The capital of Yukon sits along the Yukon River, where northern lights dance across winter skies. Home to 25,000 people, it's the starting point for Klondike Gold Rush trails.
Whitehorse, the capital of Canada's Yukon Territory, lies along the Yukon River between Grey Mountain, Mount Sumanik, and Golden Horn Mountain. In this city with the world's cleanest air, you can spot caribou and arctic foxes at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, pan for gold at MacBride Museum, or walk through a preserved sternwheeler at the S.S. Klondike Historic Site. Watch the Northern Lights dance across winter skies from September to April, or take advantage of 20-hour summer days to explore the city's extensive trail network.
Getting Around Whitehorse
You can fly into Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport from Vancouver, Calgary, or Edmonton. If you're driving, the Alaska Highway runs through the city, connecting it to British Columbia and Alaska. Downtown Whitehorse is compact - you can walk to most attractions, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police maintain regular patrols throughout the area.
Climate and Natural Setting
Whitehorse's position in a mountain valley creates a unique subarctic climate that's milder than other northern cities. The surrounding peaks - Grey Mountain to the east, Mount Sumanik to the northwest, and Golden Horn Mountain to the south - shield the city from severe weather. With just 141.8 cm of annual snowfall, Whitehorse is Canada's driest city.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
The city's 850 kilometers of trails wind through urban and wilderness areas. In winter, you can cross-country ski on groomed paths, while summer opens up opportunities for mountain biking and hiking. Walk the Millennium Trail along the Yukon River through downtown to see historic sites and river rapids.
Wildlife and Nature Centers
At the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, 25 minutes from downtown, walk the 5-kilometer viewing route to see 11 species of northern mammals in their natural environments across 750 acres. The Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre brings Ice Age history to life with full-size recreations of ancient animals, including the world's largest recovered woolly mammoth skeleton.
First Nations Culture
Visit the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on the Yukon River to learn about local First Nations traditions. You can join workshops with local artists, explore current exhibitions, and take guided tours to understand the Kwanlin Dün First Nation's history and contemporary life.
Historical Sites
Walk through Miles Canyon, where gold seekers once navigated treacherous waters during the Klondike Gold Rush. Step aboard the S.S. Klondike, one of 250 sternwheelers that transported prospectors along the Yukon River. At MacBride Museum, explore Gold Rush artifacts and visit Sam McGee's cabin, made famous by Robert Service's poetry.
Winter Activities
Each February, watch mushers and their teams start the 1,600-kilometer Yukon Quest dog sled race to Fairbanks, Alaska. From September to April, you can join guided tours to view the Northern Lights from dark sky locations outside the city. During the Sourdough Rendezvous Festival, watch or participate in traditional winter competitions like flour packing contests and dog sled races.
