The Under-the-radar Winter Destination to Visit Before Everyone Else

From November to March, Yukon Territory in Canada’s north-west corner comes alive as winter sets in. White peaks and rolling hills frame the landscape, and lynx, moose and elk roam freely through snowy forests. At night, the sky glows in vivid green and purple hues as the Northern Lights put on a show.

Neighbouring British Columbia (BC), the country’s westernmost province, offers its own vast array of frosty thrills – from ice skating on a mountain-top pond to heli-skiing in the back country. And, with connections from Vancouver, you can easily combine a trip to the Yukon with a ski holiday in BC for the ultimate adventure.

Yukon

Fly 2.5 hours north from Vancouver to Whitehorse, the Yukon’s spirited capital, to experience nature at its best.

Soak up the aurora

Thanks to low light pollution, when night falls in Whitehorse, there’s a good chance you’ll spot the Northern Lights by simply stepping outside in the crisp air. For a more magical experience, take the 30-minute drive north of town and sink into the warm, mineral-rich waters at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs while the aurora swirls overhead.

Prefer to stay indoors? Northern Lights Resort & Spa, a 20-minute drive south of Whitehorse, is an indulgent retreat that includes Finnish and infrared saunas, hot stone massages and glass-fronted chalets so you can enjoy vistas of the dazzling night sky from bed. For a more secluded lakefront option, go further afield to Southern Lakes Resort, where wildlife such as moose and caribou will be your only company.

In historic Dawson City, 530 kilometres north of Whitehorse, you can watch the Northern Lights dance above colourful, gold-rush-era wooden buildings. Head up to the Midnight Dome lookout, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the town, the Yukon River and surrounding mountains as the natural phenomenon illuminates the sky and valley below. Northern Tales can take you there from Whitehorse on a four-night guided tour.

Experience epic winter thrills

Dog-sledding through the Yukon wilderness has a cinematic quality. As the huskies charge across icy landscapes, breath visible in the cold air, the only thing you’ll hear is the whoosh of the wind and the sound of their rhythmic panting. Yukon Wild offers a variety of tours, ranging from a 30-minute sampler to immersive seven-day treks across the province. Prefer to pedal? Hop on a fat bike and tear through snowy trails on oversized tyres – you can hire a bike in Whitehorse.

For a quieter escape, snowshoe along the Mount McIntyre ridge for sweeping views of Fish Lake and the rugged mountains that preside over it. Ski enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice, with more than 85 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails just minutes from Whitehorse’s city centre.

Get up close to the wildlife

Encounter elusive, tufted-ear lynx, massive moose and fluffy musk ox in the expansive natural habitats of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, a 25-minute drive from Whitehorse. You can tour the  140-hectare sanctuary in the comfort of a bus or opt to explore the grounds on foot, by bike or kicksled as you carve your way around powdery trails. First Nations-owned Who What Where Tours pairs your wildlife experience with a soak in the steamy mineral waters of Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs – the ideal way to unwind after a day of exploring.

Step back in time

Back in town, the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre celebrates the art and traditions of the region’s First Nations peoples with craft workshops, while exhibits of prehistoric fauna and archaeological artefacts at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre highlight the terrain and ecosystems shaped by millennia of natural forces. 

On the Carcross/Southern Lakes Tour with Who What Where Tours, discover hidden corners of the Yukon while hearing stories of the land’s rich history. Passing coastal mountain ranges and picturesque lakes, you’ll make multiple stops to and from the British Columbia border – including the Miles Canyon viewpoint – to admire the region’s untamed beauty.

Enjoy local culinary delights

Beyond Whitehorse’s snow-covered streets is a dining scene that thrives even in the depths of winter. Try the halibut burger served on a pretzel bun at the Burnt Toast Café and sample a flight of craft beers – including the Spruce Tip Pale Ale or the hearty Sweater Weather Oatmeal Stout – at the Winterlong Brewing Co. while watching the snow settle outside the windows. For a livelier vibe, the Dirty Northern pub keeps things buzzing with tater tot poutine, woodfired pizza and cocktails, plus DJs spinning tunes on weekends.

Where to stay in Whitehorse

Edgewater Hotel, Whitehorse

This downtown stay overlooking the Yukon River features modern rooms decorated with local art.

British Columbia

From Vancouver’s city-side slopes to the legendary mountains of Whistler Blackcomb and beyond, BC offers a unique mix of culture and alpine charm.

Make the most of Vancouver’s mild winters

One moment, you’re skiing fresh powder and the next, you’re breathing in the Pacific breeze on a hip city patio. Winter in Vancouver gives you the best of both worlds.

Just 20 minutes from Downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain’s 34 downhill runs offer everything from gentle slopes to thrilling descents. The Cut – a one-kilometre green run with views of the city, ocean and coastal mountains – is particularly enchanting at night under the glow of lamps. 

When you’re tired of skiing, strap on snowshoes and make your way along powdery trails lined with frost-tipped evergreens or be entranced by the Light Walk, a forest path that’s marked with twinkling lights. There’s also a skating pond and sledding hill at the peak for more winter fun.

When après-ski time arrives, head to Yaletown, where converted industrial buildings house cosy restaurants and cafés, with patios spilling onto the sidewalks. The mild temperatures mean you can soak up the city’s energy outdoors with a cocktail in hand.

Follow the scenic sea-to-sky route

The 163-kilometre Sea-to-Sky road trip from Vancouver to Pemberton starts with following a ribbon of road hugging cliffs above Howe Sound, before climbing into dramatic alpine terrain. Stop at Shannon Falls to feel the mist on your skin, Squamish to take in the galleries and street art or the Tantalus View Trail for glacier-topped vistas. About two hours from when you first set off, you’ll arrive in Whistler, where a world of wintry adventure awaits. This drive is as much a cultural journey as it is a scenic one – look out for the cedar-bark hat-shaped kiosks that provide information on the region’s Indigenous ways of life along the way.

Ski British Columbia’s destination resorts

With 13 destination resorts spread across 10 mountain ranges, British Columbia’s ski scene is legendary. The terrain is vast and varied, with powder so light that every turn feels like you’re floating. At Whistler Blackcomb, more than 200 runs stretch across two mountains, offering everything from wide-open cruisers to steep technical descents. There’s also zip-lining, ice skating, bobsledding, tubing, ice cave tours and more. The après-ski scene delivers outdoor thermal pools and world-class dining to cap off a perfect day on the slopes.

For a getaway the whole family can enjoy, Sun Peaks Resort has runs for every age and ability, plus a pedestrian village where you can ski right up to restaurants, shops and accommodation. Meanwhile, Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s record-breaking vertical drop, back-country terrain and next-level experiences, such as cat- and heli-skiing from the base of the mountain, provide unmatched thrills for seasoned skiers and snowboarders.

Where to stay in British Columbia

Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler

Whistler’s Michelin-rated lakefront resort offers rustic mountain luxury, with timber-lined ceilings and slate floors, outdoor hot tubs and a full-service spa.

Loden Hotel, Vancouver

This boutique hotel, featuring in-room yoga mats and room service from an award-winning French bistro, is located just steps from Vancouver’s waterfront.

SEE ALSO: Where to See the Magic of the Northern Lights in Canada