What Whitehorse is known for

The Whitehorse Destination includes the Kluane National Park and Reserve, one of the popular attractions within the destination. The Kluane National Park and Reserve became a national park in 1972. Mount Logan is part of the reserve and is the highest mountain in Canada. The park reserve contains glaciers, mountains, forests, and tundras. There are plenty of activities fit for outdoor enthusiasts at Kluane National Park and Reserve. Hiking, rafting, mountain biking, boating, and fishing are all popular activities at the national park. Various fish are caught in the area, including Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and sockeye salmon.[2]

There are many outdoor opportunities while visiting the Whitehorse Destination. Miles Canyon is one of the popular hikes in the area. The hike through Miles Canyon is unique because of the basaltic lava flows and ancient rocks that can be spotted throughout the walk.[3] The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is another way to experience the wildlife that Canada has to offer. There are more than 12 species on 350 acres of land at the wildlife preserve. Guests can choose to take in their experience with a guided bus tour, getting information from a tour guide, and stopping the bus from getting a better look at the wildlife.[4] 

Visitors looking for scenic views can stop by Emerald Lake, which is located within the region. Emerald Lake is known for the vibrant colors and the reflecting light from the water. Many tourists come here to take pictures of the unique views.[5] The peak tourist season in the Yukon area is the warm summer months. During the summer months, outdoor activities such as hiking and canoeing are the most pleasant because of the warm weather. Visitors can consider visiting in the late spring or early fall to avoid the crowds that the summer months typically bring. The summer months are the best time to see the wildlife that the area has to offer. Fish, mammals, birds, plants, and insects come with no shortage throughout the zone. 

Though the summer months are some of the most popular months to visit the area, winter also has some of its unique perks to visiting. During the winter, the northern lights are visible. The northern lights can be hard to spot, but the best shot at seeing the lights is typically around midnight. Snowshoeing is another winter activity that is frequently enjoyed by visitors while in the area.[6] The region sees around 323,000 visitors a year. The amount of visitors to the area seems to be increasing with each year.[7] Tourism is one of the most critical industries in the destination, primarily due to its scenery. The leading sector of the destination is mining lead, zinc, silver, and other materials.

Geography

The Whitehorse Destination is located within the Yukon territory of Canada. The destination is mostly known for the vast amount of wildlife found while visiting, whether it be lakes, mountains, or animals. The Kluane National Park and Reserve are one of the main attractions in the area. Cities located within the area include Burwash Landing, Destruction Bay, Silver City, Mt. Lorne, and Johnson's Crossing. 

Weather within the destination varies throughout the year. The Whitehorse Destination has snowy winters and mild summers. The snowy season lasts from September to April, with the snowiest months typically being December and January. These winter months are frigid, with a high of 23 degrees and a low of -2 degrees. The warmest months of the year are May to September. During these months, the average temperature is around 58 degrees. July is the warmest month in the zone and reaches an average high of 69 degrees.[1] 

The destination is fully stocked with a variety of wildlife. Grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, moose, and sheep are all found within the region. Arctic grayling and salmon are popular fish found within the area. The area is commonly known for having one of the longest salmon runs in the world. There are quite a few rare species found within the destination. Tree species in the area include white spruce and trembling aspen. The land's development has affected the wildlife in the region at times. Still, the Yukon Conservation Society is aware of this and works to preserve the animals and nature in the area as best as possible.[9]

History

The Whitehorse Destination is named after the city Whitehorse, which is located within the destination. The name Whitehorse came during the Klondike Gold Rush times (1897-1898) and was named after the Whitehorse River and the mane of a white horse. Whitehorse was a distribution center, and in later years after World War II, it turned into a construction base for the area. Whitehorse was transformed into a city in 1950. The mining economy became more prevalent by the 1950s and continues to have a considerable influence today. Along with mining, the tourism industry has become one of the economic foundations in the area today.[10] 

Whitehorse is the capital of Yukon and has a population of around 25,000 people. Whitehorse is the primary city within the Yukon Territory. As far as demographics go in the area, 75.5% of the residents are of European descent. 51.4% of residents defined themselves as non-religious, 45.3% said they are Christian, with the other 3.3% falling into another category. The two languages that are most spoken in the destination are English and French. Other languages that are spoken include German, Tagalog, Spanish, Chinese, and Dutch.[11] Some of the cities' main industries include mining, tourism, forestry, and fishing.[11]