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| SS
Klondike 1 |
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Located in the rugged wilderness of the Yukon,
which borders British Columbia
to the south and Alaska
to the west, Whitehorse
has a population of approximately 23,000, and is the largest city and the capital
of the territory. Described as the “Wilderness City,” Whitehorse provides all
the amenities and services of a major destination, with the added advantages
of outdoor adventure on its doorstep and majestic scenery as its backdrop.
Today, visitors flock to the region to experience its natural beauty and partake
in activities such as dog sledding through frozen forests, or gold panning and
canoeing the pristine lakes and rivers found here. Whitehorse was named after
the foaming rapids of the turbulent Yukon
River that resembled a horse's mane, and several attractions welcome
visitors to this Yukon city, providing a look at Whitehorse's past and its people.
Main attractions include the S.S.
Klondike National Historic Site, a tribute to riverboat transportation,
and the Yukon
Beringia Interpretive Centre, containing artifacts and exhibits from
the prehistoric ice age. The MacBride
Museum is a log building complex featuring exhibits on the natural history
of the Yukon, the gold rush, First Nations and the North West Mounted Police.
In 2007, Whitehorse hosted the
Winter Games, featuring thousands of amateur athletes from all over
the world. It was the first time such games were held in Northern
Canada. February is a busy month in Whitehorse with several events and
activities taking place including the Yukon
Quest, Frostbite
Music Festival and Yukon
Sourdough Rendezvous. July and August are also peak tourist seasons
and it is advisable to book in advance as rooms fill up quickly during this
time.
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View
of Taylor's Place Wilderness Lodge from Lake 2 |
ACCOMMODATIONS
All types of accommodations can be found in Whitehorse, from large chain hotels
to smaller bed and breakfasts. Many establishments are open year-round but some
are only open seasonally. Campgrounds and RV Parks provide an affordable alternative
for visitors, many of which are well-equipped with full services to accommodate
guests as well as provide a base camp for exploring other cities along the Alaska
Highway. The WorldWeb.com
Travel Guide provides information about various lodging choices when
staying in Whitehorse and can assist travellers by providing the following services:
- Accommodation
Directory – Users will be able to view a large inventory of accommodations
found in Whitehorse including links to websites and information on amenities
and services provided.
- Reservations
– Save time by using this secure online reservation system, allowing travellers
to check room availability and book their stay.
- Maps
– This service allows travellers to pin-point accommodation locations in relation
to major attractions, restaurants, shops and services in the area.
WHERE TO STAY
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| Beringia
Interpretive Centre 3 |
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Places to Stay for Business Travellers and Tourists
Travellers will find a concentration of hotels and motels in and around the
downtown area. The downtown core is designed on a grid system and is centred
on Main Street, situated between Second and Fourth avenues. Six hotels are found
along Main Street, between First and Fifth avenues including the Best
Western Gold Rush Inn, Town
and Mountain Hotel, Edgewater
Hotel and the Capital
Hotel. The Air
Line Inn and Airport
Chalet are conveniently located near the Whitehorse
International Airport, only five minutes from downtown.
Another option for tourists is staying at a more intimate B&B, where a full
breakfast is provided and hosts are often a good source of local information,
recommending sights and attractions to see. Some B&Bs are city-oriented, located
minutes from downtown where others offer a rural setting, situated in a more
remote location.
Places to Stay for Campers and Backpackers
Whitehorse and the surrounding area offers several options for campers and backpackers.
A popular choice is the Robert
Service Campground, located on South Access Road near downtown, with
showers, toilets and fire pits. Many campsites and RV parks are found along
the Alaska Highway including Pioneer
RV Park and Caribou
RV Park, both offering power, laundry facilities and showers. Yukon
Government Campgrounds are also found on main highways including Wolf
Creek, Fox
Lake and Twin
Lakes. These campgrounds do not have RV sani-dumps but include basic
amenities such as outhouses and water pumps.
The Beez
Kneez Backpackers Hostel and Hide
on Jeckell Hostel are both located downtown and offer dorm-style rooms
and shared facilities at affordable prices.
Places to Stay for Adventure Seekers
Those seeking a more nature-intensive trip can consider staying at a wilderness
lodge. These lodges are usually in isolated locations, providing a base for
many activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking and canoeing. Fishing and hunting
camps often include travel to remote regions where big game and trophy fishing
is available. Popular lodges in the Whitehorse region include the Yukon
Mountain Retreat, Scuttlebutt
Lodge and the Tin
Cup Wilderness Lodge.
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Travel Tips
Bear Safety:
Bear encounters are rare but visitors should be aware that the Yukon is
bear country. Brochures and additional information can be picked up at
the Visitor Information Centre. Learn how to identify signs of bear activity.
Travel in groups and stay alert.
Mosquitoes and blackflies
are common in the summer months. Use bug repellent when enjoying activities
outdoors.
Satellite telephones
are available for rent throughout the Yukon region, as cell phone service
is limited and is only available in Whitehorse.
Fishing and hunting
licenses are required in the Yukon. A separate fishing license is required
for the Kluane National Park and a licensed Yukon guide must be arranged
for big-game hunts.
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Out of Town Alternatives
A historic route, the Alaska Highway is the gateway to the Yukon, crossing through
eight Yukon communities, starting at Watson
Lake near the British Columbia border and ending near Beaver
Creek at the Alaska border. Visitors to Whitehorse can explore or find
alternative accommodations in nearby villages and towns including Beaver Creek,
Burwash
Landing, Destruction
Bay, Haines
Junction and Watson Lake.
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View
Down Alaska Highway, Mountains 4 |
Beaver Creek
A small community with a population just over 100 people, accommodations include
the 1202
Motor Inn and Westmark
Inn, both offering RV campsites, Ida's
Motel and Restaurant, Pine
Valley and Buckshot
Betty's.
Burwash Landing
Several camping opportunities are found in and around Burwash Landing including
the Dalan
Campground and the Burwash
Landing Resort, which also provides modern motel units.
Destruction Bay
Located lakeside, Destruction Bay features two campgrounds, the Cottonwood
RV Park and the Destruction
Bay Lodge RV Park, and the Talbot
Arm Motel offers motel units, as well as services such as a gas station,
restaurant and general store.
Haines Junction
“The Junction,” is a larger Alaska Highway community located next to the Kluane
National Park. Tourists will find several services and accommodations
including hotels/motels, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds.
Watson Lake
Approximately 5 hours from Whitehorse, Watson Lake is the third largest Yukon
community, offering a range of amenities and services including all types of
accommodations and attractions.
|
Whitehorse to ... |
Distance |
Est.
Time* |
| Dawson
City |
533
km (333 mi) |
6
hr |
| Haines
Junction |
160
km (100 mi) |
2
hr |
| Inuvik
|
1227
km (767 mi) |
8.5
hr |
| Skagway
|
174
km (109 mi) |
2
hr |
| Watson
Lake |
451
km (282 mi) |
5
hr |
|
|
Whitehorse
Distance Table
(*Estimated driving time) |
|
TRANSPORTATION
Air
Whitehorse International Airport accommodates flights in and out of the city,
with the Yukon's territorial airline, Air
North, providing flights from Vancouver,
Calgary, Edmonton,
and Fairbanks
and Juneau, Alaska.
Air
Canada Jazz offers flights into Whitehorse from Vancouver. Located only
five minutes from downtown, the airport is a convenient transportation hub.
Car
A network of paved and rural roads are found in the Yukon, with the Alaska Highway
being the main link to Whitehorse and other cities, connecting Alaska, British
Columbia, Alberta
and the Yukon territory. Regular public bus service is provided by Whitehorse
Transit and several cab companies are available for private trips.
CLIMATE
In general, the Yukon experiences long, cold winters with short, mild summers.
Summers are noted for extremely long days, averaging 20 hours of sunlight in
June and 18 hours in July. Due to its low humidity, the Yukon has dry, cold
winters. Snowfall averages range from 152 cm (60 in) to more than 203 cm (80
in), creating visible ground cover from mid-October to early April.
|
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
-22°C
(-8°F) |
-13°C (9°F) |
0
mm |
| Feb |
-17°C
(1°F) |
-7°C
(19°F) |
0
mm |
| Mar
|
-12°C
(10°F) |
-1°C (30°F) |
0
mm |
| Apr |
-4°C (25°F) |
6°C (43°F) |
1
mm |
| May
|
0°C (32°F) |
13°C (55°F) |
12
mm |
| Jun
|
5°C
(41°F) |
18°C
(64°F) |
30
mm |
| Jul |
8°C
(46°F) |
20°C
(68°F) |
39
mm |
|
Aug |
6°C
(43°F) |
18°C
(64°F) |
38
mm |
|
Sep |
2°C
(36°F) |
12°C
(54°F) |
31
mm |
|
Oct |
-2°C
(28°F) |
4°C (39°F) |
8
mm |
|
Nov |
-13°C
(9°F) |
-5°C
(23°F) |
1
mm |
|
Dec |
-19 °C (-2°F) |
-11°C
(12°F) |
0
mm |
|
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Climate
data from Weather Network |
Weather conditions can be extreme, and when planning a trip it is advisable
to consult local weather and road condition reports for possible road closures.
Other factors to consider for road trips include driver fatigue. Drivers should
take frequent breaks and not be tempted to keep driving during extended daylight
hours. Carrying a spare tire and a vehicle emergency kit are also a good idea
as some routes offer limited services.
Travellers should also consider the types of clothing to pack. For all seasons,
layering is a good idea, packing such items as long sleeved shirts and pants,
wool sweaters, fibrefill vests and sturdy walking shoes. When visiting in the
winter, insulated clothing is key, including long underwear, a winter coat,
hat, gloves and boots.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- YG Photo; c/o Travel Yukon; SS Klondike; Whitehorse, YT, Canada
- YG Photo; c/o Travel Yukon; View of Taylor's Place Wilderness Lodge from
Lake; Watson Lake, YT, Canada
- YG Photo; c/o Travel Yukon; Beringia Interpretive Centre; Whitehorse, YT,
Canada
- YG Photo; c/o Travel Yukon; View Down Alaska Highway, Mountains; Haines
Junction, YT, Canada
