Travel tips
Uniquely Yukon Winter Activities
- Skiing and Snowboarding
With Mount Sima in your backyard, hitting the slopes makes for a convenient and fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon with the family. Mount Sima has multiple trails, each with different difficulty levels to accommodate all levels of skiers and snowboarders. They also offer rentals for visitors, and a concession stand with warm treats to fuel your winter activities - we definitely recommend trying the poutine.
- Dog Sledding
A classic northern mode of transportation is a must-do in the winter time. Whitehorse has multiple organizations that offer dogsledding. Into the Wild Adventures, Sky High Wilderness Ranch, Muktuk Adventures, Northern Tales Travel Services Inc., and Arctic Range Adventure are just a few examples of operators able to help you explore the Yukon alongside some furry friends. Most dog sledding places offer insulted layers for those frosty runs, but bundle up to be safe!
- Yukon Wildlife Preserve
Only 30 minutes outside of Whitehorse, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve allows you to get up close and personal with the other inhabitants of the Yukon - its beautiful wildlife. The Preserve is home to a variety of northern species, such as the arctic fox, Canadian lynx, moose, muskox, thin-horn sheep, wood bison, woodland caribou and many more.
- Aurora Borealis
Itching to cross seeing the northern lights off your list? The Yukon is an excellent place to start - with the inky northern sky creating a perfect canvas for the aurora to dance across. The best place to see the northern lights is outside of city limits, where light pollution from buildings is nowhere to be found. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to find that in the Yukon. We recommend heading down Annie Lake Road, or the Carcross Desert for a blissful out-of-city viewing experience, or venturing up the clay cliffs for those wishing to stay a little closer to home.
- Takhini Hot Pools
Think you have what it takes to win a hair freezing contest at -40 degrees? Here’s your chance. Takhini Hot Springs is famous for their International Hair freezing contest. Throughout the winter, Yukoners and visitors compete by freezing their hair in crazy hairdos. In March, 3 winners are selected. The Hot Springs are open year-round, and offer a wonderful way to warm up during the winter. Located only 30 minutes from Whitehorse, these hot pools are surrounded by forests, and if you’re lucky enough, they make a wonderful spot to watch the northern lights dance overhead.
- Fat Tire Biking
Just because its winter doesn’t mean you have to put away your bike for the season. Fat tire bikes have thicker tread for grip on snow and ice. Many locals enjoy fat biking on the trails of the greenbelt, or as an alternate way to get to work in the mornings. This way, bikers can enjoy nature, get some exercise and see the Yukon in all of its glory during winter months. We recommend Miles Canyon and along Fish Lake Road.
- Ice Fishing
Lakes such as Little Atlin Lake, Teslin Lake and others offer Yukoners and visitors fishing all year round. Drive out on a snowmobile, drill a hole in the ice and await your next catch! If you’re visiting the Yukon and plan to go ice fishing, ensure you get a fishing license, rent fishing gear, and bring plenty of warm clothes.
- Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is the best way to go on walks during the winter. The Yukon offers multiple guides to take you through the wintry landscape, giving you a close up look to winter in the Yukon. We recommend hikes in Kluane National Park, the Southern Lakes region, and along the Millennium Trail.
- Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous
Every year in February, Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous takes over the city in celebration of the season. One of the most exciting events the Yukon has to offer, Rendezvous offers a variety of winter activities. For years, Yukoners and visitors have competed in activities such as the chainsaw chuck, axe throw, log toss, flour packing and more. Explore the incredible snow sculptures hand-sculpted by artists and cast your vote for which one you think should take the grand prize. Take a break from the cold and head inside to enjoy the live music and shows put on at a variety of local venues. Enjoy a spectacular firework show to wrap up the celebration of winter and the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous.