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Arctic town in the Northwest Territories, Canada
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Inuvik ("place of man" in Inuktitut) is a town in Canada's Northwest Territories at the inland end of the Mackenzie Delta and the northern end of the Dempster Highway, almost 200 km (120 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. With around 3,400 permanent residents as of the last census, it is the most populous town in the Canadian Arctic.
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Igloo Church
Probably Inuvik's best-known building, there are reasons to check out this prominent downtown landmark even if you aren't a devout Catholic celebrating Mass away from home. This distinctive circular domed church, with its exterior painted to look like an igloo, was built in 1960, making it one of the oldest buildings in town. Inside it features artwork by Inuit artist Mona Thrasher. Church staff sometime offer scheduled tours providing a behind-the-scenes look at the building, including its unique roof and basement areas.
North America's northernmost mosque. Not too distinctive architecturally, except for the (purely functional) minaret.
The annual Sunrise Festival happens in January, usually around the time Inuvik's month-long polar night ends with a 15-minute day as the sun breaks over the mountains to the south. The event combines various native traditions with modern ones, such as the fireworks that can't be displayed at Canada Day celebrations due to the midnight sun. Every year it keeps getting bigger.
Has been held annually for 10 days in the middle of July, around the end of the midnight-sun period. Participating artists come from across the north, as far way as Newfoundland, and even some from Alaska; while artists and art lovers come from all over the world to appreciate their work. Everyone one with the northern spirit is welcome to have bannock and caribou stew and see the best of the best in Arctic art. Some artists are even creating their pieces on site, so you can see first hand how to turn a stone into a magnificent figure of polar bears, walrus or Inuit faces.
Music festival in mid-August.
Annual event in March or April. Dog team, snowshoe and skidoo races, tea boiling contest, harpoon toss and muskrat skinning.
Great swimming pool: lanes, "lazy river," large water slide, volleyball net and basketball net. Also a canteen selling food and drinks, an 85' x 200' arena, 2 squash courts, a children's play zone, fitness centre, a community hall and meeting rooms, and a 4-sheet curling rink and lounge.
Great food. Has muskox burgers. But since it's at the airport, most people would not drive there just to enjoy a meal at the restaurant.
One of few places in Inuvik for popular take-out food like burgers, Chinese or pizza. Food isn't great but at least it's filling. You can also eat in the backroom if you prefer.
The Bus
Fish and chips, local cuisine, desserts and views of the delta all served up from a big yellow bus. Bring a sticker from the business or organization to add to the bus.
Pizza and pasta.
Once upon a time the Trapper had a house band or two and a packed dance floor on Friday nights. Now it's a pool hall, although like most such establishments the game is often a pretext for downing pitcher upon pitcher of beer, especially if you don't know the right end of a cue from the wrong one. Still retains a dive-bar flavour.
The Legion
Come by the legion in the evenings for drinks, and community. Note the legion is open limited hours and is a membership based organization but everyone is welcome. To commemorate Remembrance Day each November 11th the legion serves its legendary moose milk.
3 rooms, shared bathroom, AC/heat and WiFi. Not wheelchair accessible. Offers boat, fishing and cultural tours.
Cheaper alternative to the Mackenzie. However the hotel facility isn't very good and is at the edge of town. Hotel is wheelchair accessible.
Six fully furnished suites with private bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, free WiFi, cable TV and pass to the community gym.
Twelve small cabins forming a complex south of town with a rustic feel, nearby trails, and sled dogs kept on the property. The owners can arrange shuttles into town, to the airport and many other tourism options.
Zheh Gwizu' Inuvik
An all-suites hotel run jointly by the chain and the local First Nations tribal council. 82 rooms with private bathroom, WiFi, TV and phone in room. Fitness centre and coin laundry facilities in the hotel. Wheelchair accessible.
The plushest hotel in town offers 97 rooms in a central location with exercise room, restaurant and lounge. Hotel is wheelchair accessible.
The first and last place you'll go for anything you need: if it's not here, it's probably not available in town. In addition to the medium-size supermarket, there's a drug store and what are probably the northernmost KFC and Pizza Hut outlets in the world. The front section's outdoor section is also a good place to look if you need one last item before going off into the Arctic wilderness. There is also a beautiful mural painted on the wall in front of the store.
A slightly smaller alternative to Northmart on the north edge of town. Selection is more focused on bulk quantities and dry goods.
Crafts (fur hats, seal skin slippers, carvings, paintings, jewellery and more) made by local members of the Inuvialuit. All proceeds go to the individual artists.
Selling traditional arts and crafts made by the Gwich'ins.
Carving, scarves, mittens, beaded jewellery and souvenirs sourced directly from local Indigenous peoples. Check her Facebook posts for latest products and hours.
Carvings, prints, post cards, walrus ivory, glassware, jewellery and souvenirs.
One of two convenience stores, surprisingly diverse selection.
Sells products by local growers, artisans, crafters and bakers.
A small unmarked building that is the closest thing Inuvik has to an outdoor sports store. Stocks limited camping supplies including stove fuel (liquid, isobutane, and propane canisters), bear spray, and freeze dried food. Also carries hunting and fishing gear.
By air
Flying to Inuvik is the most common way for visitors to come to Inuvik.
By taxi
By rental car
On foot
If you have the time and energy, consider walking around town (and even to and from town to places slightly outside of it like the Arctic Chalet, if you're staying there).
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Inuvik · Regional · YEV
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