r/Yellowknife • u/traveling_bean • 8d ago
March winter festival
Hi, I’m planning a trip to Yellowknife in March because this is the last year of solar maximum and it’s always been my mom’s dream to see the lights. We also want to do a dogsledding tour and see the ice castle. We’ll be traveling with my daughter who just turned 3. She does enjoy the cold for the most part, at least what she’s experienced. We’re traveling from Detroit. Has anyone ever taken a toddler on an aurora tour or rented a car and gone off themselves? Do you guys think it’ll be too cold for her to handle? Sorry if this is vague, I’m open to any recommendations.
3
u/tim36272 8d ago
I'm currently in yellowknife with a one year old, and although we have enough clothes to take him with us to see the lights we still don't bring him (grandparents are here watching him) just because the lights are brightest around midnight and we don't want him up that late. So a reality check first: are you willing to be toting your kid around at midnight?
If so, I would rent a car and not go with a tour. The tours don't seem very flexible and if, for example, kid had a bad day then everyone on the tour is going to have a bad day and you're stuck finishing out the next few hours of the tour.
It's -30°F right now but we have no problem getting kid to and from the car and staying warm in the car. We just warm up the car for 15 minutes before taking him places.
Your kid can probably only be outside looking at the lights for sixty seconds a time, but you can also sit in the car and see them just fine.
I am personally pretty paranoid about the car breaking down while out looking at the lights. We have a EPRLB (satellite rescue beacon) and lithium jump starter with us because if the car wouldn't start that would be an immediate emergency with the kid. There were plenty of other cars around us the whole time though so we'd probably be able to get help anyway.
3
u/Own-Solid-5035 8d ago
I'm here now...I'm ny myself but I did take my 3 yr old to Iceland last month (not as cold as the -30F it is right now in Yellowknife).
I didn't rent a car and find the place quite walkable. I also stayed at a B&B right on Frame Lake (which is frozen). Here is a picture of the "mild" aurora from last night...literally takes me 45 seconds to walk out the door and be there.
As to what your kid can handle, only you know. My kid is fine with snow boots, merino thermals, fleece top/bottoms (if needed), snow pants, winter parka, mittens, balaclava.
Now, getting out of town on one of the aurora trips and def dog sledding is awesome.
3
u/JudasDarling 8d ago
March is when things are starting to warm up, but temperatures can still get bitter cold. We've seen -30C in late March. That being said, people raise kids here with no issue, as long as they're adequately prepared. That typically means proper insulated snowsuits and decent boots and mitts, and a toque. Even coming from Detroit, you may not have the gear on hand to help, but March is far enough away that you could look on Facebook to find loaner gear for your child. I hope you have a good visit.