Travel Guides to Canada

2016 Travel Guide to Canada

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TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA ADVENTURE STARTS HERE, MONTHS OF THE YEAR They call Whitehorse "The Wilderness City." With great swaths of untouched backcountry that are home to bears, cougar and wolves, and protective mountaintops that soar to almost 6,000 m, the wilderness surrounding Whitehorse has become a prime destination year-round. Many guides and outfi tters offer a full slate of activities for every season. The city is a hub for experienced guides who know how to show off the best of their region—whether mountain biking a world- class track or coasting across the snow on a pair of cross-country skis. Yukon Wild is a one-stop collective of licensed adventure experts who know how to experience the famed Canadian backcountry in a safe and eco-friendly manner (yukonwild.com ). In winter months, the specialists at Up North Adventures arrange dog mushing, snow- shoeing, ice fi shing and snowmobiling tours or shuttle visitors to prime viewing spots to watch the colours of the aurora borealis unfold across the northern sky ( www.up northadventures.com ). In summer, long daylight means more time on the water canoeing, kayaking, fi shing or soaking up the pure wilderness beauty. In late June, the annual Yukon River Quest, nicknamed "the race to the midnight sun," sees paddlers compete from Whitehorse to Dawson City in the world's longest annual canoe and kayak race. In February, Whitehorse is energized by the Yukon Quest sled dog race, when some of the world's best mushers race their teams along a 1,600-km (1,000-mi.) trail, following the historical winter routes that once connected the Klondike goldfi elds and the Alaskan interior ( www.yukonquest.com). Visitors hankering to tour the backcountry on horseback in summer, or by dog sled in winter, can sign up for a guided adventure at Sky High Wilderness Ranch, not far from downtown Whitehorse (www. skyhighwilderness.com). There's guaranteed wildlife spotting at the 283-ha (700-acre) Yukon Wildlife Preserve by interpretive bus tour, self- guided walking tour or on cross-country skis along groomed trails to see woodland caribou, lynx, Rocky Mountain elk, mountain goats and sheep, moose, mule deer, muskoxen, wood bison and foxes in their natural environment ( www.yukon wildlife.ca). FIRST NATIONS CULTURE: KEEPERS OF THE FLAME Whitehorse lies within the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, a band that incorporates the lifestyles, history and traditions of several different tribes of the Yukon and northern British Columbia. The walls and rooms of the beautiful Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre enclose a space designed for the celebration of Yukon First Nation culture. The cedar- clad building sits on the banks of the Yukon River, its location symbolizing a return to the band's traditional riverside roots. The centre's exhibits, workshops and guided tours explain the history, challenges and arts of the First Nations people in original and authentic ways, educating guests while making them feel quite at home. Visitors will fi nd the traditional, from beaded moccasins created by First Nations artisans, to displays incorporating state-of-the-art multimedia technology ( www.kdcc.ca). The centre is the site for the annual Adäka Cultural Festival, an inspiring event in early July celebrating Yukon's diverse and distinctive First Nations arts and culture. Adäka means "coming into the light." This festival shines the light on First Nations arts and culture, encouraging pride in their heritage and communities. SHOP AND PLAY Downtown Whitehorse blends all the amenities of a city with a pleasing small town vibe. There is a wealth of tourist services, a vibrant arts community and a busy dining and bar scene. The downtown streets are lined with small shops and galleries that specialize in the riches of the Yukon: handmade gold nugget jewellery, silver, original paintings by Northern artists, Inuit sculpture and traditional First Nations arts and crafts. Sitting in the natural mineral-rich waters of the Takhini Hot Pools brings a sense of relaxation, peace and tranquility. Open year-round, the popular springs are at a relaxing 36° to 42°C (96.8° to 107.6°F), and just a 25-minute drive from town ( www.takhinihotsprings.com). KLUANE NATIONAL PARK: A TRUE NORTH NATIONAL TREASURE Canada's highest mountain—Mount Logan—is found in the dramatic mountain and ice ranges of Kluane National Park and Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whitehorse is a gateway city to Kluane—it's just a two-hour drive to the park's pristine mountain wilderness. Kluane's lakes and rivers are ideal for avid paddlers; mountain bikers and hikers can fi nd their perfect challenge from a network of forest trails; wildlife watching, camping, horseback riding and mountaineering round out the choices for the active traveller. Seeing Kluane from the air is truly an indescribable experience. Summer or winter, sightseeing fl ights cross over what are the world's largest non-polar icefi elds— the vista is breathtaking ( www.pc.gc.ca/ kluane). For more information, contact the city of Whitehorse: www.whitehorse.ca or www.travelyukon.com . WHiteHorSe, Yt • SHUtterStoCK/Pi-LenS

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