Whitehorse, Yukon

Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon.

Understand

Whitehorse has been capital of the Yukon since 1953, and currently has a population of around 24,000. The city is located along the banks of the Yukon River, and due to it being in a rain shadow area, Whitehorse has the distinction of being Canada's driest city.

Get in

By plane

Whitehorse International Airport (YXY  ^IATA). Air North, "Yukon's Airline" , provides scheduled service to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Dawson City, Inuvik, Old Crow and Fairbanks (seasonal).

By car

Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek, British Columbia or Delta Junction, Alaska.

By ferry

to Skagway, Alaska, then via the South Klondike Highway.

Get around

Whitehorse Transit operates city buses and there are taxis operating in town. The Trans-Canada Trail runs through the city, and there are some bike trails.

• Cadence Cycles, 508 Wood St, ☏ +1 867 633-5600. A small rental fleet of mountain bikes for rental. 
• Premier Cabs, 128 Goldeneye St, ☏ +1 867 393-2228. 24/7. Whitehorse's largest taxi fleet (30 cars). 

See

Miles Canyon

• SS Klondike National Historic Site,
• Miles Canyon,
• McBride Museum,
• Beringia Interpretive Centre,
• Takhini Hot Springs,
• Yukon Transportation Museum
• Old Log Church,
• Whitehorse Fishway,

Do

• Canada Games Centre. The main centre for indoor recreation activity in Whitehorse. Includes, among other things, a large aquatic centre and three skating rinks. 

• Frostbite Music Festival. A winter festival showcasing Canadian and Yukon musical acts. 

• Yukon International Storytelling Festival. A summer festival with storytellers from around the world. Workshops are also held during the festival. 
• Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club. A popular cross country skiing facility with 85 km of groomed trails. There is also a large indoor wax room, washrooms and changeroom facilities and saunas for getting toasty warm apres ski. Plus 20km of single track trails for mountain biking in summer. 

Buy

• Aroma Borealis Herb Shop, 504-B Main Street (downtown), ☏ +1 867 667-HERB (4372). Skin care and aromatherapy products, herbal teas and other items. Natural products from local sources make excellent gifts and souvenirs. 

• Lilli Pie Lotions, 2110 2ND Ave, ☏ +1 867 456-7149. 

Eat

• Coasters Bar & Grill, 206 Jarvis St (downtown). A popular bar among young people. Coasters hosts many live music events. 

• Alpine Bakery, 411 Alexander St (downtown). This bakery and café offers excellent organic breads and other baked goods, hand-made chocolates, and fair trade coffee. A hot daily special and hearty soups are also offered during lunch time hours. 

• The Chocolate Claim, 305 Strickland St (downtown). This café is more expensive, and well known for their chocolates and desserts. 

• Spoon, 305 Main St (downtown, Hougen Centre). Serves coffee from beans locally roasted by Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters. Sandwiches, wraps, and pastries are also available. 

• Tokyo Sushi, 204B Main Street (downtown). This restaurant provides a reliable source of satisfactory Japanese food. It features a large menu, average prices, friendly staff, and ample Japanese pop music.

Sleep

Accommodation in Whitehorse ranges from hostels to B&Bs, to motels and quality hotels. They tend to get full quick so advance bookings are recommended during summer.

Budget

• The Beez Kneez Backpakers Hostel, 408 Hoge St, ☏ +1 867 456-2333. A hostel in a house in a residential area near downtown. Has free internet but no TV. Beds start at $30 per night, private rooms at $65 per night. 

Mid-range

• Chilkoot Trail Inn, 4190 4th Ave, ☏ +1 867 668-4190. Not the best place in town and Wifi is poached from somewhere else (but its there), but rooms are spacious and have kitchenette and TV. Prices are negotiable and start around $70 for a double and a bit less for a single (including tax). 

• Midnight Sun Inn Bed and Breakfast, 6188 6th Ave (Corner of 6th Ave. & Cook St.), ☏ +1 867 667-2255, toll-free: +1-866-284-4448. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Each of the four theme rooms has a private bathroom, hairdryers, telephone, TV, Internet access and work desk. One of the highlights of the facility is the large lounge area with a full kitchen, laundry and a 32” TV. It is near the scenic clay cliffs, which have hiking and walking trails. $119-$140 (June - early Sept), $10-$25 cheaper at other times. 

Luxury

• Inn On The Lake, ☏ +1 867 660-5253. As featured on Martha Stewart Living and recently listed by National Geographic Traveller as Top 150 places to stay for 2009, this lodge located 35 minutes by car from Whitehorse , Yukon is the top rated accommodation and conference centre in the Yukon. $180 and up. 

Connect

• Whitehorse Public Library, 2nd Avenue, downtown Whitehorse (moved in November 2011 to a new building on the riverfront off of Ogilvie Street), ☏ +1 867 667-5239, whitehorse.library@gov.yk.ca. Provides free public Internet and computer access. 30 minute sessions available. You may call to book in advance. 

Go next

Alaska Direct Bus Line offers bus service to Alaska.