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Blachford Lake Lodge

Blachford Lake Lodge

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    • Accommodations at Blachford
      • Getting Here
      • The Lodge & Dining
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    • Aurora Viewing
      • Canadian Signature Experience
    • Choose Your Season
      • Summer & Autumn Activities
        • What to Bring: Summer & Autumn
        • Wildlife & Nature: Summer
      • Winter Activities
        • What to Bring: Winter
        • Wildlife & Nature
        • Snowmobiling Canada’s Northern Wilderness
  • Packages
    • Winter & Spring Aurora Packages
    • Autumn Aurora Packages
    • Summer Fishing Packages
    • Christmas & New Year
    • Special Events

The Lodge & Dining

The Lodge

Our guest facilities include free wireless internet, hot tub, sauna, and Aurora-watch wake-up service.  Unusually for a remote lodge accessible from Yellowknife, our main building includes running hot water and showers, as well as comfortable hotel-style toilets. Full details of our  hotel rooms inside the lodge, as well as our rustic cabins can be found on the Accommodations Page.

These log cabins provide a special blend of comfort and adventure, taking you back to the days of the fur-trappers, European pioneers and indigenous peoples who helped make northern Canada the vibrant, yet still timeless place that it is today.

Soak in a hot tub or get warm and cozy in the sauna

Hot Tub Yes! Our famous all season outdoor hot tub is available for use every day of the year. Built on a raised platform, this is a favourite of almost all guests for relaxing post activity, or enjoying views of the aurora at night. Open all day, our hot tub is a great photo opportunity (try making funny “hair sculptures” in the winter months, you won’t regret it!) and most of all a truly unique experience for guests. Blachford provides guests with robes and towels on request for using the hot tub.

Sauna Our cedar wood sauna is heated by a woodstove, and is absolutely a staff favourite. In the summer/fall months, you can enjoy a quick dip in the lake between sauna sessions. We have various different natural scents available for the rocks inside the sauna to create some soothing scents while you’re there. The sauna is a great way to relax after a day outside, or even relax after a day of relaxing!

Enjoy the tipi year round with amazing views

Tipi Up on the ridge behind the lodge is where our tipi is located. It’s got a beautiful fire pit on the inside to keep you nice and warm, with seating and spruce boughs lining the inside. There’s a large bonfire pit outside the tipi as well, so you can head inside or outside, staying warm, and keeping your eyes on the skies for aurora dancing overhead. Before you head up to the tipi, feel free to ask the staff for a S’mores kit to take with you, or a thermos of hot chocolate!

Dining

Our menus feature a tasty blend of Northern favorites. Our talented chef creates superb menus with fresh seasonal vegetables and a variety of fresh fish, beef, lamb and chicken to please every appetite. All dishes, from breads to desserts, are made on site. We also grow our own lettuce and other greens in the summer months. If you have special menu requirements, please let us know in advance.

Through the summer, Blachford Lake Lodge grows its own vegetables. We have recently expanded our organic greenhouse and garden. We are now growing most of our own vegetables and herbs in our open garden and one of two greenhouses. Leafy vegetables grow quickly in the long days of northern summer.

Woofer volunteers have built our greenhouses, and they plant, tend and harvest our gardens. They assist in the kitchen, they also upgrade our nature trails, and look after the Clivus Mutrum composting system and our alternative energy systems.

These volunteers are part of a world wide program. Blachford has welcomed Woofers from Germany, England, USA, Holland, France, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Poland, Japan and Canada. For more information on Woofing see wwoof.org, wwoof.ca, or wwoofinternational.org.

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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: 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: 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: 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.

 

Q: Can you prepare vegetarian or special dietary meals?


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

 

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Is alcohol available to purchase at the lodge?

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

 

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: 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: 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: 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!

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