Cold:Cold: Put it to the test

YELLOWKNIFE , CANADA

A PREMIER LOCATION FOR COLD WEATHER TESTING TABLE OF CONTENTS LOOKING FOR COLD? Welcome...... 1

Ice Road Reality - Erik Madsen ...... 2 WE ARE IT ! As soon as you arrive in , you feel the Polar Pilots - Paul Laserich ...... 6 City’s distinctive northern character as a cold climate City . Our rocky topography is covered Designed With Cold In Mind - Jerry Jaud...... 8 for a large part of the year by a blanket of ice and snow as our City bustles with daily activity . Amenities And Services ...... 10 We are a small City with the infrastructure, amenities and services found in a much larger Map Of Yellowknife And Facts ...... 12 City .

The Other Desert Race - Scott Smith...... 16 Whether you need an empty building to cold test an airplane, storage for your equipment Kingdom Of Snow And Ice - Anthony Foliot . . . . 18 and gear, a frozen lake, or comfortable accommodations – you will find what you need Testing Snowmobiles On Dog-sled Tracks - in Yellowknife .

Grant Beck...... 20 If work is not what brings you to our winter City, you will be kept busy with an abundance of Under The Lights - Don Morin...... 22 winter activity you will not find elsewhere . If you are looking to test yourself mentally and Cold Facts...... 24 physically, check out the hard-core endurance races at the Rock and Ice Ultra . Key Contacts...... 25 When you have some down time, take in some ice fishing, cross-country skiing, northern lights viewing and dog sledding .

The list of possibilities is endless in Yellowknife, Diamond Capital of North America™. 1 2 3

4 WARM WELCOME FROM THE WINTER CITY

Our City of 20,000 was built on cold and gold . People who live here have gone far beyond developing ingenious ways to build houses and ice roads, run successful businesses, maintain vehicles, and stay warm over eight months of sub-zero temperatures .

Yellowknifers have turned this Arctic landscape into something to be celebrated . We have a variety of outdoor events during the winter season: from festivals and races - with both four-legged and two-legged species - kite-skiing, skijoring, pond hockey tournaments, ice fishing, snowmobiling… the list goes on and on . In other words, we are brought together as a community by the cold .

Our winters may be long and cold, but our City is vibrant and one of the most welcoming places you will ever visit . You are guaranteed to experience two things if you travel to Yellowknife during winter: what it feels like to live and play in Canada’s coldest City year-round, and the hardy, friendly people who love to work and play outside!

It’s cold and we love it.

Gordon Van Tighem Mayor, City Of Yellowknife

1 1 Erik Madsen ICE ROAD REALITY Every year since 1982, a seasonal road is built that starts just outside of Yellowknife . It is 600 kilometres long, bearing north of the City and extends to Canada’s northern tundra . The road, which is usually opened from January to March or April, is the supply lifeline to Canada’s first diamond mines – BHP Billiton’s Ekati Mine, Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mines, and De Beers’ Snap Lake Mine – and other resource and exploration projects along the route .

The equipment is huge, the cargo precious, and the road is made entirely out of ice!

“SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT. EVERY DRIVER GOES THROUGH A COMPLETE SAFETY AND ORIENTATION COURSE.”

Forty-two inches of ice is all that Diamonds Inc . and Diavik constantly monitoring, repairing may separate a 200,000-pound Diamond Mines Inc . and up-keeping the ice at 18-wheeler from the unforgiving all times,” says Erik . It is the experience and effort of deep waters beneath the icy Erik and his team that helps build Constructing the ice road is surface of the world’s longest ice the world’s longest ice road . Their much more complicated than road - Tibbitt to Contwoyto . main focus at all times is making letting winter take over and turn Everything from the road sure that everyone stays safe on the lakes and portages to ice . planning, construction and the route, which takes the Specialized, amphibious vehicles maintenance, safety and speed average driver 12-15 hours to called Hagglunds are fired up limits to haul schedules is very drive one way . and are the first on the ice . These much the business of Erik short, stout vehicles look like a “Safety is paramount . Every Madsen, Director of Winter Road couple of sea cans on tank driver goes through a complete Operations . The road is tracks, but are expertly designed safety and orientation course . managed by the Joint Venture to drive on only eleven inches of We have three camps along the Management Committee, which ice and they float if required . The route with crews that are 2 is made up of BHP Billiton Hagglunds start at the beginning 5

