Behchokǫ̀ to Whatì Winter Road — Pre-All-Season Era Ice Route
The ice road that kept Whatì alive for generations.
Before the Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road was completed in 2022, this winter route across a chain of frozen lakes and boreal muskeg was the only land connection Whatì had to the outside world for months at a time. The route chains together Roundrock Lake, Snare Lake, and several unnamed water bodies over roughly 90 km of ice and packed snow, cutting north from Behchokǫ̀ into classic Canadian Shield country — ancient granite, black spruce, and skies that swallow you whole. Even now that the all-season road exists, some locals still use portions of the winter route when conditions are right, and it remains one of the more approachable traditional ice roads in the Tłı̨chǫ homeland.
The all-season road has taken pressure off this route, but it’s still officially maintained by the GNWT during winter road season and remains passable for prepared rigs mid-January through early March. Two-vehicle travel is strongly advised. Cell service is gone the moment you leave Behchokǫ̀. No permits required. Fuel up before departure — there is nothing between the two communities. The reward is the Shield landscape itself: frozen lake panoramas, wolf tracks crossing the road at dawn, and the deep quiet that you only get this far north in January. This is the NWT doing what it does best.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 56 mi / 90 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 820 ft |
| Best season | January-March |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD with winter tires |
| Nearest town | Behchokǫ̀ (Rae-Edzo), NWT |
| Land manager | Government of Northwest Territories — Department of Infrastructure |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | inf.gov.nt.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD run this ice road, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock 4WD with aggressive winter tires is the minimum — clearance isn't the issue here, traction is. Lockers help if you hit overflow ice or soft sections, but most rigs that make it are factory-spec trucks running proper winter rubber, not all-seasons.
When is this road actually open and safe to drive?
Typically January through mid-March, depending on ice thickness and seasonal conditions — the GNWT requires a minimum ice thickness before opening and will close it without notice if conditions deteriorate. Check the official road conditions line before you leave Behchokǫ̀, because that status can flip overnight.
Do I need a permit to drive the Whatì winter road?
No personal permit is required, but the road is a government-managed winter road and is subject to weight restrictions and posted speed limits — typically 70 km/h max on ice sections. Violating load limits is a fineable offense, and the GNWT monitors compliance.
What's the hardest part of this route and what should I actually expect?
The lake crossings are where it gets real — you're driving on open ice over significant water, and overflow (water sitting on top of the ice sheet) can appear without warning and bog a vehicle fast. Stay in established tracks, keep moving at a steady speed, and don't stop mid-lake unless you have a genuine emergency.
There's zero cell service out there — what's the realistic plan if something goes wrong 40 km in?
Carry a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or SPOT) — this is non-negotiable, not optional gear. The road does see local traffic, but you could wait hours for another vehicle; a spare tire, tow strap, shovel, and enough fuel to backtrack to Behchokǫ̀ should all be in the truck before you leave.
Trail track
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