Canada's Beautifu Yukon

Norm Goldman, Editor of the travel site, interviews andate trip for you. Artists, photographers, bird-lovers or
expert on the Yukon.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 during
Norm:the gold rush in 1898. Cathers Adventures will treat you
What is Yukon Wild Marketing and what is your role inand your partner to a trip through time on one of
the company?Canada's most historic and beautiful transportation
Genevieve: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 your
tourism outfitters offering outdoor adventure trips insouls 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 range ofNature of course!
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 work dailyguide for a life altering outdoor adventure on what is
with some of the world's most seasoned outdoorconsidered the Mecca for all canoe trippers.
adventure experts in one of the world's last wild, unrulyNorm:
and breathtakingly beautiful frontiers. Yukoner's are aCould you tell our readers something about learning
different breed, living so far from the maddeningadventures in the Yukon? I understand there are
crowds that one feels closer to the sky than theyexperts who conduct adventure tours. As a follow up,
ever thought possible. My role in the company is tocould you also tell our readers about the nature tours?
ignite interest and let the secret out, that the Yukon isGenevieve:
a definite must do in your lifetime adventure trip.All of yukonWILD's outfitters are expert, licensed
Whether it is dog mushing, canoing, hiking or just gazingguides and bring a wealth of experience to the field, so
at the Northern Lights, yukonWILD wants to invite thethe most important thing a guest could bring is a sense
outside world into our world outside.of adventure. While many of these outfitters live
Norm:unique and exciting lives off the beaten track, they
Could you tell our readers where the Yukon is locatedrealize that for most of us, the closest thing to an
and why is it an interesting place to visit?expedition in our daily lives may be a trip to a local
Genevieve:coffee shop and a strong will to find a decent parking
The Yukon is located in Canada's northwest, borderingspot. So for those with almost no experience in the
on Alaska. Volumes of books only begin to touch thewilderness, many operators have designed learning
reasons the Yukon is interesting. But I will try aadventures to give us a taste of the adventure life
super-abridged version here:such as:
The midnight sun. The first summer I spent here, I lived- Rookie Ranch where novice dog mushers learn how
in a tent the entire 4 months. I never once used ato handle a dog-sled, care and drive their own team of
flashlight and could read with ease under the light ofdogs, under the expert tutelage of a seasoned dog
the midnight sun. The complete absence of darknessmusher.
is one of the most exhilarating aspects of the Yukon- Due North Journeys: Learn first hand about critical
summer. You will need much less sleep and yourhabitat for many species of rare and endangered
capacity for adventure just seems to expand. Offlowers, birds of prey and big game animals including,
course, the winter days are short, but you needDall sheep and North America's largest population of
darkness to view the Northern Lights!grizzly bears. Due North invites you to Experience the
The history. During the gold rush of 1898, Dawson Citycontinual orchestration of life and how these species
was the largest city north of San Francisco and ainteract within their ecosystem.
bustling, cosmopolitan centre. Gold fever brought the- Uncommon Journeys is the Yukon Branch of the
world to the Yukon and this spirit of adventure, fortuneCanadian Outward Bound School and as such they
seeking, bravery, mystery and opportunity still has ahave been offering dogsledding, canoing and hiking
stronghold on the hearts of Yukoner's and all who visit.courses and guided expeditions in the Yukon for over
The pristine natural beauty. I cannot explain with10 years. Every trip they offer is based upon an
enough emotion what it is like to raft and drift pastexperiential learning curriculum, where the focus is
glaciers as old as time itself on crystal clear water, oralways Learning by doing.
see Northern Lights that seem so close you might- National Outdoor Leadership School: This course
catch yourself reaching out to touch them. Or to heardevelops competent outdoor educators in the
the shwish of your dog sled on the undisturbed snowmountains and on a range of rivers. Graduates can
as your own sled dog expert teaches you the ropeslead novices in the backcountry managing the risks of
to guide a team of dogs on the trail of the infamousmountain and river travel and effectively teaching
Yukon Quest.relevant technical and leadership skills. They are able to
The Yukon is modern. We don't live in igloos.present appropriate information and attitudes using a
Whitehorse, our capital is a thriving, modern city with allvariety of experiential techniques.
of the amenities great cities have, including a world- Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge: Embark on an
class arts center, a brand new recreational facility builteducational excursion at Frances Lake, embedded
to host the Canada Winter Games in 2007 andbetween soft mountain ranges. It is the ideal site to
excellent music festivals, events, restaurants andlearn how wildlife, plants and the land depend on one
shopping.another. To explain these intricate relationships to
Norm:interested people, a well-known local naturalist
How easy or difficult is it to travel to the Yukon andaccompanies guests on this special excursion.
when is the best time to travel there?Norm:
Genevieve:What is dogmushing?
Whitehorse, the Yukon's capital is just a 2 ½ -hourGenevieve:
flight from Vancouver, BC. There are direct flightsStarting with the First Nations people millennia ago and
from 3 major Canadian cities as well as Germany. Forcontinuing through the mid-1900s, the combination of
those with more time, driving the Alaska Highway isdog and sled made transportation and communication
one of the most breathtaking road-trips out there. Ipossible during the North's long winter season. Today,
have heard The Dempster Highway, from just outsidedogs aren't needed like they once were, but many
of Dawson City to Inuvik described as a religiousYukoners keep the mushing tradition alive and are
experience with vista after vista to hold even theeager to introduce the activity to adventurous visitors.
wildest imaginations captive.There are dogmushing races yearly that generate
Norm:crowds of spectators and there are hobby mushers
Would you recommend the Yukon as a place towho just love to get out there.
honeymoon or to experience a romantic getaway? IfNorm:
so, why and if you had to choose six of the mostCould you give our readers an idea of the cost of
romantic venues in the Yukon, which ones would youlodging and dining in the Yukon and some suggestions
choose?as to where one might find romantic dining
Genevieve:establishments?
I would most certainly recommend the Yukon as aGenevieve:
romantic place to get away! Six of the most romanticAs with any travel destination the Yukon offers an
getaways would have to include:array of lodging and dining to fit any budget. For a
Aurora borealis viewing at Frances Lake Wildernessromantic dinner in Whitehorse, I would suggest La
Lodge. Imagine a cozy log cabin all to yourselves in theGourmandise, a new French Restaurant with exquisite
gorgeous winter wilderness with the northern lightsdécor and delectable French cuisine, or Giorgio's, a
dancing above.well-established and well-loved fine dining 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 a
with Douglas fir lattice work, pine floors, circulartremendous 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