Embark on an unforgettable Arctic voyage

With such an abundance of fish and marine mammals in Baffin Bay, the Labrador Sea and the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans, it is unsurprising that a large portion of Arctic cuisine features ingredients drawn from these pristine waters. In particular, cod is a plentiful, versatile white fish that serves a vital economic and cultural function in the Canadian High Arctic, Norway and Greenland, where harsh climates limit the opportunities for agricultural production.

While fresh and smoked cod are widely available, dried cod, or saarullik panertoq, is the most common preparation in Greenland. July and August are the best months for cod fishing, but when the fish is salted and dehydrated in the sun, it can be preserved for year-round use. Traditionally, Greenlanders also enjoy boiled cod served with a piquant sauce comprised of mustard, fish stock, milk, butter, chopped hard boiled eggs and horseradish.

Dried and salted cod, known as klippfisk, is also a daily staple in Norway, and it is commonly enjoyed as a snack or prepared in soups and other local dishes. Klippfisk traditionally comes in five different grades, with “superior extra” signifying the best quality fish, cured twice with dry salt. This grade of klippfisk is made only from line-caught cod, and more specifically, from skrei, a cod that is caught once a year during the fish’s spawning season, which gives it a high nutritional value, firm texture and a full, gentle flavor.

The rich Inuit culture of Greenland is defined by a long tradition of ingenuity and resilience, as well as a deep connection to the natural world. The customs of these Indigenous peoples date back some 2,500 years and have been greatly shaped by the Arctic environment they inhabit.

There are three distinct subgroups of Inuits that migrated to Greenland at different times—the Inughuit, Tunumiit and Kalaallit. Each of these groups was descended from the Thule people, and they journeyed hundreds of miles across a sea of ice from what is now the Canadian Arctic in search of new lands. While they share a common language, there are different dialects among the three groups. Today, most Greenlanders are bilingual speakers of Kalaallisut, the national language, and Danish. Inuits make up close to 90 percent of Greenland’s population, and like their ancestors, they reside mostly on the island’s coastal regions, since the island’s interior is covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet.

The Inuits traditionally relied on the sea for sustenance, hunting marine mammals like seals, walruses and whales, as well as cod and halibut. In the summer, they would often set up camps along lakes and streams to fish for Arctic char and trout. These animals were not only a source of food, but also clothing, shelter and tools.

Innovation has been vital to the survival of the Inuits. They constructed igloos and sod houses to protect themselves from fierce Artic winds and storms. They were also the first civilization to build kayaks for hunting and fishing. Even their earliest kayaks were durable, built to move swiftly and smoothly, and could navigate narrow rivers and fjords. In addition, they expertly designed their clothes for the elements, using animal skins to provide maximum insulation from the cold.

Though modern technology and infrastructure have brought great changes to the Inuits, a strong link to their heritage remains. This connection is evident through their art, folktales, annual festivals, traditional clothing and fishing practices.

Roaming the vast terrains of northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Norway, the Arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos) is one of the world’s most impressive apex predators. Known for their steely glare and striking white fur, Arctic wolves measure 3 to 6 ft. (0.9 to 1.8 m) in length, though Alpha males can grow larger. Their bodies have adapted over time to withstand their extreme environment. For example, their thick fur, used as camouflage in snowy conditions, also helps them withstand temperatures as low as -22°F (-30°C). Additionally, their small ears and nose help them maintain body heat.

Arctic wolves are known as a “keystone species.” Residing at the top of the food chain, their existence is vital to maintaining the balance of the Arctic’s ecosystem. They primarily hunt in packs of four to seven, preying on caribou, musk oxen, hares, seals and lemmings. Permafrost makes digging in soil difficult, so these wolves make their dens in rocky outcroppings and caves instead. Today, Arctic wolves are protected and classified as a species of “Least Concern,” meaning they are not at risk of extinction and will continue to roam the frozen wilderness for years to come.