Visiting Yukon

Canada’s Yukon Territory brands itself Larger Than Life. An ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, the Yukon offers pristine nature at its best. With a short warm season, now is the time to canoe, paddle, and fly-fish rivers and lakes, or hike, mountain bike and trek the forests and mountains. Whitehorse, Yukon’s capital city is also the territory’s largest city. With a population less than 30,000, it is small by many standards, yet proud to call itself the Wilderness City. Set along the banks of the Yukon River in the Whitehorse Valley, Whitehorse is surrounded by Golden Horn Mountain, Haeckel Hill and Grey Mountain.

Summer days extend to 20 hours of daylight, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors. Also a hub of culture for the Yukon, Whitehorse is home to Yukon Arts Centre, which hosts community events throughout the year. The 2012 calendar features the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival 2012, June 8th through the 10th. Among the headliners are The Gibson Brothers, Blue Highway and The Modern Grass Quartet.

Mountain Bike riders mark June on your calendar for 24 Hours of Light Mountain Bike Festival. The Copperbelt Mining Museum on the Alaska Highway north of Whitehorse, hosts the event June 23rd and 24th, summer solstice weekend. Remember lights are not permitted, and not necessary – it’s the land of the midnight sun. The course takes riders across parts of Mt. Mac for an amazing mountain bike marathon. The 24 Hours of Light Mountain Bike Festival is a must for any mountain bikers bucket list.

Runners plan your training for August's 2012 Yukon River Trail Marathon. Whitehorse’s Shipyards Park hosts the start and finish for the August 5th race. The course follows the Yukon River, with significant elevation changes along the way. This is a trail run featuring the marathon, half marathon and team events. Challenge yourself with a Yukon trail run this August.

The end of summer comes quickly in the Yukon. Take advantage of the season's last events and festivals. If you are traveling near Dawson City, enjoy the 2012 Discovery Days Festival, August 17th through the 20th. Hosted by the Klondike Visitors Association, celebrate Dawson City with a parade, games, races and more. The Yukon Riverside Arts Festival runs concurrently with Discovery Days, August 16th through the 19th.

For the ultimate in running challenges check out the 2012 Klondike Trail of ’98 International Road Relay. Whitehorse is the finish line for the relay that takes teams from Skagway, Alaska through the Coast Mountains following the Klondike Highway, to Whitehorse. The 2012 race begins Friday evening, September 7th in Skagway, finishing Saturday, September 8th along the banks of the Yukon River in Whitehorse. Partner with friends and family in a team of four to ten runners, and join this 176.5 km challenge.

Yukon Hotel Map