Although I enjoy travelling to new countries, there is something so special about travelling within my home country, Canada! I whole-heartedly believe it’s important to learn about our local history & culture and see more of our country to better understand ourselves as Canadians. With this being said, I’m very excited to share my experience visiting Whitehorse, Yukon, which I’ve turned into a long weekend guide you can use to plan your own trip there.
In this guide, I’m sharing what we did, where we ate, & where we stayed while visiting Whitehorse, Yukon; plus a one-day road trip to Skagway, Alaska.
Is Whitehorse Yukon a Super Small Town?
The one thing I was super surprised with, was how small the town of Whitehorse is. I think I was expecting something similar to Whistler Village, but this was not even close to the same size. At best, Whitehorse is a couple of streets strung together; so don’t come expecting a city trip. It’s the striking mountains, the wild forest surroundings, and the furry friends that make this area so special.
Who Will Love Whitehorse, Yukon?
Anyone who wants to slow down and get outside into nature will love visiting Whitehorse. Also, if you love hiking, seeing wildlife, and adventure activities you will really enjoy the Yukon. I never knew the adrenaline you could feel after seeing wildlife, but after seeing the moose I became addicted to finding large animals in their natural habitat. We were keen to find bears, but unfortunately, we never found them.
How I Won a Trip to Whitehorse, Yukon?
For years I’ve been eager to get up to the Yukon to see the northern lights, dog sled, and hopefully see some large wildlife, like moose! Well to my surprise, at a work conference last year I sheepishly put my name down at a silent auction for a trip for two to Whitehorse, Yukon. It included flights for two with Air North and three nights accommodation at the Coast High Country Inn in Whitehorse. I have never participated in a silent auction, but I thought why not?
The starting bid was one-fifth of the cost, and no one was bidding on this prize, probably because there were a number of other glamorous trips to bid on. In the end, I won! I couldn’t believe it – I was going to Whitehorse! Luckily, Ben had mentioned to me before that he was also keen to go to the Yukon, so now we could go and at a cost, neither one of us had to think twice about.
Why We Visited Whitehorse Yukon in the Summer
In the end, work and the booking restrictions didn’t allow us to go in the winter months to see the northern lights, but we were just as happy to see Whitehorse in the summer. In June it would be 21-24 hours sunlight, which I have never experienced before. Also, knowing my boyfriend’s obsession with yurts, I booked us an extra night at a stunning lakeside property, as a birthday present to him. And lastly, we booked a rental car through Budget Cars for some local adventuring – we were ready to go!
How to Get to Whitehorse Yukon
To my surprise, Whitehorse is only a short hour and a half flight from Vancouver. Although the Yukon is remote, it is still accessible and easy to get to for a long weekend get-away. If you go, I highly recommend flying with North Air. I have flown with a LOT of airlines and was so impressed by their friendly service, complimentary sandwich, drinks, and WARM chocolate chip cookie. With other domestic flights you are lucky to get pretzels and a drink, but for this short flight, you are treated like a princess.
Where to Stay in Whitehorse Yukon
Speaking of princesses, did you know that Prince William and Kate came to Whitehorse, and they stayed at the Coast High Country Inn? Unfortunately, we didn’t get their ‘royal suite room’, but it was cool to know this was where they stayed during their visit.
Whitehorse Coast Hotel
Although we didn’t have the royal suite, our room at the Coast High Country Inn was still spacious and had a beautiful big bathtub, which was the size of a hot tub. Everything was clean, comfortable, and modern, and I would 100% recommend it to my family and friends. And after exploring Whitehorse, I can say that there aren’t a lot of accommodation options, so this is definitely the nicest hotel in town.
The best part about staying at the Coast High Country Inn was its prime location to visit Whitehorse and the surrounding areas. Also, I should mention that if you don’t rent a car (although I recommend you do), there is a free shuttle that will drive you from the Airport to the hotel in town.
Unique Accommodation in Whitehorse Yukon
Otherwise, we also stayed at an incredible Yurt about 20-minutes outside of town, which I highly recommend. To see photos and read more about our experience, keep reading!
Activities in Whitehorse
Since we visited Whitehorse in June, I’ve listed activities that were possible in the warmer months (when it isn’t snowing). Of course, there are a whole lot more amazing activities that are winter-specific, like snowshoeing, dogsledding and northern light tours you can experience if you are visiting when there is snow.
