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walking tour or on one of several guided
tours led by engaging Parks Canada
interpreters. Parks Canada has also hidden
geocaches around town, containing
information about locations and people

commemorated in the Klondike (www.
dawsoncity.ca ).

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

In the Yukon’s unspoiled wilderness,
outdoor enthusiasts can explore on foot or
by mountain bike, or retrace the prospec-
tors’ footsteps by hiking the challenging
Chilkoot Trail. Angle for trophy fi sh in a
northern glacier-fed lake or climb a
mountain. Go heli-hiking or heli-skiing,
kayaking, canoeing or rafting part of the
KLONDIKE KATE AND HER DANCERS AT DIAMOND TOOTH GERTIES, DAWSON CITY • TOURISM YT Yukon River—Canada’s second longest.
The Yukon, home to some of the most
Museums, roadside stops and the entire retirement to fl y tourists over Dawson City, renowned rivers in Canada, is a paddler’s
downtown of Dawson City are the lessons the goldfi elds, the Klondike and the Yukon dreamscape. In addition to the Yukon and
of a time when desperate stampeders rivers (www.greatriverair.com). Klondike rivers, the territory has four
surmounted unimaginable hardships to Canadian Heritage Rivers: the Alsek, Thirty
reach stream beds they believed were thick The new Aurora Glass Chalets at the Mile, Tatshenshini and Bonnet Plume.
with gold nuggets. Few found these riches Northern Lights Resort & Spa are designed These ribbons of water off er challenging
and many lost their lives or their savings in with large fl oor-to-ceiling, wraparound whitewater to fl at waters, with outstanding
the quest for instant wealth. Gold is still a windows that off er perfect viewing of the opportunities to observe wildlife.
vibrant part of the Yukon economy, but waves of northern lights and the winter Anglers come from around the world
modern machinery has replaced the gold polar nighttime sky (www.northernlights to experience some of Canada’s best fi shing
pan, although visitors can still pan for gold yukon.com). for lake trout, northern pike, Arctic
in the creeksides. grayling, rainbow trout and salmon in the

For the Klondike gold seekers, the Northern Lights Over Kluane is a small Yukon’s pristine lakes and rivers.
Yukon’s many waterways were the highways group way to experience the aurora borealis Experienced guides can create a day of
into the north. Today’s paddlers trace many through the eyes of the First Nations, listen superb fi shing in remote waters where you
of the same water-borne routes—this time in to time honoured stories and learn about can really get away from it all. Fishing
search of canoeing and kayaking adven- traditional ways of living off the land, all outfi tters like Inconnu Lodge off er
tures on the territory’s many lakes and while enjoying a comfortable lodge stay personalized, small-group packages to
70 wilderness rivers. In winter, the frozen (www.yukontours.ca). introduce visitors to the northern lights,
rivers are the routes of world-class sled dog while enjoying fi shing and viewing glaciers
endurance races; some commemorate the Quick Fact and local wildlife (www.inconnulodge.
wintertime “highway of the north” along com ).
the frozen Yukon River, the traditional MOOSE OUTNUMBER YUKONERS 2:1 AND Spectators cheer on mushers in the
CARIBOU OUTNUMBER YUKONERS 6:1.
route to the goldfi elds of the Klondike. famous 1,609-km (1,000-mi.) Yukon Quest
The people long connected to the land International Sled Dog Race (www.yukon
are the members of the First Nations. Across CITY LIGHTS quest.com). Visitors can mush their own
the Yukon, visitors can observe or immerse Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon, team on one-hour to multi-day dogsled-
themselves in authentic experiences like gained its name from the roiling White ding adventures 30 minutes from
drum making, herbal nature hikes, circle Horse Rapids on the Yukon River. Whitehorse (www.skyhighwilderness.com ).
healing and sweat lodge ceremonies. Whitehorse is the urban heart of the Yukon Wild, a group of professional
territory, with historic and heritage sites, adventure travel companies, holds
WHAT’S NEW? a vibrant arts locale, and a wide range of year-round trips with experienced local

The new Raven Inn is a unique Yukon/ dining and accommodation choices guides and equipment. Activities range
Klondike-inspired boutique property (www.travelyukon.com). from fi shing, hiking, canoeing, mountain
opening this winter in Whitehorse, with Quirky and historic Dawson City biking, horseback riding or rafting, to
upscale rooms and residence suites, an preserves its storied Gold Rush past with dogsledding, snowshoeing, skiing and
outdoor hot tub and cedar sauna overlook- false-fronted buildings, rustic log cabins, snowmobiling (www.yukonwild.com ).
ing the Yukon River (www.raveninn.com). can-can dancing and a frontier energy.
Downtown Dawson is designated a national HERITAGE AND CULTURE

Great River Air brought a 1942 Boeing- historic site and the unique Gold Rush era When the news of “Gold!” echoed from the
Stearman open cockpit biplane out of town can be explored by a self-guided Klondike, tens of thousands of gold seekers