Overview
Snap Lake Mine is a former underground diamond mine located approximately 220 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It was developed by De Beers Canada and operated from 2008 until it was placed on care-and-maintenance status in 2015, with reclamation work ongoing thereafter. The site sits within the traditional territory of the Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib) people, and its development was subject to environmental review and impact-benefit agreements with Indigenous communities.
Important note for travelers: Snap Lake Mine is not a city, town, or public destination. It is an industrial mining site on federal Crown land in a remote subarctic environment with no public infrastructure, visitor facilities, accommodation, or services. It does not appear as a municipality in any Northwest Territories government registry. If you have arrived at this guide looking for a travel destination in the NWT, the relevant hub city is Yellowknife, and the surrounding Tłı̨chǫ region offers genuine wilderness and cultural travel experiences.
Before You Go
Access and permissions
The Snap Lake Mine site is privately controlled and is not open to independent visitors. Access has historically been granted only to mine employees, contractors, regulatory inspectors, and Indigenous community representatives with formal agreements. Any visit would require explicit authorization from the site operator — verify current status and ownership directly, as reclamation activities have progressed since the mine entered care-and-maintenance mode.
Visas
Snap Lake Mine falls under Canadian federal jurisdiction. For entry into Canada, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for current requirements applicable to your nationality.
Environment and safety
The surrounding terrain is subarctic boreal and tundra landscape, subject to extreme cold (temperatures can fall below −40 °C in winter), spring thaw instability, and unpredictable weather year-round. Visitors to any part of this region — even for legitimate research or journalism purposes — should be prepared for extended self-sufficiency and have emergency communication equipment.
Getting There
Yellowknife as the gateway
Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, is the practical base for any travel into the region surrounding Snap Lake. Yellowknife Airport (YZF) has scheduled flights connecting to Edmonton, Calgary, and other Canadian cities. Verify current carriers and schedules directly with the airport or booking platforms, as service routes change.
Ice road and air access to the mine site
Historically, the Snap Lake Mine was reached in winter via the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road — a seasonal ice road that runs across frozen lakes northeast of Yellowknife and is one of the longest ice roads in the world. During the operating years, supplies were trucked in during the January–March window when the ice road was passable. Outside that window, access was by charter aircraft only. Neither of these routes is available to independent travelers without authorization from the site operator.
Things to See & Do
There are no visitor attractions at Snap Lake Mine itself. However, the broader region northeast of Yellowknife offers significant interest for travelers who obtain appropriate permissions and plan carefully.
- Tłı̨chǫ territory and communities: The communities of Whatì, Gamètì, Wekweètì, and Behchokǫ̀ are the four Tłı̨chǫ communities. Cultural visits should be arranged respectfully and through community channels.
- Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road: During its operational season, portions of this ice road near Yellowknife attract curiosity travelers and photographers. Check current access rules before attempting to drive it independently.
- Wilderness and aurora viewing: The region northeast of Yellowknife lies well within the auroral oval, making winter nights productive for northern lights viewing — away from light pollution, displays can be vivid.
- Research and journalism: Those with a professional or academic interest in northern mining, land reclamation, or Indigenous land rights may find the regulatory record of the Snap Lake Mine — publicly available through the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board — a useful starting point.
Practical Information
Emergency contacts
For emergencies anywhere in the Northwest Territories, dial 911. For non-emergency RCMP contact in the NWT, verify the local detachment number through the RCMP NWT Division website before travel. Satellite phones or personal locator beacons (PLBs) are strongly advisable in any remote travel in this region; verify PLB registration requirements with the National Search and Rescue Secretariat of Canada.
Communications
Cellular coverage is essentially nonexistent beyond the immediate Yellowknife area in this part of the NWT. Satellite communication is the only reliable option at remote sites.
Health
The nearest hospital with significant capacity is Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife. There are nursing stations in some Tłı̨chǫ communities, but capacity is limited. Travelers into remote areas should carry comprehensive first-aid supplies and consider wilderness first-aid training.
Currency and services
All transactions in Canada use the Canadian Dollar (CAD). There are no commercial services at or near the mine site; stock all supplies in Yellowknife before departing.
Safety
Travel in the subarctic backcountry of the NWT carries serious risks that should not be underestimated. Cold-weather injuries including frostbite and hypothermia can develop rapidly, particularly when wind chill is factored in. Wildlife in the region includes black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, and wolverines; familiarize yourself with wildlife safety protocols before travel.
Spring and autumn travel across frozen or partially frozen lakes is particularly hazardous. Ice conditions can change rapidly, and ice-road safety rules enforced by the NWT government exist for good reason — verify current conditions and closures before any ice travel.
Travelers venturing beyond Yellowknife into remote NWT terrain should file a detailed trip plan with a responsible contact, carry a PLB registered in Canada, and have a clear emergency extraction plan. Do not rely on cellular communication for emergencies in this region.