Aurora, Sauna and Hotsprings: Modern Cabin Stay in Whitehorse

Please note this is a sample itinerary. If you have chosen a shorter duration, please disregard the additional days at the Black Spruce.

DAY 1-6: EXPLORE WHITEHORSE AND AREA

Arrive in Whitehorse, pick up your rental car at the airport, and enjoy the freedom to explore the area at your own pace.

Modelled after the famous Juvet Landscape Hotel in Norway, the Black Spruce cabins are a unique environmentally focused accommodation in the outskirts of Whitehorse. Located just a few minutes from the airport and the city centre, the cabins offer a different style of lodging from local hotels. Here you can stay in a fully contained passive solar cabin made from rough cut local Yukon spruce while being within a short drive of all the best restaurants, bars and attractions in Whitehorse.

With three nights in the Black Spruce cabins, you’ll have plenty of time to appreciate all the cool features, such as the Shou Sugi-Ban siding (a Japanese technique of treating wood by burning), the cedar sauna that was cleverly built around existing boulders and is heated by a Finnish wood stove, and the rocky cliffs and forest of the adjacent park. Spend your days relaxing in the cozy cabin, visiting eclectic Whitehorse and exploring the vast northern landscape.

Your stay includes a visit to the recently renovated Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs (adults only), located about 30 minutes from Whitehorse, where you can rejuvenate in ancient mineral springs and enjoy amenities inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese Onsen healing practices. You’ll also have admission to the nearby Yukon Wildlife Preserve, where you can observe northern wildlife such as elk, Canada lynx, thinhorn sheep, wood buffalo, and muskox.

You can easily spend a full day exploring Whitehorse. Visit the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, the BeMacBride Museum for a taste of the culture and history, and the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site. From mid-November to the end of March (depending on snowfall), you can enjoy optional winter activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.

In the evenings, head out to try some of Whitehorse’s best restaurants for dinner (we highly recommend the Wayfarer) and then drive out of town a bit to catch the Aurora Borealis on clear nights. You can join an optional Aurora viewing tour or visit some of the local favourite Northern Lights viewing hotspots on your own.

This northern getaway is perfect for those looking to travel independently and enjoy staying in one-of-a-kind accommodations. The proximity to the city and all of its amenities is a huge bonus especially during the winter months. The Black Spruce cabins are about 45 minutes from Carcross, which makes for an easy and scenic day trip.

DAY 3-7: DEPARTURE

Depending on the time of your flight home, you may have time for some souvenir shopping in Whitehorse or a stroll through downtown. Return your rental car at the airport and catch your flight, bringing an end to your unforgettable Yukon adventure.