Whitehorse: A City Built On Gold

	Northern Lights 1

Nestled within the vast, untouched wilderness of the great Canadian North, Yukon's capital city is a travel gem for anyone seeking outdoor adventure. Whitehorse summers provide the perfect atmosphere for fishing, canoeing and horseback trips, and its winters are no less exciting. Snowy months turn this beautiful city into an ideal home base for skiers, snowmobilers and ice climbers. It also plays host to a number of tour companies, which take adventurous souls out into the wilderness to dogsled, snowmobile and witness one of the world's most beautiful natural phenomena, the Northern Lights.

But it's not just the plethora of outdoor activities that make Whitehorse such a great Canadian destination. For, although it boasts easy access to the great outdoors, Whitehorse also offers all the modern conveniences and amenities of a metropolis. This well-rounded city has something for all travellers, whether they are looking to shop, sightsee or get lost in the excitement of a festival.

HISTORY AND ECONOMY

Although used for thousands of years as a seasonal fishing post by the First Nations tribes, the Kwanlin Dun and the Ta'an Kwach'an, the Whitehorse area is most famous for its role during the Klondike Gold Rush. In 1896 three men struck gold in the Klondike region. Word of the find quickly spread and eager adventurers flooded the area. As thousands of prospectors travelled up the fierce Yukon River toward Dawson City in search of riches, the riverside settlement became an important supply and transportation centre and began to thrive.

Yukon River in Winter2

Then, at the turn of the century, a railway was built that connected Whitehorse with the Alaskan city of Skagway. This railway was known as the White Pass and Yukon Route and ensured the continued growth of Whitehorse.

Since then, Whitehorse's economic base diversified to eventually include mining, prospecting, transportation and communication. By 1953, Whitehorse had transformed. Its population had boomed, along with its importance as a Canadian city, and on April 1st of that year it became the capital of the Yukon Territory. Today, the economic driving forces of Whitehorse consist mainly of government, trade, mining and of course, tourism.

GEOGRAPHY

With Grey Mountain to the east, Haeckel Hill directly west, Gold Horn Mountain to the south and the Yukon River running through it, the stunning geography of the Whitehorse area is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws for visitors to the city.

Located within the Boreal Cordillera ecozone, mountains, plateaus and vast boreal forests blanket the land. Visitors and residents alike frequent the trails of Grey Mountain for the best view of the landscape that earned Whitehorse the honour of the National Civic Lead award, granted to the city for its stunning natural beauty.

The city itself has a very unique layout that has earned Whitehorse the nickname "pearls on a string." The residential, industrial and service subdivisions of the city are separated by hilly, undeveloped areas, connected only by the main thoroughfares that run between them.

CLIMATE

Whitehorse's unique position within the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains is responsible for its reputation as Canada's driest city. Average precipitation sits around an annual snowfall of 145 cm (4.76 ft) and 163 mm (6.4 in) of rainfall. Temperatures for the area average approximately 21°C (69.8°F) in summer and -22°C (7.6°F) during winter. Despite the relatively cold temperatures that Whitehorse is known to experience, it has ranked among Canadian cities with the most comfortable climate.

TRANSPORTATION

Visitors to Whitehorse can reach the city by air, train or car. The Erik Nielson International Airport located within the capital has regularly scheduled flights with Air Canada, Air North and Condor. These airlines collectively offer flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Dawson City, Inuvik, Old Crow, Fairbanks, Yellowknife, and seasonal flights from Frankfurt, Germany.

For those hailing from Alaska or British Columbia, travelling to Whitehorse by train is also a great alternative. The historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway allows passengers to witness the outstanding landscape as it travels above canyons and past calm mountain lakes and historical sights from the Klondike Gold Rush.

The Alaska Highway also offers a safe and scenic route to Whitehorse from Dawson Creek, British Columbia and points along the way. Those that have the time to drive will undoubtedly benefit from the breathtaking scenery.

When it comes to getting around within Whitehorse the Whitehorse Transit System has bus routes that connect the city centre with all residential suburbs. Tickets can be purchased individually, in strips of ten or as monthly passes. There are also a number of companies within Whitehorse that offer both car and RV rentals. Parking is not a problem in Whitehorse due to its relatively small population.

	S.S. Klondike 3

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

Although it is the opportunity for thrilling outdoor adventure that Whitehorse is most commonly recognized for, it is far from the only thing that awaits travellers to the area. The enthralling origins of the city can be experienced at a number of historic sites and museums, while the unique Yukon culture is celebrated in various venues across the city.

SS Klondike
Steam-powered sternwheelers were used extensively during the Klondike Gold Rush and for almost nine decades afterwards. They played a crucial role in the development of Whitehorse and the surrounding area and are therefore very important to the region. The S.S. Klondike was one of the largest of these sternwheelers that navigated the Yukon River. When it eventually fell into disuse the large ship was docked permanently in Whitehorse and was named a National Historic Site to commemorate the role that all sternwheelers played in the history of the Yukon. Today it is open for tours from May to September. Tours of the ship provide information on the gold rush, Yukon River and First Nations people.

Copperbelt Railway & Mining Museum
The Copperbelt Railway and Mining Museum is great for the entire family and located just five minutes from the Whitehorse city centre. This 20-acre (8-ha) theme park is built on the very site of one of the earliest copper claims in the area. The beautiful boreal forest and rich mining history can be experienced on a 2-km (1.2-mi) train ride through the park. Once the train ride is over, visitors can learn more about the history of the Yukon mining industry at the on-site museum, or relax in the picnic area.

	Dogsledding4

Frostbite Music Festival
Once a year, Whitehorse hosts what is said to be one of the most exciting Canadian winter festivals, the aptly named Frostbite Music Festival. This three-day extravaganza, held every February, showcases musical acts of every genre from the local, national and international stage. From folk to jazz, rock to country and bluegrass to blues, there is a little something for every type of music lover.

Other notable Whitehorse attractions include the Canyon City Ghost Town, Whitehorse Fish Ladder, Miles Canyon and Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre.

If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles:
• The Yukon's Gold Attractions
• Visiting the Wilderness City - An Accommodation Guide to Whitehorse

1. Northern Lights; Whitehorse, YT, Canada
2. Yukon River; Whitehorse, YT, Canada
3. S.S. Klondike; Whitehorse, YT, Canada
4. Dogsledding; Whitehorse, YT, Canada