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Blachford Lake Lodge

Blachford Lake Lodge

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About Us

Welcome to Blachford Lake Lodge, your home away from home in the serene, Canadian north. Blachford Lake Lodge is located in the rugged wilderness of Northern Canada, in superb Aurora-watching country. Perched on a rock knoll overlooking Blachford Lake, it is a half-hour bush-plane from the city of Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories. 

Many miles from roads, or national suppliers of electricity and water, our lodge nonetheless provides many of the benefits of a luxury hotel, with the priceless addition of a pristine wilderness environment, unpolluted by artificial light or noise, the perfect setting for watching the Aurora Borealis (also known as the Northern Lights). 

Look around, and take your time. We’ve got a lot of information for you here. From tips on getting to/from Yellowknife (your gateway to Blachford Lake Lodge), to your accommodation options, and more, we keep our website up to date with everything you need to know and more about visiting Blachford.

Autumn & Summer Aurora packages and pricing, click here.

Winter & Spring packages and pricing, click here.


Our People


Mike Freeland has been the owner-operator of Blachford Lake Lodge since he acquired the property as a single cabin in 1981. Brought up in Ontario, Mike studied tourism there and moved to a tourism development job with the Northwest Territories government in 1974. After two years he left to work as a free-lance consultant and set up his own tourist camps above the tree-line in the NWT’s Barren Lands. In developing tourism across the NWT, Nunavut and Greenland, Mike has worked with government, Arctic communities, businesses and indigenous groups.

In his 40+ years in the industry, Mike has seen environmental concerns come from virtually nowhere to being one of the biggest, and most exciting challenges for tourism today. With his true passion for wilderness, Mike takes all aspects of these concerns very seriously, both in day-to-day running as well as in new developments at Blachford. He continues to take an active part in all aspects of the lodge, from long term-business planning, to alternative energy initiatives to fixing chainsaws.  

Mike is also an active supporter of Dechinta University, a unique indigenous studies university program, providing on-the-land teaching, utilising the Blachford site as the campus.

An active grandfather to his three grandchildren, Mikes also loves cross-country skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Always delighted to share his extensive knowledge of the north, Mike is based in Yellowknife, where his wife Tessa Macintosh, a well-known northern photographer, runs the Blue Raven bed-and-breakfast.

Katherine Johnson

Director of Sales & Marketing

Katherine Johnson, our Director of Sales and Marketing, was born into adventure travel. Her father founded the Great Canadian Travel Company in 1981 and at five years old Katherine was stickering brochures for the family business, at a rate of 0.25¢ per roll. She has run polar bear tours and managed a hotel in Churchill, Manitoba, and served as a board member for Nunavut Tourism. Katherine coached synchronized swimming for Winnipeg Synchro and also worked for Winnipeg Folk Festival. When not travelling herself (her life’s great passion) she lives with her little girl, two dogs, a cat and her husband. 

    Alice Watson

    Office Manager, Sales & Marketing Coordinator

    Alice Wu is our resident speaker of Mandarin, Taiwanese and English. She not only assists with all the office work, but specializes in helping travel agents and guests from Asia. Born and brought up in Taipei, Alice studied photography at university there. Since coming to Yellowknife to work for us, she has taken up skiing and loves the opportunities for an outdoor life: she even speaks enthusiastically about the portage sections of her recent first canoe-camping trip! Apart from family, what Alice misses about her home is the food – we understand why when she brings some home-cooked goodies to the office.

      Erin Freeland-Ballantyne

      COO

        Amy Isaikina

        Sales & Marketing Coordinator

        Amy Isaikina started her Blachford life as a volunteer in 2010. Brought up on a sustainable, off-grid farm in Ontario, Amy has a strong background in operating machinery, living off the land, and sustainable practices. Having worked and travelled around the world, she met her husband Dima in Hawaii and they continue employment and travel together. Amy’s work for Balchford has included volunteer, volunteer coordination, lodge manager, and consultant – she continues to work remotely from wherever in the world she happens to be. Amy works and studies to fill her passion for wilderness, adventure, nutrition and sustainable living, as a means of maintaining a healthy, happy body and planet.


                  Environmental Initiatives

                  Our Goal:

                  To live environmentally and sustainably on the land.

                  Achievements

                  We are the most energy efficient lodge in the north  

                  Renewable energy accounts for 62% of our total energy use  

                  Since 2013 we have cut our fuel usage by more than half  

                  Conserving our Freshwater

                  We purify our drinking water

                  We try to use phosphate free products, to prevent growth of algae in our waterways

                  We maintain a garden and greenhouses that produce fresh vegetables for our guests

                  We offer fair trade organic coffee

                  Saving Fish Stock

                  Blachford Lake Lodge is committed to maintaining a healthy stock of fish, and to achieve this we have initiated a fish management program which involves the use of barbless hooks and fish gloves, and a catch and release protocol.

                  Guest Encouragement

                  We encourage our guests to conserve energy and water by turning off the tap when washing, brushing their teeth and shaving.

