โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Pickle Lake Airport serves Ontario's 'Last Frontier' at the terminus of Highway 599โthe province's northernmost all-season road completed in 1966โwhere gold discovery in 1928 launched mining operations that produced 2.5 million ounces by 1995, including Jack Hammell's Pickle Crow Gold Mines (1935-1961) yielding 1,446,214 ounces. Located in northwestern Ontario's Kenora District where paved roads end and ice roads begin, this facility operates as the critical supply hub for dozens of remote First Nations communities accessible only by air beyond this northernmost point on the provincial highway system.
The airport features infrastructure supporting Wasaya Airlines' scheduled service from Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout, functioning as the transportation nexus where supplies transfer from road to air for delivery to isolated northern communities. Terminal facilities coordinate operations serving the legacy of Alex and Murdoch Mosher's Central Patricia Mine (1927-1951) that produced 621,806 ounces before the final Pickle Crow mine closed in 1966 after extracting 1.5 million ounces, transforming Pickle Lake from gold rush boomtown to northern logistics center.
Operational characteristics center on year-round operations despite extreme conditions ranging from -40ยฐC winters to brief but intense summers, supporting the 291-kilometer Highway 599 corridorโOntario's longest secondary highway connecting Ignace to this remote outpost. The facility handles essential cargo operations, medical evacuations from northern communities, government services, and supply chain logistics for settlements accessible only via the 250-kilometer gravel North Road extension to Windigo Lake or extensive winter ice road networks operating January through March.
Strategic importance encompasses maintaining the gateway to Ontario's vast boreal wilderness where provincial roads yield to traditional territories, supporting Indigenous communities throughout northwestern Ontario's roadless expanse, preserving connections established during the 1928-1995 gold mining era that defined the region's development, and ensuring aviation access at the literal end of the roadโthe official northernmost community in Ontario with year-round highway access where southern infrastructure meets northern isolation at 51.4ยฐN latitude.
๐ Connection Tips
Pickle Lake Airport serves as the critical gateway to Ontario's Far North, positioned at the northern terminus of Highway 599 and located 0.7 nautical miles southwest of Pickle Lake at 1,268 feet elevation. Industrial aviation activities peak during summer exploration season when mining companies conduct intensive survey and development work. The airport's strategic location enables access to areas with no road or runway infrastructure, making it indispensable for northern development projects. Mining and exploration transport dominates traffic patterns, with charter operators providing specialized services to remote gold, copper, and other mineral exploration sites throughout the region. Pilots should prepare for challenging weather conditions, limited ground support infrastructure, and coordinate fuel requirements in advance.
Forest Helicopters operates a fleet of twelve AS350 B2 and H125 series helicopters from this base, supporting wildfire suppression, mining transport, power line surveys, search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and film logistics. The airport's role as a staging area for helicopter operations requires awareness of heavy rotorcraft traffic during peak operational periods. Ground services are limited but adequate for the airport's operational requirements, with fuel available for most aircraft types. Charter services include jets, turboprops, float planes, and helicopters offering pinpoint access to remote locations.
Weather planning requires careful consideration of northern Ontario's harsh conditions, including severe winter storms, icing conditions, and rapid temperature fluctuations affecting aircraft performance. The single runway 9/27 supports a diverse range of aviation operations essential for northern Ontario's resource extraction and remote community access. The airport also supports First Nations community access, government services, and emergency medical transport for the region's sparse population. The facility coordinates closely with Thunder Bay and Winnipeg flight information regions for traffic management and weather reporting.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Great Bear Lake Airport (DAS), also identified by its ICAO code CFF4, is a specialized private aviation facility located on the remote shores of Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Situated on the Dease Arm of the lake, the airport is primarily owned and operated by Plummer's Great Bear Lake Lodge, one of the world's premier destinations for trophy lake trout fishing. As a private facility, the airport serves as the exclusive entry point for guests arriving on all-inclusive fly-in adventures, bypassing the need for long and difficult overland travel through the Arctic wilderness.
The airport's physical infrastructure is centered around a single well-maintained gravel runway that measures approximately 1,584 meters (5,200 feet) in length. This substantial runway is capable of accommodating large regional turboprops and specialized bush planes, making it one of the most capable private strips in the northern territories. The airfield is also uniquely positioned to support amphibious operations, frequently serving as a base for Turbine Otter float planes that transport guests to even more remote fishing outposts across the vast expanse of the lake.
While the airport does not feature a traditional public passenger terminal, the 'arrival experience' is seamlessly integrated into the operations of Plummer's Lodge. Arriving guests are typically met on the runway by lodge staff and transported a short distance to the main clubhouse, which functions as the central hub for check-in, dining, and guest services. The lodge facilities provide a high level of comfort in a rugged environment, including a gift shop, internet access, and professional lounge areas, offering a stark contrast to the surrounding Arctic tundra.
Strategically, DAS is an essential node for the high-end tourism industry in the Northwest Territories. It facilitates the transport of specialized technical equipment, fresh gourmet supplies, and international travelers from around the globe. The approach to the runway offers spectacular views of the crystal-clear waters of Great Bear Lake and the surrounding pristine wilderness. Due to its private and remote status, all flight operations must be coordinated directly with the lodge management, and there are no public refueling or maintenance services available for transient aircraft.
๐ Connection Tips
Great Bear Lake Airport (DAS) is a private aviation facility on the remote Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake, Canada. It is primarily operated by Plummerโs Great Bear Lake Lodge, and there are no scheduled public commercial services; all arrivals are part of fly-in fishing and wilderness packages. Your primary connection point will almost always be Yellowknife Airport (YZF), from where the lodge coordinates charters using regional turboprops or bush planes like the Turbine Otter. A critical tip: guests are usually required to arrive in Yellowknife at least one day before their flight to the lodge to account for Arctic weather delays.
Upon landing at the 5,200-foot gravel runway at DAS, you will be met by lodge staff and transported by boat or light vehicle to the clubhouse. There is no public terminal, car rentals, or taxis; all transport is provided by the lodge. For more remote outposts, the airport serves as a base for floatplane transfers. Packing is restricted; use soft-sided duffel bags to fit in small aircraft cargo pods.
Weather is the most significant factor; fog, high winds, and early-season ice can lead to multi-day delays, so building a flexible 'buffer' into your return travel from Yellowknife is essential. While the lodge provides satellite internet, mobile coverage is non-existent at the airstrip. Self-sufficiency for personal needs is required once you leave Yellowknife.
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