Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Share capital [Member]	Contributed surplus [Member]	Contributed surplus - options [Member]	Contributed surplus - units [Member]	Deficit [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Nov. 30, 2010		$ 24,270			$ (20,974)	$ 3,296
Funding provided and expenses paid by NovaGold Resources Inc.		39,083				39,083
Issued pursuant to incorporation						0
Issued pursuant to incorporation (Shares)	100					100
Issued pursuant to acquisition of subsidiary	27,280	(27,280)				27,280
Issued pursuant to acquisition of subsidiary (shares)	100					100
Mineral property - stock-based compensation		208				208
Loss for the year					(11,336)	(11,336)
Ending Balance at Nov. 30, 2011	27,280	36,281			(32,310)	31,251
Ending Balance (Shares) at Nov. 30, 2011	200
Funding provided and expenses paid by NovaGold Resources Inc.		43,763				43,763
Issued pursuant to Plan of Arrangement	64,496	(67,864)	3,368
Issued pursuant to Plan of Arrangement (Shares)	46,577,878
Issued pursuant to an employment agreement	316					316
Issued pursuant to an employment agreement (shares)	76,005
Exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options	76		(76)
Exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options (Shares)	10,986
Stock-based compensation			9,411			9,411
Loss for the year					(31,018)	(31,018)
Ending Balance at Nov. 30, 2012	92,168	12,180	12,703		(63,328)	53,723
Ending Balance (Shares) at Nov. 30, 2012	46,665,069
Exercise of NovaGold Warrants (Shares)	6,088,262
Exercise of NovaGold Warrants	11,996	(11,996)
Exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options	254		(235)			19
Exercise of NovaGold Arrangement Options (Shares)	52,243
Vesting of NovaGold Performance and Deferred Share Units	32	(32)
Vesting of NovaGold Performance and Deferred Share Units (Shares)	16,586
Restricted Share Units reclassified from liability				2,633		2,633
Vesting of Restricted Share Units	445			(173)		272
Vesting of Restricted Share Units (Shares)	244,496
Stock-based compensation			4,780	124		4,904
Loss for the year					(24,394)	(24,394)
Ending Balance at Nov. 30, 2013	$ 104,895	$ 152	$ 17,248	$ 2,584	$ (87,722)	$ 37,157
Ending Balance (Shares) at Nov. 30, 2013	53,066,656