Every day is a festival in the Yukon
The Aurora Borealis – or Northern Lights – are one of the Yukon’s most desirable attractions at this time of year. With long periods of darkness and crisp, clear nights, conditions are often perfect for viewing this spectacular dance of light that remains invisible to those at lower latitudes.
The Northern Lights have fascinated people for thousands of years. The First Nations people who call the Yukon home traditionally believed the colourful streaks of light belonged to their relatives and loved ones, looking down upon them from the afterlife. Incredibly, particularly vibrant displays of aurora borealis can even produce a sound that, while extremely rare, has been likened to the sound of someone clapping.
Today, the Northern Lights are every bit as magical as they were in years past – and few places on earth are as naturally suited to showcase their beauty as Canada’s Yukon. And while you take in the aurora borealis by night, during the day the Yukon offers up a number of exciting festivals that simply cannot be found anywhere else.
Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival
In February, the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous festival ( yukonrendezvous. com) is celebrating their 50th anniversary with a host of events and performances lined up between February 14 - 23, 2014. It’s also longer than in years past, returning to the ten- day format utilised by the Festival prior to 1996, when it was shortened to just four days in length.
For those who like to keep warm, the Rendezvous Pub Crawl is sure to provide some soothing libations. Other events offered include a snow carving unveiling; a night party on Main Street; live fiddle shows; and even a James Bondthemed evening dubbed License to Thrill. Dog sled rides are offered, along with an international snow carving competition. It’s ten days of non- stop activities, food, events and parties – all delivered under the spectacular glow of the Northern Lights.
February also marks the start of the Yukon Quest (yukonquest.com), a 1,600 kilometre dogsled race that begins in Fairbanks, Alaska on February 1 and concludes in Whitehorse. The Yukon Quest is as much a test of endurance as it is about the skill in which mushers drive their sleds and dogs through the ever- changing artic landscape. A total of 21 mushers are scheduled to compete in 2014, and an opportunity to meet the teams in Whitehorse has been scheduled for February 14, 2014. You can keep track of their progress online, but nothing compares to standing along the race route to watch teams come racing in to White horse with clouds of snow billowing in their wake.
Available Light Festival
The Yukon Film Society also puts on the Available Light Festival ( yukonfilmsociety.com) every February. Now in its 12th season, the Festival screens everything from comedies to documentaries, all delivered with a unique Northern twist. Featured from February 2 to 9, 2014, this is Canada’s largest film festival north of 60!
Dawson City International Short Film Festival
The filmmaking- theme continues in April as Dawson City hosts the 14th annual Dawson City International Short Film Festival ( dawsonfilmfest.com). Running from April 17 to 20, the festival showcases local works produced in the Yukon alongside films from around the world. It also hosts filmmaking workshops, special guest speakers and master classes.
The epicentre of the Gold Rush, Dawson City today draws over 60,000 visitors each year, lured by the rich mix of history and spectacular natural setting that the city – referred to by locals as ‘ Dawson’ – enjoys. In fact, Dawson boasts eight of the 12 National Historic Sites of Canada that are located in the Yukon, including the 1901- built Canadian Bank of Commerce, the entire historic downtown core, and the 1922- built sternwheeler S. S. Keno.
Just 1.5 hours away from Dawson City is Tombstone Territorial Park, a 2,200 km2 expanse of protected wilderness that is steeped in First Nations culture. This is the ancestral home of theTr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, whose citizenship today includes descendants of the Hän- speaking people that called this region home for millennia. Tombstone Territorial Park represents the true wilderness: remote and with few established trails, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in land the park encompasses is a veritable time capsule; a glimpse into a rugged landscape still untouched by man.
You might have come for the brilliant glow of the Northern Lights – but you’ll stay for the Yukon’s unique way of life.
Embrace the darkness. There’s nothing else like it.