Walk Along the River
From the Coast Hotel, we walked along the river into town, and even saw a beaver along the way! This is a lovely scenic paved path, that takes you along the outskirts of town.
Get into Nature:
There is an abundance of hikes, lakes and mountains to enjoy in this part of Canada. Get outside and enjoy it all! If you are into mountain biking, canoeing, or kayaking there are plenty of adventure companies you could rent from or do a tour with. Hopefully, you will get lucky and see some of the amazing wildlife that lives in this area.
Hike Mount Lorne:
We hiked Mount Lorne, and really enjoyed the sweeping views of Whitehorse and Emerald Lake. It took us about 1 hour up, and 30 minutes back down. There are also many other great hikes in the area depending on how much time you have.
Miles Canyon:
If you are looking for a shorter hike, immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Miles Canyon with this captivating self-guided tour. Embark on a journey that combines the tranquility of hiking with the knowledge of an audio nature tour guide, right on your smartphone. Traverse the scenic trail, leading you to the summit and back, as you soak in the breathtaking beauty of this remarkable canyon. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure, where stunning landscapes and immersive storytelling converge in perfect harmony. Lace up your hiking boots and let the wonders of Miles Canyon unfold before your eyes.
Yukon Wildlife Preserve & Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs:
Experience the best of Whitehorse, Yukon, on an unforgettable tour that combines wildlife encounters with ultimate relaxation. Begin your adventure at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, where you’ll have the rare opportunity to observe and capture stunning photographs of various species, including caribou, lynx, moose, and more, in their natural habitats. Then, indulge in a soothing escape at the nearby Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, nestled in the enchanting Yukon Boreal Forest. Immerse yourself in the warm, mineral-rich waters, and let the tranquil surroundings rejuvenate your body and soul. It’s the perfect way to unwind and complete your Whitehorse exploration all year round.
Museums:
There are a few museums in Whitehorse you can fill your time with, especially if you have bad weather. If we had the time, we heard the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre was the most impressive, with an exhibit on animals from the ice age, and what happened to them.
Winter Experience: Watch the Aurora Borealis
If you visit Whitehorse in the winter, don’t miss the chance to experience an extraordinary Yukon winter adventure as you chase the captivating aurora borealis. From your cozy Whitehorse hotel, board a comfortable minibus and journey to a specially-designed viewing location equipped with facilities. Witness the mesmerizing dance of vibrant colours across the night sky as your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating insights about the phenomenon’s formation. Stay warm with hot drinks and complimentary snacks, while receiving photography assistance to capture the perfect shots. Finally, relax on the return ride, knowing that you’ll be dropped off at your accommodation, concluding a truly unforgettable Northern Lights experience.
Where to Eat in Whitehorse
Miner’s Daughter /Dirty Northern
My favourite restaurant in Whitehorse. Not only did it have a lively vibe, but they also had delicious food and cocktails. More specifically, I remember their pizzas were tasty – we ordered both the ‘dirty favourite’ and the ‘Yukon Gold’. SO good!
Klondike Rib & Salmon
“A taste of the Yukon!” This restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings in town, which dates back to 1900. It is now a Yukon institute, famous for the lip licking ribs and salmon dishes. Portions were massive, so luckily Ben and I shared a platter.
Everything was so tasty, the service was incredible, and the vibe had a fun old Yukon gold rush feel to it. Since the restaurant is half outside, and the walls are hardly insulated, this restaurant is only open in the warmer months. So if you visit during the spring-fall months, definitely try to fit in a meal here.
Baked Café
Baked Cafe is a cozy local hangout with healthy soups, sandwiches and salads. Many people came here to meet up with friends and to work. Also, in the same building are some local boutique businesses that are fun to browse through for souvenirs.
Sanchez Cantina:
An authentic Mexican restaurant in town. Although the food was scrumptious, I did find it to be a tad overpriced for the portion size. But if you need to fulfill your taco and margarita craving, this is the spot.
Winterlong Brewery:
The place to go if you’re looking to try a Yukon craft brew! Packed with locals catching up over long communal tables, you are bound to make some new friends during your visit.
The Yurt: Unique Accommodation in Whitehorse Yukon
After a two nights in Whitehorse, we booked one night at this incredible Yurt. And to be honest, this unique experience was such a highlight on our Yukon trip!
