New Arctic experiences encourage travellers to immerse themselves in the history and culture of Canada’s North.

Destination Canada is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to the Canadian Signature Experiences collection from Canada’s North. Travellers can herd reindeer with locals in the Northwest Territories, learn about the Klondike Gold Rush as they cross the Arctic Circle on Yukon’s Dempster Highway or build an igloo and travel to traditional Inuit hunting grounds in Nunavut.

The Canadian Signature Experiences are a curated collection of extraordinary and authentically Canadian travel experiences. As diverse as the country itself, these unique experiences are offered from coast to coast to coast and provide an introduction to the best Canada – and Canadians – has to offer.

“These new Canadian Signature Experiences are an amazing way for travellers to experience the beauty of Canada’s North” says the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism. “The hardworking small business owners behind these experiences are vital to the economy, especially in remote and rural regions, like the North. They are once-in-a- lifetime experiences that speak to the diversity and uniqueness of our country, from coast to coast to coast.”

“I’m excited to welcome Inukpak Outfitting, Nature Tours of Yukon and Tundra North Tours to our Canadian Signature Experiences collection,” says David F. Goldstein, Destination Canada’s President and CEO. “These new experiences inspire travellers to head off the beaten path and experience the wildlife, scenery and rich culture of Canada’s North.”

The three new experiences in Canada’s Arctic are:   

• Winter Arctic Discovery with Inukpak Outfitting - Nunavut
  This authentic winter adventure starts in Iqaluit with a guided tour of town, where travellers engage with locals, viewing landmarks and attractions and perusing artisan shops. Travellers then explore the tundra or sea ice via traditional dogsled, bonding and interacting with the dogs, and venture further into the wilderness by snowmobile. After building an igloo, travellers savour a cup of hot tea inside, then watch as the Aurora Borealis illuminate the dark winter sky. Traditional Inuit hunting grounds at the floe edge present a prime viewing opportunity to watch the dawn of a new spring under 20 hours of daylight.
• Arctic Circle Tour with Nature Tours of Yukon - Yukon
  The only highway in Canada that crosses the Arctic Circle – the Dempster Highway – offers a true winter immersion in sub-arctic Canada for travellers. Experience roadside picnic lunches in scenic locations for wildlife viewing and then learn more about the life and history of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch'inFirst Nation during the Klondike Gold Rush. In Eagle Plains, travellers mingle with the locals, ice-road truckers and other adventurers. A good forecast offers up the not-to-be-missed opportunity to go on a spectacular night of Aurora Hunting - maybe even all the way to the Arctic Circle.
• Canadian Arctic Reindeer Signature Package with Tundra North Tours - Northwest Territories
  A highway of ice, with welcoming people and rich indigenous culture, awaits travellers in Canada’s north along the route to Aklavik. Accelerate the adventure with a snowmobile ride into the wilderness to help herd 3,000 reindeer alongside skilled locals. In a basecamp setting, travellers engage in cultural experiences, storytelling, feast on traditional food and perhaps see the northern lights. The final destination on the adventure is Tuktoyaktuk, a town right at the northern edge of the continent.

Since the Canadian Signature Experiences program’s inception, the collection has grown to over 200 members and Destination Canada works in partnership with all 13 Canadian provincial and territorial marketing organizations to build and maintain the collection.

Additional information:

• Canadian Signature Experiences for a comprehensive list of members.
• Canadian Signature Experiences Backgrounder for further information on the program.
• Tourism in Canada to learn more about arrivals and the tourism industry's contribution to Canada's economy through jobs, GDP and tourism spending.
• Brand Canada Library for rights-ready, free-to-use images and videos (including of the new Canadian Signature Experiences).

Posted: November 29, 2017