Yellowknife 5-day winter tour: Aurora, snowmobile, dog sledding

Chase the northern lights for several nights, then ride snowmobiles and sled dogs across frozen terrain.

A 5-day winter tour in Yellowknife combining nightly aurora viewing with daytime activities: ice fishing with a fresh-caught lunch cooked on the ice, a 50–60 minute snowmobile ride, dog sledding, and a city tour hitting local landmarks. Airport pickup and all activity transfers are included. Guides speak English and Chinese. Book at least 45 days ahead to get free winter clothing rental (parka, snow pants, boots, mitts).

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Aurora Tour

• Guide greets guests at airport
• Drive guests to hotel for check-in
• Join combined Aurora Chasing and Lodge Tour

Day 2: Ice Fishing and Aurora Tour

• Join Ice Fishing Tour with fresh fish lunch
• Participate in traditional net fishing if suitable
• Join combined Aurora Chasing and Lodge Tour

Day 3: Snowmobile and City Tour with Aurora

• Join Snowmobile Adventure with orientation
• Embark on mini city tour of landmarks
• Join aurora viewing in cozy wood cabins

Day 4: Dog Sledding and Aurora Option

• Transport to traditional Dog Sledding Tour
• Option to change aurora activity to this night

Day 5: Departure Transfer

• Driver transfers guests to airport

The experience

You arrive at Yellowknife airport and a guide meets you there, driving you to your hotel for check-in. That first night, you join a combined aurora tour: either chasing the lights across the sky or settling into a warm lodge with hot beverages and snacks, depending on cloud cover. The lodge option lets you rest between viewing windows. The active chase maximizes your chances on clear nights. Photography is included, with three digital originals per person at no extra cost.

Day two starts with ice fishing on a frozen lake. You'll use jig fishing to catch fish, then sit in heated cabins while your guide cooks and serves your lunch right there on the ice. Weather permitting, you'll try traditional net fishing afterward. That night brings another aurora tour, same flexible format. Day three splits into three parts: a snowmobile ride covering around 15 km in 50–60 minutes (departures at 10:00, 12:00, or 14:30), a mini city tour visiting the Ice Road, Bristol Monument, Pilot Monument, and the Visitor Center with a small gift, then an evening in a cozy cabin on the frozen lake watching for aurora, with snacks and hot drinks included. On your departure day, you do a two-hour dog sledding tour before a driver takes you to the airport 2–2.5 hours before your flight. If weather forces a night to close, you can reschedule that aurora activity to another evening.

The package bundles five separate bookings into one price. Winter clothing rental is free if you book 45 days or more before arrival. Otherwise, you can rent or bring your own. Meals are covered for the ice fishing lunch. Other dinners are on you, though the hotel is within walking distance of restaurants. Children from age five are welcome. A live guide leads every activity in English or Chinese.

What’s included

• Three aurora tours with photography service and digital originals.
• ice fishing with lunch cooked on the ice.
• snowmobile ride.
• dog sledding.
• city tour with landmarks and visitor center gift.
• all activity and airport transfers.
• guides in English and Chinese.
• free winter clothing rental if booked 45+ days ahead.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Destination NWT Ltd.

Is this one for you?Guides lead in English or Chinese, so book this tour if your group speaks one of those languages comfortably. The five-day span lets you attempt aurora viewing on multiple nights (crucial in the far north where cloud cover can block the lights for a night or two), and still fit in the full range of winter activities without rushing any of them.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 72 h before the start.

What happens if the aurora doesn't show on a night I'm scheduled to go out?

The combined tour format lets you switch between active chasing and lodge time based on cloud cover that night. If conditions stay poor, you can reschedule that aurora activity to a different evening during your stay.

Do I need snowmobile experience to ride on day three?

No experience is required. You'll get a detailed orientation and be fitted with a heated helmet before riding. Each guest rides their own snowmobile for 50–60 minutes covering around 15 km.

What's included in the ice fishing tour lunch?

Your guide cooks and serves fresh fish caught that morning, fried on the ice and eaten in heated cabins. It's the only meal included in the package. Other breakfasts and dinners are your own arrangement.

Is airport transportation included both ways?

Yes. A driver picks you up at Yellowknife airport on arrival and takes you back 2–2.5 hours before your departure flight. All transfers between your hotel and tour activities are also included.

What's the early bird special for winter clothing?

If you book the full package at least 45 days before your arrival date, winter clothing rental is free: a parka, snow pants, winter boots, and mitts. Book closer than 45 days and you can still rent or bring your own gear.