Yellowknife Northwest Territories Hotels & Motels

When Is the Best Time to Visit Yellowknife, NT?

Yellowknife has a subarctic climate, which involves extreme seasonal temperature fluctuations that range from an average low of around 20 degrees in January to an average high of around 70 degrees in July. According to a study that was conducted in 2014, Yellowknife is the city in Canada that has the coldest winter and longest snow-falling season; however, the same study showed that the city also boasts the sunniest spring and summer of any Canadian city, averaging 1,034 hours from June through August.

The winters in Yellowknife are cold and long, stretching over five to eight consecutive months of the year. In fact, the only months that feature average highs above 64 degrees are June, July, and August when the average high ranges from around 67 to 73 degrees. These are the months during which you should visit the area if you want to make use of the many walking trails in the area; sail, fish, or water-ski on Great Slave Lake; sunbathe and swim at Long Lake; or take a boat tour around the city.

There are also many festivals and events happening during the summer months. For instance, on June 21, which is the longest day of the year — that is, the sun never sets — the city hosts a street carnival during which the locals pay tribute to the indigenous peoples of the area. If you're into golf, you can also participate in a midnight sun golf tournament.

As the summer months are the most popular with tourists, you can expect to pay higher rates during this period, and you may also need to book well in advance to secure suitable accommodations. If you're aiming to visit Yellowknife when accommodation prices are more affordable, you can either look at March to May, when the average high ranges from 13 degrees in March to 54 degrees in May, or the autumn months, when you can expect an average high of around 55 degrees in September down to 17 degrees in November.

If you want to visit Yellowknife specifically to view the aurora borealis, plan your trip between late November and mid-April when the nights are long and clear. Just be sure to bring a thick jacket, as you'll be visiting Yellowknife when it is at its coldest. On the plus side, though, rates are low during this period of the year, so you are bound to strike a good deal.

Where Can One Find Good Discounts in Yellowknife, NT?

You are sure to find hotels that offer discounted rates in Yellowknife, especially if you visit the area outside of peak season. Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham, for instance, regularly features excellent discounts. The hotel is also located in downtown Yellowknife and offers guests a free shuttle service to and from the airport.

The rooms at the hotel are spacious and clean and feature free Wi-Fi, a desk, satellite TV, and a fridge. Guests who would like a kitchenette and a hot tub can opt to upgrade to a suite. Amenities at Days Inn include a fitness center, free parking with plug-ins for frosty evenings, a business center, meeting rooms, and an on-site restaurant.

What Are the Best Value Options in Yellowknife, NT?

In general, the hotels in Yellowknife offer comfortable rooms, convenient amenities, and friendly service at affordable rates. The value you will get for your money is, of course, also dependent on the time of year you choose to visit the area; however, a hotel that consistently receives good ratings from guests, is the Capital Suites in Yellowknife. Guests can opt for an attractive and modern standard room that comes with a flat-screen TV, a microwave, and a work desk or a spacious suite that features a kitchenette and a large living room with vaulted ceilings.

The hotel also offers complimentary Wi-Fi, a Capital Suites Market where guests can purchase toiletries, food, and snacks, a fitness center, a complimentary airport shuttle, and meeting facilities.

What Are Some Fun Things to Do in Yellowknife, NT?

If you're in Yellowknife to view the famous northern lights, you can take the four-hour Northern Lights Tour where you get to travel into the wilderness with a guide as night falls in search of the aurora borealis. As you'll probably be in Yellowknife during the winter months if you're there for the aurora, you may be lucky enough to catch the annual Snowking Winter Festival that takes place in March. During this festival, which is attended by visitors from all over, a large snow castle is built that functions as a venue for musical concerts and other kinds of entertainment, such as ice sculpting classes.

Those who are in Yellowknife during July can attend the Folk on the Rocks outdoor music festival that takes place on the shores of Long Lake. This nonprofit festival is nearly 30 years old and features anything from rap to pop to Dene drumming. During the summer months in Yellowknife, you can also get to know the fauna and flora of the area by taking a hike along some of the trails, such as the Prospector Trail, which takes one across a patchwork of ancient rock, or the Niven Lake Trail that offers great bird-watching opportunities and features a diverse natural environment that includes forest, swamp, and rocky areas.