Frozen Aurora
Winter & Early Spring Season
January - April
Season Overview
Snow-blanketed landscapes, crackling fires, and aurora-filled nights. Winter and early Spring is a magical time to experience the serene beauty of the Northwest Territories. From January through April, Blachford Lodge offers a front-row seat to the season’s quiet wonders. Guests can cozy up in warm teepees, watch the northern lights dance across the night sky, and embrace peaceful days in the pristine winter wilderness.
| Month | Average High | Average Low |
| January | -22°C | -8°F | -29°C | -20°F |
| February | -18°C | 0°F | -27°C | -17°F |
| March | -10°C | 14°F | -21°C | -6°F |
| April | 0°C | 32°F | -10°C | 14°F |
Layering is key! We provide gear recommendations to keep you comfortable.
Aurora Viewing
Winter at Blachford is a premier season for witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights. With long nights and dark skies, the aurora borealis often graces the heavens in vivid displays of green, purple, and pink. Whether you're soaking in the outdoor hot tub or lying back on the frozen lake, the aurora here is nothing short of unforgettable.
Winter Wilderness
Snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes, and sparkling ice formations define the winter scenery. The land transforms into a serene, quiet, and otherworldly place, offering guests a chance to reconnect with nature's untouched beauty.
Wildlife Winter
Despite the cold, the region's wildlife remains active. Guests may spot moose, foxes, owls, and non-migratory birds. The snow-covered terrain also reveals animal tracks, providing opportunities for wildlife tracking and photography.
Winter Activities
Hiking
Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing
Ice Fishing
Snowmobiling
Fat Tire Biking
Ice Hockey
Ice Skating
Igloo Building
Kick Sledding
Maple Snow Taffy
Wildlife Track Identifying
Bonfires
Sauna
Hot Tub
Dream Catcher Making
Spruce Salve Making
Photography
- 3 Nights
- 4 Nights
- 7 Nights
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Flight seeing charter Yellowknife – Blachford – Yellowknife
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Lodge or cabin accommodation
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Housekeeping
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Welcome orientation
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Yoga equipment
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AuroraWatch service nightly (until 03:00 am)
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Handicraft workshop in the lodge
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Igloo/Quinzhee building (condition dependant)
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Introduction and hints about aurora photography
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Use of seasonal equipment (cross country skis, snowshoes, groomed 2-6k trails, fat tire bikes, firepits, skates, ice fishing gear)
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Welcome Drink on arrival
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All meals
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All snacks
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Coffee, tea, juice
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Use of hot tub and sauna
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Two guided experiences daily
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Comprehensive pre-departure information
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On-Site Wifi
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Use of Lodge Facilities:Dining room, Aurora lounge, fireplaces, northern library, bathrooms with showers, basins and toilets, hot tub, sauna, open decks
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Items of a personal nature
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Travel insurance
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Snowmobile tours
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Alcoholic beverages
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Winter clothing rental (available – just ask!)
- All rates are per person and are quoted in Canadian dollars. Please add 5% Goods and Services Tax and 10% gratuities to the base rate.
- Single supplement requests (private, single occupancy) add 50% to the package rate (x 1.5 the regular rate).
- Please double check with our office for availability prior to booking your flights in/out of your home city and Yellowknife. You will be required to meet our charter at approximately 9am to fly to the lodge.
- All guests will be required to sign a liability waiver when booking.
- We strongly recommend all guests ensure they have emergency medical coverage and comprehensive travel insurance prior to visiting the lodge
- When booking your flights in/out of Yellowknife, please ensure that you arrive in Yellowknife the night before the charter flight departure to the lodge.
- Flights to/from Yellowknife and BLL operate between 8:00am and 2:00pm MT.
- Please check with us prior to booking your departing flight from Yellowknife.
- Because at times both scheduled and charter flights may experience delays, we do not recommend booking a flight from Yellowknife prior to 5:00 pm MT.
- Down parka, insulated snow pants, felt-duffle-lined boots, and lined mitts. Includes delivery of gear to bush plan departure location, fitting, and pick up from bush plane arrival location. Rates in the table above.
We offer multiple types of exhilarating snowmobile tours to experience the wilderness around Blachford Lodge and beyond.
https://arctickingdom.com/blachford-lodge/snowmobile-tours-package
Do you need any help with booking your Yellowknife components to your stay?
We’re happy to help. Please contact our office for:
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Hotel reservations
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Private transfers
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Snowmobiling
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City tours
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Aurora tours
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Winter clothing delivery and rental options
- Prices are quoted and payable in Canadian dollars. A deposit of 50% of the total package price is required to confirm your booking.
