Are you looking for the best way to go snowmobiling in Iqaluit?
In 2018 I found myself transported from my daily routine of making kids lunches to the small arctic town of Iqaluit, and one of the first adventures we took off on was a snowmobile tour in Iqaluit. “Here I was, with a 150hp metal beast racing me across jagged ice fields and around the ice peaks of the Arctic Ocean. Looking out into the vast nothingness laid out on the horizon, -30° air whipping in my face, I couldn’t help but ask: is this all a dream?”
Fortunately, it wasn’t a dream, but was an adventure-filled life of a full-time Travel Writer. I was on assignment with Travel Nunavut where I and 5 other media partners were invited to explore one of the best snowmobiling tours in Iqaluit, with the world-class hosts Inukpak Outfitting.
As an avid snowmobiler as a kid, I won the award for being the most excited in the group, excited to reconnect with this childhood passion and explore the incredible terrain of the Arctic.
Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links from which I may earn a small commission if you choose to book your stay. Money goes to help fund Adventure Awaits and keep more informational and educational articles coming your way!
Inukpak Outfitting – Best Snowmobiling Tours In Iqaluit
Inukpak Outfitting is one of Nunavut’s premier snowmobile tour providers. They are truly one of the most well-respected, reviewed, and revered guide companies in the entire province.
Inukpak is an Inuit word that translates to “gentle giant”. As soon as I met founder Louis-Philip Pothier, I immediately saw why the company was named as such. A towering man, Louis-Philip is as kind a person as one could ever meet. Together with his wife Martine and a handful of professional, experienced guides, they run Inukpak Outfitting – offering a variety of Nunavut adventures, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, kite skiing, ice fishing, igloo building, dog sledding and so much more.
What To Wear For Your Snowmobiling Tour In Iqaluit
Upon arrival at Inukpak’s headquarters, it was immediately clear that we were going to be facing some pretty harsh conditions (well for Westcoasters anyway) while out on the trail.
Thankfully, the team was there to ensure each of us in our group of riders was equipped with everything we needed to tackle the trail. Working from our feet to our heads, each rider geared up with socks, boots, and special outer boots. From there, it was pants, snow pants, shells, base layers, jackets, and outer coats, then face masks, balaclavas, toques, helmets, goggles, and more. While most of our group came prepared with all their own winter gear, Martine was kind enough to lend odds and ends for those who were missing any elements of the complete Arctic riding ensemble.
Gear Checklist:
While the team has lots of gear to support your comfort and safety it does help to know what you can bring/wear for your adventure:
- Base Layer
- Fleece Layer
- Outer Layer (high-quality gear for cold temperatures)
- Base gloves
- Exterior gloves
- Scarf
- Goggles
- Socks (2 layers)
Other Gear:
- Camera (keep your batteries in a pocket close to your body so they stay warm and last longer)
- Extra batteries (they will die fast!)
- Phone (keep it as close to your body heat as possible)
Gear Up and Go – Time to Hit the Trails
After gearing up, we were each assigned snowmobiles (isn’t mine picture-perfect?). We were split into small groups and my leader, Martine got us all familiar with our snowmobiles, teaching us how to use the machines, and then it was time to head out on some beginner trails and test our skills!
Snowmobiling On Arctic Ice In Iqaluit
Once we were out on the ice we took a moment to stop and look at the map and learned how it correlated to the vast icy tundra that was before us. Martine explained, that this area of the Arctic has the second-largest tidal swings on Earth. This means that constant shift in water levels creates some crazy terrain.
As we reached the edge of the ice, we could immediately see what she was talking about. Bashed-up and jagged, it took us all some time to get used to this unique riding surface. Thankfully, Martine was there with us every step of the way, guiding us on how to best navigate and become comfortable with this style of riding. With her help, it only took a few kilometres before we were all riding like pros!
The Benefits Of Booking Nunavut Guided Tours
As we continued to ride further and further toward the horizon, I was struck with just how open the landscape was, and was so grateful to be on a guided tour to help me navigate the terrain. It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere, and a humbling reminder of how incredible this planet is, and how much beauty Canada has to offer.
Thinking about all the warm weather summer adventures my family takes around the parks of Vancouver, I couldn’t begin to comprehend that this Arctic wonderland was part of the same country. Truly incredible!
THE ICE WALL in Iqaluit – Viewing from A Snowmobile Tour
Continuing our Iqaluit snowmobile tour ride, Martine guided us to a massive ice wall. As we came to learn, this ice does a disappearing act with the tide and relates to the tidal swings that we had learned about back at the beginning of the trip. When the tide is out, you’re greeted with the massive wall. Yet when the tide comes back in, the wall all but disappears. Massive sheets of ice, just bobbing up and down with the tide…another example of the incredible natural wonders of the Arctic!
This was one of my favourite parts of our guided snowmobile tour in Nunavut as we learned from local experts about the geography and landscape and experienced Mother Nature working her magic right before our eyes. This is also why I always love guided tours as I always learn more and can create deeper connections with the ecosystem I am exploring when I travel.