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of the route and, with helicopter insulator, so areas that have carrying a full load), use support above, drive the length more snow will have thinner ice . common sense, and drink some of the road, dragging an When the snow is removed and strong coffee . electronic device behind them the icy surface is exposed to the Erik and his crew know the Arctic that measures the ice thickness . -40°C temperature, the cold well . From experimenting They plot the best course with ice thickens . with hydraulics that need to GPS and identify areas where When the road is cleared of survive long journeys in -40°C, to the ice thickness needs to snow, flood and drill crews come using methyl hydrate in frozen be enhanced . in to “focus flood” the area . This brake lines, they have learned all The big toys are brought out next, maintains a constant ice the tricks of the “cold” trade . It is such as the SnowCats . The thickness . their job to deal with the extremity SnowCats start the arduous but of their surroundings and use the It is up to each driver to maintain crucial journey of clearing snow cold expertly to build this road, the regulated speed limits (which on the route . As the snow is which is unlike any other in the vary depending on location and cleared, the road takes shape . world . whether or not the truck is But the snow also acts as an 3 9

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Cold Facts • First year of operation 1982 . north up the ice road, which • Length 568 km with 495 km weighed 331,000 tonnes . (87%) over frozen lakes and • Approximately 700 drivers 73 km (13%) over land . were registered . • There are 64 over land • 17 security staff logged portages . 270,000 km on the group’s 10 2007 was a record year for the trucks . Security patrols the ice road . Some facts include: road 24 hours a day during the season . • The ice road was in operation for 73 days . (source: www jvtcwinterroad. ca). • 10,922 loads were hauled

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5 Paul Laserich POLAR PILOTS Paul Laserich had no choice but to go into aviation . He talks about being “drafted” back in the 1960s by his father Willy Laserich, who is a legend in Canadian Arctic aviation history . Willy was considered to be an adventurous pilot who put the needs of the people in small northern communities first no matter what the aviation rules were at that time . Paul has a storybook full of epic adventures and has even survived a mid-air engine failure due to extreme wind-chill conditions .

“FLYING UP HERE IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE, IT’S ALWAYS EXCITING. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN FROM DAY TO DAY IN THESE CONDITIONS BUT IT KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES AND THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT GREAT.”

Spend five minutes with Paul, His company, , world come here to test and it is obvious that the apple has operated in the North since everything, including the has not fallen far from the tree . the 1960s . The airline transports engine, avionics, windshields He exudes a rugged frontier spirit goods and passengers to and and tires on their aircraft . of adventure and excitement . from remote communities, The Gulfstream G-450, When asked why he continues to provides MedEvac services, and Bombardier Learjet RJ700, run an aviation company North has strong connections to Hawker 800, the U .S . Airforce, of 60, his reasons are clear . aviation industry partners that NASA, and even the world have put their planes and “Because I’m living the dream . famous Airbus A380, have all products to the test in Arctic I’ve been here for 49 years and used Yellowknife as their primary conditions . there’s nothing like it . It’s more destination for cold weather personable and I know people Aircraft can be expected to testing . When asked why in all the communities . When I withstand temperatures of -70°C companies use Yellowknife as walk into a terminal, I know I’m with wind chill when operating in the testing destination and not going to see someone I know,” northern skies . As a result, further north or Alaska, Paul says, 6 says Paul . companies from around the “Yellowknife is strategically placed . It is close enough to the Yellowknife via courier! to be here and part of the States but has the cold ongoing adventure that is Paul and his crew have learned conditions of the most remote the North . the tricks of the trade through Arctic places in the world . At the decades of operating in this “Flying up here is always a same time, it also has all the extreme climate: from installing challenge, it’s always exciting . modern facilities and amenities battery blankets, placing You never know what will a cold weather testing crew heaters around avionics, using happen from day to day in these needs such as hotels, Internet engine tents to putting conditions, but it keeps you on access and daily flights ”. anti-freeze in the wheels . your toes, and that’s what makes He gives an example of having Despite the added concerns it great,” says Paul . cold tested a jet engine, which and dangers of led to its sudden failure . They operating aircraft needed a new engine and in the North, Paul within 24 hours, one was shipped and his team are Cold Fact from Tulsa, Oklahoma to proud and excited YELLOWKNIFE IS THE BUSIEST AIRPORT IN NORTHERN CANADA. 7 Jerry Jaud DESIGNED WITH COLD IN MIND For FSC Architects and Engineers, cold weather testing is at the core of everything they do . Established as a company in 1976, they have since built themselves into one of the top Northern firms for large-scale cold regions design and construction . Their infrastructure projects stand as a testament to their expertise throughout the three northern territories – Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon – and Russia .

