With holiday plans currently on pause for travellers around the globe, the Yukon territory is patiently waiting to welcome visitors back in 2021. Situated in the upper Northwest corner of Canada, next to Alaska, the Yukon is Canada's most accessible northern destination. Home to Canada's highest mountain (Mount Logan) and the planet's largest non-polar icefields located in Kluane National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site – the breath-taking territory is truly a wonderland.

What's New for 2021

The 125th anniversary of the Yukon Gold Rush.
The discovery of Klondike gold in 1896 began a stampede of more than 100,000 prospectors. There's still gold here, but today it's the period's captivating history that draws visitors to the territory. Gold Rush town, Dawson City, looks and feels like an old movie set; it truly is a remarkable place. It featured in Disney's Call of the Wild movie released earlier this year, starring Harrison Ford. 

Visitors will find so many ways to experience the Klondike Gold Rush heritage. The world-renowned Chilkoot Trail hike traces the prospectors' path from Skagway, Alaska, through the Yukon to Bennett Lake (BC). Across the ravine, the White Pass and Yukon Route railway chugs over the pass. In between the trail and the tracks, a scenic highway winds through the coastal mountains to the charming village of Carcross, in the Yukon.

https://www.travelyukon.com/en/things-to-do/article/sightseeing-klondike-region

The Yukon Soars in TripAdvisor 2020 Travellers' Choice Awards

Local Yukon businesses were highly recognised in the 2020 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards announced in August 2020. Voted for by consumers, the Yukon's unique accommodation options, thrilling attractions and independent restaurants have been awarded accolades, along with Air North, the Yukon's Airline. The awards are given based on positive Tripadvisor reviews received during 2019 and for consistently offering a high level of operation.

Yukon businesses in Canada's Northwest corner have become favourites around the globe and the Yukon's airline, seven hotels and lodges, 13 attractions and experiences, and seven restaurants are all 2020 recipients.

Winners include Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall in Gold Rush town, Dawson City, the Coast High Country Inn in Whitehorse where Prince William and Kate stayed in 2016, Sky High Wilderness Ranch offering off-grid dog-sledding stays, and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, located in Whitehorse.

New hotels for 2020

Raven Inn – https://www.raveninn.com/

The Raven Inn is a 57 room, 4-star, boutique-style property in downtown Whitehorse that opened in February 2020. Accommodation offerings include 32 rooms, six king suites, one presidential suite and 18 apartments.  Each room is tastefully designed and equipped with a comfortable bed, a hot shower & bath, a mini-fridge & espresso station and super-fast inclusive WI-FI, which is unusual in the Yukon! The hotel also boasts a relaxing lobby, Historic themed Railwork Bar and Lounge, an outdoor pool overlooking the Yukon River and a small convenience shop. 

Tincup Wilderness Lodge - https://www.tincup-lodge.com/en

Nestled on the shores of stunning Tin Cup Lake, this luxurious lakeside fly-in lodge re-opened in 2018 after four years of extensive renovations. Featuring a main lodge and three free-standing log cabins, each divided into two accommodation units with LED lighting, solar powered electricity and a woodstove.

Dawson Lodge - https://www.yukonspaces.com/dawsonlodge

The owners of a new 10 room, boutique-style hotel have announced construction is underway and they will be opened in March 2020.

 

Midnight Sun Hotel – www.midnightsunhotel.ca

Re-opening in summer 2021, the Midnight Sun Hotel offers 21 newly renovated rooms in the heart of Dawson City, Yukon. This new property, managed by NVD - Yukon Hotels, is full of Klondike Gold Rush charm and features a restaurant, lounge and tavern featuring fine entertainment.

Mt Logan Lodge – www.mountloganlodge.com

A beautiful property with stunning views of the Kluane National Park. Includes five well-appointed guest rooms, a 6-person yurt, a Goldrush era cabin, and even a school bus converted for guest accommodation round out the accommodation options. Summer activities include fishing and sea kayaking excursions on nearby Pine Lake, & yoga and artistic activities at the lodge. New winter programs include snowmobiling, dogsledding and ice fishing.

New tour operator packages for 2021

Aurora Borealis Outdoor Adventure from Dawson City with North America Travel Service

Three nights from £872 per person 

Visitors can experience the Northern Lights and historic Gold Rush town, Dawson City, on North America Travel Services' new Aurora Borealis Outdoor Adventure package. This new tour includes a three-night stay at the Aurora Inn in Dawson City including all breakfasts and dinners, a guided day trip to Tombstone Territorial Park, dogsledding on the frozen Yukon River, two nights of aurora viewing, a City and Goldfield tour, admission to the Dawson City Museum, and a historic walking tour of Dawson City. 

View the full itinerary here: https://www.northamericatravelservice.co.uk/itinerary/mini-aurora-borealis-packages-dawson-city/  

Husky Adventures with Windows on the Wild

7 nights from £1555 per person 

On this thrilling new tour, visitors will learn the art of dog-mushing and explore secluded trails each day from Sky High Wildness Ranch. Accommodation is in cabins or wood heated tent outpost camps. Visitors will learn how to care for their dogs before racing across frozen lakes and conquering challenging climbs such as McIntyre Mountain.  Evenings can be spent relaxing in the steam room or sauna and around cosy campfires. 

View the full itinerary here: https://www.windowsonthewild.com/canada/yukon/husky-adventures-in-the-yukon/

Canada's Winter Wonderland with Inspiring Travel Company 

8 days from £2575 per person

Inspiring Travel Company have launched a new 8-day Canada's Winter Wonderland including Yukon Northern Lights tour. Following two nights in Vancouver (BC) and two nights in Whistler (BC), this new tour takes visitors to the Yukon for four nights. Activities include aurora borealis viewing from a heated cosy cabin or walled tent, a sightseeing tour of the Yukon's capital Whitehorse, a guided tour taking in the historic main street and the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad depot, and a snowmobiling or dog sledding excursion.

View the full itinerary here: https://www.inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk/tours/north-america/canadas-winter-wonderland-including-yukon-northern-lights

Background on the Yukon

The Yukon is one of North America's most undiscovered destinations; close to 80 percent remains pristine wilderness with 5,000-metre peaks, forested valleys, unspoiled waters and untamed wildlife. Roughly the size of Spain at just over 300,000 square miles, the Yukon is home to more than 160,000 caribou, 70,000 moose, 22,000 mountain sheep, 7,000 grizzly bears, 10,000 black bears and 250 species of birds, with a human population of only 40,000.

For further information on the Yukon, visit www.travelyukon.com