It was located 20 minutes outside of town, beside a beautiful lake, with views of the mountains in the distance. I’ve never stayed in a Yurt before, so I was surprised to learn that you must always step into the yurt with your right foot to bring in good vibes and energy.
What the Yurt Included
The Yurt was stocked with firewood, cozy clothes, bear spray (yikes), and instructions encouraging us to use their canoe. Bathroom facilities had an outhouse beside the Yurt, but there was also a proper bathroom and shower at the side of the house on the property. The Yurt didn’t have a kitchen, but our stay did include breakfast in the morning.
Since we didn’t have access to a kitchen, Ben and I had packed up a picnic with wine and board games to enjoy the evening, and soak up the summer sun.
Our Yukon Yurt Experience
That night we fell asleep with the crackling fire at the foot of our bed and woke up to the most beautiful sunrise that lit up the sky. It’s something I’ll never forget. I can imagine this Yurt would be the most magical place to witness the northern lights if you visited in the winter.
Since sunrise was at 4 am, we fell back asleep and got up at a more sensible hour for our included breakfast. We were spoiled with a beautiful spread of coffee, eggs, fresh bread, homemade granola bars, yogurt, fruit, juices, cheese and meats.
We then fit in a morning canoe before checkout, which ended up being the biggest laugh of our entire trip. Let’s just say Ben fell in the lake, and then accidentally sprayed the bear mace on both of us. It wasn’t funny at the time, in fact, it was incredibly painful, but now I just think it’s hilarious. Word of advice to all boyfriends out there, don’t show your girlfriend how to use bear mace while standing upwind! Save it for the bears. And yes, this actually happened.
Roadtrip to Skagway, Alaska
After our eventful canoe ride, we took our rental car for a road trip to Skagway, Alaska. Along the way, we stopped at Emerald Lake, Carcross, and many other outstanding lookouts along the way. We also managed to spot a lynx, mountain goats, porcupines, and a family of moose during our drive!! It was incredible.
And because we had the midnight sun, we managed to visit Skagway for a hike & fish and chips dinner, and still managed to make it back to Whitehorse before dark. It was honestly such a magical day! I highly recommend it if you have the time. The drive alone had the most striking mountain views, and Skagway is an old Alaskan town, that has a unique charm to it.
*Note: It took 2 hours and 40 minutes to drive to Skagway, and we did need our passports to cross the border. So make sure not to forget those! *
Tip: If you want to visit Skagway, but don’t want the hassle of renting a car, jump on this day trip from Whitehorse. Venture south to discover the breathtaking landscapes of the White Pass and the charming gold rush town of Skagway, Alaska.
Whitehorse Yukon Itinerary Recommendation
If I were to do this trip again I would recommend at least 3 or 4 days, which could easily be done over a long weekend.
- 2 nights in the Yurt
- 1-2 nights at the Coast Hotel in Whitehorse
- Rent a car and drive to Skagway Alaska for the day (we rented from Budget car rental). Or if you want to visit Skagway, but don’t want the hassle of renting a car, jump on this day trip from Whitehorse.
- If I had more time or if I go back, I would also love to visit Dawson City and Tombstone National Park
What to Pack for Whitehorse, Yukon
- Your passport: if you plan to road trip to Alaska
- A good book: although there is a lot to see and do, the Yukon lifestyle is generally very relaxed and simple. Reading a good book outside, or in your cozy yurt is a lovely way to spend the day.
- Lots of layers and warm sweaters: even in the summer the nights get cool
- And on that note, bring a water-resistant packable hooded puffer jacket
- Merino wool hiking and camping socks
- A red and black plaid flannel. The Yukon is as Canadian as it gets, so you might as well look the part.
- A toque or warm hat
- Running or hiking shoes
- Pair of boots (I brought my Blundstone boots and they were perfect)
- This Sweater: to rock your Canadian pride (I’m wearing it in the photo below)
Read Next: *The best packing Tips to ease anxiety, and will ensure you pack everything you need.*
I hope you enjoyed reading about my trip to Whitehorse, Yukon. It is a remote part of Canada that is very raw and true to its’s Canadian roots. I hope you get a chance to experience it for yourself.
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Do you want to visit the Yukon? If you have any more questions to plan your trip, let me know in the comments below.
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PIN FOR LATER: WHITEHORSE YUKON TRAVEL GUIDE