FSC received a prestigious honour in 2008, when they made the list of Canada’s Top 100 Employers . Rather than focus on the firm’s accolades, Operations Manager Jerry Jaud would rather chat about the ins and outs of building in the extreme North .

“IN OUR INDUSTRY, THE LESSONS WE HAVE LEARNED UP HERE HAVE BECOME EXPORTABLE TECHNOLOGIES.”

FSC Architects and Engineers know tag attached: the North Slave conditions and remote location are from experience that building in Correctional Centre, and the NWT serious considerations during the Arctic temperatures takes a lot of Legislative Assembly Building . building design phase, along with knowledge, expertise and years of structural engineering, mechanical, The nuts and bolts of building in the living in the North to understand the electrical and environmental cold are not the only components issues that need to be addressed . aspects . considered when FSC works on a “It takes 2-3 years to actualize a project . Due to Yellowknife’s extremely cold project and another 4 years for winters compared to its hot “It’s all about the cold and the problem solving and bug testing . summers, there is often a 60˚ logistics of remote locations like ours The north is our testing grounds, expansion/contraction factor that just as much as it is about creating every project is essentially cold any structure, be it a building or a good experiences and contributing weather testing for us… but in slow road, will have to endure over time . to a client’s quality of life,” says Jerry . motion,” says Jerry . This has resulted in transitioning to To ensure that quality of life the use of Canadian wood framing Some of Yellowknife’s largest continues for many years, in buildings and specialized buildings come with the FSC name 8 Yellowknife’s climate, ground concrete road . Permafrost is another main on a foundation or road structure . Russia . FSC worked in cooperation consideration for building projects with the Russian Federation Airport Thermosyphons are subgrade in the North, and Yellowknife is Authorities to design and build a cooling systems that counter the situated right in the middle of what large addition to the Yakutsk thermal disturbances below heated is called a ‘discontinuous International Air Terminal Building . structures thus ensuring the ground permafrost belt ’. This means that is consistently frozen year round . “In our industry, the lessons we have unlike many other locations in the learned up here have become North, the ground conditions here Their expertise in cold climate exportable technologies,” are variable in any given location, building has even led FSC to work says Jerry . which requires innovative thinking in on projects in countries such as terms of building design . To counter this problem, FSC has helped develop the implementation of thermosyphon systems, which Cold Fact essentially counteracts the effects THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY BLENDS INTO ITS SURROUNDINGS BY USING ZINC PANELING. that discontinuous permafrost has 9 AMENITIES AND SERVICES

Airport Transportation:

Yellowknife’s airport (YZF) is the main BY AIR: airport in the NWT and is classified as a Yellowknife boasts 5 airlines . Gateway Hub . It is operated by the and are long time Northern carriers, Air Government of the NWT and is part of the Canada and Westjet are major connectors National Airports System . Air traffic control to all national and international flights . services, Instrument Landing System The following links provide information on local (Category 1) and independent airlines and departure and arrival schedules: secondary surveillance radar, which are www cdn-north. com. provided by NAV Canada, are also www dot. gov. nt. ca. available at the airport . www firstair. ca. The airport has two asphalt runways . One www flyjazz. ca. is 7500’ x 150’ and the other is 5000’ x 150’ . www . com. The most common types of aircraft flying in and out of Yellowknife are: Boeing 737, REGIONAL AIRLINES: Dash 7/8, Hercules, Cessna, Twin Otter, Small aircraft and helicopter services: F-28, ATR 42, CRJ 200, Skyvan, Pilateus, Adlair Aviation: www adlairaviation. com. Dornier, Airbus 310 and helicopter . In an : www airtindi. com. emergency, a Boeing 747 and other wide : www arcticsunwest. com. bodied aircraft can land at the airport . : www buffaloairways. com. Great Slave Helicopters: www greatslaveheli. com. Matrix Helicopters: www matrixhelicopters. com. : www .summitair net.

AIR CARGO: Both Canadian North and First Air support heavy load cargo capabilities with their respective aircraft:

Canadian North: Phone: 1 (800) 661-1505 www canadiannorth. com/cargo/.

First Air: Phone: 1 (800) 568-7497 www firstair. ca/Cargo_Information/.

