Yukon

With plenty on offer in every season, Yukon’s capital city Whitehorse is a must-visit on any Yukon holiday. As the gateway city into the territory you can get direct flights from Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton.

The Yukon Quest is one of the city’s main attractions, with up to 50 dog teams taking on the 1,000 mile challenge every year. Alternatively, ice-fishing and cross-county skiing are also popular winter sports, or in the summer enjoy hiking or canoeing at nearby lakes.

If you’re wanting to stay within the city, you can discover a selection of museums including the Ice Age at Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, or learn all about First Nations way of life at Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. And, if you’re looking for a place to eat in Whitehorse, head to Wayfarer Oyster House for your choice of locally sourced fish, meat and beer. Or, drink from hand-blow glassware at the family owned Gather Cafe & Taphouse.

Once known as ‘the Paris of the north’, Dawson City might not be as glamorous as it was during the Gold Rush in the late 1890s. But it’s definitely worth a visit and you can even try your luck at panning for gold!

A six-hour drive north of Whitehorse up the Klondike Highway, Dawson City sits on the Yukon River. It also has a renowned railway station which The White Pass and Yukon Route come through. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, it was a means of reaching the goldfields.

There are plenty of tourist attractions that draw travellers to Dawson City today. You can enjoy a Klondike Spirit River Cruise, visit gold-panning sites, and browse a selection of museums to learn about the town's rich history. And, at night, you're likely to see the dazzling Aurora Borealis. Due to low light pollution you can also see the lights from anywhere in town, but, for a more spectacular show, head to the elevated Midnight Dome.

Just 40 minutes outside of Dawson City, you'll find Tombstone Territorial Park. This 2,200-square-kilometre area of pristine wilderness is just waiting to be explored. You can pick up trail maps from the Tombstone Interpretive Centre, so it's easy to go for a hike across this unique landscape.

With the Yukon’s spectacular natural profile, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do outdoors. During the summer, the lakes and rivers are ideal for a range of activities. Kayaking or canoe up the Yukon River, or for those wanting more of a thrill, the Nahanni River is a great spot for white-water rafting.

If you’d rather stay on dry land, North Canada has some incredible hiking spots. Enjoy a relatively easy hike at Spirit Canyon, or journey across mountainous terrain on horseback at Tombstone Territorial Park.

For a truly unique experience, you can visit the world’s smallest desert at Carcross. Go sandboarding down the dunes, or wait until winter to use the slope for cross-country skiing or snowboarding.

Alternatively, if you want to dive into North Canada’s fascinating history and culture, Whitehorse is a must-visit. Those with an artistic flair can learn antler carving and raven’s tail weaving at the Adaka Cultural Festival. Or, try mushing, the art of steering a dog sled.

If you’re travelling to the Yukon in the summer, you can expect clear skies, crisp air, and lots of sunshine. For those wanting to get outdoors and get active, a trip between June and August will give you the warmest temperatures. In July, the more southerly regions can enjoy highs of up to 23°C, but with varying temperatures it’s best to still bring layers. A great perk of summers in Northern Canada is getting to experience the ‘midnight sun’ which gives some days 24 hours of continuous sunlight.

Yukon’s colder months have plenty to offer too. Visit from mid-November to the beginning of April for the best sighting of the jaw-dropping Aurora Borealis, it's also worth noting that the Yukon has one of the longest Aurora seasons running from August thru to April.

The days during winter are considerably shorter and temperatures can often drop to -40°C. But, if you wrap up, the ample snow is perfect for winter activities like snowmobiling, snow-showing, ice fishing and cross-country skiing. If you want some respite from the cold, head over to Whitehouse to taste the locally brewed beer, or snuggle up in a cosy coffee shop.