Snowmobiling and Snacks – A Luxurious Lunch on the Land
We continued our Iqaluit snowmobile tour journey, riding hard for many more kilometres, and taking in the sights of the landscape and the famous Inuksuk sculpture that dots it. After a while, Martine knew it was time for us to rest our legs and warm our bellies, and so she guided us to a sheltered bay for a break.
From her stow bags, Martine produced the most incredible lunch spread for us – amazing smoked Arctic Char, warmed caribou stew, trail mix, chocolate-covered almonds, cheese, crackers, coffee, tea and so much more. Quite honestly, it was the best spread I have ever had on any eco tour I’ve done (and I’ve done over 300 in my last 10 years!). It was the perfect fuel to keep us going for the remainder of the Iqaluit snowmobile tour.
Spotting Polar Bear Tracks on Snowmobile
Back on the sleds, Martine guided us towards a large polynya – a body of water surrounded by sea ice that never freezes. We stopped for a bit so that she could explain to us why these polynyas are so important to the local wildlife, serving as the main hunting ground for polar bears and seals (hence why she is also armed). Unfortunately, we were unable to see a polar bear that day, however, we did have the amazing experience of coming upon a fresh set of polar bear tracks – possibly just one or two days old.
Sitting there admiring the massive size of these bear’s paws, knowing that hours before (and likely, hours later), they’d be roaming this space looking for food for themselves and their cubs, I couldn’t help but be hit with that sense of wonder and awe that had become so prevalent throughout my journey to Nunavut. Everywhere we turned, I saw and experienced something for the first time. Truly wonderful…
Snowmobiling Iqaluit FAQs
Where is best to snowmobile?
With harsh winter conditions, ever-changing terrain, and difficult-to-map trails, I would strongly recommend going with a guided snowmobile tour in Iqaluit if you’re planning a visit. Inukpak offered us an adventure that exceeded every expectation all while maintaining our safety and comfort for our trip. While this was a hosted experience it is something I wholeheartedly recommend.
How hard is it to get to Iqaluit?
Iqaluit is an Island in Nunavut and is accessible by air and sea only. The easiest way to get to Iqaluit is with a direct flight from Ottawa, Edmonton, Montreal, or Yellowknife. Canadian North is the provider of most of the flights to Iqaluit.
Is Inukpak Outfitting the best company for snowmobile tours in Iqaluit?
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Inukpak Outfitting and would recommend this company to anyone looking for a quality snowmobiling Iqaluit tour or for Nunavut guided tours. Don’t believe us, check out these other reviews:
“An out of this world experience. The team there were super safety conscious, take great care of the animals, and really know the city well. We did both the city tour and the snow mobiling and dog sledding. 100% recommend if you are in Iqaluit. Cost should not be a consideration, you will regret not doing this.” ~H. Barker
“Warm welcome and warm clothes! It was an impeccable experience from start to finish! Thank you again for your professionalism and great energy. I recommend everyone to experience this at least once!” ~M. Doroftei
Does it snow a lot in Iqaluit?
Depending on where you come from “a lot” can be up to interpretation. Nunavut is in a dry arctic climate which means they get less than 200 centimeters of snow annually. You can expect to see snow on the ground from September to June, and it has even snowed in the summer. In the winter you can expect temperatures to be around -20C to -30C (or colder, depending on when you go). Dress appropriately and be prepared to have fun!
Where can I stay in Iqaluit?
I recommend a stay at The Frobisher Inn while visiting Iqaluit. This eco-certified hotel features 95 warm and cozy rooms (some of which feature fireplaces and kitchenettes), an on-site restaurant and is a 7 minute drive from the airport and a 5 minute walk to downtown, making it the perfect basecamp for all of your Iqaluit adventures.
Book your stay at The Frobisher Inn here!
Where can I see Igloos in Iqaluit?
Before we took off on our snowmobiling Iqaluit adventure tour, we made a quick stop to Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park. Martine had gotten word that many of us had never seen a real-life igloo, and so she drove us right up to one for us to experience it first-hand.
This was one of the many moments of this journey that felt surreal – like it was ripped straight from a movie. Since I was a little girl, I had always heard of igloos – learning about them in school, and building my crude versions with friends in snowbanks. Yet here I was, laying my hands on a real-life one. Such an incredible experience!
In conclusion, I can say that my day of snowmobiling in Iqaluit was one of the highlights of my career and an adventure I will never forget. My time with Martine and our fellow adventurers exploring the Arctic was something out of a dream. This was an experience I hope will inspire you to head out on a guided snowmobile tour in Iqaluit and one that will forever reshape how I feel about Canada and the planet as a whole.
Want to learn more about Inukpak Outfitting, and potentially book a journey of your own? Check out their website!
Check out my other Nunavut adventures and learn more about us!
Is this a sponsored post?: Yes, while my trip to Nunavut was sponsored, the opinions and views in this article are strictly my own.