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BY ROAD: Highway 1 - This highway, the longest in the Northwest Territories, starts at the NWT/Alberta border and continues, for approximately 690 kilometres, to the community of Wrigley .

15 Highway 2 - Hay River Highway This highway, the NWT’s shortest, connects the town of Hay River to Highway 1 at the community of Enterprise . The highway runs through Hay River, terminating on the southern shore of Great Slave Lake . Its total length is 48 6. kilometres, all of which is paved .

Highway 3 - This 341 kilometre paved highway connects to Highway 1 just south of the Mackenzie River ferry Driving distances: crossing and continues north, around Great Slave Yellowknife to:...... KM Lake, to Yellowknife . Behchoko, NT ...... 108 Fort Providence, NT ...... 314 Highway 4 - Enterprise, NT ...... 445 This highway extends 70 kilometres east from High Level, AB ...... 778 Yellowknife and travels through numerous parks, Edmonton, AB ...... 1508 campgrounds, hiking trails and day use areas . Calgary, AB ...... 1789 The first 29 kilometres are paved . The remaining Whitehorse, YT ...... 1899 41 kilometres are gravel and treated Regina, SK ...... 2188 for dust control . Vancouver, BC ...... 2595 Winnipeg, MB ...... 2853. Salt Lake City, UT ...... 3277 Denver, CO ...... 3848 Toronto, ON ...... 4545 Chicago, IL ...... 4953 . Dallas, TX ...... 5069 Quebec City, PQ ...... 5157 Fredericton, NB ...... 5728 Charlottetown, PE ...... 5984 . Halifax, NS ...... 6119 St . John’s, NL ...... 7335

11 12 Quick Facts

1. Location: 62°27N, 114°22W.

2. Elevation: 206 metres at the airport.

3. Area: 136 square km.

4. Population 20,000.

5. 512 km south of the Arctic Circle.

6. No territorial sales tax.

7. The is under construction and expected completion is November 2010. The bridge will replace the Merv Hardy Ferry and Mackenzie River Ice Crossing, providing year-round highway access to Yellowknife.

8. Tourism attracts over 60,000 visitors annually, over 10,000 from Japan alone.

9. Broadband communications in every community in the NWT.

10. The City has 14 kilometres of groomed ski trails and endless back-country ski routes.

11. Annual visitation to the NWT in 2007-08, which includes both business and leisure travellers, was in the 80,000 range.

12. Yellowknife is impacted by more than 70% of all travellers (leisure and business) to the NWT.

13. Estimated annual visitor expenditures in the NWT in 2007-08 was $140 million.

14. An estimated 35,000 business travellers visited the NWT in 2007-08.

15. Average family income in Yellowknife in 2006: $124,200.

13 Restaurants:

A & W Jade Garden & YK Pizza Quiznos Subs Centre Square Mall . 5309 50th Ave . 873-3339 349 Old Airport Rd . 920-7827 4905 50th Ave . 669-7071 KFC Red Apple Restaurant A Taste of Saigon 4919 48th St . 873-2777 4701 50th Ave . 873-2324 4913 50th St . 873-9777 L’Atitudes Restaurant Robin’s Nest Restaurant The Black Knight Pub Centre Square Mall, 4905 Centre Square Mall . 4910 49th St . 920-4041 50th Ave . 920-7880 5022-49th St . 867-873-3762

Boston Pizza Le Frolic Bistro Bar Sam’s Monkey Tree Pub 5102 48th St . 920-2000 5019 49th St . 669-9852 483 Range Lake Rd . 920-4914

Bullocks’ Bistro Leisure Café Subway 3534 Weaver Dr . 873-3474 5018 50th St . 873-6363 5103 50th St . 920-2727

Bruno’s Pizza L’Héritage Restaurant Surly Bob’s Sports Bar 5124 53 St . 920-2130 5019 49th St . 873-9561 4910 50th Ave . 873-5626

