Winter Activities in the Yukon!
Cross Country Skiing
There are several great places to go cross country skiing around Whitehorse. The main location is Mount McIntyre, run by the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club. The ski club maintains 100km of trails, offers day tickets, rental and programs. There is also a sauna at the club base.
There are also four groomed trails, blue, red, green and yellow, at Chadburn Lakes. Download Trailforks for the best maps.
Both Mt. Lorne and Marsh Lake have groomed trails, and depending on snow conditions, Carcross has a small network best suited for advanced skiers, but the trails are really worth the views!
Fatbiking
There is a network of groomed fat bike trails near Whitehorse. Rentals and local intel on the trails are available at the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club, as well as Cadence Cycles, a local bike shop located on 505 Steele Street.
Snowshoeing
There is a series of snowshoe trails at Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club, and they also offer rentals. Chadburn Lakes is also a great place to go snowshoeing. Any of the urban trails around Whitehorse are generally packed enough to go snowshoeing.
Canada Games Center
The Canada Games Center is a recreation center for the community of Whitehorse. If you feel like a hot tub soak, steam, or a swim, this is the place to go. There’s also a variety of recreational activities available, some of which are drop in.
Shopping
For local products or Northern themed items during the winter, here are a few good options:
Macs Fireweed Books and Well Read Books have great Northern book collections. Aroma Borealis offers local teas, skin products and more. The Indian Craft Shop next door to Aroma Borealis features a variety of beading products. There’s many other shops on main street that feature local products, ending with The Collective Good in Horwoods mall – take a wander and discover the options!
Day Trips
Drive safely in winter conditions, and be prepared by wearing warm clothes and keeping your cellphone charged!
Preserve/Hotsprings & Coffee!
A great day excursion is driving to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve where you can view a wide variety of Northern animals, including Arctic Fox and Muskox. After a brief stop for coffee at Bean North, finish off the day with a soak at Eclipse Hotsprings.
Carcross
Carcross is the home of the Carcross Tagish First Nation (CTFN), and set at the start of the Coast Mountains. Pretty sleepy in the winter, there’s not a lot open, but you can stop in for snacks or a hot meal at the gas station, walk along the long sand beach for the views, or go sledding on the hills in the Carcross dessert.
Museums
There are few museums in town, such as the Yukon Transportation Museum, showcasing the many old ways and means that people traveled in the North, Macbride Museum, and the Beringia Center.
Local Events
Pick up a Whats Up Yukon newspaper from most stores, and you’ll see a complete listing of all the local events and activities. You’ll see pretty quickly, it’s a busy place! There’s many great local festivals, events, and activities. Whether you’re looking for a Yoga class or a film to go watch at our local community own theater, there’s a ton of things to do!