The Yukon is a surprising place, and I am finding that many people know very little about it – myself included, until I started dating a real Yukoner. I have heard some pretty amusing things when I mention to people that I’m moving from Midwest USA to the Yukon soon.

“The Yukon…that’s out West, right?”
“Um, it’s right next to Alaska.”
Appears shocked and bewildered. “Oh, so NORTHwest.”

“The Yukon…well, at least you won’t be moving out of the United States!”

Now that we’ve gotten over the initial shock that yes, the Yukon really IS part of Canada, and it is VERY far North, here are a few other things that surprised me about the Yukon.

1. The Traffic

Please note that these are in no particular order. I did not arrive in the Yukon and immediately think, wow, this traffic is worse than Chicago.

But, considering the fact that the majority of the Yukon is untouched wilderness, I was surprised by the number of people there. In fact, coming from Wisconsin, which until recently I considered to already be “up North,” I was surprised that there were any people living in the Yukon at all!

There are about 25,000 people living in the Yukon’s capital (and only) city, Whitehorse. Plus, Whitehorse is a big tourist destination. When I visited in July, the streets were filled with tour groups sporting fanny packs and name tags, fresh from huge buses that invariably had a bunch of grizzly bears printed on them.

Most tourists decide to visit the Yukon in summer, for obvious reasons, but even when I visited in January, Whitehorse struck me as a bustling little city.

2. The Color of the Water

Wisconsin is great and all, but many of its lakes are murky, brownish-green and reek of rotting fish. Not in the Yukon! I first noticed the sparkling jewel-like lakes from my window seat on the plane. The lakes and rivers are brilliant blue and turquoise and are crystal clear. I’m sure they have fish in them, too, but I’m happy to report that I didn’t notice any foul odors around the water.

Miles Canyon, Whitehorse
Miles Canyon, a narrow section of the Yukon River
Chadburn Lake, Whitehorse
Chadburn Lake, with a dragonfly photobomb.
Long Lake, Whitehorse
Long Lake, where we went swimming

3. The Accents

Canadian accents are charming. I wish I had one. I would describe the typical Canadian accent as somewhat Irish mixed with Minnesotan. The best ones have a bit of lilt that American accents definitely lack. And they really do end sentences with an “eh?” or a “hey?”

It’s gonna warm up to 40 below tomorrow. Time to ditch the moose-hide mukluks, eh?

Besides Canadian accents, I was surprised by the number of various other accents that I couldn’t quite place. Some sounded Swedish or Polish. According to census information, the majority of immigrants to the Yukon are from Europe.

4. The Night Owls

I was just up in the Yukon this July, which meant it never got fully dark in Whitehorse. The sun set around midnight and rose around 5am, but between those times it’s just dusk-ish outside. One day Jeremy and I drove up to the Grey Mountain Trailhead around 8pm. Jeremy claimed this was the most popular hike in Whitehorse, but we didn’t see a single other car on the drive or on the hike.

Grey Mountain Hike, Whitehorse
On the hike up Grey Mountain
View from Grey Mountain, Whitehorse
At the summit

However, when we drove back down from the trailhead around 10pm, we saw several four-wheelers and cars driving up the mountain, apparently to start their hike at 10pm.

Yukoners sure do like to make use of their daylight hours, hey?

5. The Weather Doesn’t Phase People

In general, Yukoners love the outdoors. I remember when I visited back in January and it got down to 40 below, Fahrenheit. Jeremy still wanted to take me around to the various scenic places around Whitehorse, so we bundled up in many layers of snowpants, down coats and fur hats. I expected us to be the only people outside in that weather. But no, we saw others hiking on the trails, skiing, and playing with their dogs out in the middle of frozen lakes. You can read more stories from this trip on my post “Winter in the Subarctic.”

It was the same thing in July. Even though the air was thick with smoke from forest fires, making it difficult to see close-by mountains, there were so many people outside. The temperature was quite pleasant, though not remotely hot, and all the lakes were lined with swimmers and beach-goers. I tried swimming myself, but only lasted a few seconds in the frigid lake water!

Bennett Lake, Carcross
Beachgoers at Bennett Lake, Carcross

6. The Arts

As an artist and musician, I was eager to look into what kind of opportunities might be available in Whitehorse. I must admit, I did not expect to find much. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find lots of arts-related events and programs in the Wilderness City, which is Whitehorse’s nickname. For example, Arts in the Park is a summer-long program that features a different live band every single day, as well as a weekly visual artist. The musicians and artists get paid, but everything is free to the public. Jeremy and I watched a lovely performance by an Irish folk band, which drew a nice sized crowd. There was also a painter there working on a new piece while anyone could come up and watch.

There are also several art galleries in the town that show what I would consider real art, not the kind of art that you see in modern art museums.

