Canada's Beautifu Yukon

Norm Goldman, Editor of the travel site, interviewsdate trip for you. Artists, photographers, bird-lovers
an expert on the Yukon.or just quiet nature lovers are completely catered to
Norm Goldman, Editor of is pleased to have as ourwhether their adventure is by raft, canoe, or on foot.
guest, Genevieve Grant of Yukon Wild Marketing.Retrace the Gold Rush: Take a tour down the Yukon
Good day Genevieve and thank you for agreeing toRiver in a comfortable covered Carolina Skiff River
participate in our interview.Boat, following the route taken by gold seekers
Norm:during the gold rush in 1898. Cathers Adventures will
What is Yukon Wild Marketing and what is your roletreat you and your partner to a trip through time on
in the company?one of Canada's most historic and beautiful
Genevieve:transportation routes, The Yukon River.
Hello Norm, thanks for having me. Well first, let meLive on your own island. SIR Country Ranch will drop
explain what yukonWILD is. yukonWILD is ayou at Big Salmon Lake, which is so remote; it is
consortium of 26 licensed independent wildernessaccessible only by boat or floatplane. Rejuvenate
tourism outfitters offering outdoor adventure trips inyour souls in a cozy cabin for relaxing days of fishing,
Canada's Yukon and surrounding areas. Thesketching, hiking and rest assured that the only
consortium's goal is to provide adventurous travelerscompany you will have is each other - oh and Mother
with a central source of information about the rangeNature of course!
of activities that are possible in the North.Visit the Nahanni River take the canoers trip of a
Marketing yukonWILD is one of the most excitinglifetime with Nahanni River Expeditions as your expert
things I have ever done as a marketer! We workguide for a life altering outdoor adventure on what is
daily with some of the world's most seasonedconsidered the Mecca for all canoe trippers.
outdoor adventure experts in one of the world's lastNorm:
wild, unruly and breathtakingly beautiful frontiers.Could you tell our readers something about learning
Yukoner's are a different breed, living so far fromadventures in the Yukon? I understand there are
the maddening crowds that one feels closer to theexperts who conduct adventure tours. As a follow
sky than they ever thought possible. My role in theup, could you also tell our readers about the nature
company is to ignite interest and let the secret out,tours?
that the Yukon is a definite must do in your lifetimeGenevieve:
adventure trip. Whether it is dog mushing, canoing,All of yukonWILD's outfitters are expert, licensed
hiking or just gazing at the Northern Lights,guides and bring a wealth of experience to the field,
yukonWILD wants to invite the outside world intoso the most important thing a guest could bring is a
our world outside.sense of adventure. While many of these outfitters
Norm:live unique and exciting lives off the beaten track,
Could you tell our readers where the Yukon isthey realize that for most of us, the closest thing to
located and why is it an interesting place to visit?an expedition in our daily lives may be a trip to a local
Genevieve:coffee shop and a strong will to find a decent
The Yukon is located in Canada's northwest,parking spot. So for those with almost no experience
bordering on Alaska. Volumes of books only begin toin the wilderness, many operators have designed
touch the reasons the Yukon is interesting. But I willlearning adventures to give us a taste of the
try a super-abridged version here:adventure life such as:
The midnight sun. The first summer I spent here, I- Rookie Ranch where novice dog mushers learn how
lived in a tent the entire 4 months. I never once usedto handle a dog-sled, care and drive their own team
a flashlight and could read with ease under the lightof dogs, under the expert tutelage of a seasoned
of the midnight sun. The complete absence ofdog musher.
darkness is one of the most exhilarating aspects of- Due North Journeys: Learn first hand about critical
the Yukon summer. You will need much less sleephabitat for many species of rare and endangered
and your capacity for adventure just seems toflowers, birds of prey and big game animals including,
expand. Of course, the winter days are short, butDall sheep and North America's largest population of
you need darkness to view the Northern Lights!grizzly bears. Due North invites you to Experience the
The history. During the gold rush of 1898, Dawsoncontinual orchestration of life and how these species
City was the largest city north of San Francisco andinteract within their ecosystem.
