Travel tips
Myth-busting: Is this Yukon rumor fact or fiction?
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Busting myths and taking names
Blame it on our air of mystery, but the Yukon is a bona fide myth magnet. Read on to discover more about the territory and expose the myths masquerading as facts.
Fact or fiction? Winter is our only season
Fiction! We get all four seasons, and no, we don’t play favourites. Here’s a sliver of our seasonal highlights:
Spring is synonymous with epic wildlife viewing as our furry and feathered friends wake from their winter slumber. But if you’re not exactly an animal person, why not shred what’s left of the slopes with some late-season skiing?
Summer is packed with activities and events—and a midnight sun to help squeeze them all in. From canoeing and kayaking to mountain biking and camping, there’s no shortage of adventure here.
Fall features Mother Nature at her most flamboyant with vivid hues and first glimpses of the northern lights. Consider signing up for a flightseeing tour so you can ooh and aah at the scene from 35,000 feet in the air.
Ahh, winter. ‘Tis the season for adventure. From dog sledding and northern lights viewing to ice fishing and fat tire biking, it can be hard to decide what to do first. It’s a tough life out here.
Fact! Every February, Yukoners gather for the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous where they compete in such prestigious events as the Chainsaw Chuck, Log Toss, Lip Sync Battle, Best Old Growth Beard and Hairiest Armpit—deodorant is appreciated.
And this is by no means new. The Sourdough Rendezvous dates back to 1964 when Yukoners gathered for some friendly competition and general hilarity during the darkest, coldest, and often loneliest days of winter. Is there any better way to beat back the winter blues than with a lot of laughter and a little help from your neighbours? Throw in a chainsaw chuck and a hairy armpit or two, and the answer is a resounding “no.”
Fact or fiction? Polar bears roam freely along the streets of the Yukon
Fiction! That would be alarming. Polar bears are only found on Herschel Island in Northern Yukon. But the territory is home to all sorts of other furry locals: black and grizzly bears, moose, elk, lynx, bison, red foxes, coyotes, wolves, and migrating caribou, to name a few.
Is wildlife on your must-see list? Take a drive along the Alaska, North Klondike or Dempster Highway for an impromptu animal sighting. Better yet, add a Territorial or National Park to your itinerary. Nisutlin River Delta National Wildlife Area and Kluane National Park and Reserve are both excellent choices. Just remember to carry bear spray and keep your distance. Animals need personal space too.
Fiction! Sundogs don’t bark, but they sure do shine. Ready to get a little nerdy? Sundogs are essentially “mock suns” that form at approximately 22 degrees to one or both sides of the sun as the light refracts through ice crystals. Phew, we feel smarter already. Suffice it to say, they make for stunning photographs.
@satomi_getoutside (Instagram)
Truth be told, the Yukon sees more than most when it comes to rare natural phenomena. The region is home to both the midnight sun in the summer and mesmerizing northern lights displays in the winter. Bring your good camera. You’ll thank us later.
