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Yukon Territory What tales the waters of the Yukon River could tell of ancient spirits and legendary creatures, of gold-crazed prospectors headed north to the Klondike, and of dreams won and lost. The Yukon Territory is a spellbinding backdrop for family vacations, conferences, and personal journeys. A sophisticated destination, each community offers beautiful surroundings rich in cultural and historic roots. Human history in the Yukon is dwarfed by the land itself. Rugged mountains, rounded gentle hills and sheer cliffs. Old timers tell tall tales of bears as big as houses and gold nuggets the size of potatoes.
In the “Land of the Midnight Sun,” there’s a tradition of storytelling that encompasses Gold rush tall tales. You’ll hear stories of ice worms and the sour-toe cocktails, the Lost Patrol and the Bishop who ate his boots. Infamous characters like Soapy Smith, who ran the town of Skagway, Klondike Kate, the dance hall queen who lost her fortune to Alexander Pantages of the Pantages Theatre, and Belinda Mulrooney, who made a fortune selling rubber boots to miners, are some of the great tales of the Yukon. Click Map to Enlarge )
It’s easy to find solitude in the Yukon. Much of Yukon’s most spectacular wilderness is protected by a network of national and territorial parks and protected areas. The Yukon’s three territorial parks are well worth the effort to reach. Among the most accessible of the three national parks is Kluane National Park, encompassing lush valleys and extraordinary mountain ranges including, vast icefields and Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan. 
In 2002, Dawson City celebrated its wild, glorious past with its 100th anniversary. Dawson City is a true highlight of the Yukon Territory. Walking the streets of Dawson today is like walking through a living museum, visitors step back in time. Sounds of dance hall tunes, sights of gold miners, ladies in Victorian dresses, and buildings carefully restored to their original grandeur grace boardwalk-lined streets. Declared a National Historic Site in 1960, Dawson has numerous historic properties that are managed by Parks Canada and open to the public. The Yukon Quest! Possibly the toughest sled dog race in the world, was formulated by four mushers at the Bull’s Eye Saloon in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1983. They decided to name the race the “Yukon Quest” to commemorate the Yukon River (Highway of the north). The trail traces the path that prospectors followed to reach Alaskan interior from the Klondike during the 1989 gold rush. Adventure fans from all over the world flock to this rigorous 1600-km race over rugged terrain between Whitehorse and Fairbanks. For more Yukon Quest information visit www.yukonquest.org. Find additional information regarding other festivals and events listed in the Family Fun, Festivals & Events Section of this guide. A Century ago, a tent city sprang up along the Yukon River, this city was eventually named Whitehorse after the boiling rapids that resembled manes of charging white horses. While the turn-of-the-century aura still remains, Whitehorse retains a healthy economy, small town values, a safe environment, affordable housing and access to the great outdoors. Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon since 1950, is a sophisticated, contemporary community with unique northern character and appeal. Whitehorse offers great shopping, beautiful art galleries, heritage buildings and museum tours, fine dining and cafes – all located in a beautiful river valley setting. Much of today’s Yukon was, in the past, part of a vast region called Beringia. Visitors can take a trip back in time to the last ice age by visiting the Beringia Interpretive Centre. The centre has life-size exhibits of animals and interactive CD-ROM kiosks. Dioramas, including a reconstruction of an ice age family at the Bluefish Caves archaeological site, and a full size replica of the largest woolly mammoth ever recovered. The centre features a rich blend of scientific and traditional First Nation legends and mythology. It will give you a real sense of the ancestors’ relationship with the land thousands of years ago. Yukon Day Tour Options