Planning a trip to Fort Chipewyan

Getting There

By Car -- Think again. It's not impossible to drive to Fort Chipewyan -- except in spring, summer, and fall, when the terrain is impassable -- but it's really not easy. The winter road, over frozen wetlands, is 277km (168 miles), but it's slow going -- as long as 10 hours, by most estimates. Factor in that you'll be traveling over completely untracked wilderness -- that means no truck stops, gas stations, or bathrooms, folks -- well, even if a visit to far-north Fort Chip when it's -40°F or worse strikes your fancy you might want to opt for a different mode of transport.

By Air -- This is really the only option that makes sense. Air Mikisew (tel. 800/268-7112; www.airmikisew.com), owned and operated by the local First Nations people, runs regular flights from Fort McMurray to Fort Chipewyan three times daily, except Saturdays, for C$230 each way.