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[wisconsin_fan81]

Always wanted to go to Yellow Knife. What do I need to know about the area, and what kind of arrangements do I need to make to book a trip there?

[kathryn77]

Always wanted to go to Yellow Knife. What do I need to know about the area, and what kind of arrangements do I need to make to book a trip there?

Hey
You are in good company!! Starlagurl knows loads about Yellow Knife and will no doubt be online tomorrow again. She did a trip there not too long ago. Here is a link to her blog in the meantime, but she'll probably be here tomorrow now for any specific questions: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/starlagurl/10/tpod.html

[aopaq]

I have spent a lot of time in Yellowknife and I would say the best times to go are in the end of March which is the Caribou Carnival time or during summer solstice (June 21) for the Raven Mad Days festival. Oh yes, and in mid-July, there is the Folk on the Rocks music festival which is a great time to chill and hear some great music.

It really depends on the type of weather you would like to experience and if seeing the Northern Lights is a priority.

During the winter carnival you will probably see people involved in various winter activities/competitions (dog sled and skidoo racing) whereas the summer festival is more about musical entertainment, celebrating Aboriginal Day and the Midnight Sun Golf Tournament. If you select either of those time periods, I would book a hotel room in advance.

You can drive to YK via Edmonton (a long 12-14 hour journey) or fly there on First Air or Canadian North airlines.

[starlagurl]

I'd say if you are from a warm part of the world, don't go there in the winter. (Unless you want to see what it feels like to be cold all the time)

Thanks for linking my blog up, Miss Kathryn.

Yah, I loved Yellowknife! You must eat a giant eggroll at the Chinese food place called Max's http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...43880/tpod.html

We found cool things to do just by keeping our eyes open and looking at the posters plastered around town. There happened to be a really funny play out at the museum on the lake when we were there.

Also! There is no beer on Sunday unless you order food with it.

Another thing you must do is drive to the END OF THE HIGHWAY. There's nothing there, just a river, but it's pretty cool to say you did it.

Everyone will tell you to visit the dump because it's cheaper to throw your stuff out than to take it with you when you move, so there is lots of good stuff there. However, I did not see anything good but stink.

[aopaq]

Yes, there is much to be said about a summer visit but be aware that mosquitoes can be a bit annoying then and as well forest fire smoke is not unusual at that time.

[polydemic]

I've also been wanting to visit Yellowknife for some time. To its south is an enormous lake & to the north a wide open wilderness. My kind of place! I've collected maps & guidebooks on the city. I'd love to live there the rest of my life, altho I've never been there before, but I'm not Canadian. I'm sure you'll love it there.

[aopaq]

I don't mean to undermine all the wonderful things said about YK and Great Slave Lake but I should point out that the city was built on the backs of gold mining and it's sad legacy is still there. I have heard that the underground workings of the nearby Giant Mine were filled up with waste containing high concentrations of toxic arsenic dust. Studies have been done as to how to manage this potential time bomb should the As ever leach into the groundwater system.

As far as I know, the option that has been taken is to try and seal off the storage containers underground from any groundwater influence rather than trying to remove the material which I am sure would be extremely dangerous and costly. But on the other hand, the ongoing changes occurring due to global warming and permafrost melting also add another dimension of uncertainty to the situation. At any rate, despite all the positives going for YK (and I agree with Polydemic that it would be a great place to retire - even if one is not a Canuck), the potential danger from the As would be enough to make me me reconsider.

[starlagurl]

Wow... I think though, that you find these kind of environmental horror stories in every city. Arsenic in the water is a pretty bad one though...

[findingnine]

Sure, but someone needs to feed the Mozzies, plus it is So beautiful.

[starlagurl]

Yeah Keith you were there too, do you have any tips?

[findingnine]

Do NOT be outside at Dusk. The Blood suckers come out to get you.

Definitely visit the Dump. It's Hilarious.

take some time to lounge around on the main strip. you'll look like a local.

[aopaq]

Just remembered, you must also try out the WildCat cafe for a lovely meal in
Old Town and back up the hill, the Gold Range bar has always been infamous for its wild weekend nights.

[starlagurl]

Oh yeah, how could we forget the Wildcat!

Do NOT go to Bullock's though.

[findingnine]

Oh yeah, how could we forget the Wildcat!

Do NOT go to Bullock's though.

Unless you Really enjoy characteristic Rude behaviour and serve yourself Warm beer/drinks.

Wildcat's was so so, but unique, so what the heck. Can't stress it enough

To the dump to the dump to the dump dump dump.

If you plan to camp, you can get chairs and who knows what else there! We found a frisbee!

[starlagurl]

Oh yeah right, lots of free firewood at the dump. We missed out.

[wisconsin_fan81]

Firewood...he he...I'm from Wisconsin, so I definitely remember having to get firewood to keep warm up north at my Grandfather's cottage! I think I got convinced when flying over Greenland and looking at the map on the screen on the plane, and Yellow Knife, Cambridge Bay, and such looked like about as high as you could get. I think that is the point of traveling: every experience should build upon the next, and should prepare you for the next. That's why This would be a segue to Antarctica- my absolute dream trip!

[starlagurl]

Antarctica would be fun... but I'm worried about the environmental impact of all those big boats going through there all the time...

[wisconsin_fan81]

I agree. You know they don't even allow dogs there anymore, because of the impact on the ecosystem of alien species? At least the nations appear to be trying to respect the continent, although I heard talk of building a mountain pass to the Scott-Amundsen U.S. Station from Ross island.