Canada As You Like It Blog
Yukon
- by Canada As You Like It
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- 16 Oct, 2023
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Northern Lights and Midnight Sun
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
Land Of the Midnight Sun
Summertime See Here is a wonderful time in the Yukon, and is known as the Land of The
Midnight Sun. This time of the year sees the sun hardly setting and creating
extended days to capture memories of an amazing and unique holiday. There are diverse
ways to celebrate this time of year, from strolling the boardwalks of Dawson
City or hiking in Kluane National Park and
Reserve. See Dawson City Music Festival in July every year, celebrate and experience thousands of years of traditions. Held annually on
the solstice on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day recognises and celebrates
the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and achievements of Indigenous peoples
across the Yukon. Be a part of this national celebration to enjoy live music,
artist demonstrations, traditional food, and special ceremonies at places such
as Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre where performances and sacred ceremonies display
the crucial role that the First Nations have in the territory.
Solar Max
The Yukon is always an incredible place to view the Northern Lights and thesolar cycle is a periodic eleven-year change in the sun’s activity. During the cycle, the number of sunspots, solar flares and coronal loops, flow to a period of maximum activity known as a solar max- which is set to reach its peak between now and the winter of 2025/2026.The Yukon’s jet-black sky provides the perfect background for the green ripples that explode across the vast night sky. The best time to visit the Yukon to view the northern lights is from mid-August to mid-April and optimal viewing times are between 10pm-3am. Imagine drinking hot chocolate and watching the aurora borealis dance around you see Here.
History in the past and present
The Yukon has just been awarded their second UNESCO World Heritage Site. Joining Kluane National Park, the Tr’ondëk-Klondike is in northwestern Yukon Territory. It tells the story of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation’s experiences during the beginning and the height of the Klondike Gold Rush in Dawson City, between 1874 and 1908. Dawson City, itself a national historic site, resembles a town preserved in time. With historical buildings that date back to the late 1800s when 100,000 prospectors went in search of the all-powerful material, gold! Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in is a self-governing First Nation, with a small population. The World Heritage Site is a successive property comprised of eight heritage locations throughout the traditional territory of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, with Dawson City at its heart ready to welcome you with open arms. Dawson City is about 330 miles from Whitehorse with Whitehorse having its own airport for accessible transport into the Yukon.
Winter activities
When it comes to winter activities, Yukon is second to none. Dog sledding, hiking, snow shoeing and flightseeing tours are all available. Take a day trip to see a range of areas you would otherwise not be able to reach, either a full day out or just a couple of hours. Mushing brings about a whole new intensity to dog sledding. With a team of dogs at the ready, feel the exhilaration of high-speed sledding with athletic dogs who can effortlessly cover miles. The legendary Yukon Quest challenges mushers and their dog teams to traverse the frozen wilderness between Whitehorse, Yukon and Fairbanks, Alaska each February. Spectators from around the world travel to the Yukon to witness the event live, as the trail follows historical gold rush and mail delivery routes. While the Yukon Arctic Ultra also held in February each year is a mountain biking, cross-country skiing and running race that follows the trail of the Yukon Quest from Whitehorse to either Braeburn, Pelly Farm or Dawson City.
The five-month winter season in the Yukon spans from November until the end of the March. During this time, the Yukon, is a winter wonderland and flightseeing tours offer an amazing bird’s eye view of the landscape.
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
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