riches. The history of the Gold Rush is still
the focal point of many Yukon experiences.
The Dawson City Museum is the
perfect spot to learn about the town
at the heart of the Gold Rush (www.
dawsonmuseum.ca). Watch the award
winning National Film Board of Canada
film, City of Gold, narrated by Pierre
Berton. Explore the S.S. Klondike stern-
wheeler in Whitehorse (www.pc.gc.ca/
ssklondike), or marvel at the exhibit fea-
turing diorama displays of wildlife native
to the Yukon at the Kluane Museum of
Natural History in Burwash Landing
(www.yukonmuseums.ca). Learn about
the people and events that built Canada's
Yukon at the MacBride Museum in
Whitehorse, including the original cabin of
Sam McGee (www.macbridemuseum.
com). Hear the stories from Dawson
City's bizarre history on a walking tour
with a costumed Parks Canada interpreter
(www.parkscanada.gc.ca). Learn about
the heritage of the First Nations people
on a boat tour of Kathleen Lake, a deep,
remote body of water inside Kluane
National Park.
CITY LIGHTS
Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon Territory,
gained its name from the roiling White
Horse Rapids on the Yukon River.
Whitehorse is the urban heart of the terri-
tory—you'll find historic and heritage
sights, a vibrant arts community, and a
wide range of dining and accommodation
choices (www.visitwhitehorse.com).
Colourful and quirky Dawson City
celebrates its storied Gold Rush past with
false-fronted buildings, wooden board-
walks, rustic log cabins and can-can danc-
ing. Downtown Dawson has been
declared a National Historic Site (www.
dawsoncity.ca).
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
In Yukon's unspoiled wilderness, outdoor
enthusiasts can explore on foot or moun-
tain bike, retrace the prospector's foot-
steps by hiking the Chilkoot Trail, or
toss a fishing line into countless lakes
and rivers. Climb a mountain—majestic
Mount Logan in Kluane National Park and
Reserve is the highest point in Canada at
FEBRUARY 8-11
Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race
Dawson City layover
FEBRUARY 17-19
Frostbite Music Festival, Whitehorse
FEBRUARY 23-26
Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous, Whitehorse
MARCH 22-24
Percy DeWolfe Memorial Mail Race
Dawson City
MAY 18-19
Dawson City Gold Show
JUNE 15-17
Top of the World Highland Games
Dawson City
JUNE 23-24
24 Hours of Light Mountain
Bike Festival, Whitehorse
JUNE 27 - JULY 1
The Yukon River Quest
Whitehorse to Dawson
JULY 1
Yukon Gold Panning
Championships, Dawson City
JULY 16
Yukon 1000 Canoe and
Kayak Race, Whitehorse
JULY 20-22
Dawson City Music Festival
AUGUST 16-19
Discovery Days, Dawson City
SEPTEMBER 1
Great Klondike International
Outhouse Race, Dawson City
www.travelyukon.com
Special Events
2012
CANOEING YUKON'S SNAKE RIVER • RUBY RANGE ADVENTURE
GOLD PANNING NEAR DAWSON CITY • RUBY RANGE ADVENTURE
166 2012 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA
YUKON TERRITORY
