Yukon Wildlife Preserve

Categories Travel, 27 Comments on Yukon Wildlife Preserve

While I was in Whitehorse, I had the chance to visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. The conservation is about 15-20 minutes away from the city. According to its website, the preserve features “13 species of northern Canadian mammals in their natural environment. Encompassing over 700 acres with various natural habitats, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve offers unparalleled wildlife viewing and photo opportunities.”

We spent almost three hours walking around, snapping images and exploring the area. The moose were incredibly friendly, sticking their heads out to say hi, and grabbing the branches from our hands. We also ran into a little red fox, who raced down the hill, posed for photos and quickly fell asleep.

If you’re interested in wildlife, I highly recommend the stop. It’s a great value for the experience. Click here for more information.

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My outerwear for this trip is proudly sponsored by SAIL. Follow my adventures on sail.ca.

Whitehorse, Yukon Takhini Hot Springs (Pt. 5)

Categories Travel, 24 Comments on Whitehorse, Yukon Takhini Hot Springs (Pt. 5)

What a way to end my journey in the Yukon: an incredible, relaxing dip in Yukon’s famous Takhini Hot Springs.

Part of the reason I went there was to participate in the annual Hair-Freezing Contest, but with a bizarre, above-average winter, it was a no-go. That didn’t stop me from meeting with the owners Andrew and Lauren, and learning about its health benefits.

Here’s a couple quick facts: it’s one of the only hot springs in the world you can sit in that’s unfiltered, meaning you will see the iron-coloured water; at its warmest in the winter, the waters reach around 47C; the springs are located in Yukon’s Boreal Forest — great for campers and explorers; and in terms of hair-freezing, it’s one of the only natural springs where the temperatures drop low enough, you can actually style your frozen hair (maybe, other than Lake Louise in Alberta).

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A couple other little secrets: by the summer, there will be a Klondike-themed escape room, and in two to three years, a full operational spa, with steam rooms, and luxury services.

Below: Here’s an incredible photo provided by Takhini Hot Springs.

Takhini Hot Springs

My outerwear for this trip is proudly sponsored by SAIL. Follow my adventures on sail.ca.

Whitehorse, Yukon Dog Sledding (Pt.4)

Categories Travel, 22 Comments on Whitehorse, Yukon Dog Sledding (Pt.4)

Another one of my big goals while in Whitehorse, Yukon was dog sledding. And, that’s right, I did it!

We booked with a family-run business called Yukon Horsepacking Adventures, which is at the south end of Fox Lake, 43 kilometres north of Whitehorse. According to their website, “Yukon Horsepacking Adventures was established in the spring of 2000 … and is also a member of both the Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon and the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon.”

The entire experience lasts about an hour and a half. You start by meeting the dogs, attaching their collars and leads to the sleds.

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After that was complete, our teacher, Armin Johnson (who owns/operates the company with his wife), taught us the basics about the sled, like how to stop and how to use the floor pad for additional breakage.

To start, my cousin took the back sled, and I stayed in front with Armin.

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We took the trail around Fox Lake, a variety of mixed forest and lakeside. Halfway through, we switch, and I hopped on the back of the sled. On the way back, I got to control the second sled – from steering to stopping. It was pretty neat, and I don’t think I did too bad for my first try!

Yukon Horsepacking Adventures

My outerwear for this trip is proudly sponsored by SAIL. Follow my adventures on sail.ca.

Whitehorse, Yukon Northern Lights (Pt. 3)

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After driving around Ontario, chasing the Northern Lights for months and coming up short, I FINALLY found them right here in Whitehorse, Yukon.

My dad and I went out with the tour group Northern Tales on Thursday evening for an INCREDIBLE aurora borealis viewing party. And guess what? We had beginner’s luck; our first night out, and we spotted them.

Our tour guide, Wolfe, picked us up around 10:45 p.m., drove us about 30 minutes north of the city near Mayo Rd. Once we arrived on site, there were two cabins, a bon fire, warm drinks, and snacks — making our experience comfortable. We also met tourists from all over the world (about 65 were there in total), some who camped out for numerous evenings waiting for the dancing colours.

I am so happy to have witnessed this! It’s rare for a Toronto-area girl. I am also blessed to have seen them with my dad. A memorable, wonderful experience.

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Whitehorse, Yukon to Skagway, Alaska (Pt. 2)

Categories Featured, Travel, , 18 Comments on Whitehorse, Yukon to Skagway, Alaska (Pt. 2)

If you ever get the chance to drive from Whitehorse, Yukon to Skagway, Alaska, DO IT! It’s about a three-hour drive each way (176 km), surrounded by a canvas of rockies and black fertile ground.

For us, we started our road trip with some snowy conditions, and heavy cloud coverage, but by 11 a.m., when we were about 15 km past Carcross, the sky opened up – beautiful, vibrant blue and grand white mountains.

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The drive takes you along the Klondike Highway from Whitehorse, through Fraser, British Columbia, back through the Yukon and finally, to Skagway, Alaska. While adventuring, you’ll see the ruins of the Venus Mine, the headwaters of the Yukon River, several glaciers, waterfalls, and the White Pass Railway and Trail.

NOTE: You’ll also encounter at least two avalanche zones — so be sure to check the weather conditions and border services before heading out.

But quite possibly the most SPEECHLESS site was the drive back. We stopped by Carcross (formerly Caribou Crossing), when we were greeted by the unreal mountainous-mirrored view of Lake Bennett.

carcorss

No words.

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My outerwear for this trip is proudly sponsored by SAIL. Follow my adventures on sail.ca.