Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Share capital [Member]	Contributed surplus [Member]	Contributed surplus stock-based compensation [Member]	Contributed surplus - units [Member]	Deficit [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Nov. 30, 2011	$ 27,280	$ 36,281			$ (32,310)	$ 31,251
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Nov. 30, 2011	200
Issued pursuant to Plan of Arrangement	64,496
Issued pursuant to Plan of Arrangement (Shares)	46,577,878
Issued pursuant to an employment agreement	316
Issued pursuant to an employment agreement (shares)	76,005
Funding provided and expenses paid by NovaGold Resources Inc.		43,763
Transfer to share capital on completion of Plan of Arrangement		(64,496)
Transfer to contributed surplus stock-based compensation		(3,368)
Transfer from contributed surplus on completion of Plan of Arrangement			3,368
Issued on exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options	65
Issued on exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options (Shares)	9,485
Stock-based compensation			7,482			7,481
Exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options			(65)
Loss for the period					(23,117)	(23,177)
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	92,157	12,180	10,785		(55,487)	59,635
Ending Balance (Shares) at Aug. 31, 2012	46,663,568
Beginning Balance at Nov. 30, 2012	92,168	12,180	12,703		(63,328)	53,723
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Nov. 30, 2012	46,665,069
Issued on vesting of Restricted Share Units	444					444
Issued on vesting of Restricted Share Units (Shares)	244,496					244,496
Issued on vesting of NovaGold Performance and Deferred Share Units	32
Issued on vesting of NovaGold Performance and Deferred Share Units (Shares)	16,586
Issued on exercise of NovaGold Warrants	11,996					11,996
Issued on exercise of NovaGold Warrants (Shares) (Shares)	6,088,262
Issued on exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options	11					11
Issued on exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options (Shares)	1,184					1,184
Vesting of NovaGold Performance and Deferred Share Units		(32)
Exercise of NovaGold Warrants		(11,996)
Restricted Share Units reclassified from liability				1,683
Stock-based compensation			3,734	61		6,868
Vesting of Restricted Share Units				(173)
Exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options			(11)
Loss for the period					(19,462)	(19,462)
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2013	$ 104,651	$ 152	$ 16,426	$ 1,571	$ (82,790)	$ 40,010
Ending Balance (Shares) at Aug. 31, 2013	53,015,597