In 1972, the Arctic Winter Games moved to Whitehorse, Yukon with the three original contingents as well two additional contingents from Northern Quebec and Greenland participated in 12 sports: alpine skiing, badminton, basketball, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, hockey, judo, shooting, table tennis, volleyball and wrestling. The Soviet Union and Labrador sent observers.
Nuuk, Greenland and Iqaluit, Nunavut hosted the first split community, split country Games
Yellowknife, NWT brought together the circumpolar north for this edition of the games.
The eighteenth Arctic Winter Games was held in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in Northern Alberta.
Alaska hosted the circumpolar competitors for this edition of the Arctic Winter Games.
Alaska brought great awareness and much promotion to this edition of the Arctic Winter Games.
