5 Incredible Reasons To Visit The Yukon This Winter
Reflection of northern lights on Nares Lake. Photo by Jonathan Tucker (Tourism Yukon)
The breathtaking beauty of the Yukon is hard to describe: imagine a vast wilderness studded with mountain ranges, clear lakes and rivers and some of Canada’s most iconic wild animals. If you’re looking for solitude, you’ll find it here in abundance. But the Yukon also offers visitors so much more — exciting wilderness adventures, beautiful night skies, cultural festivals and warm hospitality. A visit to the Yukon should be on every Canadian’s travel list.
We’ve got some amazing winter packages to get you started:
- Only have a few days to spend in the Yukon? Try this compact trip that packs in a lot of adventure into 4 days!
- Stay in a lakefront cabin and enjoy the stunning daytime views and the amazing Aurora night skies from your private balcony on this relaxing getaway.
- Take this 4-day adventure to see Whitehorse during the day and head out into the wilderness at night for a chance to experience the Northern Lights.
- Bundle up and enjoy all that the Yukon has to offer in the winter during this getaway to Whitehorse and beyond.
- You’ll have a winter adventure to remember on this scenic trip that includes a sightseeing flight over Whitehorse and its surrounding wilderness.
Still need some convincing? Here are our top five reasons to visit the Yukon this winter:
Whitehorse waterfront; Yukon River (Government of Yukon)
1. Whitehorse: A Small City with A Big Backyard
As the capital of the Yukon, and its only city, Whitehorse is where most travellers begin their journey into the territory. A visit to this northern city is an adventure in itself. Whitehorse is scenically located in a wide valley along the banks of the Yukon River, surrounded by mountains and close to seemingly endless wilderness. Steeped in history, big on culture and the arts, and full of incredible people with some wild stories to tell, Whitehorse is one of the best parts of a trip to the Yukon.
2. See Canada’s Iconic Wildlife
More than 80% of the Yukon landmass is uninhabited wilderness. This vast wilderness is a haven for some of the most incredible animals: caribou, moose, mountain sheep, grizzly bears and the Canada lynx to name a few. Seeing wildlife in its natural environment is always such a thrill. Located just outside Whitehorse, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve is another way to spot animals native to the Yukon. In the winter, you can even rent a pair of skies and glide your way from through the trails as you gaze out at the animals.
Whitehorse, winter, Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre
3. Immerse Yourself in Indigenous Culture
The Yukon has evidence of some of the earliest presence of humans in North America and is an incredible place to learn about the culture of Canada’s original inhabitants. Today, the territory that makes up the Yukon is home to 14 distinct First Nations communities, many of whom have designed cultural centres to share their traditions, art and stories. These cultural centres are an excellent place to start your exploration. Dive deeper into First Nations culture and heritage by booking an immersive tour or experience with an Indigenous provider and see the scenic beauty of the Yukon through their eyes.
Dog sledding on Annie Lake; Yukon. Photo by Cathie Archbould
4. Do Winter Right: the Yukon Provides Ample Opportunity for Winter Activities
Winter in the Yukon is no time to hibernate. Bundle up and head outside for some incredible winter adventures. Top of the list is dog sledding. Feel a rush of excitement as you whip along snow-covered valleys and across frozen waterways led by a pack of energetic huskies. It is sure to be an unforgettable experience. But the list of adventures doesn’t end there. Yukoners love to be active outside and so will you: try snowshoeing, fatbiking, ice fishing, snowmobiling and, of course, cross-country skiing. Whitehorse alone has 85 kilometres of groomed ski trails. If downhill skiing is more your thing, you’ll find that too.
Aurora. Photo by Robert Postma
5. See the Magic of the Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, are the star attraction in the Yukon during the winter months. The best time to see the Northern Lights in the Yukon is from late August to mid April . Visiting in the winter is recommended as the nights are long and dark, giving you the best chance to see the natural phenomenon. It is not possible to predict the appearance of the Aurora but when it does occur, it is pure magic. Imagine the sky lit up with dancing columns of green, blue and purple all set against a wild Yukon backdrop.
If you’d prefer to visit the Yukon in the summer, try our Yukon Summer Dream Adventure or the Kluane Classic Hiking & Flightseeing Getaway.
