Our Travel Advisors can help you plan and provide advice about your Yukon trip.
Respectful travel
Indigenous Peoples were the first travelers and custodians of this land. There are 14 First Nations and 8 language groups in the Yukon. Today, Indigenous Peoples make up about 25% of the Yukon’s population.
Every part of the Yukon is the Traditional Territory of one or several First Nations. Being a respectful visitor ensures that we work together to take care of Yukon’s land and water.
• Drive to the conditions and respect speed limits.
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.
• Road conditions change. Keep up with current conditions by calling 511 from your mobile phone. You can also visit 511Yukon.ca to check road conditions or sign up for updates along your route.
• Respect any road closures, travel advisories or construction zones. Be prepared to change your travel plans if conditions change. Sometimes, pilot cars will be set up so that you can safely follow them along roads that only have one lane open.
• When driving, pull over if you need to use your phone. Take a break from driving to keep yourself and others safe. There isn’t cell service outside of communities, so bring a personal locator beacon or another way to call for help in case you have an emergency.
• Bring cash with you since some communities only have one cash machine and card payments may be affected by power outages.
• If you see wildlife near the road, slow down. Only come to a complete stop if necessary to avoid creating a traffic hazard.
Driving in winter
When travelling in the Yukon any time between late fall and spring, you need to be extra careful. Remove all snow that’s covering your vehicle before you start driving. When driving, give yourself more time to start and stop. Don’t use cruise control.
Winter tires are necessary because they have good grip in icy and slushy conditions. Winter tires are marked with a mountain and snowflake symbol. If you are renting a car in the winter, make sure that the rental company gives you a car with winter tires.
Always travel with multiple layers of clothing suitable for the season in your vehicle with you, even if it is a “warm” day.
