Accessing Our Bases

Whitehorse, Yukon is the starting point for the Teslin, Big Salmon, South MacMillan, Pelly, Hess, Tatshenshini, Alsek and Yukon Rivers. Whitehorse can be accessed through Vancouver with either Air Canada or Air North or through Edmonton with Air North or First Air.

Norman Well, Northwest Territories is the starting point for the Redstone, Great Bear, Mackenzie, Keele, Natla, Mountain, Stoneknife, Snake, Bonnet Plume, Wind, Horton, Arctic Red, Anderson and Hornaday Rivers. Norman Wells  is accessed through Yellowknife with Canadian North.

Clients can arrive for their Canoe North Adventures expedition the day of departure although we recommend that arriving the day might be best. Early arrival guarantees that your bags will catch up to you if they are delayed and that you have some time to acclimatize to the time change from other parts of the world. Departures must be for the day after the trip returns requiring an overnight stay in Norman Wells or Whitehorse.

Flights

As you have camping gear and equipment, you may be required to use Special Services at the airport. All flights now require photo identification. Please be at the airport at least two hours before the flight departure. We have had trip members miss flights in the past!  Flights to Whitehorse get there in one day. Flights to Norman Wells require an overnight in either Edmonton or Yellowknife. On arrival in Edmonton or Yellowknife, packs can be taken to the baggage storage at the airport or the hotel for your overnight stay. Canadian North departs at 8am from Edmonton Airport and 10:25am from Yellowknife. Please be at the airport two hours before departure to ensure that all gear is collected and checked. Please mention to the person at the check in counter in either Edmonton or Yellowknife that you are meeting a North-Wright Airways connecting flight in Norman Wells. This will ensure that they put your baggage on the plane.

You will be met at the airport in either Norman Wells or Whitehorse and transferred to either your accommodation or to access the air or road shuttle to the river. You can leave your off river clothing at the hotel or with Canoe North Adventures.

Packs

You will be given a waterproof pack or barrel pack for your personal gear when you arrive unless you have been issued a pack prior to the trip. You will need to bring your clothing and gear in a duffel bag. For those who travel from Ontario, we may have an extra Canoe North pack that we will ask you to bring north. The airline regulations allow each passenger two 50lb packs. Personal clothing and valuables like wallets, identification or airline tickets can be left in safe storage.

Personal Cash and Credit Card

There is a bank machine in Norman Wells or Yellowknife. We suggest you bring a small amount of cash to have on hand.

Accommodations and Reservations

The final night accommodations are not included in your Canoe North Adventures fee. Please pay individually. No off river accommodations or meals are covered by Canoe North Adventures. If you make long distance telephone calls or incur any extra expense, please settle this with the bed and breakfast or hotel. Canoe North Adventures will arrange the hotel booking in Norman Wells or Whitehorse. The booking in Edmonton or Yellowknife could be arranged individually, by the group or by Marlain Wietzes at Travel Professional International at mwietzes@tpi.ca.

Pre-Trip Paddling Sessions

We encourage you if you are in our region of Ontario to participate in at least one training session to brush up on your paddling skills. We will provide canoes and will train on the Grand River or Island Lake near Orangeville. Remember you will be paddling on rivers with some sections that are very tight and have whitewater sections. It’s important to develop solid bow and stern capabilities before we get to the north. Our sessions will consist of stroke analysis and technique followed by a one hour recreational paddle.

Canoe North Adventures Shirts and Hats

We have a handsome Canoe North Adventures logo and will be providing each of you with a complimentary four-colour, acid washed T-shirt and a ballcap. We hope this will make a dynamic addition to your designer wardrobe. We are also producing some long sleeved sweatshirts with an embroidered logo (very classy) and fleece vests which you can custom order.