Northwestel technicians: Doing what it takes to keep us connected

Imagine a job where scaling the side of a snow-covered mountain is just another day at the office. Or traveling to a remote alpine site by helicopter, because there are no roads to get you there. This is what it’s like for telecommunications technicians in Canada’s North. They brave harsh winter conditions to make sure first responders can communicate with each other. And they keep us connected, while we’re working and learning from home.

Sam Reimer is a Cable Splicer with Northwestel. “Working outside is pretty cool, but it can be pretty cold,” says Reimer. “Some days it’s 40 below and everyone else is inside, but we have to go deal with an outage. The phone rings and we’re going.”

Based in Whitehorse, Reimer and the crews he works with are vital to maintaining network connectivity. They are the ones who brave frigid winters to install and service network equipment.

“We support critical infrastructure, the RCMP and YTG radio network, the lines that feed the hospital. The pandemic hit and everyone started working from home. We’re out here so that people can keep working... and stay connected.” 

Northwestel technician Sam Reimer navigates alpine terrain in a snowcat machine. Reimer credits his skill to years of experience grooming ski trails.

Working in a winter wonderland

On some occasions, Reimer gets service callouts that send him to some of the area’s most remote locations. Some microwave tower sites are accessible only by helicopter, while others have limited road access. 

But when roads are snowed in and flying’s not an option, a different mode of transport is required. Reimer is one of a small number of techs who can operate the snowcat: a tracked vehicle designed to maintain and run on snow-covered roads.

“If we can’t get a helicopter in to access the site, and there’s a critical issue to address, we go in the snowcat. On our site access roads, sometimes you’re dealing with 30-foot snow drifts and a 200-foot cliff on one side. I really enjoy it and I take a lot of pride in it, but it’s not for everybody.”

The snowcat beside one of Northwestel's mountaintop transmitter sites near Whitehorse, Yukon.

The view from the top

For Reimer, one perk of visiting Northwestel’s remote mountaintop sites is taking advantage of unique elevated views. It gives him the opportunity to capture some breathtaking photographs of the vast northern landscape. Once he’s done working, of course.

“I like the contrast of the natural beauty of the area with the amazing engineering feat that’s there. A chopper pad or a helicopter or a microwave tower and then in the background there’s this amazing vista. Those are my favourite kind of pictures to get.”

Despite the challenging conditions and work, Reimer insists he’s committed to his craft. His focus is on making a positive impact in the lives of fellow northerners.

“The work we do is important. I like the tangible job satisfaction that I get. When customers are offline, you gotta go to work. We don’t have the luxury of being able to stay home. Everyone understands what needs to happen, no one complains. We get it done. And there’s a sense of pride there.”

A unique opportunity to explore the North

Northwestel hires technicians for various roles in communities across our northern operating area.

See what job openings there are and start planning for your own northern adventure.