Canadian Pizza Main Street Donair & Falafel Sushi North 5103 52nd St . 920-4499 Centre Square Mall, 200 - 4910 - 50th Ave . 669-0001 4905 50th Ave . 766-3910 Coyote’s Bar & Grill Thornton’s Tapas Bar 484 Range Lake Rd . 873-8818 Mark’s Family Restaurant 5125-52nd Ave . (next to bowling 5102 50th Ave . 920-7878 alley) . 669-9463 Diamante Restaurant 483 Range Lake Rd . 920-2971 McDonald’s Restaurant Trader’s Grill Steakhouse 202 Old Airport Rd . 873-9555 4825-49 Ave . 873-3531 Domino’s Pizza 10 Stanton Plaza . 920-2020 Our Place Family Dining Room Vietnamese Noodle House 50th Ave & 50th St . 4609 50th Ave . 873-3399 Fuego International Restaurant on the second floor . 920-2265 4915 50th St . 873-3750 Yummy Papa Jim’s Roadhouse 5023 49th St . 920-7992 Gold Range Bistro Chateau Nova 3rd Floor . 669-0070 5010 50th St . 873-4567 Pizza Hut Hot Shots Pub & Grub 312 Old Airport Rd . 669-6700 100 Borden Dr . Stanton Plaza . 669-7529

Gourmet Cup Javaroma Gourmet Coffee Tim Hortons Coffee Shops: Lower level YK Mall . Northwestel Tower & Centre 309 Old Airport Rd . #3 4802 50th Ave . 873-8782 Square Mall 873-3373 873-4999

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Anderson Thomson Tower 5300 49th St . (867) 873-5701

Capital Suites 100 5603 50th Ave . (867) 669-6400 www capitalsuites. ca.

Chateau Nova 4401 50th Ave . 1 (877) 839-1236 www novahotels. ca. Bars:

Discovery Inn Boston Pizza 4701 50th Ave . (867) 873-4151 5102 48th St . 920-2000 www discoveryinn. ca. Harley’s Hard Rock Saloon The Explorer Hotel 5018 50th Ave . 873-6789 4825 49th St . (867) 873-3531 www explorerhotel. nt. ca. Hot Shots Pub & Grub 100 Borden Dr ,. Stanton Plaza . 669-7529 Coast Fraser Tower Hotel 5303 52nd St . (867) 873-8700 Kingpin Bowling Centre www coasthotels. com. 5125 52nd Ave . 920-2695

Northern Lites Motel Le Frolic Bistro Bar 5115 50th St . (867) 873-6023 5019 49th St . 669-9852 www yellowknifehotel. com. Mackenzie Lounge Nova Court 5010 49th St . 873-2601 476 Range Lake Rd . (867) 873-6686 Sam’s Monkey Tree Pub www novahotels. ca. . 483 Range Lake Rd . 920-4914

Arnica Inn Surly Bob’s Sports Bar 4115 50th Ave . (867) 873-8511 4910 50th Ave . 873-5626 www arnicainn. com. The Black Knight Pub Super 8 Motel 4910 49th St . 920-4041 308 Old Airport Rd . 1 (800) 800-8000 Gold Range www .super8yellowknife com. 5010 50th St . 873-4441

Yellowknife Inn The Ravens’ Pub 5010 49th St . 1 (800) 661-0580 5030 50th St . 669-9755 www yellowknifeinn. com. The Top Knight 4910 49th St . 920-4041

Trapline Lounge 4825 49th Ave . 873-3531

15 Scott Smith THE OTHER DESERT RACE It is called the other desert race, and it has put Yellowknife on the global map in the ultra-marathon racing world . The Rock and Ice Ultra Race is the dream come true for Scott Smith, who started the adventure race in 2006 . Yellowknife has welcomed countless Rock and Ice Ultra athletes from over 12 countries in just a few short years . Scott now has race agents in several countries including: France, Korea, Japan, Italy, United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, United States and Russia .

“IT’S DEFINITELY THE ARCTIC CLIMATE AND THE COLD HERE THAT ARE THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS. THESE PEOPLE RACE ACROSS DESERTS LIKE THE GOBI AND THE SAHARA, BUT OUR RACE ADDS A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF COMPETITION FOR THEM BECAUSE OF THE ARCTIC CLIMATE.”

The main event in the Rock and behind them that will hold all “Definitely No Goretex” is one of Ice Ultra is the Diamond Ultra . It is their emergency and Scott’s main pieces of advice to a grueling race that extends over survival gear . the racers . While Goretex is great six days and covers 225 for humid climates, Yellowknife “It’s definitely the Arctic climate kilometres of frozen terrain boasts a dry cold, and the last and the cold here that are the on ungroomed trails . thing a racer wants is to lock in main attractions . These people the sweat and moisture . All Racers train for months to race across deserts like the Gobi clothes need to be warm but withstand the brisk challenges in and the Sahara, but our race breathable . Northface clothing is the Arctic climate . They practice adds a whole new level of a main staple among racers, running in snowshoes, skis and competition for them because of especially their “Flight Series” foot gear, and prepare their the Arctic climate,” says Scott . layering systems . Fischer Skis and lungs for breathing in sub-zero Scott insists that having the Atlas Snowshoes are often the temperatures . Racers must learn correct understanding of the favourites when it comes to Arctic survival skills, like building a climate is crucial when it comes gearing up . lean-to, and require the added to acquiring the proper gear . 16 strength to pull a ski “pulk” Scott also advises racers to use 18

