The Games > Years Gone By
1970
- Yellowknife, NWT: The first Arctic Winter Games were opened
by then Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau of Canada. Alaska, Yukon
and Northwest Territories had a budget of some $400,000 to stage the
Games.
1972 - Whitehorse, Yukon: Starting a trend of rotating the Games between the International Committee partners, the Games moved to the Yukon. Northern Quebec and Greenland sent contingents of athletes while the Soviet Union and Labrador sent observers.
1974 - Anchorage, Alaska: The Games were held in the largest city north of 60 on the North American continent. A small contingent from Northern Quebec made the long trip west. Greenland did not attend these Games.
1976 - Shefferville, Quebec: The host was tiny Shefferville, a French-speaking mining community. The size of all contingents was reduced to suit the facilities available.
1978 - Hay River/Pine Point NWT: The only Games to be held in two locations, this was also the occasion of the first and only rail passenger service in the NWT, used to enable competitors to travel between the two communities.
1980 - Whitehorse, Yukon: The Games have matured. Organization for these Games set the standard for future events and the cultural activities reached a new high, featuring representatives of all International Committee partners.
1982 - Fairbanks, Alaska: Participants in these Games had a taste of army life, when they were accommodated at the military base. Again the Games were extremely well organized, and local enthusiasm and support was high.
1984 - Yellowknife, NWT: Opening and closing ceremonies were held indoors for the first time in a new arena. The Alaskan contingent arrived by 747 aircraft, the first ever to land at Yellowknife.
1986 - Whitehorse, Yukon: A small contingent from Northern Alberta made an appearance, together with a contingent from Northern Quebec. Silhouette shooting and the Triathlon were added to the Games roster.
1988 - Fairbanks, Alaska: Northern Alberta joined the Arctic Winter Games International Committee and increased its team size. A laser show and a display of Chinese ice sculpting were highlights.
1990 - Yellowknife, NWT: Greenland sent a contingent of 50, and Russia sent a cultural delegation from Magadan Province in northeastern Siberia. Northern Alberta increased its team size, and the Games budget grew to some $1.2 million. Following the lead of Calgary in the 1988 Olympics, medals were presented to athletes at "Knifey" Square.
1992 - Whitehorse, Yukon: Greenland sent a contingent of 50 athletes, coaches and mission staff and 10 cultural performers, and Russia sent a small group of athletes and cultural performers, marking the first ever athletic participation from this country. Northern Alberta increased its team size to 200. For the second time the Games enjoyed national television coverage in Canada.
1994 - Slave Lake, Alberta: With the addition of alpine skiing, short track speed skating and table tennis, there were more sports than ever in the Games. Greenland, as a permanent member of the International Committee, sent its largest contingent of 70 participants. Two Russian Provinces attended with delegations of 35 each.
1996 - Chugiak/Eagle River, Alaska: The first Games at the scenic base of the Chugach mountains in south-central Alaska. A total of 19 sports and 1600 participants took part in these memorable Games.
1998
- Yellowknife, NWT: The last Games in the NWT before division
creates two new territories.
2000 - Whitehorse, Yukon: The XVI Arctic Winter Games begins the new millennium in Whitehorse, Yukon.
2002 - The first games held outside North America. The XVIIth Games was jointly hosted in Nuuk, Greenland and Iqaluit, Nunavut Canada
2004 - The games move to Northern Alberta - to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo which includes Fort McMurray and region.
2006 - The 19th Arctic Winter Games were held at the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska which takes in Kenai/Soldatna/Homer Alaska
2008 - Yellownife, Northwest Territories Canada will host the 20th Arctic Winter Games from March 9 -15th
