include transfers, accommodation, etc. 2. Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures: Focus on providing outdoor adventure experiences, such as ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, etc. The itinerary design is rich and colorful, suitable for travelers of all ages and interests. The facilities and equipment provided are very advanced, allowing travelers to enjoy the best experience in outdoor activities. 3. Aurora Village: Specializes in providing aurora viewing experience, with comfortable viewing facilities and professional tour guide team. The provided itinerary includes aurora viewing, local cultural experience, fire party, etc. Aurora Camp has complete facilities, including warm tents, comfortable rest areas, modern sanitary facilities, etc. Services provided include transfers, accommodation, and meals. 4. Yellowknife Tours Ltd.: Provides various types of Yellowknife travel experiences, including aurora viewing, ice cave exploration, dog sledding, etc. The price is relatively affordable. Services provided include transfers and accommodation.
Again, the above recommendations are for reference only. The ultimate goal is to hope that readers can satisfy their desire to see the aurora. The Yellowknife region is famous for its stunning aurora views, and choosing the right tour operator is just the first step in making this happen. Whichever travel agency you choose, make sure they can provide you with a safe, comfortable and memorable travel experience. Before booking, it is recommended that you carefully read the itinerary details, understand the prices and service content, and communicate with the travel agent to resolve any questions or special needs. May your trip to Yellowknife be an unforgettable experience and leave you with wonderful memories under the aurora.
There are many fascinating outdoor activities in this magical land, the most eye-catching of which is dog sledding. Part of a northern people's heritage, this experience has become a signature activity in Yellowknife. In this world covered by ice and snow, dog sledding is not only a means of transportation, but also a symbol of cultural heritage and lifestyle. The history of dog sledding in Yellowknife goes back a long time, when local Aboriginal people and explorers used dog sleds to cross the vast snow-covered land. This tradition continues to this day and has been further developed and promoted in modern times. There are many well-trained, strong and powerful dogs, they are not only your partners, but also your friends. After establishing a tacit understanding and trust with the dogs, you will set foot on the snowfield with them. They will take you through the ice and snow world and explore the magnificent natural scenery of Yellowknife Town. We played around in a huge snow-covered lake. . During this process, there will be staff driving snowmobiles beside you to direct the dog group, so safety is guaranteed. You will feel the importance of living in harmony with nature and the joy of working together with dogs.
The dog park accepts reservations by phone, and the staff member who answered the phone friendly asked for my name, contact information, and the date and time of the event. They also offer a convenient payment method: credit card payment, which makes the entire booking process easier and smoother. After arriving at the venue, we will wait indoors. In this world of ice and snow, drinking a cup of hot cocoa is truly a luxury. The interior is warm and cozy, and the hot cocoa makes you feel good. I noticed that there was a wall hanging indoors covered with trophies that were undoubtedly the pride of the project owner. I've heard he was an affable old man and these awards are certainly a testament to his love and dedication to the sport of dog sledding over the years. Looking at these sparkling trophies, I can feel his dedication and hard work towards this sport.
In addition to dog sledding, I unexpectedly discovered another exciting project: snowmobile experience. This project was not mentioned when I made the reservation, but I thought since I was here, I might as well give it a try. I asked the staff and they enthusiastically introduced the project to me. It turns out that the dog park in Yellowknife not only provides dog sledding activities, but also snowmobile experience projects. This is a thrilling and exciting sport for adventure seekers who like speed and challenge.
Crossing the snow-covered lake, I experienced different fun and challenges than dog sledding. Snowmobiling makes me feel the speed and wind coming towards me. I would like to remind everyone that you must wear gloves. It doesn’t take 10 seconds for these cold winds to make your fingers feel numb. Even with my helmet on, my eyes and hair were stained with snowflakes and turned white.
During the snowmobiling experience, I accidentally collided with another participant. As I was speeding through the snow, I noticed a participant riding another snowmobile ahead of me. I tried to slow down to avoid colliding with him, but due to the snowmobile's high speed and limited reaction time, we ended up colliding. The situation was very urgent, but I took prompt measures to minimize the impact of the collision. We were both shaken a bit, but luckily no serious injuries were sustained. The staff came quickly to make sure we were safe and checked on us. Although there was some damage to the motorcycle, we were all safe.
Whether it's dog sledding or snowmobiling, it's an exciting and risky activity. While enjoying the speed and excitement, we must always pay attention to safety, abide by the rules and avoid accidents. This unexpected collision made me realize the importance of safety when participating in adventure sports. It also made me more aware of safety awareness and deepened my understanding and respect for adventure sports.
Bullock's Bistro is a well-known restaurant in Yellowknife, known for its exquisite seafood cuisine and unique local flavors. Located in the heart of Yellowknife, this restaurant is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Bullock's Bistro is located on Yellowknife's main street, surrounded by some local shops and attractions. The restaurant has a simple appearance, but once you enter, you will be attracted by its warm and comfortable atmosphere. The interior decoration is simple, but full of the charm of a northern fishing village, making people feel the warmth and comfort of home. We ordered their signature dish, grilled cod, and the clerk told us that their ingredients are freshly caught local cod, grilled until golden and crispy, and paired with secret seasonings for a delicious taste. In addition to the delicious dishes, Bullock's Bistro has many messages from people all over the world on the wall, making it a place worth visiting.
The grocery store across from Bullock's Bistro is a great place. If you want to do some shopping after enjoying the food, this might be a good choice. They offer a variety of daily necessities and there is a clothing store upstairs where you can find some great clothing options. Plus, they have Canada Goose products at 10% off! This is a great deal, so check it out if you want to buy some quality winter clothing. You're going to love this grocery store and clothing store with its convenient location and affordable prices!
Another food destination not to be missed is the Copperhouse. This restaurant is famous for its superb cooking skills and sumptuous dishes, and I highly recommend the roast leg of lamb. The interior design of the restaurant is simple and elegant, paying attention to details and color matching, showing the style of modern art. This restaurant will have a bartender show where they will demonstrate various fancy bartending skills, such as bottle flipping and wine pouring. I think this is a perfect opportunity to sip exquisite cocktails with family and friends while enjoying the performance of the bartenders. What a joy it is.
Yellowknife Town also has some restaurants that provide delicious Korean food. One of the restaurants worth recommending is "Korean Kitchen". They provide a variety of authentic Korean food, including barbecue, bibimbap, stone pot bibimbap, jajangmyeon and other classics. The ingredients here are fresh and taste authentic. It is also highly recommended if Asian friends want to change their taste.
On your food tour in Yellowknife, there are not only well-known restaurants like Bullock's Bistro, but also many other food options. Whether it's a delicious braised lamb shank after dog sledding or a gourmet burger on a cold winter day, every culinary experience is an unparalleled treat. Yellowknife’s food culture will leave a deep impression on you. Here, you can not only satisfy your taste buds, but also experience the locals’ hospitality and love of life.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Yellowknife, don’t miss this food tour. Whether you prefer seafood, meat or desserts, there are a variety of options to satisfy your taste buds. A food tour in Yellowknife will bring you an unforgettable gastronomic exploration and enjoyable taste experience.