a bustling, cosmopolitan centre. Gold fever brought- Uncommon Journeys is the Yukon Branch of the
the world to the Yukon and this spirit of adventure,Canadian Outward Bound School and as such they
fortune seeking, bravery, mystery and opportunityhave been offering dogsledding, canoing and hiking
still has a stronghold on the hearts of Yukoner's andcourses and guided expeditions in the Yukon for over
all who visit.10 years. Every trip they offer is based upon an
The pristine natural beauty. I cannot explain withexperiential learning curriculum, where the focus is
enough emotion what it is like to raft and drift pastalways Learning by doing.
glaciers as old as time itself on crystal clear water, or- National Outdoor Leadership School: This course
see Northern Lights that seem so close you mightdevelops competent outdoor educators in the
catch yourself reaching out to touch them. Or tomountains and on a range of rivers. Graduates can
hear the shwish of your dog sled on the undisturbedlead novices in the backcountry managing the risks of
snow as your own sled dog expert teaches you themountain and river travel and effectively teaching
ropes to guide a team of dogs on the trail of therelevant technical and leadership skills. They are able
infamous Yukon Quest.to present appropriate information and attitudes using
The Yukon is modern. We don't live in igloos.a variety of experiential techniques.
Whitehorse, our capital is a thriving, modern city with- Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge: Embark on an
all of the amenities great cities have, including a worldeducational excursion at Frances Lake, embedded
class arts center, a brand new recreational facilitybetween soft mountain ranges. It is the ideal site to
built to host the Canada Winter Games in 2007 andlearn how wildlife, plants and the land depend on one
excellent music festivals, events, restaurants andanother. To explain these intricate relationships to
shopping.interested people, a well-known local naturalist
Norm:accompanies guests on this special excursion.
How easy or difficult is it to travel to the Yukon andNorm:
when is the best time to travel there?What is dogmushing?
Genevieve:Genevieve:
Whitehorse, the Yukon's capital is just a 2 ½Starting with the First Nations people millennia ago
-hour flight from Vancouver, BC. There are directand continuing through the mid-1900s, the
flights from 3 major Canadian cities as well ascombination of dog and sled made transportation and
Germany. For those with more time, driving thecommunication possible during the North's long winter
Alaska Highway is one of the most breathtakingseason. Today, dogs aren't needed like they once
road-trips out there. I have heard The Dempsterwere, but many Yukoners keep the mushing tradition
Highway, from just outside of Dawson City to Inuvikalive and are eager to introduce the activity to
described as a religious experience with vista afteradventurous visitors. There are dogmushing races
vista to hold even the wildest imaginations captive.yearly that generate crowds of spectators and there
Norm:are hobby mushers who just love to get out there.
Would you recommend the Yukon as a place toNorm:
honeymoon or to experience a romantic getaway? IfCould you give our readers an idea of the cost of
so, why and if you had to choose six of the mostlodging and dining in the Yukon and some suggestions
romantic venues in the Yukon, which ones would youas to where one might find romantic dining
choose?establishments?
Genevieve:Genevieve:
I would most certainly recommend the Yukon as aAs with any travel destination the Yukon offers an
romantic place to get away! Six of the mostarray of lodging and dining to fit any budget. For a
romantic getaways would have to include:romantic dinner in Whitehorse, I would suggest La
Aurora borealis viewing at Frances Lake WildernessGourmandise, a new French Restaurant with exquisite
Lodge. Imagine a cozy log cabin all to yourselves indécor and delectable French cuisine, or
the gorgeous winter wilderness with the northernGiorgio's, a well-established and well-loved fine dining
lights dancing above.restaurant.
For those with a taste for the uncommon, take anNorm:
Uncommon Journeys custom hike trip: Skim fields ofIs there anything else you wish to add that we have
alpine flowers aboard a helicopter as you and yournot covered pertaining to the Yukon?
loved one head into the yurt base-camp for a fewGenevieve:
days of alpine hiking, canoing pristine rivers andFor artists, the Yukon is truly a creative haven. The
fly-fishing for lunch. Yurts are remarkable structuresnatural beauty provides inspiration and thus we have
with Douglas fir lattice work, pine floors, circulara tremendous amount of talent and support for our
skylights and large windows and come complete withprolific arts scene.
a cozy wood stove to snuggle up for a warm andThanks once again.
romantic evening.Thank you! Keep in touch!
Have Shadow Lake Expeditions create the perfect