Life in Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Crews shoveling show, 8am

inuvikphil — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:27:18 +0000

Here’s a shot of workers shoveling snow after the blizzard.

Strong winds continue today, with gusts about 50km/hour.

This shot also gives you an idea of the darkness in the morning just before 9am.

Frozen door

inuvikphil — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:12:02 +0000

Here is the keyhole at the office. Cold temperatures outside.

Worst blizzard in years: Scenes from Inuvik

inuvikphil — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:38:14 +0000

Inuvik is one of many communities hit by a blizzard today.

Winds were gusting to more than 90 kilometres an hour. Many people who tried to drive were getting stuck on the roads, and both the schools and government offices shut down.

These photos were taken today around 6pm

The sun returns to the arctic circle

inuvikphil — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:08:01 +0000

The sun is back!

It had been about 30 days since people in town had last seen it.

Now the days will continue to get longer by a few minutes a day.

Sunrise Festival 2012: Fireworks at 30 below in Inuvik

inuvikphil — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 06:05:24 +0000

Every year the community hosts a short celebration to mark the return of the sun. Tonight temperatures were around -30 c.

People held a large fire near the golf course and watch fireworks while sipping hot chocolate. This year was a big show with fireworks sending loud cracks echoing across the golf course.

Some people drove to Inuvik from Tuktoyaktuk for the occasion by means of the ice road.

Lights out: Second (short) electricity outage this week

inuvikphil — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:34:22 +0000

Last night around 11:30, Inuvik’s electricity went out for about a half-hour. This is the second outage this week; the other one happened earlier this week and lasted about an hour.

Most of the power currently comes from turbines burning natural gas; however there is a diesel backup system. (It might be used more in the future, as Inuvik is looking for a new source of natural gas.)

The Inuvik Regional Hospital and other places have backup generators in case this happens.

Mario pipes: The utilidors

inuvikphil — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:03:33 +0000

Here’s a section of the town’s utilidors, which looks like a big red bolt.

The utilidors need a lot of repair in some parts, they are getting old…

Videoconference: Vancouver to Inuvik

inuvikphil — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:58:02 +0000

Parks Canada recently set up a videoconference between Grade 4 students in Inuvik and Vancouver.

The BC class was on a field trip at the Vancouver Aquarium. They were learning about the arctic and got to ask a few questions from the young people in Inuvik, and vice-versa.

The Vancouver children were impressed to learn about the lack of sunlight this time of year, how cold it was, etc.

A neat little exchange.

Purple and blue hues at 11am

inuvikphil — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:54:47 +0000

Here’s the sun-glow starting to appear on a lazy Christmas weekend…just before noon.

Grocery shopping: Stanton’s grocery store

inuvikphil — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:18:19 +0000

Stanton’s is one of Inuvik’s three grocery stores. They carry produce, dry foods, cans and bread which they sell frozen.

It’s an excellent store which is geared a little more towards large orders. Most people bring their cars and stock up on boxes of food.

The ice crossings which intercut the Dempster Highway recently opened, which means we have more fresh food coming in.