May 23-30 is Tourism Week, an annual celebration of our tourism industry and its importance to our lives in the North.
In partnership with Northwest Territories Tourism, we are marking Tourism Week with a thank you to the many NWT residents who have supported our industry’s operators (and our territory’s overall health and safety) by Staycationing.
When Yellowknife residents and avid travellers Richard Zieba and Lynda Yonge went looking for the perfect summer staycation last year, they decided on the Ten Stone Mountain Lodge in the Sahtu.
Owned and operated by North-Wright Air, the picturesque Lodge is nestled in the remote Mackenzie Mountains overlooking Hay Lake.
For both Richard and Lynda, one of its most appealing aspects was the opportunity to observe surrounding wildlife - what Richard described as “absolute pristine wilderness,” offered them the opportunity to see wolves and caribou in their natural habitat.
Richard and Lynda were primarily there to hike amongst the stunning Mackenzie Mountains. Richard, who in the past had completed a lengthy multi-day hike in the area, welcomed the idea of carrying less equipment and sleeping in a comfortable cabin at the end of a long day.
“I'd hiked that area before carrying a big pack and this time we were able to hike without having to worry [about the weight), he noted. “And, the view of the mountains from the deck after a long day of hiking was a huge plus.”
Although guests must bring their own food and beverages, Ten Stone Mountain Lodge is equipped to handle lengthy stays. There is a small kitchen, running water for showers, and solar-powered electricity to provide all the comforts of home and an opportunity for home-cooked meals.
Despite the remote location, Richard and Lynda were particularly pleased by both the security and comfort offered by the lodge. “You’re really in the wilderness and there are not that many opportunities to be in the wilderness safely without a lot of work,” Lynda noted.
“One of the things I really noticed was the lodge's family-friendliness. The group of people who came in before us and the group of people who came after us were families. It's a good place for kids to have that kind of experience because it is safe.”
Whether it's hiking through the Mackenzie Mountains, looking at wildlife, or just spending the day relaxing at the lodge, Ten Stone Lodge has something spectacular for everybody planning to staycation in the NWT this summer.
We are inviting residents to share their Staycation experiences at Instagram.com/spectacularnwt
You can find these stories on the ITI newsfeed or read them here.