Thule Travel Guide

 
by balfor
 
  •   Thule
    by balfor
  •   Thule
    by markbyrn
  • Top of the world
      Top of the world
    by balfor
  •   Thule
    by balfor
  • Spring Time at Thule
      Spring Time at Thule
    by markbyrn
 

Pro

balfor profile photo

 The malls aren't crowded at Christmas! 


Con

JAYmoore profile photo

 not much activity with built-in pools 


In a nutshell

Mather12 profile photo

 I'd never go back!!! 

 

Explore Thule

Things to Do  

Visit some of the outlying...
balfor profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

balfor 257 reviews

Visit some of the outlying areas off of the base. The Fjords are absolutely stunning. To see 3 glaciers flowing into the same bay is impressive to say the least!
To my understanding, there is nowhere else in the world that has 3 glaciers flowing into a single bay. In any case, seeing a flat topped iceberg larger than t football fields floating in the water is IMPRESSIVE!

Written Feb 25, 2003

Related to:
 Hiking and Walking

Was this review helpful?

Hotels  

Since a visitor has the choice...

Since a visitor has the choice..., Thule

 balfor Says:  Since a visitor has the choice of staying with someone living up there or staying in a room at the North Star Hotel, they will probably be staying at the hotel! (I BELIEVE that was the name of the hotel, but since there is only one, it will be difficult to miss!) Like the... 

Restaurants  

Top of the World Club: Wine anyone?

Top of the World Club: Wine anyone?, Thule

 balfor Says:  As you can see from the picture, we had quite a few wines already chilled and waiting on our customers. Of course anything that a customer didn't like got sent back for us Chef's to take care. (Sadly, it was almost invariably used for cooking) 

Top of the World Club: A plethora of establishments to choose from!

Top of the World Club: A plethora of establishments to choose from!, Thule

 balfor Says:  There were actually three places to get food (other than cooking it yourself) in Thule. You could eat at the Dundas Dining Hall, the Danish Club and the Top of the World Club. Since I didn't like the cafeteria (which REALLY wasn't that bad) and don't speak Danish, I was... 

Nightlife  

There are only 2 clubs in...
balfor profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

balfor 257 reviews

There are only 2 clubs in Thule. One is the TOW Club and the other is the Danish Club. Unless you speak Danish or are invited by a Dane to that club, you will have a tough time of it as it is a fairly small facility and most of the people there are Danes, so only speak Danish. The TOW club on the other hand is large enough that 200 or so people can be there at the same time. It also has a fine dining restaurant, a casual bar with typical bar food and a discoteque/club area. The slot machines are always a favorite activity as is the weekely bingo games!
There is a bell in the casual portion of the club. Unless you have a lot of cash in your pocket or have your Thule Air Base coin with you, don't ring it because the tradition there is that you are buying the bar a round if everyone has their coin with them. And as a patron who DOESN'T ring the bell, be aware that if the bell is rung and you don't have your coin, YOU are the one buying the bar a round!

Dress Code: Dress is from casual to formal to club attire. Since Thule is a very small community, everyone knows everyone else on the base.

Updated Aug 26, 2002

Was this review helpful?

Transportation  

Around the base

Around the base, Thule

 balfor Says:  There is no public transportation other than official vehicles on base. It is not uncommon for certain vehicles to be assigned to higher ranking individuals and also vehicles for groups of people. Access to a vehicle is not a problem. However, as there is only 1 road once... 

Getting there

Getting there, Thule

 balfor Says:  Getting to Thule is not an easy feat. Thule airbase is, of course, an Airforce base. I am not sure about the Canadian service there, but I would guess that you cannot get to Thule from Canada unless you have orders to it. (or you want to cross the icepack in the winter )... 

Warnings and Dangers  

600 miles north of the Arctic...
balfor profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

balfor 257 reviews

600 miles north of the Arctic Circle is COLD! When it warms to 32F/0C, people will start walking around in shorts and leaving their coats in the building because it is almost hot! Even in August, there is the possibility of extreme winter weather. Always be aware of where you are and if you are away from the base, know where the nearest shelters are. Along the road to BMEWS there are shelters every 500 yards or so in the event a blizzard happens and you are incabable of driving further, you have a shelter with phone, power and food.

Polar bears are also free roaming there. While none came on base the year I was there, they do travel through the Thule region.

And remember to always travel with a companion. This is for a couple of reasons. Should something happen to you, you've someone who can either rescue/help you, or go back for help. It gives your company in the wilderness. And remember to pick your adventuring mates wisely. You don't need to outrun the polar bear, just your companion!

Updated Dec 12, 2002

Related to:
 Business Travel
 Adventure Travel
 Eco-Tourism

Was this review helpful?

Tourist Traps  

'D' Launch would be if there were tourists!
balfor profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

balfor 257 reviews
Seasonal Lake

'D' Launch is one of the things, if anything there can, that qualifies as a tourist trap. D Launch is one of the Nike Missile silo's that used to house ballistic nuclear missiles until the treaties of the 80's removed them. Now it is just an empty bunker with a few domed buildings and some barbed wire around it.

Unique Suggestions: Take your camera and capture some of the great views from up on South Mountain.

Check out my travelogues for more pictures from "D" Launch.

Fun Alternatives: Hmmm.... if D Launch isn't any fun, you can always go back to base and hit the club.

Updated Feb 24, 2003

Was this review helpful?

Off The Beaten Path  

EVERYTHING in this part of...

EVERYTHING in this part of..., Thule

 balfor Says:  EVERYTHING in this part of Greenland is off the beaten path, but someplace that is definately to be visited if you can get out there are just some of the hills beyond D Launch. There is a beautiful little stream when the weather is warm enough for the snow to melt!There are... 

Tough Tourist Ticket

Tough Tourist Ticket, Thule

 markbyrn Says:  Unless you're coming on business, getting to Thule is a real chore. A military flight of the USA or an SAS contract flight out of Denmark are the flying options. You might also find passage on an icebreaker through the Arctic Sea or you could find your way from Southern... 

Favorites  

Way up north
balfor profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

balfor 257 reviews
Top of the world

Favorite thing: Most people don't have a clue where Thule is, so I thought I'd put up a map, courtesy of Encarta.

As you can see, there is not a whole lot of the world further north than Thule, which is located on the north west side of Greenland. While it is in the extreme north, it DOES get above freezing there. You have to go a bit further north to reach the permanent ice pack and the ocean is not frozen for about 4 months or so every summer.

Written Oct 25, 2004

Related to:
 Adventure Travel
 Business Travel

Was this review helpful?

Comments

Map of Thule