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Virginia Is For (Waterfall) Lovers

April 2016

How the NWT's biggest waterfall compares to Niagara

By Herb Mathisen

Virginia Falls, in Nahanni National Park. Photo courtesy George Fischer/NWTT

Virginia Falls, in Nahanni National Park. Photo courtesy George Fischer/NWTT

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Niagara Falls has it all: the prestige, the Maid of the Mist, the tens of millions of tourists that come to behold it each year. It even has a rich and wild history of daredevilry, from tightrope walks to barrel-wearing plummets, which keeps it at the front of our brains when we think ‘waterfall.’

But in a remote corner of the NWT, there exists a waterfall every bit as impressive as—and dare I say, even better than—Niagara. Don’t take my word for it. Jim Diodati, the mayor of Niagara Falls, flew into Nahanni National Park last summer to see Virginia Falls, or Nailicho, for himself. The secluded, pristine surroundings paired with the growing roar of cascading water—which falls from nearly double the height of Niagara—certainly left an impression. “I’ve been to many places in the world and no place is nicer than this,” Diodati told a News/North reporter afterwards.

Though we’re by no means inviting you to walk across Nailicho, we bet you’re more than curious to see what had the Niagara Falls mayor gushing with praise.

The main event:

Niagara Falls vs. Virginia Falls

Top contenders:

Credits - (L) Roy Tanami, (R) courtesy Facing Waves

 

April 2016

Photo illustration by Beth Covvey

We've Got What They Want

As the disparity in access to fresh water grows across the globe, it won’t be long before the Canadian North is confronted with an awkward proposition.

By Tim Edwards

Photo illustration by Beth Covvey

February 17th, 2026 February 17th, 2026

April 2016

Photo by Hannah Eden/Up Here

Happiness Is A Cold Day

The cool comforts of ice fishing in Chesterfield Inlet

By Peter Autut

Photo by Hannah Eden/Up Here

February 17th, 2026 February 17th, 2026

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