                  We encourage short showers

                  We encourage our guests to hang their towels outside as well

                  We offer fair trade organic coffee

                  Recycling

                  We use 80% recycled plastic garbage bags

                  We use 100% recycled paper, and products whitened without bleach. This includes table napkins, coffee filters, paper towels, facial tissue and bathroom tissue

                  We compost leftover fruits, vegetables, eggshells, and coffee grounds and use it in our greenhouse and vegetable garden

                  Our compost is used for natural flower and shrub gardens

                  We recycle paper, and newspaper is reused as fire starter for lodge woodstoves.

                  We use refillable dispensers for shampoo, conditioner and body wash, hand soap and pre-wash dish detergent

                  We provide recycling bins in all cabins and lodge rooms, and we ship recyclable and non recyclable cans, bottles, boxes and cardboard to Yellowknife where they are recycled or sent to landfill.

                  Laundry and Dishwashing

                  We utilize only “Clivus Multrum” and “SunMar” composting toilets to reduce fresh water use and eliminate potential water contamination

                  Grey water is processed through two settling tanks and a leaching pit well away from the lake

                  Wherever possible we utilize products with low impact and that prevent growth of algae in our waterways:  

                  We use fabric softener created without phosphates, perfumes, dyes or enzymes 

                  We use oxygenated bleach, formulated without chlorine 

                  Our pre-washing dish detergent is biodegradable and phosphate free 

                  We use vinegar as a biodegradable cleaning product for windows and mirrors   

                  Low Carbon Footprint

                  We continue to expand and improve our microgrid, which now contains 14.5kW Solar and 1 kW of Wind power generation, 183 kWh of battery storage, and a Tier-4 diesel back-up generator.

                  We utilize wood pellets and cordwood to provide a majority of space and water hearting in both the cabins and the lodge, utilizing individual wood stoves and a WoodMaster boiler.

                  All personal vehicles, including motorboats, snow machines, and quads are fitted with efficient, low emission, 4-stroke motors.

                  We source locally whenever possible to avoid emissions from flights, including using local cordwood and maintaining a garden and greenhouses to produce fresh vegetables for our guests.

                  We use high-efficiency appliances, and low wattage fluorescent lights.

                  We turn off lights and electrical equipment when not in use.

                  We use cold water wash for laundry and in summer we hang our sheets out to dry. 

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                  @Blachford_LL Instagram

                  Up next: summer days ☀️ summer sun 🛶 summer fun 🍹
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📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
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#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #flowers #garden #north #natgeotravel #auroralodge #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation  #northern #truenorth
                  blachford_ll
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                  Up next: summer days ☀️ summer sun 🛶 summer fun 🍹
                  * * *
                  📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
                  * * *
                  #thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #flowers #garden #north #natgeotravel #auroralodge #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #northern #truenorth

                  4 days ago
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                  Northern reflections 💚
* * *
📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis  #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth
                  blachford_ll
                  blachford_ll
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                  Northern reflections 💚
                  * * *
                  📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
                  * * *
                  #thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth

                  5 days ago
                  View on Instagram |
                  2/9
                  Northern summer nights 🤩
* * *
📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views #sunset
                  blachford_ll
                  blachford_ll
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                  Follow

                  Northern summer nights 🤩
                  * * *
                  📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
                  * * *
                  #thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views #sunset

                  1 week ago
                  View on Instagram |
                  3/9
                  Magical nights under northern lights 🌌 ✨
* * *
📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis  #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth
                  blachford_ll
                  blachford_ll
                  •
                  Follow

                  Magical nights under northern lights 🌌 ✨
                  * * *
                  📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
                  * * *
                  #thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth

                  1 week ago
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                  p e a c e f u l 🌅
* * *
📸 Ross Hedley
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views #sunset
                  blachford_ll
                  blachford_ll
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                  Follow

                  p e a c e f u l 🌅
                  * * *
                  📸 Ross Hedley
                  * * *
                  #thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views #sunset

                  2 weeks ago
                  View on Instagram |
                  5/9
                  Have you ever stood under the Aurora and felt it’s absolute power? 🌌 Sometimes when you’re watching the lights dance and swirl above you, it can almost feel as though they’re close enough to touch ✨
* * *
📸 @aarontino
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis  #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth
                  blachford_ll
                  blachford_ll
                  •
                  Follow

                  Have you ever stood under the Aurora and felt it’s absolute power? 🌌 Sometimes when you’re watching the lights dance and swirl above you, it can almost feel as though they’re close enough to touch ✨
                  * * *
                  📸 @aarontino
                  * * *
                  #thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth

                  2 weeks ago
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                  6/9
                  Gone fishin’ 🎣
* * *
📸 @kailawalton
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #gofish #canadian #canada #fishing #girlswhofish #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views
                  blachford_ll
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                  Gone fishin’ 🎣
                  * * *
                  📸 @kailawalton
                  * * *
                  #thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #gofish #canadian #canada #fishing #girlswhofish #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views

                  2 weeks ago
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                  7/9
                  Just keep floating, just keep floating ☀️ 💦
* * *
📸 @simosimonak
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #monster #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views
                  blachford_ll
                  blachford_ll
                  •
                  Follow

