Yukon General Information Area: 531,844 sq km (205,345 sq miles). Population: 33,586 (1997). Population Density: 0.06 per sq km. Capital: Whitehorse. Population: 24,031 (1997). GEOGRAPHY: Yukon Territory, Canada’s ‘last frontier’, is a largely mountainous and forested wilderness located in the northwest of the country. It borders the US State of Alaska to the west, Canada’s Northwest Territories to the east and British Columbia to the south. The Yukon Territory is bisected by the valley of the Yukon River, which passes to the west of the Mackenzie Mountains. Mount Logan, in the St Elias Range on the border with Alaska, is the second highest peak in North America at 5959m (19,550ft). Language: Although Canada is officially bilingual (English and French), English is more commonly spoken in the territory. Time: GMT - 8 (GMT - 7 in summer). Note: Summer officially lasts from the first Sunday in April to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October. Public Holidays Public holidays are as for the rest of Canada (see general Canada section), with the following dates also observed: Feb 21 2003 Heritage Day. Aug 18 Discovery Day. Feb 27 2004 Heritage Day. Aug 16 Discovery Day. Travel - International AIR: The main international services are run by Air Canada (AC). They also operate a daily domestic service between Whitehorse and Vancouver. From May until September a charter service with Canada 3000 is also available. There are also flights from Vancouver to Watson Lake with Air Canada connector Central Mountain Air. Contact Air Canada for reservations and schedules. Air Transat offers a weekly non-stop charter service from Frankfurt to Whitehorse. These flights operate until mid-September. Air North, the main local carrier, provides services from Whitehorse to Inuvik, Dawson City, Old Crow, Juneau and Fairbanks, with connecting flights to Anchorage in Alaska (tel: (867) 668 2228; fax: (867) 668 6224; e-mail: airnorth@yknet.yk.ca; website: www.airnorth.yk.net). Other scheduled carriers include First Air, which operates from Whitehorse to Fort Simpson and Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories (tel: (613) 688 2635; fax: (613) 688 2637; e-mail: reservat@firstair.ca; website: www.firstair.ca). Era Aviation provides a non-stop service in summertime between Whitehorse and Anchorage, Alaska (tel: (800) 866 8394 (toll free in USA and Canada) or (907) 266 8394). The Yukon also has many companies offering charter air services. Contact Tourism Yukon for a complete listing. SEA: Cruise ships and passenger and vehicle ferries operate from Bellingham in Washington (USA) and Vancouver and Prince Rupert in British Columbia, arriving at Skagway in Alaska and connecting with Whitehorse by motorcoach, or train/motorcoach combination. Whitehorse is approximately 180km (113 miles) from Skagway. Ferry information can be obtained by phone (tel: (800) 642 0066; toll free in USA and Canada). ROAD: The major road in the region is the Alaska Highway, running from Alaska to British Columbia through Whitehorse. The Dempster Highway connects Dawson City with Inuvik in the north. The Klondike Highway connects Skagway, Alaska to Dawson City, Yukon. Bus/Coach: Scheduled bus services are available between most Yukon communities. Greyhound Canada operates services six times a week from Edmonton, Alberta and Vancouver, British Columbia to Whitehorse during the summer. Accommodation HOTELS: There are 86 hotel/motels with approximately 2500 rooms in the Yukon Territory. Because of the heavy tourist flow through the region in summer, reservations should be considered. The majority of hotels and motels are located in the larger centres, but facilities are available along the highways and in the smaller communities. Some hotels are closed for the winter. Yukon Territory accommodation is being graded through the Canada Select Program. For further information, contact Tourism Yukon. BED & BREAKFAST: There are many bed & breakfast properties in the Yukon Territory. For further information, contact Tourism Yukon (see Contact Addresses section); or the Bed & Breakfast Association of Yukon, PO Box 31518, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 6K8 (tel: (867) 667 2161 or (877) 735 3281 (toll free in USA and Canada); fax: (867) 667 2171; website: