It's not looking very good. Near the bottom of the attached CBC news article, the NWT's chief medical officer indicates it is "unlikely" that travel restrictions can be relaxed by the summer. She was responding to a question from a Yellowknife MLA about whether tourism operators should plan for a summer season or not.

In the fall I thought there was a 50% chance of going north next summer - I went down to 33% as cases surged over the holidays, and I'm now at 25% and trending down.

CBC article:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/n- ... -1.5864336

-jmc

It's not looking too good but who knows. Last year when I went to Algonquin in Sept, I almost couldn't get a canoe due to them being sold out. I don't see how things will be different this year more specifically for intra-provincial travel. Getting on a plane and going to Yellowknife would still be possible I feel depending on how comfortable one feels with flying

I wouldn't be trying to book any flights right now but I wouldn't give up hope yet. By the end of April the situation will be a lot clearer, whether good or bad.

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No, your other left!
Loon Island Outdoors
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The article states, “The territory [NWT] wants to immunize 75 per cent of its eligible population with the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of March — the benchmark for herd immunity.”
That sounds encouraging but as jmc said, this statement isn’t encouraging, “Dr. Kami Kandola, the territory's chief public health officer, was not optimistic travel restrictions would be lifted by the summer.”

Hopefully things will improve in the coming months....

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Brian
http://www.JohnstonPursuits.ca

 

Patience Patience.
I am hopeful that the border will open for us who can get vaccinated in the US. We are moving forward well in Maine and I am scheduled to finish inoculations ( two) by April. Will have a card indicating status. I am in that group of old but not in a home. So I get a bit of an advantage over youngsters.

We just don't know who will be permitted to travel.

Our Feds have made a mess of this but our State has led well with a clear timeline.

Really hoping the restrictions are eased for summer 2021. We cancelled our Nahanni trip last summer (did the Mississagi instead), but would very much like to get up there this summer. I think this years fall-back will be the Bloodvein or Winisk, which would be great, but after lusting at the Nahanni for so many years anything else will feel like a real compromise. Hopefully the government can get it's shit together sooner than later!

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http://www.tohellandback.net

The annual Yukon River Quest canoe race has been closed to all non-Canadian entries. The Yukon 1000 mile race has been cancelled for the second year in a row.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

After speaking with both Black Feather and Canadian River Expeditions we have narrowed our search to either the Snake or Broken Skull Rivers. We feel that both of these options meet our main criteria of intermediate ww, opportunities for hiking, pristine remote wilderness and a true adventure.

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on why one option would be better than the other? I understand its one of those "can't go wrong" situations but seeing as we will be investing a lot of time/money on this once in a lifetime trip, I want to try and ensure we are picking the best river for us.

Thank you,

Jimmy... I have no opinion on these companies.. We have done a trip with Canoe North Expeditions in the past (A++). My suggestion is that no matter which you choose, make sure
(a) you use a travel agent with knowledge of the companies operations
(b) budget for and take CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason Insurance), and
(c) make sure that it meets all the criteria of the company.
We have did (a), but even with a very thorough investigation of the insurance we took (it was $400 less than CFAR), we received zilch after exhausting all of our appeals and had 11 months of frustration etc. etc. I had not even considered it for the expensive none-outfitter trips we have done (we have only done 1 Outiffitter trip), but I certainly will now. Those who had taken CFAR through the Outfitter's recommended travel agent had no difficulties at all and had refunds by the end of June.
BTW, we just sought legal advice, thinking to go to small claims court, and were told that there was no doubt that a judge would rule in our favour, that we were covered under the plan we took. The company was twisting their own words by the time they rejected the final appeal, but that the legal cost (much less the emotional cost and another year of fighting with them) would be more than the price of the entire trip, and the judge may not rule in favour of costs. If only we had spent the extra $400.... lesson learned.
With CFAR, if you cancel for any reason up to 7 days before the trip for one of the 21 listed reasons, OR if the trip provider cancels the trip at any time, you get 100% back. BUT if you cancel for another reason, it is 75% back. Still way better than anything else out there. Make sure you check for communicable disease exclusions.

Of course, we have credits for the Airlines, which it seems will eventually be cancelled with no refund. The CFAR would have covered that as well if you refuse the credit immediately (depending on what your plan says.. ask your travel agent, and he/she will be able to advise you of the best course).

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"I've never met a river I didn't like. The challenges are what we remember, and the experiences will make great memories for when I can pick up my paddle no more". Me