The one-foot high kick is a popular event at the Arctic Winter Games, and world records are routinely broken.
The one-foot high kick is a popular event at the Arctic Winter Games, and world records are routinely broken.
Bo O Kristensen/AWG2016
The snow snake involves hurling a sharpened wooden pole along a snowy track as far as possible.
The snow snake involves hurling a sharpened wooden pole along a snowy track as far as possible.
Julius Filemonsen/AWG2016
Chris Stipdonk won gold in the knuckle hop at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games, pushing himself nearly 55 meters using just the tips of his toes and knuckles.
Chris Stipdonk won gold in the knuckle hop at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games, pushing himself nearly 55 meters using just the tips of his toes and knuckles.
Hadler/AWG2016
The pole push -- in which two teams try their hardest to push the same wooden pole in opposing directions -- is one of the best-attended events of the Games.
The pole push -- in which two teams try their hardest to push the same wooden pole in opposing directions -- is one of the best-attended events of the Games.
Mathieu Couture/Kativik Regional Government
Dene Games are another sport rarely seen by mainstream audiences, but which feature prominently at the two-yearly competition.
Dene Games are another sport rarely seen by mainstream audiences, but which feature prominently at the two-yearly competition.
Mathieu Couture/Kativik Regional Government
Futsal, a modified indoor version of football, was arguably the biggest draw at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games, packing out the 1,000-capacity arena.
Futsal, a modified indoor version of football, was arguably the biggest draw at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games, packing out the 1,000-capacity arena.
Greenland's futsal players enjoyed boisterous home support -- the 12-year-olds were roared onto the pitch by hundreds of friends, family members and neighbors.
Greenland's futsal players enjoyed boisterous home support -- the 12-year-olds were roared onto the pitch by hundreds of friends, family members and neighbors.
Andre Guttensen/AWG2016
Athletes from Canada's Yukon territory get off the plane in Greenland -- for most of them, it was their first trip to this part of the world.
Athletes from Canada's Yukon territory get off the plane in Greenland -- for most of them, it was their first trip to this part of the world.
AWG2016
Nuuk is Greenland's biggest town, with a population of 17,000. The community nestles into the rockface of Greenland's southwest coast.
Nuuk is Greenland's biggest town, with a population of 17,000. The community nestles into the rockface of Greenland's southwest coast.
Mads Phil/Visit Greenland
The northern lights flicker above the burning flame of the Arctic Winter Games in the center of Nuuk.
The northern lights flicker above the burning flame of the Arctic Winter Games in the center of Nuuk.
: Vagn Hansen/AWG2016
Deseray Cumberbatch represented Nunavik Quebec at her sixth Arctic Winter Games, but this was the first time her father -- born in the Caribbean but married to an Inuk woman -- was able to attend.
Deseray Cumberbatch represented Nunavik Quebec at her sixth Arctic Winter Games, but this was the first time her father -- born in the Caribbean but married to an Inuk woman -- was able to attend.
Mathieu Couture/Kativik Regional Government
Not all athletes plan to set records at the Arctic Winter Games, which also features more conventional sports such as table tennis, volleyball and ice hockey. It's a first taste of a mini-Olympics for young teenagers -- such as these skiers -- who harbor sporting ambitions.
Not all athletes plan to set records at the Arctic Winter Games, which also features more conventional sports such as table tennis, volleyball and ice hockey. It's a first taste of a mini-Olympics for young teenagers -- such as these skiers -- who harbor sporting ambitions.
Ollie Williams
It is a chance for young athletes from nine different polar regions to spend time with each other -- particularly when there's a weather delay, like this one during the snowboarding.
It is a chance for young athletes from nine different polar regions to spend time with each other -- particularly when there's a weather delay, like this one during the snowboarding.
Bo O Kristensen/AWG2016
The Arctic Winter Games' cultural program offers a chance for northern performers to come together and take center stage. Pictured is a performer at the closing ceremony.
The Arctic Winter Games' cultural program offers a chance for northern performers to come together and take center stage. Pictured is a performer at the closing ceremony.
: Bo O Kristensen/AWG2016
Left-right: Ella Marie Haetta Isaksen, Hilda Lansman and Katarina Barrok perform a traditional Sami yoik song.
Left-right: Ella Marie Haetta Isaksen, Hilda Lansman and Katarina Barrok perform a traditional Sami yoik song.
AWG2016