Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/809166
Watch the award-winning fi lm, City of Gold, narrated by Yukon-native Pierre Berton. Dawson City likes to show off a rich literary heritage. Along Writers' Block (Eighth Street), stop at the Robert Service Cabin where visitors are treated to readings of his poems and some insights into the more idiosyncratic aspects of the author's personality. Next door is the log cabin that was once home to storyteller Jack London, author of Yukon classics such as White Fang and Call of the Wild ( www.dawsoncity.ca ). At the MacBride Museum of Yukon History in Whitehorse, pretend you're a stampeder panning on the Klondike creeks or peer into prospector Sam McGee's cabin ( www.macbridemuseum.com ). Many communities have First Nations cultural centres—Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse, Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre in Dawson City and Big Jonathan House at Pelly Crossing are just a few spots where visitors can learn about the tradi- tions, crafts and history of the First Nations. The Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre transports visitors to the unforgiving prehistoric landscape of Beringia (the dry, unglaciated land bridge that once linked Alaska and Siberia). Multimedia displays and dioramas tell the story of a time when woolly mammoths and gigantic mastodons roamed the region ( www.beringia.com ). Every summer musicians and music lovers come to the Yukon for the Dawson City Music Festival, a world-class showcase of North American talent ( www.dcmf.com). MUST SEE, MUST DO Rent an RV and take the ultimate road trip along iconic northern roadways like the Dempster Highway across the Arctic Circle or the winding Silver Trail to historic frontier mining towns. Dawson City, the "heart of the Klondike Gold Rush," bustles with the history of a wild era when prospectors rushed to follow dreams of riches. At Montana Mountain in Carcross, about 40 km (25 mi.) of trail have been built for the enjoyment of hikers, mountain bikers, snowshoers and skiers. Winter or summer, take a sightseeing fl ight by small plane or helicopter over the spectacular Kluane National Park Icefi eld Ranges, one of the world's largest non-polar icefi elds ( www. kluaneglacierairtours.com). Enjoy the magical aurora borealis—or northern lights—as brilliant colours shimmer across dark winter skies on a silent Yukon night ( www.northernlights centre.ca; www.northerntales.ca). Try a traditional healing camp, First Nations adventure tour or cultural experience (www. shakattunadventures.com). SCENIC DRIVES The Golden Circle Route's 600-km (373-mi.) begins in Whitehorse and circles to include Skagway, Alaska and Kluane National Park, showcasing spectacular alpine scenery. The secluded Top of the World Highway, open seasonally only, hugs the top of mountains for outstanding scenery. At the east end of the unpaved drive, hop on the free car ferry and cross the Yukon River to Dawson City. Bring your passport—the crossing from the Yukon to Alaska is the most northern international border crossing in all of North America. The breathtaking and bumpy Dempster Highway, a wilderness route, is best travelled in summertime. The 736-km (457-mi.) gravel roadway is Canada's only all-weather road across the Arctic Circle. The paved Alaska Highway—celebrating its 75 th anniversary this year—is one of the continent's great wilderness drives. It winds through eight communities, Kluane National Park and major attractions including the Sign Post Forest, the Northern Lights Centre and the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre. FAMILY FUN All kids brighten up at the chance to spy some wildlife. The Yukon Wildlife Preserve features 13 species of northern Canadian mammals in their natural environment— including woodland caribou, lynx, moose, mountain goats, wood bison and foxes. Open year-round, the preserve can be explored on self-guided walking/biking/ skiing trails or by interpretive bus tour ( www.yukonwildlife.ca). PARK PICK S.S. KLONDIKE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE In the early 20 th century, before roads opened up the north, riverboats and rails linked the Yukon to the rest of the country. The S.S. Klondike was the last Yukon River sternwheeler in active service and was designated a national historic site to commemorate the era of steam-powered riverboat transpor- tation in the north. It was the largest in a fl eet of wood-fi red sternwheelers that carried passengers and cargo along the Yukon River between Whitehorse and Dawson City. The Klondike now sits on dry land in Whitehorse, restored and refurbished to her 1937-40 appearance, and is open for self- guided tours as well as guided tours with knowledgeable tour operators ( www.parkscanada.gc.ca/ssklondike). National Parks and Historic Sites: www.parkscanada.gc.ca 1-888-773-8888 MONTANA MOUNTAIN, NEAR CARCROSS • TOURISM YT/DEREK CROWE YT 144