Arctic Snowmobile Weekend BRIEFING GUIDE 2018 Arctic Snowmobile Weekend Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Map & Itinerary ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Packing for your trip ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Luggage Restrictions ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Communication ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Before You Depart ........................................................................................................................................ 7 Travel Insurance ............................................................................................................................................ 8 Suggested Ottawa Hotel ............................................................................................................................. 12 About Iqaluit ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Responsible Tourism ................................................................................................................................... 13 Wildlife Code of Ethics ................................................................................................................................ 15 FAQ .............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Packing Checklist ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Pre-Trip Checklist ........................................................................................................................................ 19 1 Arctic Snowmobile Weekend Dear Fellow Adventurer, Thank you for choosing to take part in an Arctic Kingdom adventure. We are excited that you have selected us to guide you through this exceptional and unique part of the world. Client-focused, we are committed to provide you a memory of a lifetime – experienced in comfort and style. With years of experience guiding in the most remote regions on the planet, we are passionate about Canada’s Polar Region and look forward to having you experience the wonder of the north. Our team is dedicated to ensure every moment of your journey to be memorable – and that you touch, see, hear, smell and taste ‘the last great wilderness on our planet’ and meet the remarkable people who call the Arctic home. To start you on your adventure, we have prepared this guide personally for you. It includes helpful information on what you can expect on your trip, what to pack, and general tips for your travel. If you have any further questions about your upcoming trip, please do not hesitate to contact Client Services at [email protected]. Whether you are a seasoned traveller or embarking on your first trip, we look forward to sharing this very special part of the world. Let the adventure begin! Sincerely, Graham Dickson Chief Expedition Leader 2 Arctic Snowmobile Weekend Introduction Experience the Arctic wilderness by snowmobile on this 260 km (155 mile) journey from Iqaluit to Kimmirut. Travel along traditional Inuit routes across the ice of Frobisher Bay and Soper River, a Canadian Heritage River. Feel the exhilaration as you drive over the sea ice! Map & Itinerary Please remember that this itinerary is a guideline and may change due to weather and unexpected conditions. Day 1 Travel to Iqaluit, NU from Ottawa, ON. Upon arrival, you will be met by your Arctic Kingdom Host and transferred to your hotel, the Frobisher Inn. Day 2 After an early breakfast and safety briefing, gear up for your 130 km (80 mile) drive towards Kimmirut. Snowmobile along the sea ice of Frobisher Bay, possibly passing the polynya, open water that never freezes. Leave the sea ice following the Soper River overland trail. Pass through the only forest on Baffin Island - the “Giant Willow Tree Forest”, before reaching Kimmirut. Spend the night in a local Kimmirut hotel. Day 3 Start your drive back to Iqaluit in the morning. Follow the Soper River to Kattanalik Park, over the ice of Frobisher Bay back to Iqaluit. Spend the night in Iqaluit. Day 4 After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Iqaluit and the nearby community of Apex. Relax in our passenger van while we visit a variety of Iqaluit’s attractions and highlights, including the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre, the Anglican Church, the original Hudson's Bay Company Trading Post, and Apex (the original community just outside of Iqaluit). 3 Arctic Snowmobile Weekend Included Services of Arctic Kingdom expedition staff Round-trip flight to Iqaluit from Ottawa 2 nights’ accommodation at the Frobisher Inn (or equivalent hotel) 1 night accommodation at a Kimmirut hotel Iqaluit town tour Fully guided program Meals: 2 lunches and snacks Return transfers in Iqaluit Not Included Accommodation or meals in Ottawa Breakfasts and dinners, and 2 lunches Tips, gratuities, personal expenses Travel, medical and evacuation insurance Additional costs associated with weather and/or layovers in Iqaluit or Ottawa Packing for your trip Clothing Clothing is key to your comfort in the Arctic. For your trip, we recommend dressing in layers. You can always add or subtract the layers according to your needs. 1) Base Layer – This layer will insulate and keep moisture away from your skin. Traditionally, the best base layers were made from synthetic materials, but now there are some very good products that use merino wool. The general rule is to avoid cotton as it actually draws warmth from your body and can contribute to hypothermia. There are many brands of long underwear on the market and some are better than others. Generally, you get what you pay for in this gear category. Good long underwear is the key to a successful layering system. 2) Insulating Mid-Layer – Options for this layer include fleece tops, jackets and pants. Synthetics such as fleece have very good insulating properties, dry very quickly, and keep you relatively warm even when wet. While the prevailing winter conditions mean cold temperatures, it is most often dry. Wool and down are well suited and are also highly recommended. It is not uncommon to have a couple of mid- layers. A packable down jacket is a wonderful item that has multiple uses and takes up a minimal amount of space. 3) Outer Layer (for protection against cold, wind & snow) – Many snowmobile enthusiasts wish to bring their own snowmobile jackets and pants. However, snowmobiling in the Arctic provides its 4 Arctic Snowmobile Weekend own unique challenges. In addition to your snowmobile jacket, the outer layer should protect you from the elements, should allow air to circulate, and allow excess moisture to escape. For dry conditions, a good quality breathable (uncoated) down insulated parka and pants is important as well. The amount of warmth provided by down is expressed as fill-power (or loft power) and is a measure of fluffiness. It is expressed as the number of cubic inches an ounce of down displaces. Fill-power of 600 to 700 good, and 750 to 850 excellent. Higher fill-power articles provide more warmth for the same weigh. Please note fill- power of 500 to 550 may not be sufficient. 4) Footwear – it is important to have the right footwear for your expedition. We recommend: • Insulated winter boots and optional heat packets • Comfortable shoes or booties for inside the hotel Don’t forget to pack: • Camera • Weather-appropriate clothing including a winter parka, snow pants, and winter hat and gloves • Comfortable boots Rental Clothing We recommend that anyone travelling to the Arctic dresses in insulating layers. Regular ski jackets and pants are not suitable for the changing Arctic climate. With almost two decades of experience in all types of Arctic weather, we have seen what works and what doesn’t. Arctic Kingdom has assembled a top-of-the-line clothing package that will enhance your Arctic experience and allow you to enjoy your Arctic expedition in comfort, no matter what Mother Nature brings. All of our staff have depended on the same clothing package for years of Arctic adventures, so you can rest assured you are getting the best options available. We realize that good quality Arctic-worthy equipment is expensive to purchase all at once, and may not be necessary for a one-time Arctic adventure. Our Arctic Polar Clothing Rental Package that will ensure you are comfortable, warm, and dry for your Arctic expedition. Please email [email protected], or refer to our clothing rental information package for more details. Camera Information Your cameras should have no issues functioning in the Arctic. Full-size tripods are popular and you may consider bringing rain/snow covers as conditions are unpredictable. We also recommend bringing extra memory cards, batteries (and chargers). Many guests also bring a laptop for storing their images. 5 Arctic Snowmobile