Trials for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games are under way, with 648 athletes representing 20 communities competing in Yellowknife and Dettah for a chance to make Team NT.
Trials started on Thursday and run until Saturday, while the Games themselves take place over March 8-15 in Whitehorse.
Of the 20 sports at the Arctic Winter Games, 15 are holding tryouts this week while others have already selected their athletes.
The City of Yellowknife, which is the main host for the trials, opened up its venues and offered out-of-town athletes free bus transportation and aquatic centre passes.
“We want to remove distractions so athletes can focus on learning, competing and connecting with their peers. Even small things, like a bus or a pool, can make a big difference when you’re young and away from home,” Yellowknife Mayor Ben Hendrickson was quoted as saying.
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“By providing these supports, we help create moments that build confidence, pride and a sense of belonging – values that matter to us as a city.”
While Yellowknife often hosted many sports’ Arctic Winter Games trials in the past, territorial government cuts this year mean the city is even more central to the process than would normally be the case.
Reanna Brownlee, Cassandra Collison and Dayle Cole are three friends trying out for Arctic sports.
Arctic sports encompass one-foot high kick, two-foot high kick, Alaskan high kick, kneel jump, sledge jump, triple jump, arm pull, airplane, one-hand reach, head pull and knuckle hop.
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Cole, from Tsiigehtchic, explained that at trials, athletes acquire points for how they place in the different Arctic sports disciplines. She and her friends decided to try out for all of the disciplines because the more points you get, the better your chance of making the team.
“It’s what Arctic and Inuit people would do,” she said of the disciplines. “They would compete and it was also a life skill back in the day … and it’s just kind-of like supporting each other and supporting your community members.”
As the Alaskan high kick try-out took place, participants encouraged each other by clapping before tough attempts.
All three women said they had prepared for trials by hitting up the gym and doing lots of stretches and yoga. Collison, from Inuvik, had even set up a kickstand in her room to practise the various kicking games.
“It’s a lot of mental work as well. You need to be positive,” added Brown, who is from Yellowknife and became friends with the other girls as they grew up competing and practising Arctic sports together.
Here are some of our favourite photos from the trials.
