Hotels in Yellowknife

Yellowknife: Aurora Capital of North America

Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories, sits on the northwestern shore of Great Slave Lake — the deepest lake in North America at 614 metres. Founded as a gold-mining camp in 1934 and incorporated as a city in 1970, it holds a permanent population of roughly 20,000 and serves as the main gateway to the subarctic wilderness stretching north toward the Arctic Circle, 300 km away.

Most visitors arrive between late November and March chasing the Northern Lights. Yellowknife averages over 240 clear nights per year, giving it one of the highest aurora-viewing rates on the continent. The Old Town neighbourhood, built on rocky outcroppings above the lake, concentrates heritage buildings, float-plane docks, and independent restaurants. Frame Lake Trail, a 4 km loop through the city centre, passes the Legislative Assembly building and is accessible year-round. Summer draws a different crowd: Midnight Sun conditions from mid-June to early July keep daylight around the clock, enabling boat tours on Great Slave Lake and access to Nahanni National Park Reserve by charter flight.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Air Canada and Canadian North operate daily flights from Calgary and Edmonton; flight time is roughly 2.5 hours from Edmonton.
• When to visit: Aurora season runs November–March; summer solstice events peak in June.
• Weather: January averages −26 °C — pack insulated layers rated to −40 °C for outdoor aurora tours.
• Currency: Canadian dollar; most businesses accept credit cards, but carry cash for smaller outfitters.