The territory of the Yukon is wintry, wild, and
wonderful. Canada's True North is a spectacular wilderness of
comprehensive national and territorial parks filled with stunning
landscapes and rare wildlife, like the 120,000-strong Porcupine
Caribou herd that is protected in the Vuntut and Ivvavik National
Parks. Black and grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose, wolves, and musk
oxen are some of the other creatures spotted regularly all over the
territory.
The Yukon Territory is in the extreme northwest of
Canada, bordering Alaska. Its tourism is focused around outdoor
activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking and hiking in the
summer, and skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, snowmobiling, and
dog sledding in the winter.
The Yukon also has its own natural magical light show
in winter: undulating ribbons of pale-green, pink, and blue lights
dance in the night sky as the Aurora Borealis phenomenon delights
watchers below. The province also boasts Canada's highest mountain
set in a sea of ice: the majestic Mount Logan peak in Kluane
Park.
Although 80 percent of the Yukon is wilderness, there
are people living there too. Native Yukoners are spirited and
uniquely connected with their land, having plenty of tales to tell
travellers. Many legends survive from the days of the Klondike Gold
Rush in 1897, when 30,000 aspirants arrived in Dawson City in hope
of making their fortunes. The First Nations culture is also well
preserved and museums, historic sites, and interpretive centres
throughout the province provide fascinating insights.