Be a winter driving expert: It goes without saying that winters in Yellowknife are long, frigid, and unrelenting. If you’re a motorist in Yellowknife, you absolutely need to install approved winter tires, in addition to keeping a well-stocked emergency kit, blankets, flares and matches, non-perishable food items, a charged mobile phone, at least half a tank of gas, an extra container of winter-rated windshield washer fluid, a spare tire, a quality snow scraper, extra gloves and a toque, and a bag of de-icer in case your tires get stuck. Additionally, always drive with less speed and extra caution in Yellowknife’s wintery conditions.
Plan your route in advance: Many of the roads surrounding Yellowknife are poorly lit and not regularly maintained. Some roads are added only during the winter months to service remote northern communities (ie. ‘snow roads’ or ‘winter roads’). If you’re planning a long road trip, be sure to seek advice on your route and plan everything out in advance. For instance, don’t plan on using a logging road if you don’t know that it will be open at the time of your trip. Wherever possible, try to stick to more traveled routes that pass through small towns, communities, or gas stations. Lastly, let your friends and family know of your travel plans prior to departure.
Watch for wildlife: When driving in Yellowknife and throughout the Northwest Territories, watch out for wildlife! Collisions with bison are not uncommon, and there’s a chance you’ll happen upon black bears, grizzly bears, moose, caribou, foxes, lynxes, and wolves. Be mindful of our creature friends — Northwest Territories is their home, too.
Obey the rules of the roads: The routes surrounding Yellowknife and throughout the Northwest Territories generally range from 70 km/hr to 100 km/hr, and many of them are radar-enforced. While many of the roads are paved, some are hard-packed gravel, which can create dangerous conditions — especially in rain and poor weather conditions. Be careful when navigating the challenging roads of Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories; always keep your vehicle serviced and carry a properly inflated spare tire (and jack) at all times.