Cost, lack of hotel space mean N.W.T. isn’t ready to host the Arctic Winter Games yet [Video]

The mayor of Yellowknife says the city wouldn’t be able to host the Arctic Winter Games right now, with its staff still recovering from last year’s wildfire evacuation and a lack of hotel availability in the city in the winter. 

Last month, Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Vince McKay said the N.W.T. will no longer host the games in 2028 because of lack of volunteers, accommodation, services and more. 

McKay said the territory won’t be hosting until after 2030. 

“It is a big ask to host,” Alty said. “And as the minister noted, you know, a lot of us have been facing emergencies.”

Alty said tourists who come to see the northern lights already fill up Yellowknife’s hotels in the winter. 

“The aurora tourists do spend the most,” she said. “And so we would actually see a bit of a decrease …