Canoeing is a classic Canadian activity and few things compare to a beautiful trip down the Yukon River. Located between Alaska and Canadas Northwest Territories, Whitehorse is the capital city of the Yukon and the largest city in Northern Canada. No matter what time of year you choose to visit, the options are quite honestly endless when thinking of where to go hiking around this capital city. There you can go horse riding at Fish Lake, one of the jewels of the Yukon. Your email address will not be published. Yukon Wildlife Preserve. Yukon Black Spruce: Winter visit - See 6 traveler reviews, 16 candid photos, and great deals for Yukon Black Spruce at Tripadvisor. was the first sternwheeler steamboat to navigate the Yukon River. We couldve called it Nature Thawing Spring Festival, but we just didnt think it rolled off the tongue. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are her passion. For several years its been occupied by pair of Bald-headed eagles (with family) whose nest perches on top (apparently, since my visit, the eagles have moved nest and will do so while their home-on-the-pole airs out, after which, according to local biologists, she will return to her former home). Young or old, most people can participate in this fun activity and make anything from a simple bowl to a fancy ornament. Approximate location of the activities accessed from Whitehorse, Whitehorse in winter walk the Millenium Trail, Take a flightseeing trip over Kluane National Park, Catch the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, Visit the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre. The mercury may dip to -40C, but that doesnt curb our annual Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival celebrations, where you can enjoy snow sculpture displays, can-can dancing, winter sport competitions, and more. 8- Meet wildlife at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, 9- Explore the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, 15- Check out the Whitehorse airport baggage carousel, Kluane National Park Glacier Flightseeing, Riding The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, 20 Things To Do In Niagara Falls At Night, Meanwhile In CanadaAwaken The Six Senses, 101 Travel Quotes Inspiring The Journey, Stay up till the early hours of the morning to the. So get your skis shined up and grab a stick of Juicy Fruit, because this place is gonna move ya. Sanchez Cantina; 3. By 1900, in part to bypass the tricky white waters, the White Pass & Yukon narrow-gauge railway was built. Is their fun stuff to do during the Winter that's accessible. Cross-country skiers enjoy the vast network of world-class trails at the Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre and throughout the city. My guide Erin tells me that bears, coyotes and foxes sometimes venture into town. But you can also have many adventures, including dog sledding; snowshoeing; cross country and down-hill skiing; snowmobiling; ice fishing and tobogganing. This is by no means an exhaustive list of things to do in Whitehorse, but it will give you some . The original steamboat sank in 1936 and theS.S. Klondike II was built to operate the 740 km Whitehorse to Dawson City route in 36 hours until the beginning of WW II. One of the most unique things to do in Whitehorse has to be taking a glass blowing class. Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer. The annual event welcomes all to the Yukon to see who has the best frozen hair creation around. Visitors can also enjoy a five-kilometre hike on the trail that loops around the site. Although the city is now home to more than 28,000 people and serves as a major hub for Canadas north, it owes its existence to the Klondike Gold Rush, which started way back in 1897. But surely the most unusual of all the towns sights is the one that greets guests at the local airport (and Im not talking Canadas former Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, whod been in town and happened to fly out on my arrival). Its one of our favourite hot springs in the country as its much more rustic and wild. One of the chief reasons people literally flock to the Yukon from all over the world in winter is to see the Aurora Borealis the Northern Lights. Everything listed in this blog can be done as a day trip from Whitehorse. Most residents of the far-north territory of Yukon live here in Whitehorse, its capital city. You can typically find snowshoeing bundled on a tour with a bunch of other fun, frosty things to do around Whitehorse. . Built back in 1936 and retired in 1955, the restored and refitted sternwheeler is a popular Whitehorse attraction right in the city centre. Spray mist fills the air and when it clears I spot a long wooden ladder that snakes its way along the river. Sounds easier said than done. Its always fascinating to learn about First Nations culture and here at the Kwanlin Dn Cultural Centre (KDCC), visitors get to learn more about the Kwanlin Dn, the first people that settled in the area. Top Restaurants in Whitehorse. Do you have to be half-baked to visit? Whip along snowy trails, through snow-covered valleys and across frozen rivers led by a pack of sled dogs. This changes with the time that the sun sets throughout the winter months; starting as early as 4 pm in December. Your email address will not be published. While you're here, you can savor the top-notch restaurants. became the last sternwheeler to travel the Yukon River on August 1955. , you can explore its decks or get a tour of the steamship. Have fun snowmobiling on a frozen lake, such as Lake Laberge (the lake in Sam McGees poem) or Fish Lake. There is a lot to do and see in Whitehorse in late winter to early spring. This Dawson City event is a true way to get to know the locals (at least the ones who arent moose). Although the probability of seeing the lights is very high, there are no guarantees. Its easy to imagine how the area might have looked when First Nations people camped here before 1898. Your hosts with EPIC NORTH have more than 15 years of experience traveling around the northern regions of Canada and Alaska. Whether you catch the big one or not, youll have more than fish stories to tell after this experience. His Cremation of Sam McGee is a Canadian classic and a poem most visitors will enjoy reciting. Awesome! Or taste the famous Sockeye salmon at . Whitehorse even boasts a good coffee spot, Baked Caf, and I head here for my java fix. The trail connects to the 15km Yukon River Loop Trailand Miles Canyon, where more signage explains more about the rivers history. 