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Local Secrets, Big Finds - Territories

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King" of the North. To win the crown, a men has to be "strong, rugged and possess the skills necessary to survive the harsh winters of the North" and win a series of "slightly terrifying" events that evolve every year. The festivities begin with a street fair that includes a face-stuffing competition, a juggling marathon and can-can dancing. The rest of the weekend, locals compete in various winter sporting events, a caribou-dropping ceremony, and even arts and crafts that "really honor Yellowknife's heritage." Read more.

The Dempster Highway
Inuvik, Northwest Territories

867.920.8974
For the "most beautiful scenery in the world" and a "rare opportunity" to drive north of the Arctic Circle, get in your car and drive the Dempster Highway - a stretch of "remarkable" road that takes your from Dawson City to Inuvik. On your journey, you will pass through two "picturesque and magnificent" mountain ranges, and it even crosses the continental divide on its way to the Beaufort Sea. Make sure to plan your trip June through September for some "perfect weather and blue skies" along with 24 hours of daylight, or February through April, the northern lights, aurora borealis, "are at their best." Read more.

Aurora Village
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

867.669.0006
Aurora Village
Aurora Village, situated right under the Aurora Oval, is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. "Cold, clear nights" in late November to mid-April mark the best time to observe the Aurora Borealis. In addition to watching the lights, take a dogsled trip or participate in other "cultural activities closely associated with nearby aboriginal tribes." Then, experience the warmth of a bonfire as you roast marshmallows, zoom down a three-story slide, go ice fishing, or watch the caribou! Drive 20 minutes east of Yellowknife along the Ingraham Trail to "get in touch with the real north." Read more.

Toonik Tyme Spring Festival
Iqaluit, Nunavut

867.979.5600
Spring in the Arctic is something to celebrate, and the Iqalungmiut get bundled up for the much-anticipated Toonik Tyme Spring Festival. In honor of the sun's return, the Iqualuit's festival celebrates the end of short winter days with events such as: "igloo-building contests, crafts sales, seal skinning, ice sculpting, Inuit games, snowmobile racing, traditional dog team racing, and more." It's an elaborate community affair. The festival takes place during the last two weeks of April--when the sun starts to shine again.

Yukon Artists @ Work Cooperative
Whitehorse, Yukon

867.393.4848
The Yukon Artists @ Work Cooperative is an artist-run gallery that exhibits original works from more than 35 local Yukon artists. It's open daily, but the best time to visit is during the weekends, from June to September, when it's warm and there are musical performances. Only 10 minutes from Whitehorse, the gallery overlooks the Yukon River Valley. During a visit, you can interact with an artist-at-work or "sit and have a coffee on the deck while listening to the sounds of local musicians." Read more.

Takhini Hot Springs
Whitehorse, Yukon

867.633.2706
Takhini Hot Springs
The "natural thermal waters" of Takhini Hot Springs are a "relaxing and soothing place to view the northern lights." Because the water in the hot springs pool is so warm, and the winters in the Yukon are so cold, the hot springs make for the ideal "secret place" to watch the blaze of the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of a steaming bath. During the summer, the area is good for "camping, horseback riding, rock climbing, and just relaxing."

Tintina Bakery and Tombstone Gallery
Dawson City, Yukon

867.993.5558
As with most businesses up here, the best time to visit Tintina Bakery is during the summer. Just south of Dawson City, it's a family-run bakery and gallery, known to be "one of the Klondike's little gems." The gallery features works by local artists, and the bakery is a good place to "pick up a gourmet picnic lunch before heading out to the Klondike goldfields or up the Dempster Highway to Canada's western Arctic." Read more.

Jack London Cabin & Interpretive Centre
Dawson City, Yukon

867.993.6317
"Be inspired to write a great novel" at the Jack London Cabin, where the author of American classics such as "White Fang" and "Call of the Wild" lived for a short time in 1898. The cabin has tours and "beautiful photos" of London that "really let you in on who he was and what inspired him." Read more.

Caribou Carnival
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

867.873.9698
The "spirit of the North" is "contagious" at this annual carnival held to crown the "Bush
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