The balance will be due 60 days prior to arrival. - From within Canada: We accept direct deposit, e- Transfer, Bank Draft, or wire transfer. From outside of Canada: We accept wire transfer or credit payments via Flywire.
- Cancellation Policy: Deposit is refundable until 61 days prior to arrival with the exception of an administration fee of $1000 60 days prior to departure, trip is non-refundable.
- Weather conditions can delay air charter departures. Blachford Lake Lodge will do its utmost to accommodate clients.
- However, weather conditions are beyond our control and therefore we cannot be responsible for additional costs incurred by guests.
- Please be aware that the Aurora does not appear every night, even when the sky is clear, and it also cannot be seen through cloud.
- We cannot therefore guarantee Aurora sightings at any time, including on New Moon Aurora dates.
Fishing licenses have to be purchased in Yellowknife, prior to departure to Blachford Lake Lodge. For more information and to obtain your license please click HERE.
Are you a local Yellowknife resident and/or friend of one (or adventurous guest!), and wish to travel to Blachford on your own or rental snowmachine? Please contact our office for availability and current rates.
Gallery
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Plan your private journey with us.
Reserve Your Escape to Blachford Lodge
With over 25 years of experience, we're well-equipped to help you plan the perfect Arctic adventure. Whether you're seeking a bespoke expedition, a private journey, a luxurious lodge stay, or a complex film or logistics expedition, our expertise ensures every detail of your trip is meticulously crafted to exceed your expectations.
Our deep knowledge of the Arctic's diverse landscapes, cultures and conditions allows us to tailor each experience to your specific desires, ensuring an unforgettable journey that's as unique as it is memorable. Get in touch and allow us to guide you through planning the expedition of a lifetime.
How to get in touch:
- Complete the booking form
- Give us a call at 1 (888) 737-6818
I went to the lodge only for one night, but I wish I would've stayed longer. The location is amazing, and the accommodation are beyond expectation. I had a room in the main lodge with view over the lake, big window to enjoy the night sky. There are also cabins that looked great as well, to be more in nature. The staff is so great, the food is really good, the drinks are unique. We went on a fishing ride, and I never caught fishes that big, and it is catch & release which I like. In the morning, I felt at peace having a coffee in front of the lake, looking at the sun rise and the quietness of the forest.
Where do I begin? I wish I could give BLL more than 5 stars! Everyone did their best to make us feel welcomed and nurtured! Our room was clean & cozy, we chose to stay in the lodge as opposed to a cabin. It was more convenient and very comfortable- sometimes a little noisy- The food was amazing!!! Three creative and delicious meals a day! We stayed 4 nights but could easily have stayed longer! My hubby went fishing - I made a dream catcher and harvested spruce gems to make salves! Of course, the main attraction, the Aurora, did not disappoint! The hiking trails were moderate and the views spectacular! It was a dream come true! I cannot say enough good things about the whole experience!
A father-son trip to remember! After enjoying this amazing lodge in the winter, I was able to take my son on a trip here in August. Blachford seems to be a dream in the summer and fall. The lake was beautiful for swimming, and the secluded cabin with modern comforts was lakefront, looking out into the northern wilderness in the evening as eagles hunted. We caught some huge fish and explored the lake by boat. The food is delicious, and the staff are wonderful, (thanks)We hiked a beautiful loop trail through the Boreal forest and listened from the hot tub as wolves howled across the lake and the sun gave way to dancing Aurora. ...Simply Spectacular.
Blachford is a very unique place that I would love to stay at again. The pressure of being awake for the Aurora is off as the staff will come and wake you, if you’d like them too! During the day they have so many activities to participate in, I was nervous about if there would be enough activity wise (I'm a pretty ancy person) and there absolutley was! They’re optional which is nice if you want to relax as well. The hot tub under a starry, sky was incredible and there were always snacks out incase you felt a little peckish. The Aurora was stunning, staff was friendly, and activities were engaging. Thanks again Blachford for such an incredible experience!
Fantastic trip. We went for a few nights in August on a bit of a spur of the moment idea. Of course the lights were spectacular, but the lodge and grounds blew us away too - swimming, wood fired hot tub, mountain bikes, fishing, etc. - with top notch meals as well. Can’t say enough about the staff too. A great team that made booking, getting around Yellowknife, and our stay, special (and easy!).
I’ve been going to Blachford for years, both for business and for personal visits, and it’s one of my favourite places! The location is beautiful, the lake is stunning, the food is delicious, and the aurora views are amazing (even for a lifelong Northerner)! Blachford is a gem.
My favourite remote lodge ever. I have had the privilege of visiting during three different seasons and each one is so special. Fishing, hiking, northern lights, sauna, hot tub, swimming are all to be had here. The rooms and cabins are wonderful, the food has always been delicious. I highly recommend.