1. Its downtown area measures just four by one kilometre and its population of 28,000 people makes up the majority of the Yukon Territorys total population of 36,000. 1- Learn about theWhite Pass and Yukon route railway. However, not all of us can go explore the extreme backcountry, so if you want to get a taste for some of the beauty near Whitehorse, check out Miles Canyon, which was once a treacherous portion of the Yukon River before a hydroelectric dam tamed the waters. What is a muskox, anyway? Eventually, many years and circuitous turns later including stints as a grape picker in France, a dancer in a Bolivian folkloric dance troupe and a volunteer in Peru, plus a two years working in Mozambique -- I eventually became a full-time travel writer. Photo: Yukon Tourism Stay up till the early hours of the morning to the Northern Lights. Things to Do in Whitehorse Popular things to do Nature and Wildlife Tours Multi-day Tours 4WD Tours Top Picks Tours & Sightseeing Cultural & Theme Tours Luxury & Special Occasions Private & Custom Tours Ports of Call Tours Sporting Events Airport & Hotel Transfers Walking Tours Holiday & Seasonal Tours Air, Helicopter & Balloon Tours Our family friendly experiences will keep the crew entertained for hours. Before experiencing the Yukon first-hand, get free guidebooks and maps-any way you like: online, downloaded or delivered right to your door. If you do want to see them, youre best to time your visit for the fall or winter when darkness is more often than daylight. Named after the creamy rapids of the 3,200km-long Yukon River on which the town is located (the rapids were thought to have resembled horses manes), Whitehorse is compact indeed. Please check your inbox and hit confirm. The biggest attraction for visitors coming in winter is the Aurora watching. Our family friendly experiences will keep the crew entertained for hours. Nature. Thank you so much and same to you, Edward! A popular trail is the Fish Lake Loop which is a moderate hike with rewarding views at the summit. To really understand what makes the Yukon tick, there's no better place to start than at the MacBride Museum in downtown Whitehorse. Look for migrating chinook salmon through an underwater window. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. These tours usually pick you up from your hotel and drive you out to a remote area, often including a warm cabin where you can enjoy hot drinks, snacks, and warmth, while occasionally stepping outside to see if the magical lights appear. Short days: There are long days in summer and short days in winter with a lot of darkness. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Canoe on the stunningly beautiful Yukon River Canoe on the stunningly beautiful Yukon River One of my favourite activities we did while in Whitehorse was go canoeing on the Yukon River with Up North Adventures. The Aurora Borealis is free to see, but if you want the most optimal experience, you might want to join a tour. Canadas northern territories are full of adventure. The snowy trails with frosty views are other worldly, and snowshoes are the best way to start walking in these winter wonderlands. The market is a great place to meet locals and shop for handmade crafts and other locally made products. Soak in the warm waters of the earth at the two pools of Takhini Hot Pools. We have no booking fees and free cancellation, so you can relax and focus on planning an unforgettable vacation. is is a reminder of how these boats transported people, livestock and goods along the waterways. This post includes some affiliate links. Despite short daylight hours, Yukoners don't just tolerate winter; they embrace it. There are a few hiking trails here, some looping all the way round and back into town and a couple of shorter ones. If you want to get out of Whitehorse for a few nights but you dont want to drive far, visit the Inn on the Lakelocated on the shores of Marsh Lake about a 30 minute drive away. If youre up for some camping, head to Robert Service Campground along the Yukon river banks. One of winter's most noteworthy events is the world-renowned Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race1,000 miles between Whitehorse and Fairbanks, Alaska. But please dont keep the looniewe need it for next year. Please come prepared for outside winter activity, wearing good winter boots and warm outerwear, including a toque, mitts and neck warmer, and layers to shed when we sweat. Dec 15, 2018 - 15 Things to do in Whitehorse, from watching the Northern Lights to visiting the fish ladder. Whitehorse ; Whitehorse - Things to Do ; Aurora Borealis & Northern Lights Tours Yukon . From the Whitehorse Festival Season hosted annually each year to the Morack Golf Course in Vermont South, the arts, culture, leisure and sports facilities are all thriving, active places where the community meets to be entertained, to be active and to have fun. This includes moose, mountain goats, wood bison and many more interesting animals that you wouldnt normally get a chance to see in the wild. