Expedition to the Far North

McLennan Ice Fishing & Sliding Hill

The municipality of McLennan adapts its infrastructure for the winter season. Located along Kimiwan Lake, the McLennan Lakeshore Walking Trails feature a section cleared of snow all winter, accessible from the Manoir du Lac or Centre Street, allowing for Nordic walking and local wildlife viewing. For sliding activities, a groomed hill at the intersection of 2nd Street and 5th Avenue accommodates sleds, inner tubes, or Crazy Carpets. Additionally, a natural pond near the covered bridge at the bottom of Centre Street is available for ice skating. Ice fishing takes place at the Kimiwan Lake municipal campground pond, where visitors can fish for trout and use a designated campfire area. The Lodge At Kimiwan provides accommodation and dining services, featuring a bistro and a well-stocked grocery store.

Once the activities in McLennan are completed, the route continues toward a local business specializing in canine excursions in a rural setting.

Whirlwind Acres Sled & Show Dogs

The family-owned business Whirlwind Acres Sled & Show Dogs organizes private dog sledding excursions through prairie landscapes. Each booking includes a presentation on the history of these working dogs. During the day, three tours are available: the Prairie Twist introductory loop, the Prairie Run package which includes time around a campfire with hot chocolate, and the longer Prairie Explorer excursion. For stargazing and aurora viewing, the company offers night tours named Star Gazer and Star Explorer, taking advantage of the darkness to provide suitable conditions for observing the night sky. These night rides also conclude around a campfire. While the establishment offers wheeled cart tours in the summer, operations focus on snow travel during the winter period.

After the flat expanses of the prairies, the itinerary heads toward the valley slopes to find alpine sliding infrastructure.

Misery Mountain

The Misery Mountain ski centre is located in the heart of the Peace River Valley. Its ski and snowboard runs cater to different skill levels, welcoming both beginners and expert skiers. The site also includes a specific zone designed for freestyle ski enthusiasts. During the winter season, the resort diversifies its programming with special activities, such as evening ski sessions under artificial lighting, which extends access to the ski domain after sunset.

Leaving the valley and the ski resort behind, the road heads northwest to cross an essential seasonal passage.

Tompkins crossing

The tompkins crossing, located on Highway 697 in northwestern Alberta, is a free seasonal infrastructure connecting the community of La Crete to southern highways. During the winter period, when the ferry cannot operate due to ice, an ice bridge is constructed across the Peace River. This passage is regularly tested by radar, and its thickness is increased by spraying water to exceed 120 centimeters in February, allowing it to support heavy loads. The ice bridge usually closes in early April. For safety reasons, vehicle speed and weight are strictly regulated by Alberta Transportation to preserve the integrity of the ice structure.

After crossing the river via this ice bridge, the journey continues toward an isolated accommodation in a forest environment.

Cabin in the Woods

The Cabin in the Woods B&B is a rural lodge opened in 2015 by Lena and John, offering an isolated accommodation option. Stays include a continental breakfast and the provision of wood for indoor and outdoor fireplaces. The site features three autonomous cabins equipped with kitchens, heating systems, and full bedding. The Cabin is the original 620-square-foot building that can accommodate up to 6 people across its two lofts. The Tiny House offers a 420-square-foot space built on a trailer frame, decorated in a 1950s farmhouse style for up to 4 guests. Finally, The Silo is a unique 392-square-foot structure with a loft and murphy beds, also capable of hosting 4 visitors.

Following a stay in this woodland lodge, the route heads toward regional trails. Although winter access is limited, travelers have the option to stop at the Fort Vermilion Heritage Centre to warm up and learn about local history before continuing.

Rocky Lane Agricultural Society

Located 9 kilometers from Highway 88, the community of Rocky Lane features a recreational hub managed by the Rocky Lane Agricultural Society. In winter, this organization maintains a 15-kilometer network of cross-country ski and multi-use trails that extend along the Ponton River. The trails are groomed weekly to accommodate both classic and skate-skiing styles, with loops tailored for beginner, intermediate, and expert levels. This free network notably served as a training ground for teams preparing for the Alberta Winter Games and the Arctic Winter Games. Users can access the trails accompanied by their pets on a leash.

