Yukon 2008 Vacation Planner - 85

w i nter magic winter Fun Legend has it that cabin fever sets in, but Yukoners embrace the snowy season with all kinds of festivities and outdoor activities. Enjoy local and national talent at the Frostbite Music Festival, take in the antics at the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous and other community winter carnivals, or attend one of many theatrical or musical productions. Participate in a cross-country ski loppet or try your hand at ice fishing. The Yukon also hosts many world-class events from sled dog races to snowmobile rallies and human-powered extreme competitions. We’re never at a loss for ways to celebrate winter in the Yukon, especially in 2008. Be sure to check the Calendar of Events. Snowmobiling Sometimes you feel the need for speed that only the raw, roaring power of a snow machine can satisfy. Superb trails, unbeatable alpine terrain and an endless supply of powder lure adventurous riders, and everyone goes home talking about the vast spaces and thrilling scenery. Bring your own sled if you want, but everything you need is available here, including experienced guides who can organize every aspect of your Yukon snowmobile vacation. Another option is to watch or take part in one of the many annual snowmobile events. Visitors are welcome. winter travel Gone are the days when a Yukon winter journey meant scaling a mountain, traversing a snowy pass and crossing a frozen lake just to retrieve the mail. Our exhilarating wintertime adventures are just a two-hour flight from Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton. Flight schedules vary in winter; please check schedules with Air North and Air Canada. Some businesses operate seasonally in the Yukon; watch for months of operation when planning your Yukon winter adventure. Dog mushing The Yukon has a strong dog mushing heritage and endless wilderness that awaits exploration by dog team. Join us in Whitehorse to cheer on the competitors at the start of the 1,610-km (1,000-mile) international sled dog race, the Yukon Quest. Dogsledding is the purest form of winter travel—there’s just you, your dogs, the jingle of their harnesses, and the profound, peaceful silence of the trail. Yukon tour operators offer a range of mushing experiences. Choose from day-long, overnight and week-long packages and longer, more challenging excursions. what to Pack Winter temperatures can range from above freezing to 40 below. But don’t let that scare you—we have visitors that come for the thrill of 40 below! If you are on a guided adventure, your hosts will provide you with a detailed list of clothing and outer gear to bring or rent. Refer to the chart at the beginning of this planner to guide your packing. You can always call a Tourism Yukon travel counsellor at 1-800-661-0494 for planning assistance. aurora Borealis From September to April, the northern lights take up residence in the skies over the Yukon. Depending on the cloud conditions, you can spend hours transfixed by an ethereal display of shimmering and dancing colours shifting overhead. Yukon operators offer a wide variety of northern lights tour packages. below: Snow carving at Rendevous festival – YG, right: The best of Yukon winters – Fulda travelyukon.com 85

Yukon 2008 Vacation Planner

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Yukon 2008 Vacation Planner