Sisimiut means 'inhabitants by the fox burrows'. With its 5,900 inhabitants divided between the town and the nearby settlements of Kangerlussuaq, Sarfannguaq and Itilleq, Sisimiut is the second largest municipality in Greenland. It is located north of the Arctic Circle and is Greenland's northernmost town with an ice-free harbor during winter and its southernmost town with dogsled traffic. A high-tech shrimp and crab processing plant emphasizes the fact that fishing and hunting are the most important occupations.
Climb up to the top of the town's landmark, a 784 m mountain named Kællingehætten (literally 'old woman's cowl'), and you will be rewarded by a fantastic view of the town, sea and mountains, as well as the settlements of Assaqutaq and Sarfannguaq. These very same settlements can also be experienced on a boat trip through waters filled with seals and whales. But no other trip quite compares to a week or two hiking from Sisimiut to Kangerlussuaq. The entire Sisimiut hinterland opens up to the hiker who has the great Arctic landscapes all to him- or herself. Sisimiut's uplands are also the setting for many winter activities. As soon as the snow and ice permit from around December to May, you can experience the winter's fantastic landscapes by dog sled and snowmobile, and there are also many fine skiing opportunities. The town has excellent cross-country facilities, and a ski lift at the foot of Kællingehætten.
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