After the trails of Rocky Lane, the itinerary heads west. Travelers have the option to stop at Rocky Ridge Rentals if they wish to rent snowmobiles to explore the regional trails, before continuing their journey toward an isolated northern municipality.

Rainbow lake

The municipality of rainbow lake, located 130 kilometers west of High Level via Highway 58, is an isolated community of fewer than 500 residents surrounded by the boreal forest. In winter, from December to March, Rainbow Lake becomes a site for ice fishing, snowmobiling, and quad biking, despite temperatures that can drop below -40 °C. Due to its geographical location at the 58th parallel and the total absence of light pollution, the town is an excellent spot for viewing clear northern lights. Local amenities include a recreation complex, a grocery store, a gas station, and accommodation options at the Rainbow Lake Inn. It is highly recommended to fill up on fuel before driving along this remote forestry road.

Farther north, the route reaches another remote locality that serves as a base camp for more demanding winter travel.

 Zama City Campground & Cabins – Bistcho Lake activities

⚠️ Attraction for experienced and self-sufficient individuals

The Zama City Campground & Cabins complex features fully equipped, heated year-round cabins with full kitchens and bathrooms. These facilities, combined with a large parking lot for trailers, make it an ideal base camp for winter travel. From November to April, the site serves as the starting point for reaching Bistcho Lake, located 93 kilometers from Zama City. This lake has no road access and can only be reached by a snowmobile trail during the winter. Anglers travel here to catch walleye and northern pike. This expedition into the remote wilderness requires thorough preparation and complete self-sufficiency from participants.

Leaving the province of Alberta, the journey crosses the territorial border to follow a legendary driving route marked by waterfalls.

Waterfalls Route

Developed by NWT Parks, the Route des chutes d’eau / Waterfalls Route begins at the 60th parallel on the Alberta-Northwest Territories border and follows the Mackenzie Highway (Highway 1) to Checkpoint. This driving route, open year-round, allows travelers to observe waterfalls frozen by the winter cold, notably in Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park and Twin Falls Territorial Park, which includes Alexandra and Louise Falls. The route is marked by signs featuring a knife and a feather, symbolizing local history. During the cold season, access to some of these falls may be limited depending on snow accumulation. Although the Louise Falls campground is closed outside the summer period, the viewpoints remain accessible. Travelers should consult the NWT Parks website to check trail conditions due to shoreline erosion.

The itinerary continues by heading north to the town of Hay River, situated on the shores of a vast body of water.

Great Slave Lake Tours

Based in Hay River, Great Slave Lake Tours, operated by Shawn Buckley, offers winter activities from mid-December to mid-April. Visitors embark on a historic automotive eight-passenger Bombardier snowbus to travel across the frozen surface of Great Slave Lake. These four-hour night excursions venture away from light pollution to allow for the observation of the northern lights and ice pressure ridges (ice heaves). The programming also includes winter fishing demonstrations and educational workshops on the ecosystem or traditional cooking. The company offers heated camp tents or cozy cabins for extended stays on the lake, available by advanced reservation.

After this experience on the frozen waters of the lake in Hay River, the journey reaches its final stop by heading toward the Yellowknife area for a northern lights experience.

Aurora Village

Located along the Ingraham Trail near Yellowknife, Aurora Village is an observation site fully owned by a local Indigenous family of Dene and Métis heritage. Nestled around a private lake, the village features 21 traditional teepees warmed by wood-burning stoves, offering a place to relax with hot drinks. The site stands out with its custom-built, heated 360-degree swivel outdoor seats, designed to comfortably view the night sky. During the day, visitors can enjoy Northern meals, dog sledding, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. Amenities also include winter gear rentals, photography tripod rentals, multilingual guides, and a shop with authentic Indigenous crafts.