FAQ's for ABOUT NUNAVIK
How far is Kuujjuaq from Montreal?
Can I drive to Nunavik?
What’s the weather like?
Do you have snow year round?
Will I see Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis?
When is the best time to see Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis?
What type of clothing should I bring?
What do you recommend if traveling solo?
Are there bank machines?
Where can I spend the night?
Is there internet access?
Are there restaurants?
Are there grocery stores?
Can I buy alcoholic beverages?
Do people still live in igloos?
Is it light/dark for long hours?
Are there lots of bugs?
Are maps available?
Is there cell phone service in Nunavik?
How far is Kuujjuaq from Montreal?
Approximately 1000 miles, 2 hours on the jet and 5 hours by turbo prop.
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Can I drive to Nunavik?
No.
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What’s the weather like?
Variable, check the Environment Canada Website.
Click here for further information
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Do you have snow year round?
No.
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Will I see Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis?
You can but there is no guarantee.
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When is the best time to see Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis?
The best time is August to May. You never know so just keep checking the sky at night, you may get lucky!
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What type of clothing should I bring?
Be prepared for all weather. It can change drastically within a few hours and every area of Nunavik is different. Rain, snow, sun, sleet, wind, etc…we have it all!
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What do you recommend if traveling solo?
Again, it’s best to be prepared. If you’re planning on doing some over night trips or are traveling alone (which is not recommended), then you should have a GPS unit and a satellite phone. These items could save your life. You should also register with the local police station in each community you will be exploring (it’s not necessary if you are staying in the community but if you are planning on leaving town you should).
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Are there bank machines?
Kuujjuaq has a CIBC bank. Most communities have either a bank machine in the Northern Store or the Co-op Store will allow you to take out small sums of money. Interac is common. Visa and MasterCard are often accepted at the stores as well. It’s still good to have some money on you though-the stores in Nunavik aren’t open 24 hours a day!
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Where can I spend the night?
There are hotels or co-op hotels in every community. It is good to book in advance if you plan on coming. Consult our Services and Outfitters section.
Click here for further information
Back to top
Is there internet access?
There is limited internet access available. Check with your hotel upon arrival, some may have suggestions on local places you can use. You will not be able to use the wireless options on your computer. Consider it a chance to really get away from it all for awhile!
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Are there restaurants?
A few communities have restaurants but most don’t.
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Are there grocery stores?
Each community has a co-op store. Some communities have more than one store. It is recommended to bring some snacks with you if you are arriving early or late. Many stores have limited hours and are at times closed on weekends. You wouldn’t want to go 3 days without food!
Back to top
Can I buy alcoholic beverages?
The only communities that have bars are Kuujjuaq and Kuujjuarapik. Alcohol is not sold in stores, so if you want some for your trip you should bring it with you. Refrain from importing large amounts of alcohol and from giving or selling alcohol. Please respect local laws. Contact the local municipal office for more info.
Back to top
Do people still live in igloos?
Many people can still build igloos, although most people now live in houses. Igloos are still used when camping or for survival and can also be found at winter events such as the Puvirnituq Snow Festival.
Back to top
Is it light/dark for long hours?
Starting from late winter we begin to notice the temperatures warming and longer days. At the end of summer a change is once again noticed, this time being the darkness. The farther north you go, the more drastic the change.
Back to top
Are there lots of bugs?
We do tend to see a lot of bugs throughout the summer months and they can get intense at times. It’s best to be prepared with bug spray and jackets.
Back to top
Are maps available?
We recommend you buy your maps before coming. Local maps are sometimes available, but detailed maps of the land are more readily available down south.
Back to top
Is there cell phone service in Nunavik?
There is cell phone service in Kuujjuaq, but chances are your phone from the South won't work here. You would first have to purchase a phone at Makivik in Kuujjuaq and then load minutes onto it.
Back to top
How far is Kuujjuaq from Montreal?
Can I drive to Nunavik?
What’s the weather like?
Do you have snow year round?
Will I see Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis?
When is the best time to see Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis?
What type of clothing should I bring?
What do you recommend if traveling solo?
Are there bank machines?
Where can I spend the night?
Is there internet access?
Are there restaurants?
Are there grocery stores?
Can I buy alcoholic beverages?
Do people still live in igloos?
Is it light/dark for long hours?
Are there lots of bugs?
Are maps available?
Is there cell phone service in Nunavik?
How far is Kuujjuaq from Montreal?
Approximately 1000 miles, 2 hours on the jet and 5 hours by turbo prop.
Back to top
Can I drive to Nunavik?
No.
Back to top
What’s the weather like?
Variable, check the Environment Canada Website.
Click here for further information
Back to top
Do you have snow year round?
No.
Back to top
Will I see Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis?
You can but there is no guarantee.
Back to top
When is the best time to see Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis?
The best time is August to May. You never know so just keep checking the sky at night, you may get lucky!
Back to top
What type of clothing should I bring?
Be prepared for all weather. It can change drastically within a few hours and every area of Nunavik is different. Rain, snow, sun, sleet, wind, etc…we have it all!
Back to top
What do you recommend if traveling solo?
Again, it’s best to be prepared. If you’re planning on doing some over night trips or are traveling alone (which is not recommended), then you should have a GPS unit and a satellite phone. These items could save your life. You should also register with the local police station in each community you will be exploring (it’s not necessary if you are staying in the community but if you are planning on leaving town you should).
Back to top
Are there bank machines?
Kuujjuaq has a CIBC bank. Most communities have either a bank machine in the Northern Store or the Co-op Store will allow you to take out small sums of money. Interac is common. Visa and MasterCard are often accepted at the stores as well. It’s still good to have some money on you though-the stores in Nunavik aren’t open 24 hours a day!
Back to top
Where can I spend the night?
There are hotels or co-op hotels in every community. It is good to book in advance if you plan on coming. Consult our Services and Outfitters section.
Click here for further information
Back to top
Is there internet access?
There is limited internet access available. Check with your hotel upon arrival, some may have suggestions on local places you can use. You will not be able to use the wireless options on your computer. Consider it a chance to really get away from it all for awhile!
Back to top
Are there restaurants?
A few communities have restaurants but most don’t.
Back to top
Are there grocery stores?
Each community has a co-op store. Some communities have more than one store. It is recommended to bring some snacks with you if you are arriving early or late. Many stores have limited hours and are at times closed on weekends. You wouldn’t want to go 3 days without food!
Back to top
Can I buy alcoholic beverages?
The only communities that have bars are Kuujjuaq and Kuujjuarapik. Alcohol is not sold in stores, so if you want some for your trip you should bring it with you. Refrain from importing large amounts of alcohol and from giving or selling alcohol. Please respect local laws. Contact the local municipal office for more info.
Back to top
Do people still live in igloos?
Many people can still build igloos, although most people now live in houses. Igloos are still used when camping or for survival and can also be found at winter events such as the Puvirnituq Snow Festival.
Back to top
Is it light/dark for long hours?
Starting from late winter we begin to notice the temperatures warming and longer days. At the end of summer a change is once again noticed, this time being the darkness. The farther north you go, the more drastic the change.
Back to top
Are there lots of bugs?
We do tend to see a lot of bugs throughout the summer months and they can get intense at times. It’s best to be prepared with bug spray and jackets.
Back to top
Are maps available?
We recommend you buy your maps before coming. Local maps are sometimes available, but detailed maps of the land are more readily available down south.
Back to top
Is there cell phone service in Nunavik?
There is cell phone service in Kuujjuaq, but chances are your phone from the South won't work here. You would first have to purchase a phone at Makivik in Kuujjuaq and then load minutes onto it.
Back to top
