Car crashes into Yellowknife hotel on Christmas Eve

detsember 25, 2025

The hotel reception area was strewn with broken glass and scattered remnants of Christmas decorations. The incident happened in temperatures of about -25C.
Whether anyone had been hurt was not clear. In a statement at 5:30pm, the hotel said emergency crews remained at the scene managing the situation.

Firefighters survey the scene after a car crashed into the Explorer Hotel on December 24, 2025. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio

An alternative view of the scene. Photo: Submitted

Photos and video from earlier in the afternoon showed a car resting against the hotel elevators.
A tow truck removed the vehicle just before 5pm, at which point firefighters were attempting to help people trapped in an elevator.

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The reception area was cordoned off and hotel staff had begun clearing the debris with the assistance of emergency responders.

Staff and emergency personnel clear wreckage from the scene, including one of the hotel's doors. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio — Staff and emergency personnel clear wreckage from the scene, including one of the hotel’s doors. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio

A damaged car is transported from the Explorer Hotel after crashing into its foyer. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio — The car is transported from the hotel after being remoyed from the foyer. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio

How the crash came to happen was not confirmed.
The Explorer’s main entrance is perpendicular to a fairly narrow access road that climbs a hill up to a parking lot overlooking the scene.
The logistics are such that wedging a car against the foyer elevators would not seem straightforward.

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Authorities have yet to comment on whether the incident was intentional or accidental.

Yellowknife's Explorer Hotel. Sarah Pruys/Cabin Radio — A file image of the Explorer Hotel shows the main entrance, centre left, with its two pillars jutting out into the access road. Sarah Pruys/Cabin Radio

The same pillars with the scene of the incident behind them on Wednesday. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio

“We can confirm that earlier today there was an incident involving a vehicle at the entrance of the hotel,” Nunastar, owner of the Explorer, said in a statement.
“Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of our guests, team members, and all individuals involved. Local authorities responded promptly and are currently on site managing the situation. At this time, we are unable to provide further details.
“We appreciate the swift response of emergency personnel and thank our guests and the community for their understanding.”
RCMP and the city’s fire division have been approached for more information.

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