Over the last few weeks, news outlets have done one to three wrap up stories a day, furiously recounting all the big stories of the year. You know, just in case you forgot. Lest I be left out, I thought to do my own northern wrap-up. Here are some of the most unique experiences I’ve had in Yellowknife and Iqaluit over the past year.

Hung out in a castle made of ice:

Here’s something that happens in Yellowknife: A man called the Snow King builds AN ENTIRE CASTLE out of snow and ice. There are windows made from ice, packed snow for the floor, and intricate carvings in all the snow walls. If that wasn’t enough, it’s on a lake. The ice castle has a functional stage with sound and lighting for musicians. No big deal.

Mushed a dog-sled team:

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, it was a team trained for inexperienced fools like me. I really didn’t have to do much except hold on and enjoy the wind on my face. I also took my turn riding in the sled. That was fun, but smelly. Dog farts detract from the wind-in-your-face feeling.

Camped on the tundra:

The site was a 45 minute hike from Sylvia Grinnell Park in Iqaluit. I stayed in a friend’s huge canvas tent, complete with a delightful wooden porch. The mosquitoes were so thick you could see them in our pictures, but we kept them at bay by burning a plant from the tundra. I learned how to throat sing and ate Yucca root all in the same night.

Drove an ATV around for 3 weeks:

He was bright yellow and I called him Bumblebee Junior. He was my first true love in the north. In Iqaluit you can just hop on your ATV and take it to work (sometimes in a dress). You can take it across certain areas of the tundra, or down to the old Hudson’s Bay buildings on the beach. On an ATV the world is limitless, and it is yours.

~ Meghan Roberts