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traditional aboriginal gear and in diamond prizes welcome protection when possible . winners at the finish line . The diamonds are courtesy of top race Cold Fact Inuit parkas are not only light and sponsor BHP Billiton, owners of the AT -40º, SKIN CAN FREEZE breathable, but also windproof . Ekati Diamond Mine, Canada’s IN FIVE TO TEN MINUTES. Scott prefers Moosehide Steger first diamond mine . mukluks for footwear .

“They are very lightweight, good RACE CATEGORIES ON YOUR FEET to -40°C, and fit right into my ski Cold Foot Classic Foot and Snowshoe, Cross-Country Skis bindings,” says Scott . (55 kilometres, one day event)

Scott has turned his career as a K-Rock Ultra Foot and Snowshoe, Cross-Country Skis prospector and expediter walking (135 kilometre race over three days) thousands of miles on frozen Diamond Ultra Foot and Snowshoe, Cross-Country Skis tundra into a world-wide race (225 kilometre race over six days) phenomenon, where over $40,000 17 Anthony Foliot KINGDOM OF SNOW AND ICE Yellowknifers’ sheer joy of living in their rugged winter wonderland is perfectly represented in the bushy and often frozen silver beard and piercing blue eyes of one of their biggest local celebrities, Anthony ‘The SnowKing’ Foliot . Originally from Quebec, Anthony embodies the fun-loving renegade spirit of many people who call the North home .

“...WHEN YOU LIVE UP HERE, YOU HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO EMBRACE THE -35ºC WINTERS!”

Anthony (SnowKing) has lived of years ago, snow removal in November, when Great Slave here for over half of his life, but Yellowknife meant mountainous Lake’s water has frozen around he won’t tell you how or why he piles in the woodyard area . Kids his houseboat, Anthony gets out came here . There’s a cool, liked to turn snow mountains into his custom-made, four-foot collected mystique about the snow fortresses . Joining in the long-hand saw and starts man who has turned fun, Anthony and some friends cutting out blocks of ice to make Yellowknife’s most abundant would go out to help the kids windows for one of the world’s renewable resources – snow and make their snow lairs bigger and largest snow castles . ice - into a cultural phenomenon . better . Word spread quickly Constructing the castle each about this fantastic winter year is done the “old school” After living in several smaller NWT playground, until it finally way: windows are measured by communities like Fort Smith, snowballed into what is now a boot, not tape measure; and Wrigley and Lutsel K’e, Anthony world-famous snow castle and deals are made over a coffee made his way to Yellowknife and month-long festival . and a handshake . set up shop in “the woodyard”, near Yellowknife Bay . A number Every year around the end of SnowKing and his merry band of 18 19

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‘snow-prentices’ get bigger and castle, don’t be surprised to growing legion of Arctic better with each snow castle . He meet a local, a tourist from enthusiasts . officially opens the castle and Japan, a political dignitary and “People move up here from month-long celebration of snow, a Canadian celebrity – all at the places where they used to run ice and all things Arctic in same time . from their cars to their front doors March . Over the course of the The SnowKing has long declared because it was -10°C, but when month, the castle is a venue for Yellowknife’s winters are to be you live up here, you have no people of all ages to enjoy – with celebrated, and that extreme choice but to embrace the its slides, beautifully-sculpted cold is something to be enjoyed . -35°C winters!” says Anthony . arches, ice café, and a new His chilling message has been design every year . Dances, heard by music videos, live bands, hockey thousands of tournaments, film festivals, visitors and weddings and much more have Cold Fact residents which been held over the years on the THE SNOWCASTLE CELEBRATED has led to a ITS 14TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2009. castle grounds . If you visit the 19 Grant Beck TESTING SNOWMOBILES ON DOG-SLED TRACKS Grant Beck and his healthy and happy Alaskan Huskies have been in the dog mushing and tourism business for over 25 years in Yellowknife . They have attracted many residents and tourists from all over the world, who are looking to try their hand at one of the oldest and most romantic forms of travel . With a team of 12 dogs all strapped in line and eager to run – the dog-sled can get moving up to 25 miles per hour!

