Celebrate Yukon's Wintertime Revelry

February is the 'hottest' time of year in Whitehorse – for festivals that is! Dance the night away at Frostbite Music Festival – Canada's premier winter music festival – or try northern traditions like can-can dancing and chainsaw chucking at the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous. Watch the legendary Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race and Arctic Ultra, or attend the Available Light Film Festival. Prepare to join the fun for days of unforgettable entertainment as you discover the authentic, unpretentious Yukon. Meet Yukoners, learn about local traditions and share a story or two at one of Yukon's lively winter events and festivals.

Available Light Film Festival
4 - 12 February, 2017
Canada's largest feature film festival North of 60

The Available Light Film Festival (ALFF) has been a fixture in the territory's cultural scene for over a decade. Every year, the festival screens the best of contemporary Canadian and international film to eager audiences in Whitehorse. ALFF provides the opportunity to see award-winning films, participate in workshops and the ALFF Media Industry Forum, and be transported to other worlds in the dead of winter. Get cozy with the locals in a darkened theatre to share an intimate cinematic adventure.  www.yukonfilmsociety.com/alff/

Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race
4 - 18 February, 2017
Experience the thrill of the world's greatest sled dog race

The legendary Yukon Quest challenges mushers and their dog teams to traverse the frozen wilderness between Whitehorse, Yukon and Fairbanks, Alaska each February. Spectators from around the world travel to the Yukon to witness the event live, while thousands follow the race progress online. The Quest trail follows historical gold rush and mail delivery routes, but varied weather and trail conditions provide a fresh challenge for mushers and their dogs every year.  www.yukonquest.com

Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival
17 - 26 February, 2017
Celebrating Yukon's tenacious, frontier spirit

For a week in February, Whitehorse buzzes with energy that brings Yukon's heritage alive and heralds the coming of spring. Enjoy family-friendly and sporting events by day like the pancake breakfast, axe throwing, dogsledding, flour packing and chainsaw chucking. At night, the raucous fun gets in full swing with Sourdough Sam competitions, crowning of the festival Queen and roving performances by the world-famous Snow Shoe Shufflers and Rendezvous Can Can dancers.  www.yukonrendezvous.com/

The Yukon Arctic Ultra
5 - 18 February, 2017
The World's coldest and toughest ultra race

The Yukon Arctic Ultra is a mountain biking, cross-country skiing and running race that follows the trail of the Yukon Quest from Whitehorse to either Braeburn (100-mile racers), Pelly Farm (300-mile racers) or Dawson City (430-mile racers)

Frostbite Music Festival
17- 19 February, 2017
Canada's coolest winter music festival

The Frostbite Music Festival got its start in 1979 when some folks got the crazy idea of bringing musicians to the Yukon in the dead of winter.  Since then, Frostbite's been chasing away the winter blues and bringing people together for a weekend of excellent music, sweaty dancing and community spirit. An intimate atmosphere and diverse array of local and national performers combine to make Frostbite the perfect place to connect with locals and experience northern hospitality at its best.

Don't Miss Activity
Yukon aurora viewing combines just the right amount of excitement, inspiration and comfort. Tour operators offer plenty of options for viewing this natural wonder. Lakeside wilderness lodges with all the amenities. Little cabins custom-built for viewing the aurora in cozy comfort. Prefer a seat beside a campfire? Or perhaps a dogsled trip out to a “secret” spot? Spend your days visiting museums, sightseeing and sampling local cuisine in Whitehorse. Spend your nights watching for the northern lights.

Magnetic North Travel offer a number of different lodges and inns in the Yukon from which to view the spectacular northern lights: Boréale Ranch offers modern comforts in a winter wilderness. The friendly adventure lodge is your gateway to a true Yukon experience. 4-days from £495 per person (flights excluded) including three breakfasts and three dinners, outdoor hot tub and return transfers from Whitehorse. Whilst the luxurious Inn on the Lake is situated on the shores of Marsh Lake, surrounded by towering mountains and endless boreal forests. 4-days from £845 per person (flights excluded) including daily breakfast, lunch and three course gourmet dinner, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, nightly aurora viewing, complimentary hot beverages, sauna and outdoor hot tub, winter clothing and airport transfers.  Tel: 0845 5195 242
www.magneticnorthtravel.com

Windows on the Wild offer a 9 night Husky Adventure to the Yukon - an amazing Canadian winter wilderness adventure that takes you back to the early days of transportation by dog sled. Learn the basics of mushing and travel through the pristine snow-covered landscape in charge of your own team of dogs, with some nights spent back at the comfortable lodge and others out in a wall-tent camp. You may also have the opportunity to experience the mystic Northern Lights (weather permitting). End the holiday with two nights at Inn on the Lake, where you can try other winter adventures such as snow-shoeing or snowmobiling, or relax in front of the fire at the inn and admire the views. From £2610 per person, including international flights, transfers, nine nights accommodation (combination of hotel, lodge and camping), full board whilst dog-sledding.  Tel: 020 8742 1556
www.windowsonthewild.com