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Whitehorse
call of the wild Established during the Gold Rush, Whitehorse is the gateway to Canada’s true north and offers a ‘frontier experience’, says Stuart Forster
T
he territorial capital of the Yukon is much more than just a staging post for self-drive holidays. Established as a provisioning hub for miners during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s, its downtown district's frontier-ofcivilisation feel is today a draw in itself. The pastel facades of stores on Main Street look much like those from the sets of Western movies. Refreshingly remote, Whitehorse has the best air quality of all Canada’s cities and it’s easy to explore the broad streets of its compact core on foot.
Star Struck A bust of Jack London, the author of The Call of the Wild – a tale that was told in the 2020 movie of the same name, starring Harrison Ford as John Thornton, who ventures north with his dog, Buck - stands at the corner of Main Street and Fourth Avenue. Similarly, a bronze statue of a gold rush prospector and his dog also resides in the heart of the city. Dog sledding and northern lights viewing count among winter activities popular in and around Whitehorse. Close to the city, the aurora glass chalets at the Northern Lights Resort and Spa is a popular accommodation option. When it comes to activity excursions, several local operators offer a raft of exciting
Paddle steamer S.S. Klondike
adventures: for example, Yukon Heli Ski offers day trips from Whitehorse and promises “deep snowpacks, rugged Northern beauty, bonfires under the northern lights, cozy tiny home accommodations, outdoor barbecues and five-star meals.” Buses operate in Whitehorse but to explore the wilderness beyond visitors will need to hire a vehicle – motorhomes are a good choice – or join a group tour. Nearby highlights include the country’s tallest mountain, Mount Logan, and the world’s largest non-polar icefield in Kluane National Park, two hours’ drive west along the Alaska Highway. The Carcross Desert, the smallest in the world, is less than an hour south of the city. Served by Air Canada and Air North, Whitehorse is a two-hour-and-20-minute flight from Vancouver.
Top Experiences
OLd Log Church
Museums: Get the lowdown on the Klondike Gold Rush and First Nations’ stories in the MacBride Museum, which is built around a cabin-like telegraph office. The summer-only MacBride Copperbelt Mining Museum is a few miles out of town. The White Pass and Yukon Railway: The narrow-gauge system was built in
1898 to connect Whitehorse with Skagway in Alaska. Coaches now run to and from Fraser, in British Columbia, for the return trip over the White Pass Summit to Skagway. Winter fat biking: Terra Riders operate three-hour guided fat biking tours. Guests pause to appreciate the landscape – and maybe the northern lights. The Robert Lowe Suspension Bridge: Just outside the city, this provides outstanding views of the steep basalt walls of the Miles Canyon. Drinking holes: Lovers of craft beers can mosey into the likes of the Dirty Northern Bastard pub, the Gold Pan Saloon and the Winterlong Brewing Co’s taproom. Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre: This modern riverside building showcases the arts, crafts and heritage of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, hosting artists in residence, interpretive events and dance acts. SS Klondike: Goods and people once travelled between Whitehorse and Dawson City on this paddle steamer, now a National Historic Site on the Yukon River. Yukon Beringia Interpretative Centre: This attraction near the airport explores the human settlement of North America and the Ice Age wildlife that used the land bridge linking Asia.
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City Profile - Whitehorse V7.indd 33
2/7/22 05:43 PM
