Thompson
Around Thompson
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Town and around · Manitoba · 13k people
Thompson
“Hub of the North”, “Nickel City”
Where the northern lights meet the heart of the North
Aurora TealNorthern Night PurpleBoreal Forest Green
Welcome to Thompson, the hub of northern Manitoba! Whether you're here for the mining, the fishing, or the northern lights, you'll find a friendly community that knows how to embrace the seasons. Get ready for some of the best outdoor adventures in the province.
Clubs for Thompson
No clubs for Thompson yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Thompson. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Thompson. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Pisew Falls Provincial Park Spectacular waterfall on the Grass River, about 30 km south.
- Paint Lake Provincial Park Popular for camping, fishing, and boating, just west of town.
- Thompson Zoo Small zoo featuring native Canadian wildlife.
- Heritage North Museum Displays the history of Thompson and northern Manitoba.
- Thompson Regional Community Centre Arena and event space for hockey and community gatherings.
- Mystery Lake The lake around which the city is built.
- Outdoors Ice fishing on Mystery Lake
- Outdoors Hiking to Pisew Falls
- With kids Visit the Thompson Zoo
- With kids Swim at the Thompson Regional Community Centre pool
- Evenings Catch live music at a local pub
- Evenings Join a bonfire at a lakeside camp
- Locals love wilderness lodges
- Locals love ice fishing huts
Through the year
- Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival February Winter carnival with dogsled races, snowshoeing, and traditional skills.
- Thompson's Annual Ice Fishing Derby March Fishing contest on Mystery Lake with prizes for the biggest catch.
- Northern Manitoba Mining Expo May Industry showcase and networking event for the mining sector.
Subarctic climate with long, harsh winters and short, mild summers. Best time to be out is June to August; winter offers aurora and snow sports but temperatures can drop below -40°C. Best: June to August for warm weather and long days.
Talk like a local
- “the lake”
- Mystery Lake, the lake around town.
- “the mine”
- The Vale nickel mine, a major employer.
- “the bush”
- The wilderness or backcountry.
Getaways
- Prince Albert Gateway to Prince Albert National Park.
- Yorkton Agricultural city with cultural attractions.
- Portage la Prairie Historic city with parks and museums.
Local flavour
Rooting for Winnipeg Jets (NHL), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)
Eat and drink
- Bannock A staple bread, often served with wild berries or fish.
- Pickerel (walleye) Freshwater fish from local lakes, often fried or baked.
- Wild berry desserts Blueberries, raspberries, and Saskatoon berries in pies and jams.
Where people go
- Remote wilderness lodges Access to untouched lakes and forests for fishing and hunting.
- Aurora viewing spots Clear, dark skies perfect for watching the northern lights.
- Ice fishing huts Winter tradition on frozen lakes.
Heritage and traditions
Thompson is proud of its northern wilderness, Indigenous heritage, and the hard-working mining community that built the city around the nickel industry.
This time of year in Thompson
- Fall Fall Moose hunting and fall fishing.
Say it like a local: “Wah” — expression of surprise
Festivals
- Norway House Treaty Days August Celebrates the signing of Treaty 5 with dancing, feasting, and ceremonies.
- Cross Lake Pow Wow Summer A gathering with drumming, dancing, and traditional crafts.
Landmarks with a story
- Norway House National Historic Site A major Hudson's Bay Company post and gateway to the north, with a rich Indigenous and fur trade history.
- St. Peter's Anglican Church One of the oldest churches in the north, reflecting the missionary history.
Food traditions
- Sukem (smoked fish) A Cree tradition of smoking pickerel or whitefish over a fire.
- Bannock and jam Bannock cooked over a campfire, served with local berry jam.
- Moose stew A hearty stew made with moose meat, potatoes, and root vegetables.
- Wild berry pie Using blueberries, raspberries, and saskatoons picked in the area.
- Fish and bannock A classic meal of fried pickerel with bannock.
Music and arts
- Cree drumming and singing Traditional songs and drums are central to ceremonies and gatherings.
- Métis fiddle music A lively fiddle tradition with roots in the fur trade era.
- Traditional beadwork and quillwork Intricate crafts passed down through generations.
A little history
- Nickel discovered, leading to the founding of Thompson as a mining town. 1956
- Norway House established as a Hudson's Bay Company post, becoming a key fur trade hub. 1820s
- The area's Indigenous communities maintained traditional lifestyles while engaging in the fur trade. 1900s
- Thompson grew into a regional service centre for northern Manitoba. 1970s
- Game day Hockey
- Game day Ice fishing derby
- Outdoors Berry picking in the summer
- Outdoors Hunting for moose in the fall
- With kids Making bannock over a campfire
- With kids Snowshoeing in the winter
English is the main language, but many locals use Cree phrases in everyday speech. The accent is a mix of Canadian prairie and northern influences, with a relaxed pace.
Only here
- The 'Nickel Capital of the World' – Thompson is known for its nickel mining.
- The 'Mystery Lake' – a local landmark with a name that sparks curiosity.
- The 'Trappers' Festival' – a unique celebration of northern trapping culture.
- The aurora borealis – visible many nights in winter.
New here? A few tips
- Dress warmly in layers; winters are long and cold.
- Learn to drive on ice and snow; take it slow.
- Try bannock and pickerel.
- Respect Indigenous culture and traditions.
- Be prepared for remote living; plan trips and supplies.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaThompson. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.