Page 87 - 2026-2027 Travel Guide to Canada

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possible. In Whitehorse, the June sun brings
an average of 269 hours of sunshine.
HEAD OUTDOORS—
THE GRAPHICS ARE AMAZING!
The Yukon can lay claim to true wilderness
like nowhere else south of the 60th parallel.
The territory is home to the protected lands
of several vast Parks Canada sites, including
wild, uninhabited parks like Kluane, Ivvavik
and Vuntut.
The chance of encountering Yukon
wildlife is excellent. Bears and mountain
sheep create “wildlife jams” as passersby
spot them beside the roadways; caribou,
moose and grizzly bears are found across
the territory.
The wilderness knocks at the back doors
of the Yukon’s few urban areas—the City
of Whitehorse and the historic town of
Dawson City.
Mountains, lakes, rivers and some of the
country’s most majestic glaciers provide a
photographer’s dream.
CULTURAL FOOTPRINTS
The territory’s dynamic 1890s Klondike Gold
Rush history is still on display. Museums,
roadside stops and the entire downtown
of Dawson City are lessons of a time
when desperate stampeders surmounted
unimaginable hardships to reach stream beds
they believed were thick with gold nuggets.
For the Klondike gold seekers, the Yukon’s
many waterways were the highways into the
north. Today’s paddlers trace many of the
same water-borne routes, this time in search
of canoeing and kayaking adventures on the
territory’s many lakes and 70 wilderness
rivers. In winter, the frozen rivers are the
routes of world-class sled dog endurance
races; some commemorate the wintertime
“highway of the north” along the frozen
Yukon River, the traditional route to the
goldfields of the Klondike.
WHAT’S NEW?
This year, peak viewing opportunities are
available for the solar cycle. With the uptick
in solar activity, it is a particularly good
time for aurora viewing holidays.
Experience the northern lights like never
before with Northern Nomad’s Aurora
Capsules. These Indigenous-designed, eco-
friendly pods—each named in Cree—offer a king-
sized bed with a panoramic bubble window,
immersing guests in uninterrupted views of
the aurora and surrounding mountains
(www.northernnomadoutdoors.com).
Hike through rugged Yukon landscape with
spectacular views of Fish Lake and the
surrounding mountains, accompanied by
an interpretive guide and playful, friendly
husky companions. Spot local wildlife and
taste the wild berries (www.skyhigh
wilderness.com/day-hike-w-huskies).
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 professional
chefs (www.yukonheliski.com).
CITY LIGHTS
Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon, gained
its name from the roiling Whitehorse 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
PADDLING ON THE YUKON’S BIG SALMON RIVER • GOVERNMENT OF YUKON