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year . You won't find a warmer welcome anywhere. The grueling, human-powered Yukon Arctic Ultra follows the Quest trail from Whitehorse to Dawson City, and is known as the coldest and toughest ultra race in the world. Theres also a collection of more than 100 works by Canadian artists, from painters to musicians, all of which can be seen in the facilitys permanent collection. Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Whitehorse? You can find out about the history of Whitehorse when you stop by S.S. Klondike National Historic Site. Congrats. It became the territorial capital in 1953. The name fits this interpretive centre really well as it covers the last great ice age, which refers to the untouched areas of Eastern Siberia, Alaska and the Yukon. Whether its racing a team of enthusiastic sled dogs, or diving head first into a haystack to find a loonie, (yes, thats a real thing), theres a lot to do. Instead, Erin drives me west of town to a viewpoint above the Miles Canyon. Salmon are incredible creatures, swimming against the current to make their way upstream to spawn. A chemical mild response triggered when photo voltaic power interacts with the Earth's environment, producing . Youll see woodland caribou, wood bison, Arctic fox, wood bison and Thinhorn sheep (a species of Dall sheep) to name a few. Stunning Kluane National Park is a two drive away, the scenic Tatshenshini River is about two and a half hours, and Skagway, Alaska can be reached in three. Author of, Get travel tips & outdoor inspiration by signing up for our monthly newsletter. This museum has been voted the Yukon's favourite museum! Located near the Nature Preserve, 28 kilometres north of Whitehorse, the hot pools are open year round. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". For the photographer they provide heavy duty tripods and lots of advice on how to get great pictures. Whitehorse is situated on a wild and mighty river, the Yukon. Dogsledding is exhilarating when youre the one in charge of the sled. We have reviews of the best places to see in Whitehorse. Here are nine winter activities that will soon be on your bucket listand you won't even need a bucket to do them. And happy travels! If youve got an afternoon to spare before checking out the northern lights, why not go fishing? As an aside the washrooms here are the best in the north! Introduced in the 1860s, these boats were a vessel for new immigrants to Canada. Plus, if youre up for an even bigger adventure, you can drive further north on the adventurous 700-km Dempster Highway that takes you all the way to Inuvik. continued to serve, transporting supplies for the construction of the Alaska Highway. Or visit the wooden fish ladder in Whitehorse, the longest in the world, used by Chinook salmons on their way to spawning areas. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. The museum brings to life through a fantastic and educational set of displays, skeletons and artwork the life in Beringia and for only $6 per adult. They offer all 7 of these awesome things you can do in Whitehorse as comfortable, tailor-made tours. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. One word for this document. You can enjoy some culture when you stop by Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre in Whitehorse. You can easily do it as a day trip from Whitehorse. Local Arctic char and roasted elk dishes feature prominently on the menus of the towns top eateries, including the attractive Wheelhouse Restaurant. Every local, regardless of age, knows his famous poem, The Cremation of Sam McGee, about a prospector, miserable from the cold, who is cremated (or is he? The suspension bridge across Miles Canyon will make for some great photos. Dawson, which is a six-hour drive from Whitehorse, is a famous gold-mining town that still looks like the wild-west. Is their fun stuff to do during the Winter that's accessible. It's the end of a fine-dining era. And all you have to do is dip your head into the hot springs in -20C weather. FROM $1,430 BOOK WITH VIATOR Active Winter Adventure in Yukon | 5 days Active Winter Adventure in Yukon | 5 days. Getting out into the fresh air will lift your spirits, even in the cold weather. Tour the MacBride Museum and Sam McGee's Cabin. If interesting sights and hard-core outdoor activities fishing, sledding and skiing around them these parts are plentiful, eating options are more so. Rent a bike in Whitehorse, and we promise itll put your previous bike excursions to shame. Its a dot in a territory that is so vast, locals claim there are 10 moose and 10 caribou per person. Thank you. I wont spoil the poetic twist; Erin recites it without a verbal stumble). I stayed at the conveniently located Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre. I had giggled, thinking of how the elk-in-the-airport might be Whitehorses version of Lenny Bruces cannon-in-the-park. city tour first night hot drinks camera settings viewing site dog sledding three nights best western gold rush inn winter clothing bucket list cozy cabin hot springs one . A kilometre or so on from the White Pass and Yukon Railway depot is the SS Klondike, a wonderful old Canadian paddle steamer (built in 1936) that plied the waters of the Yukon River, transporting freight and cargo. Travel2Next.com provides travel inspiration and information about world travel. During the winter stop by in the evening and marvel at the holiday lights display.

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