Travel tips 5 ways to make the most of Yukon Pride

Whether you’re hiking the Yukon’s trails or shopping around town, everyone you pass seems to have a live and let live attitude. That’s one of the reasons Pride is so much fun up here. But let’s take a look at some of the ways the people of the Yukon make the experience even more memorable.

Yukoners are just as friendly in the snow as we are on the warmest days. So if you’re looking forward to snowshoeing or going on a dog sled ride, feel free to visit us in winter or spring. But while it’s always a good season for an LGBTQ2S+ friendly adventure, joining us during Pride makes for an exceptionally good trip. In August, Queer Yukon organizes their annual Pride festival, 24 Hours of Gaylight, which draws people from all over the Yukon. With the extra summer light, you’ll have even more time to enjoy all the excitement and colourful crowds. And, hey, if you want to have the brightest Pride week ever, why not celebrate under the midnight sun?

We’re pretty laid back up here, but that doesn’t mean we don’t go all out for Pride. Most of the local parade goers will be dressed to the nines, sporting their most vibrant and multicoloured outfits. Will you see oversized pink sunglasses? Probably. Bright purple pants with a moose print? Obviously. But no matter what you wear, you’ll look like a million bucks standing beside our elaborately decorated floats. So feel free to come as you are, throw on all the accessories you can find, or pull together a truly outrageous ensemble. Hot tip: a clever sign goes a long way. And in this case, don’t be afraid to let your punny side shine.

The Pride parade is pretty noteworthy, but it’s not the only thing going on around this time. Keep an eye out for news from Yukon Pride about upcoming performances and events. While we don’t know exactly what will go down, in the past, Queer Yukon has organized queer film nights, queer trivia, and a teen pride extravaganza. But to get more insider tips, you’ll have to go straight to the locals. Chat up some folks around Whitehorse to see what’s happening around town. They might mention one of Whitehorse’s liveliest ongoing events, Whitewater Wednesday, or maybe they’ll just point you in the direction of a great bar. But no matter what’s on the agenda, you’ll want to stretch out your hamstrings and warm up your vocal chords for tons of dancing and singing.

Sometimes the evening calls for cocktails. Luckily, our bars are always ready to serve up some mixed drinks with a northern spin. But if you’re more interested in what’s on tap, stop by one of our local craft breweries for a seriously tasty pint. Whatever’s in your cup, make sure you pair it with a generous helping of good food. With all the amazing events happening around Pride, you’ll definitely have a long night of fun ahead of you. So, you’ll need a good, hearty meal. And in our opinion, you can’t go wrong when you fill up on local classics like buffalo burgers and Alaskan salmon.

Celebrating Pride in a big city is definitely a good time, but there’s nothing like waking up after a festive night and heading into the wilderness. For some truly breathtaking views and epic mountains, Kluane National Park and Reserve is one of the best places to go. The peaks are tremendous. The air is crisp. What’s not to love? If you need more relaxation after your hike, make a stop at the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs before you head back into town. As long as you’ve brought a bathing suit, all you need to do is sit back, soak up those minerals, and enjoy the steam-covered view. And after all that outdoor chill time, you’ll feel more than ready for another Pride-filled day.