“THE COLD IS A TOURIST ATTRACTION HERE IN YELLOWKNIFE JUST AS MUCH AS ANYTHING ELSE. PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK HOME TO SPAIN OR JAPAN OR WHEREVER AND BRAG THAT THEY SLEPT OUTSIDE, UNDER THE AURORA IN -45°C.”

Grant Beck, owner of Beck’s And true to form, throughout the that go with it!” says Grant . Kennels Dog Sled Tours, has a tried 2008 Christmas season when It is not only dogs and their drivers and true formula for his tourism temperatures plummeted to a that have tested their abilities to business in Yellowknife . pretty consistent -40° C, Grant withstand the bone-chilling saw business pick up suddenly . “Cold weather equals clear skies, temperatures of a Yellowknife which equals the ability to see the “The people from Porsche who winter . northern lights, which equals lots were here testing their vehicles, Grant’s dog-sled trails have also of customers,” says Grant . contacted us to find out what been used by Yamaha to test they could do while staying here “The cold is a tourist attraction their 340 Trappers snowmobile, in Yellowknife . Two doctors from here in Yellowknife just as much as “…because of the diverse terrain, Spain came to Yellowknife anything else . People want to be deep snow, extreme cold, hills because they had never seen able to go back home to Spain or and ice ”. says Grant . snow before and ended up going Japan or wherever and brag that on an overnight tour for the Grant and his kennels have also they slept outside, under the experience and bragging rights been featured in over 14 television 20 aurora in -45°C ”. 26

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shows from around the world, Grant and his team also resources – the extreme cold – from the History Channel’s Ice compete in the annual Diavik and showing the rest of the Road Truckers to a remake of the 150 Canadian Championship world the benefits of living in a game show “Thrill of a Lifetime” Dog Derby that is held in March cold climate . for a Japanese network . during the Caribou Carnival festivities . The race started in When Grant and his staff are not 1955, and teams from all over teaching tourists and residents the world travel to Yellowknife to Cold Fact how to drive a dog team or race in the prestigious event . DOG SLEDS TRAVEL taking them on a guided tour under the northern lights, he is Yellowknife’s Arctic climate is 10-15 KM/H ON AVERAGE. taking the reins himself and something that Grant has used testing his skills as a world-class to help him create a successful dog musher . Grant has won tourism operation . Like many races in Spain, France, the others in our fair and chilly city, United States and Canada . he is a leader at taking one of our greatest natural 21 Don Morin UNDER THE LIGHTS Don, a Metis from Fort Resolution, NWT, started his career building log homes and eventually ended up selling them, pre-fabricated, to the Japanese . It was both his growing involvement within the local housing corporation and his connections to Japan that would ultimately carry Don from high-profile politician to tourism operator .

“WE OUTFIT THEM (CUSTOMERS) WITH SOREL -100°C WINTER BOOTS AND CANADA GOOSE PARKAS AND THEY ARE GOOD TO GO. AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE WARM IN THEIR GEAR, THEY ARE HAPPY AND HAPPY IS JUST WHERE WE WANT THEM.”

Growing up in a fishing family The couple opened Aurora designed heated seats allow known for helping fellow fishermen Village in 2000 . The village is guests to lean back, rotate 360 in need of food and shelter, Don about a 20-minute drive east of degrees, and comfortably take in acquired a taste for northern Yellowknife . Today, Aurora Village the full glory of the northern lights hospitality and tourism . has several large teepees that sit in -40°C . close to the edge of a lake . Some After winding down his political Amazing aurora lights are not the of the teepees accommodate up career in the late 1990s, Don and only thing served at Aurora to 70 people for traditional his wife, Gladys, researched Village . The village has a classy dancing shows and a place to northern tourism and the aurora but rustic dining hall, which has warm up while waiting for the borealis (northern lights) . As served dignitaries and thousands dancing show in the sky . Yellowknife is considered a top of tourists from around the world, destination for aurora viewing, To stay warm while watching the and features a menu of Don and his wife saw an world’s most brilliant, natural light homemade buffalo soup, arctic opportunity to bring together show, guests use the Aurora char, bannock and of course, hot aurora viewing and aboriginal Kotapsu, which are 70 ‘cocoon- chocolate . 22 culture . like’ heated seats . The specially 30

