Young athletes from northern Alberta are preparing to represent their communities on an international stage as Team Alberta North heads to the 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon.

The Games will take place from March 8 to 15, bringing together more than 2,000 athletes, coaches and cultural participants from across the circumpolar North. Teams will compete in a week-long celebration of northern sport, culture and tradition.

Competitors representing Team Alberta North will face teams from Alaska, Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat), Sápmi in northern Scandinavia, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik in northern Quebec, Nunavut and the Yukon.

The Government of Alberta has invested more than $980,000 to support the province’s delegation of 282 athletes, cultural performers, coaches and mission staff. Funding helps cover athlete training and selection, travel to and from the Games, as well as team operations.

“Congratulations and good luck to all the athletes competing at the Arctic Winter Games,” said Andrew Boitchenko, Alberta’s Minister of Tourism and Sport. “When you wear that Alberta blue, you carry with you the spirit of the North. I encourage all Albertans to cheer on Team Alberta North as they compete and celebrate northern sport and culture.”

Athletes will compete in 20 sports, ranging from badminton, curling and hockey to unique northern competitions such as Arctic Sports and Dene Games. These traditional events include the Alaskan high kick, knuckle hop, one-hand reach, pole push and snow snake, reflecting the region’s heritage and athletic traditions.

Participants on Team Alberta North earned their place through competitive selection camps held across northern communities above the 55th parallel, representing 29 communities throughout the region.

Michelle Deering, chef de mission for Team Alberta North, said the event provides young athletes with a valuable opportunity to compete internationally while celebrating northern culture.

“The Arctic Winter Games are a unique opportunity for our northern athletes and cultural participants to compete on an international stage while celebrating shared culture and values,” Deering said. “It is a proud moment for the participants and their communities and an important step in their athletic development.”

Biathlon skier Tula Sundholm will serve as Team Alberta North’s flag bearer during the opening ceremonies.

“I feel very honoured to have been chosen to carry the flag for Team Alberta North,” Sundholm said. “This is my third Games and after changing sports from Alpine to Biathlon, I’m very excited to compete against people I would normally not and to ski somewhere new. Hopefully I can ski fast, shoot clean and do some pin trading in Whitehorse.”

Athletes at the Games will compete for gold, silver and bronze Ulu medals, inspired by the traditional all-purpose knife historically used by Inuit women and symbolizing the cultural roots of the Arctic Winter Games.

Team Alberta North enters the competition with strong momentum. At the 2024 Arctic Winter Games in Mat-Su, Alaska, the team finished third overall, earning 122 podium finishes.

The Arctic Winter Games are held every two years and have included Alberta athletes since 1986. The province has hosted the event four times, including in Slave Lake (1994), Grande Prairie (2010), and Wood Buffalo (2004 and 2023).

Livestream coverage of the 2026 Arctic Winter Games will be available online through Hometeam Live.

For more information or to find out where to stream visit www.awg2026.org/.