I was excited to find several paid artist residencies, at least one of which pays artists to go on a backpacking trip and create works of art along the way. Now that sounds right up my alley!

There is also a local band and orchestra, both of which I am hoping to be able to join.

In conclusion…

The Yukon is a pretty cool place! Even though it may seem unfathomably far North, its climate is not that much different from Wisconsin or Minnesota – so don’t let that keep you from visiting! It is a gorgeous territory with miles of rugged, glorious wilderness and quaint towns with plenty to do. I’ve always dreamed of living “up North,” creating art in a cabin in the woods – the Yukon might be just the place!


28 Comments

Dominik Kropacek · July 26, 2019 at 6:13 pm

I’m Canadian and I’ve never envisioned going to Yukon in my life. Maybe next summer if it works out I will have to make a trip out there. It does look stunning! Especially the pictures with the beach! 🙂

    Florid Forest · July 26, 2019 at 11:41 pm

    The Yukon is gorgeous! The lakes were my favorite part too. Thanks for your comment!

Tanytyagi · July 27, 2019 at 3:14 am

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience with us. Would like to visit Yukon. The way you have put it in words is excellent and I am tempted to visit the place soon.

Joanna · July 27, 2019 at 3:59 am

Yukon sounds like a really cool place that I would love to visit. I like going out and doing walks in nature. The lake looks so pretty!

Jaana McEntee · July 27, 2019 at 12:58 pm

Wow this place looks so magical! I love these blue lakes! Beautiful photos, thank you!

    Florid Forest · July 27, 2019 at 7:01 pm

    Thanks for reading! It even looks magical in winter too 🙂

Suchot · July 27, 2019 at 1:33 pm

Loved your post! It felt nostalgic because I lived up there for a year and a half (a while ago). So fun to see all your pics and exciting that you’re moving up there 🙂

You have to check out the Dawson City Music Fest – one of my favorite music festivals anywhere!! Frostbite Music Festival is awesome too.

    Florid Forest · July 27, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    Thank you so much! That’s so cool you lived there. For sure, I actually just missed it this year, but definitely plan to attend in the future!

Polly · July 27, 2019 at 5:05 pm

Yukon seems like a place that I would love to stay. The view is breathtaking! I love the outdoors. I’m a nature girl at heart, truly. I enjoy looking at nature, relaxing in nature, taking pictures of nature. I’d be sure to add it to my bucketlist.

    Florid Forest · July 27, 2019 at 7:00 pm

    I agree! Whitehorse is pretty cool because it’s a quaint little city surrounded by miles of wilderness. So plenty of nature opportunities!

Ashli Ferguson · July 27, 2019 at 5:51 pm

this is so beautiful!! Ive never heard of this place !

Jenn ~ Onehoppymomma · July 28, 2019 at 9:02 pm

I was definitely surprised at how plush the landscape was.

Janay · July 28, 2019 at 11:36 pm

O wow that water looks perfect. I have not seen water look that clear! I can see why that stood out to you

evelyn hernandez · July 29, 2019 at 3:36 pm

I have always wanted to visit the Yukon, so beautiful.

Amanda · July 29, 2019 at 5:37 pm

This place is BEAUTIFUL! I would love to travel to the Yukon!

LaTese · July 30, 2019 at 12:06 am

The Yukons look like an all around amazing place. I’ll have to visit sometimes.

Mr. MFC @ Morning Fresh Cent · July 30, 2019 at 12:48 am

I have been to a few places in Canada but never the Yukon. Quite a scenic place.

Katie- Louise · July 30, 2019 at 3:59 am

Such a beautiful place, I have never even heard of it before. Thanks for sharing your experience its sound like it is my kind of place to visit one day 🙂

Monidipa Dutta · July 30, 2019 at 5:40 am

I had no idea about the place but it looked really good! I loved the details here.

Grace Esedeke | Today Was Fab · July 30, 2019 at 5:16 pm

I love this place– just by reading about it. I have heard of Canada several times and even planned on visiting, but never heard of Yukon. I’m sure it’s a place I’d love to live in.

    Florid Forest · July 30, 2019 at 7:57 pm

    The Yukon is the Canadian territory that is most Northwest. It’s just East of Alaska.

Quin Cl · August 2, 2019 at 5:31 am

I never heard of Yukon before and I thought it’s in Japan since it sounds like a Japanese city. But while reading this, I could imagine how beautiful this place it.

Margie · April 25, 2020 at 12:21 pm

I would love to visit in the summer. I have a plan of visiting the Canadian National Parks in a few summers, so would love to add the Yukon to my list.

Charu Goyal · April 25, 2020 at 12:34 pm

The landscape there looks so beautiful! I love the colour of that lake so much 😍

Manish Ambaliya · March 19, 2021 at 7:31 am

Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.

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