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All of these features have made Aurora Village one of the top destinations world-wide to view Cold Fact northern lights . THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ARE MOST ACTIVE THE HOUR BEFORE AND AFTER MIDNIGHT. Aurora Village employs about 20 full-time Japanese staff each season, which runs from August to In other words, business is only “People love the cold when they September and November to getting better . come here! We outfit them with April . Sorel -100°C winter boots and With no shortage of northern lights The word about the fantastic light Canada Goose Parkas and they for his customers, it would seem show in Yellowknife has spread to are good to go . As long as people that the cold is the only obstacle other countries like Korea, where are warm in their gear they are for convincing people to stand Don has recently signed an happy, and happy is just where outside, at night, and wait for the exclusive deal with a tour we want them ”. show . But according to Don, that company . is not the case . 23 COLD FACTS

Who Has Tested Here Why Yellowknife?

1. Bombardier Aerospace • Established service and supply sector. 2. Audi • Telecommunications, 3. Ford transportation, business and 4. BMW health-care centre of the Northwest Territories. 5. Airbus • Top-notch accommodations, 6. Raytheon amenities and visitor activities. 7. Gulfstream Aerospace • Easily accessible by road and air. 8. Bell Helicopter Textron

9. Porsche

10. Yamaha

11. Canadian Police Research Centre Cold Weather Champs

As recorded by Environment Canada, Extreme Cold Yellowknife is the number one City for: • Coldest winter

MONTH 2003 2004 2005 2006 • Coldest spring January - 39.9 C - 44.1 C - 42.9 C - 41.3 C • Most cold days (-20°C or less) February - 41.7 C - 39. 1 C - 43.7 C - 35.9 C March - 41.7 C - 43.3 C - 28.4 C - 28.5 C • Most hot and cold days April - 28.6 C - 26.0 C - 14.9 C -22.8 C • Most heating degree-days May - 11.3 C - 20.0 C - 10.9 C - 2.3 C • Longest snow cover season (days) June - 0.3 C 2.4 C 2.8 C 2.2 C July 8.8 C 7.2 C 6.6 C 9.8 C • Most deep snow cover days August 6.0 C 2.6 C 3.7 C 7.8 C (10 cm or more) September -2.7 C - 4.5 C - 4.2 C 1.9 C • Extreme wind chill October -15.6 C -17.2 C - 10.3 C -11.6 C • Most high wind chill days November -33.9 C -36.0 C -25.4 C - 34.6 C (-30ºC or less) December -31.4 C - 42.0 C - 28.9 C - 33.1 C

Source: Environment Canada • Driest winter air

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KEY CONTACTS

NWT Tourism www .spectacularnwt com.

Northern Frontier Visitors Centre Photo Credits www northernfrontier. com. Front Cover: Jiri Hermann 17. Jiri Hermann City Of Yellowknife 1. John Schnell 18. Patrick Kane www yellowknife. ca. 2. John Schnell 19. Rhonda Kennedy NWT Chamber of Commerce www nwtchamber. com. 3. Seiji Iwaihara 20. Dave Brosha 4. Jiri Hermann 21. Jiri Hermann Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce www ykchamber. com. 5. Jiri Hermann 22. Martin Darku

NWT/Nunavut Chamber of Mines 6. Jiri Hermann 23. Kate Steadman www miningnorth. com. 7. Erik Madsen 24. Jamie DeRoose

NWT Construction Association 8. Jiri Hermann 25. Jiri Hermann www nwtca. ca. 9. Jiri Hermann 26. Patrick Kane

Government of the Northwest Territories 10. Jiri Hermann 27. Jan Phillips (GNWT) - Department of Industry, 11. Erik Madsen 28. Dave Brosha Tourism and Investment www iti. gov. nt. ca. 12. Jiri Hermann 29. Dave Brosha 13. Jiri Hermann 30. Murao Nobuyasu GNWT Department of Transportation www dot. gov. nt. ca. 14. Jiri Hermann 31. Jiri Hermann

NWT Bureau of Statistics 15. William Nalley Back Cover: Jiri Hermann www .stats gov. nt. ca. 16. Jiri Hermann

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25 Cold:Cold: Put it to the test

Diamonds were discovered in the NWT in 1991. Today, three diamond mines are operating 250 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. The NWT has been propelled into third position in the league of the world’s diamond producers, producing 15% of the world’s diamonds by value, after Botswana and Russia. In 1999, the City Of Yellowknife trademarked itself as the Diamond Capital of North America. Yellowknife is home to a successful diamond cutting and polishing industry.

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