Frantic Follies GRAY LINE YUKON RESERVATIONS: (867) 668-3225 EMAIL: WHITEHORSE-WTMC@HALW.COM For over 30 years this high stepping vaudeville revue has been entertaining visitors and locals alike! The follies feature Singing, Can Can Dancing, Slapstick Skits, and a unique reading of Robert Service poetry. The Follies is guaranteed to lighten up your stay in Whitehorse! Shows nightly * Mid-May to Mid-Sept. Grand City & Miles Canyon Cruise GRAY LINE YUKON RESERVATIONS: (867) 668-3225 EMAIL: WHITEHORSE-WTMC@HALW.COM This 4.5 hour tour is a great way to get acquainted with Yukon’s Capital City. See the historic SS Klondike; the longest wooden fishladder in the world; Miles Canyon; the Yukon Visitor Reception Centre; and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve where elk, caribou, moose, dall sheep, and other wild animals roam free in their natural environment! Whitehorse City Tour GRAY LINE YUKON RESERVATIONS: (867) 668-3225 EMAIL: WHITEHORSE-WTMC@HALW.COM A 1.5 hour tour that highlights Whitehorse’s famous landmarks. See log “skyscrapers” historical buildings, the longest wooden fishladder, beautiful Schwatka Lake and famous Miles Canyon. Tours depart daily at 9:00 am May – September. Whitehorse To Skagway Train & Bus Excursion GRAY LINE YUKON RESERVATIONS: (867) 668-3225 EMAIL: WHITEHORSE-WTMC@HALW.COM Go back in time to the days of ’98 and board the World Famous White Pass & Yukon Route narrow gauge railway. View spectacular panoramas of mountains, valleys and waterfalls. In one word, Breathtaking! Yukon Wildlife Preserve GRAY LINE YUKON RESERVATIONS: (867) 668-3225 EMAIL: WHITEHORSE-WTMC@HALW.COM Passengers will view herds of caribou, elk, “Bullwinkle” the moose, buffalo, muskox, and much more! Experience northern animals in their natural environment while touring through panoramic valleys, marshlands, and hillsides.  Reserve your travel or learn more about the Yukon Territory by contacting some of the Yukon’s premier hotels, transportation, day tours, travel specialists and organizations. Ideal information for reserving an Alaska vacation with ease. AAT – Rainbow Tours www.visityukon.com • (867) 668-5598 • Whitehorse VISITYUKON.COM The Yukon’s most complete vacation Web Site; offering the independent traveler a variety of year-round holidays throughout Yukon and Alaska. Individual and group customized itineraries available. Alaskon Express/Gray Line Yukon Email: Whitehorse-wtmc@halw.com • (867) 668-3225 • Whitehorse Scheduled motorcoach service between Whitehorse and Tok, Skagway, Fairbanks, Anchorage and Valdez. Daily White Pass Railway connections. Operated by Gray Line, mid-May to mid-September. Holland America Tours www.hollandamerica.com • (800) 544-2206 • Seattle Holland America Tours-See the Great land with the leader in Alaska land vacations! Glaciers, wildlife and magnificent scenery. Luxury glass-domed railcars, dayboat cruising on Portage Lake, Yukon River cruising, and panning for gold. Experience it all on one of our many complete land packages, or customize for your ideal vacation. Westmark Inn Dawson www.graylineofalaska.com • (800) 544-2206 Centrally located – 47 fully equipped rooms including cabins with kitchenettes. All with complimentary coffee, cable TV. Air conditioned dining room and lounge. Handicap access. Airport shuttle. Westmark Whitehorse Hotel & Conference Center www.graylineofalaska.com • (800) 544-2206 A recent $3 million renovation completed in 2001 offers visitors and Yukoners first-class accommodation and dining. Services include room service, travel agency, barber shop, guest laundry, and much more. 181 deluxe rooms and suites. White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad www.whitepassrailroad.com • (800) 343-7373 • Skagway Scheduled daily departure for combination train and motorcoach tour connecting Whitehorse and Skagway. Motorcoach departs Whitehorse and connects with White Pass & Yukon Route Railway for a one-way, 4.5 hour train and bus trip. All Aboard! Alaska Insight Travel Guide www.alaskainsight.com • (907) 344-7422 • Anchorage For more information regarding packaging or customizing Alaska itineraries contact Alaska Insight Travel Guide. Email: alaskainsight@alaska.net 
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