Tuktoyaktuk Winter Road closed permanently on April 2017
Canada, north-america
177 km
2 m
hard
Year-round
Imagine driving across a frozen river and ocean! The Tuktoyaktuk Winter Road was a real thing in Canada's Northwest Territories, stretching 177km (109 miles) from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk. Talk about an off-the-beaten-path adventure!
Part of the legendary Dempster Highway, this icy marvel was one of the world's most northern roads. For a few months each winter (December to March), when the Mackenzie River Delta froze solid, it transformed into a highway of ice. The rest of the year, Tuktoyaktuk was only accessible by plane or boat.
While it was open, it was a vital supply route, servicing gas hydrate fields and remote outposts. Picture convoys of trucks hauling fuel, equipment, and supplies across the frozen landscape!
The road wasn't for the faint of heart. The ice, though about 8 feet thick, was riddled with cracks and ridges. Inuvik's freezing temperatures, hovering between -7°C and -17°C during the day, made for an icy ride.
Sadly, this iconic ice road closed for good on April 29, 2017. It was replaced by the all-weather Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway.
Where is it?
Tuktoyaktuk Winter Road closed permanently on April 2017 is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 53.7845, -106.8559
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 177 km
- Max Elevation
- 2 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 53.7845, -106.8559
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