Page 100 - 2023-2024 Travel Guide to Canada

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Special Events
FEBRUARY
• AVAILABLE LIGHT FILM FESTIVAL,
WHITEHORSE
• YUKON ARCTIC ULTRA, WHITEHORSE
• YUKON QUEST SLED DOG RACE, WHITEHORSE
• YUKON RENDEZ-VOUS FESTIVAL,
WHITEHORSE
MARCH
• PERCY DEWOLFE MEMORIAL MAIL RACE,
DAWSON CITY
• THAW DI GRAS SPRING CARNIVAL,
DAWSON CITY
JUNE
• KLUANE MOUNTAIN BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL,
HAINES JUNCTION
• NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY,
TERRITORY-WIDE
JUNE – JULY
• ADÄKA CULTURAL FESTIVAL, WHITEHORSE
JULY
• DAWSON CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL
• MAYO ARTS FESTIVAL AND CANADA DAY
CELEBRATION
• YUKON GOLD PANNING CHAMPIONSHIPS,
DAWSON CITY
• YUKON RIVER QUEST CANOE AND KAYAK
RACE, WHITEHORSE TO DAWSON CITY
AUGUST
• AUTHORS ON EIGHTH WALKING TOUR
AND WRITING CONTEST, DAWSON CITY
• DISCOVERY DAYS FESTIVAL, DAWSON CITY
• GREAT KLONDIKE INTERNATIONAL
OUTHOUSE RACE, DAWSON CITY
• YUKON RIVER TRAIL MARATHON,
WHITEHORSE
SEPTEMBER
• KLONDIKE ROAD RELAY, SKAGWAY,
ALASKA TO WHITEHORSE
• NORTHERN NIGHTS: KLUANE’S DARK SKY
FESTIVAL, HAINES JUNCTION
www.travelyukon.com/en/
things-to-do
Yukon Heli Ski operates in the Northern
Coast Mountains of BC and Yukon Territory
and includes all kinds of terrain for skiers
of all abilities. Accommodation is at the
Tiny Town base camp with tiny houses, a
saloon, sauna and meals catered by profes-
sional chefs (www.yukonheliski.com).
CITY LIGHTS
Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon,
gained its name from the roiling White
Horse Rapids on the Yukon River.
Whitehorse is the urban heart of the
territory, with historic and heritage sites, a
vibrant arts locale, and a wide range of
dining and accommodation choices
(www.travelyukon.com).
Quirky and historic Dawson City
preserves its storied Gold Rush past with
false-fronted buildings, rustic log cabins,
can-can dancing and a frontier energy.
Downtown Dawson is designated a national
historic site (www.dawsoncity.ca).
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
In the Yukon’s unspoiled wilderness,
outdoor enthusiasts can explore on foot or
by mountain bike, or retrace the prospectors’
footsteps by hiking the challenging Chilkoot
Trail. Angle for trophy fish in a northern
glacier-fed lake or climb a mountain. Go
heli-hiking or heli-skiing, kayaking,
canoeing or rafting part of the Yukon River—
Canada’s second longest.
The Yukon, home to some of the most
renowned rivers in Canada, is a paddler’s
dreamscape. In addition to the Yukon and
Klondike rivers, the territory has four
Canadian Heritage Rivers: the Alsek, Thirty
Mile, Tatshenshini and Bonnet Plume. These
ribbons of water offer challenging
whitewater to flat waters, with outstanding
opportunities to observe wildlife.
Anglers come from around the world to
experience some of Canada’s best fishing for
lake trout, northern pike, Arctic grayling,
rainbow trout and salmon in the Yukon’s
pristine lakes and rivers. Experienced guides
can create a day of superb fishing in remote
waters where you can really get away from it
all. Fishing outfitters like Inconnu Lodge
offer personalized, small-group packages to
introduce visitors to the northern lights,
while enjoying fishing and viewing glaciers
and local wildlife (www.inconnulodge.com).
Spectators cheer on mushers in the famous
Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race (www.yukon
quest.com). Winter, summer or fall, dog
lovers can paddle, hike, sled or snowmobile
on guided outings with Muktuk Adventures,
where there’s a dog along on every outing
(www.muktuk.com).
Yukon Wild, a group of professional
adventure travel companies, holds year-
round trips with experienced local guides
and equipment. Activities range from
fishing, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking,
horseback riding or rafting, to dogsledding,
snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling
(www.yukonwild.com).
HERITAGE AND CULTURE
When the news of “Gold!” echoed from the
Klondike, tens of thousands of gold seekers
set off, lured by dreams of riches. The history
of the Gold Rush is still at the hub of many
Yukon experiences. This year, the territory
celebrates the 125th anniversary of the
Klondike Gold Rush!
The Dawson City Museum is the perfect
spot to learn about the town at the heart of
the Gold Rush (www.dawsonmuseum.ca).
Watch the award-winning film, City of Gold,
narrated by Yukon-native Pierre Berton.
Dawson City likes to show off a rich
literary heritage. Along Writers’ Block (Eighth
Street), stop at the Robert Service Cabin
where visitors are treated to readings of his
poems and some insights into the more
idiosyncratic aspects of the author’s person-
ADÄKA CULTURAL FESTIVAL, KWANLIN DÜN CULTURAL CENTRE • GOVERNMENT OF YUKON