Blachford Lake Lodge Office

10 months ago

Visiting Blachford Lake was the experience of a lifetime! I am not an especially outdoorsy person, nor am I used to -10+ degree Fahrenheit temperatures! But regardless, I had an amazing time visiting at end of March with our 8-person group for 4 days/3 nights from the USA. If you have ever been a fan of a cozy ski-trip type of vibe, Blachford Lake reminded me of this; just with the opportunity to do new and different activities. Our time at the lodge was equal parts relaxing and exhilarating. We saw the northern lights 2 of 3 nights in all their dancing glory (a huge bucket-list check, of course!) and found the entire lodge and cabin experience very clean, cozy, cute and thoughtful with really nice indigenous-owned toiletries. We got to experience igloo-building, ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing… you name it! It was really cool. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. It was a nice bed-and-breakfast feel as they guided us on signing up for activities and giving tips on aurora viewing, with everything from how to set up your iPhone settings to take the best northern lights pictures to a dedicated staff member who will wake you up when the “show” begins! They were also very accommodating and thoughtful about our group’s dietary restrictions (no red meat for some of us). On top of all the great wintry fun, our group raved about the delicious food, snacks and cocktails served at the three mealtimes… everything from bison lasagna (a big hit) to cosmopolitans, freshly baked cookies, muffins, thai dumplings and chicken Caesar wraps. Everything was so fresh. It was certainly something of note for the foodies in our group! This was just such a pleasant and unique experience for a trip and awesome for bonding with loved ones over shared meals, new activities, or indoor cozy activities like crafts, board games, puzzle-making or sipping delicious lodge cocktails. Can’t recommend enough. The only thing to note, is to really think about the best time of year for you to do this trip. The last days of March were great for us, as it was cold… but not so bad that activities were intolerable. It was also a particularly great time to see the northern lights, when they are most active. Be sure to do thorough research on when the best time to see the lights are, if that is your big goal. It is not the same high chance all year-round. Also of course be sure to have the right cold weather attire if visiting in winter/spring. Necessities were certainly a hearty coat, snow pants, base layers, snow boots, ski socks, hats, gloves and balaclavas (a true must as the cold can whip your face, especially if it is a bit windy). If the gear preparation is intimidating, there is a convenient service in Yellowknife to rent winter gear that our family used and found very helpful— the Lodge can help coordinate. In general, the Lodge is very communicative in the weeks leading up to your travels with detailed PDFs on everything from packing recommendations to books they recommend on the area. The bush plane ride out to the Lodge is fun and quick. As someone a little spooked by tiny planes, it was a pleasant experience— just know flights can easily be delayed for low visibility (we had a 5-hr delay leaving due to a blizzard).. something to keep in mind.

a year ago

My favourite remote lodge ever. I have had the privilege of visiting during three different seasons and each one is so special. Fishing, hiking, northern lights, sauna, hot tub, swimming are all to be had here. The rooms and cabins are wonderful, the food has always been delicious. I highly recommend.

4 years ago

This is an excellent way to experience the wilds of the Northwest Territory in a luxurious style! The friendly staff are very attentive, knowledgable and did a fantastic job in meeting our expectations while addressing the needs of the current pandemic. The food is fantastic but the activities keep you from outgrowing your clothes. Cross country skiing and snowmobiling give you a great view of the surrounding area - you cant throw a snowball without hitting a lake up there. Finish off the day in the hot tub under a clear sky (the trip in and out at 30 below zero is much less traumatic than one would imagine and adds to the experience). Definitely a great way to get a taste of an off grid lifestyle while remaining relatively connected. Internet access is available and does pose some minor limitations but if connectivity is going to be your top priority, you’re on the wrong vacation! We were very fortunate to have 2 great nights of Northern Lights and courtesy of the wake up service, did not need to keep a constant vigil in order to do so