www.yukonbandb.com). CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Camping is advised only in summer and allowed only on government or private campsites. A number of companies can arrange motor camper rentals, with a range of fully equipped vehicles. For further information, contact Canadream Campers (website: www.canadream.com). Full details can be obtained from Tourism Yukon. Introduction WHITEHORSE: Yukon’s capital (since 1953) lies on the west bank of the Yukon River, the water route taken by thousands of eager prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. The majority of the territory’s population is concentrated here. The McBride Museum houses many of the artefacts of the gold rush era, including Sam McGee’s Cabin. On the river itself, the SS Klondike, a restored sternwheeler vessel, is open for viewing. The MV Schwatka offers a two-hour cruise of the Miles Canyon. ELSEWHERE: Carcross, an hour’s drive south of Whitehorse, lies between the Nares and Bennett Lakes at the foot of Nares Mountain; the Caribou, Yukon’s oldest hotel, can be found here. Carcross connects to Skagway in Alaska via the Klondike Highway. Kluane National Park and Reserve, in the southwest corner of the territory, has the highest mountains in Canada (the highest at 5959m (19,545ft) is Mount Logan) and the largest non-polar icefields in the world. Special flightseeing tours of this park can be arranged from Whitehorse and a variety of other Yukon Territory communities. Near Skagway (Alaska) is Dyea, the starting point of the famous Chilkoot Trail, where hikers can retrace the footsteps of the gold rush stampeders. Dawson City, at the heart of the Klondike, can be reached by road or by the Yukon River. In its brief heyday at the turn of the century, Dawson was hailed as the ‘Paris of the North’, having then some 30,000 inhabitants; in 1996 the population was approximately 2100. Many areas of the city have now been designated national historic sites, with buildings such as the Commissioner’s Residence and the Palace Grand Theatre bearing witness to its former glories. Each summer the latter produces an authentic 1898 vaudeville show – the ‘Gaslight Follies’. Tours on the Yukon River on the miniature stern-wheeler Yukon Lou visit the Sternwheelers Graveyard and Pleasure Island. Visitors can pan gold at Guggieville or Claim 33 on Bonanza Creek, the site of the original claim which sparked off the 1898 Gold Rush. In the north of the territory are two further national parks, Ivvavik and Vuntut. Ivvavik has a non-glaciated landscape with abundant wildlife, significant archaeological sites and the Firth River. The recently established Vuntut National Park currently has no facilities or visitor information centre. Camping and hiking are possible, but there are no developed trails; visitors should be self sufficient and arrange transportation and accommodation well in advance. The village of Old Crow has very limited bed & breakfast and cabin facilities. Owing to the lack of a tourist infrastructure, most visitors might prefer to undertake expeditions to the wild backcountry of the Yukon Territory in the company of a licensed outfitter or guide. Sport & Activities Yukon Territory, in Canada’s far northwest, consists mainly of mountain ranges cut by the mighty Yukon River and its tributaries. This unspoilt wilderness is relatively well served by roads left over from the days of Canada’s gold rush and from an attempt to exploit oil reserves, which facilitates access by adventure seekers. Watersports: Canoeing is particularly popular. In summer, the tributaries of the Yukon River (including the Teslin, the Big Salmon and the Pelly) offer fast-flowing, flat water. Most trips are easy to arrange because starting and ending points have roadside access. There is also the advantage of being able to resupply from communities located along the riverbank. Trips ranging from a few hours to several weeks can be organised. There is no shortage of white water for more experienced canoeists. While wild rivers such as the Bonnet Plume and the Firth must be reached by bush plane, other spectacular rivers, such as the Tatchenshini and the South Macmillan are accessible by road. Simple riverside campsites provide accommodation. River travellers are advised to leave