Canada As You Like It Blog
Yukon
- by Canada As You Like It
- •
- 16 Oct, 2023
- •
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.
Lace up your boots and hit the back country. With trails at your doorstep for exploring, hiking is the best way of seeing the province on a fly drive holiday. There are areas suitable for all levels of hiking, from the congenial leisure walk to the avid hiker. Head to Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley, this area offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land. It provides year-round adventure and sightseeing opportunities in the heart of beautiful Saskatoon. Benefit from the well-maintained, multi-use pathways to cycle, jog or walk the scenic riverbank trails. Sections of the Meewasin Trail are also part of the Trans Canada Trail which extends almost 24,000 km across Canada from coast to coast. Keen for a challenge? Look at some of the best back country hiking at places like Prince Albert National Park, Lac La Ronge, Meadow Lake- and Narrow Hills Provincial Park in the north or Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in the south.
With three different water ways and an UNESCO heritage site, Ottawa is the place to explore. Take a trip down the Rideau Canal or explore the ByWard market. Walk along Parliament Hill and through acres of woodland and royal trees planted by dignitaries.
Imagine swimming thousands of miles to find that special someone. Whales complete this every single year, known as a whale migration, to find suitable habitat for feeding and reproducing. In British Columbia, these stunning orcas, also known as killer whales, are a prominent site and seeing them is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as orcas, expect to find humpback whales, grey whales and minke whales. These amazing creatures call BC their home from April to October. When the sun is out the whales come to play. From tail flukes to pectoral slaps, go for a whale watching trip and you can bask in their playful nature and enjoy the sunset with a relaxing drink, perfect for families and solo travellers. You can also go paddleboarding with orcas for a unique perspective from the water to see these magnificent creatures. You must, of course, always keep four hundred metres away from them for their safety and yours.
Welcome to the province of Saskatchewan, Canada – a place of breath-taking landscapes, wide-open spaces and hospitality that is second-to-none. This province is big – 651,900 km2, in fact, and has nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways. Natural beauty is not the only thing this province is known for though. Join us on a culinary journey of Saskatchewan, where food and drink abound, and you will find something good to eat around every corner!
Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.
Atlantic Canada is famous for its fresh and abundant seafood, from succulent lobster, to scallops, mussels, oysters and cod – but it offers so much more. Dine at a seaside restaurant, take a stroll through a local farmers' market, or take in one of the many culinary festivals. It’s truly a foodie’s paradise.
Here's a round up of a few amazing foodie events and experiences that we thought you might want to try:
Head to Northern Manitoba for a wild and exciting trip. Waterways provide refuge to an abundance of wildlife and the land holds the stories of Indigenous peoples.
Bear viewing
Reconnect with nature in BC and experience spectacular wildlife viewing in stunning landscapes.
Search for grizzly bears, black bears and the rare spirit bear in pristine river valleys in the Great Bear Rainforest. Spot whales, porpoise, sea lions and much more while exploring the Great Bear Sea.
Cubs emerge from their dens in early spring and by August they will be sniffing the beginnings of the great salmon run. Autumn is a feeding frenzy for wildlife. Eagles, seals, sea lions, wolves, whales and bears fill up on salmon for the long winter ahead.
Situated 70 kilometres north of Campbell River, and accessible by floatplane, Glendale Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown) bears in BC. In the peak autumn season when the salmon are returning to the river, it’s not uncommon for guests to see up to 40 bears from the viewing platforms. In spring and summer bear viewing is done from the water for a good view of the bears feeding and this is often the best time to see small cubs.