Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/657907
Population: 34,700 Capital City: Whitehorse Territorial Website: www.travelyukon.com International Gateway: Whitehorse International Airport, 5 miles (8 km) from downtown streams and deep mountain lakes are an angler's dream—filled with prize lake trout, grayling and salmon. This land is full of unforgettable experiences—but in the Yukon extraordi- nary experiences become everyday occurrences. WHAT'S NEW? Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, located on the banks of the Yukon River in Whitehorse, will be opening in 2012. The centre is dedicated to the preservation and sharing of the culture, language and traditions of the Kwanlin Dün People (www.kwanlin dunculturalcentre.com). The Dä Ku Cultural Centre in Haines Junction is scheduled to open on June 21, 2012, National Aboriginal Day. The centre will celebrate the cultural contributions and way of life of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (www.cafn.ca). RECOMMENDED DRIVES Whitehorse to Dawson City via the Klondike Highway roughly traces much of the Gold Rush Trail. The Alaska Highway is one of the conti- nent's great wilderness drives. Watch for black bears and grizzly bears. Haines Junction is the gateway to magnificent Kluane National Park and Reserve. Top of the World Highway, open between June and September only, is a secluded route along ridge tops, filled with out- standing photo opportunities. At the east end of the unpaved drive, hop on the car ferry and cross the Yukon River to Dawson City. No amenities. Drive the remote Dempster Highway be- tween June and September. The 457-mile (736-km) gravel roadway links Dawson City across the Arctic Circle to Inuvik. MUST SEE, MUST DO Visitor Information Centres have maps, travel tips and up-to-date road informa- tion at locations including Whitehorse, Haines Junction and Dawson City. Experience the extreme of the seasons: watch the northern lights on a dark, silent winter's night. Or play a round of night- time golf during the summertime mid- night sun. Stroll through Dawson City for one-of-a- kind Klondike experiences: drink the Sourtoe Cocktail, visit Authors on Eighth to tour homes of literary giants, hoot 'n' holler at a can-can show at Diamond Tooth Gerties (www.dawsoncity.ca). At Kluane National Park, hike, mountain bike or climb some of the most rugged and breathtaking territory in Canada. Splurge on an aerial tour over the spar- kling glaciers and icefields for a bird's-eye view of ice-shrouded pinnacles (www. yukonairtours.com). Festival Fun: Yukoners are known for some of North America's most outrageous festivals—the world's longest canoe and ka- yak race, gold panning championships, an outhouse race and even a chainsaw toss. Music lovers flock to the annual Dawson City Music Festival (www.dcmf.com). HERITAGE AND CULTURE When the news of "Gold!" echoed from the Klondike in 1898, more than 30,000 gold seekers set off, following dreams of CARIBOU CROSSING RIVER • YK TOURISM 2012 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA 165