details of their itineraries with the authorities before setting out. River and lake cruises offer the opportunity to see wildlife such as bears, eagles and Dall’s sheep. Other: All the usual outdoor pursuits are easily arranged, either independently or through outfitters and specialist operators. National parks such as Kluane in the far southwest (containing more than 4000 glaciers) and Ivvavik in the far northwest, contain hiking trails and other facilities. Mount Logan, in the St Elias Range in Kluane National Park, is the second highest peak in North America at 5959m (19,550ft). Cross-country skiing is possible in winter. Other activities include glacier flights, helicopter tours and fishing. For general information about sport and activities in Canada, see the main Canada section. Social Profile Food & Drink: Some of the Yukon’s food is very distinctive but difficult to produce commercially. Moose meat is cooked in several ways from steaming to smoking or pot roasting, and accompanied by sourdough and vegetables. Dall sheep, mountain goat, caribou and porcupine are also eaten. Wild fish features on most menus. There are restaurants throughout the area, but the best selection is in Whitehorse, Dawson City and Watson Lake. Most alcohol is imported from other areas of Canada and the USA. A local speciality is hooch (a blend of imported and Canadian rum); it is only available in the Yukon Territory. Whitehorse is home to the Chilkoot Brewing Company which produces unique beers and ales. Nightlife: Nightlife is best during the historical festivals and carnivals reflecting the pioneer spirit that explored the region. However, Dawson City has legalised gambling, live vaudeville theatre and a floor show at Gertie’s featuring Cancan girls and honky-tonk piano. Shopping: Special items include First Nation moccasins, jewellery, art and carvings. Check with Revenue Canada or the Visitor Reception Centres to determine qualification for the Goods Service Tax rebate. Shopping hours: Mon-Wed and Sat 1000-1800, Thurs-Fri 1000-2100. Special Events: For full details, contact Tourism Yukon (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events in Yukon in 2003: Jan 1 Annual New Year’s Day Snow Machine Poker Run. Feb 9 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, Whitehorse. Feb 13-15 Dawson City Curling Club International Bonspiel. Feb 21-23 Frostbite Music Festival. Mar 20-22 Thaw-di-Gras Spring Carnival, Dawson City. Apr 13-20 Celebration of Swans. Apr 18-20 Dawson International Short Film Festival. May 15 Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall Opening Night, Dawson City. May 16-17 Dawson City International Gold Show (aimed at the placer mining industry). May 30-Jun 2 Yukon International Storytelling Festival, Whitehorse. Jun 13-15 Alsek Music Festival, Haines Junction. Jun 20-21 Midnight Sun Golf Tournament, Dawson City. Jun 24 Jean Baptiste Day, Whitehorse. Jul 18-20 Dawson City Music Festival. Aug 15-18 Discovery Days Celebrations, Dawson City. Aug 16-18 Riverside Yukon Arts Festival, Dawson. Sep 5-6 Klondike Trail International Road Relay, Whitehorse. Oct 11-18 Francofete, Whitehorse. Dec 13 Dawson City Old Fashioned Christmas Party. Business Profile Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Yukon Chamber of Commerce, 201-208 Main Street, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory Y1A 2A9 (tel: (867) 667 2000; fax: (867) 667 2001; e-mail: ycc@yukonchamber.com; website: www.ycc@yukonchamber.com). Conferences/Conventions: For information on conferences and conventions in the Yukon Territory, contact the Visit Canada Centre or Yukon Convention Bureau, 101-302 Steele Street, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C5 (tel: (867) 667 7545; fax: (867) 667 4507; e-mail: ycb@hypertech.yk.ca; website: www.yukonweb.com/tourism/ycb). Climate Summers are warm with almost continuous daylight during June. Winters are bitterly cold. Required clothing: Summer – days can be hot, but sweaters and light jackets are advised for the evenings. Spring and Autumn – coats and gloves are required for outdoor activities. Winter – thermal underwear, wool sweaters, parkas, wool gloves or mittens and mukluks or felt-lined boots are advised for the winter. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.