                  Just keep floating, just keep floating ☀️ 💦
                  * * *
                  📸 @simosimonak
                  * * *
                  #thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #monster #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views

                  2 weeks ago
                  View on Instagram |
                  8/9
                  Summer is on the way - we can’t wait for open water and sunny summer days ☀️
* * *
📸 @kailawalton
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #monster #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views
                  blachford_ll
                  blachford_ll
                  •
                  Follow

                  Summer is on the way – we can’t wait for open water and sunny summer days ☀️
                  * * *
                  📸 @kailawalton
                  * * *
                  #thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #monster #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views

                  2 weeks ago
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                  9/9
                  View our full feed

                  FAQ

                   
                  Q: Is it guaranteed I will see Aurora, or catch the biggest fish?

                  A: 
                  Sorry, we can't guarantee anything... but we will try our best! The NWT is scientifically the best place in the world for Aurora viewing, so you've picked the right place. The science behind the Aurora says that if you stay for 3 nights minimum, you have around a 90% chance of getting a special lights show.

                   

                  Q: Is there wifi available on site?


                  A: 
                  Surprisingly, yes! While your cell phone won't work (sorry, not sorry!) - we do have wifi that comes in via satellite. Each guest is provided with 250 MB/day of internet free of charge.

                   

                  Q: What do you have in the way of outdoor activities?


                  A: Summer activities include fishing, SUP boarding, hiking, canoe/kayaking, swimming, motor boating, interpretive tours, bird watching, plant and animal identification. Winter activities include cross-country skiing (20 km groomed trails), snowshoeing, hiking, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice skating, fat tire biking, igloo building, kick sledding, quinzhee or igloo building.

                   
                  Q: When are you in operation?

                  A: We are open from mid-December through mid-April, and from June to mid-October. We are closed a few weeks in autumn, while the lake freezes and in spring when the lake thaws.

                   

                  Q: Can you prepare vegetarian or special dietary meals?


                  A: Definitely. Please, advise us of your special needs prior to your arrival.

                   

                  Q: Do you provide transportation from Yellowknife Airport to the Air Charter Base?


                  A: We can arrange transportation for you. We can also arrange for tours and hotel or B & B accommodations in Yellowknife. Air charter flights depart from a float plane base on the shores of Great Slave Lake.

                   

                  Q: How crowded does Blachford Lake get in the busy season?


                  A: We are the only lodge on 17 km long Blachford Lake. There is no road access here, so you are unlikely to meet anyone other than your fellow lodge guests during your stay. The peace and quiet will be one of your best memories of your Blachford trip.

                   
                  Q: Does that mean I can see Aurora all summer?

                  A: 
                  Not quite. From May through the beginning of August, we have 24 hours of light, so the Aurora are not visible.

                   

                  Q: Do I require insurance to visit?


                  A: 
                  While it is not exactly mandatory, we 100% recommend that all guests have emergency medical insurance while visiting us. Please remember you're travelling into the true wilderness!

                   

                  Q: How do we arrange guide service?


                  A: Guide service is available for all guests. Ask our office staff before you arrive. We do require pre-booking of guides to ensure that your needs are accommodated.

                   

                  Q: When and from where will my charter flight depart?


                  A: 
                  We will inform you via email approximately 4 weeks prior to your scheduled departure. There are a number of factors that will determine where you depart from, so thank you for your patience!

                   

                  Q: What is my baggage allowance? 


                  A: 
                  Each guest is allowed one large bag (up to 40 lbs), and one smaller "carry on style" bag (around 8 lbs).

                   

                  Q: How big is the aircraft that goes to the lodge?


                  A: 
                  Typically, you will fly on a Twin Otter. At times, you may however, have the opportunity to fly on a Cessna, Beaver, or Caravan. All are considered "bush planes". They are all very safe, and flown by experienced pilots. If you're feeling a bit nervous, feel free to bring your own water bottle or ginger tablets with you.

                   

                  Q: What is your fishing policy?


                  A: We actively encourage a barbless "catch & release" program. However, a few small fish can be kept for a "shore" lunch or be brought back to the lodge for our chef to prepare.

                   
                  Q: How long has Blachford Lake Lodge been in business?

                  A: We have been in operation since 1981. Blachford is owner-operated with the owner and most of the staff residents in Yellowknife.

                   

                  Q: Is alcohol available to purchase at the lodge?

                  A: Yes. We have a fully stocked bar on site.

                   

                  Q: I assume there is a liability waiver to sign, is this correct?


                  A: 
                  Yes. During the booking process, each traveller will be required to complete a waiver and sign off on our Terms & Conditions. This is mandatory for all guests and must be completed prior to arrival in Yellowknife.

                   

                  Q: What amenities do you have at Blachford?


                  A: In addition to northern wilderness, clear lake water, miles of trails, cozy accommodations and sumptuous meals, we offer: hot tub, tipi, aurora viewing room, fireplace, full bar service, full washroom facilities with hot showers, toiletries, hairdryers, and daily housekeeping service.

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