A crowd of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and spectators filled downtown Whitehorse’s Main Street on Saturday for the Arctic Winter Games closing ceremonies. 

As they waited for the show to kick off, they traded jackets, snow pants, buffs, toques, pins, memories, and chatted with friends old and new.

Ulu awards ceremonies had taken place throughout the week during the games. 

Team Alaska won the most medals with 227, followed by Yukon with 174, and in third place Alberta North with 127. 

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, who was in Whitehorse to attend the games, told the CBC the event helps youth create relationships across the country and borders.

“To me, that’s really important as you develop into a young adult,” she said.

The games also support youth in their health journey, she said. 

“They’re learning to take care of themselves, so you can’t forget mental health and your physical health go hand in hand … I think sports teaches you to keep that in mind,” said Simon.  

Tracy Bilsky, president of the 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society, wished athletes well.

“May the light of the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games travel home with each of you,” said Bilsky during her closing speech. 

Then the Arctic Winter Games’ flag was carried through the crowd and up onto the stage where the Host Society handed it back to the International Committee — officially closing the games. 

Arctic Winter Games International Committee president John Rodda also announced the winners of the Hodgson Trophy, which is presented to the team that demonstrates the best understanding of the philosophy of the games. 

For the first time ever, two teams tied for the award — Alberta North and Nunavut.

While the next host city hasn’t been announced, officials did say earlier this year the games will be moving to a three, instead of two year cycle. 

As speeches wrapped up, athletes turned eagerly back to one another, determined to make their final trades. It’s a tradition for many athletes to trade their team gear with one another after the games are over.

“Alaska is the top,” Team Nunavut athlete Caiden Joamie said.

He pointed to his bright yellow and blue jacket, saying he hoped to make his way up North by trading the Yukon one for a Northwest Territories coat, and eventually getting his hands on one from Alaska.

An Arctic Sports athlete from Team Yukon, Brayden Posyluzny, stood watching the crowd, satisfied his efforts had paid off. 

“I wanted something from every nation and the only nation I’m missing is Sápmi, but they’re a little bit younger than me, so it’s hard to get something my size,” said Posyluzny. 

Team Alaska table tennis athlete, Eva Ong pulled out her collection of hundreds of pins from her backpack.

“This is my third Arctic Winter Games,” she said. “The AWG CBC set … that’s one of my favourites.” 

Time and again, athletes said the bonds and friends meant the most to them.

Evia Fly from Greenland said she was grateful for the opportunity to not just play, but also meet “very” interesting people and make new friends.

Trent Wolki, from Northwest Territories, called the event the “best week of my life.” Apart from the joy of making new friends, he said he found a long-lost family member. 

Athletes, coaches recognized for good sportsmanship

Throughout the week, Arctic Winter Games officials kept a careful look-out for athletes and coaches who exemplified the games’ objectives of “fair play and team spirit”.

Team Alaska U15 Hockey coach Ronan Klancher, said watching his team being awarded the Fair Play pin was one of the proudest moments of his coaching career. 

“Our kids, they were awesome the whole week. Super respectful, didn’t cross any lines. They were awesome,” said Klancher.

Team Kalaallit Nunaat’s (Greenland) Inuuteq Josefsen also won a Fair Play pin for encouraging his teammates to push themselves past their mental limits during the many Arctic sports competitions — nine for men, seven for women. 

“I’m surprised, I didn’t know I was going to get that,” said Josefsen. “I’m so, so happy to get that.”