G'day
I am from Sydney and am hoping to spend Christmas with
relo's in Vancouver, B.C. I want to take a side-trip up
north during this time to see polar bears, Inuit, Northern
Lights, etc. However, I am under the impression that the
north is closed up in winter and is way to cold (is this
true????). How do people get there, and can you get around
much when you're up there. Also, which is the best place to
go to; Yukon or Alaska. If Alaska, is there any way to get
from Anchorage to Fairbanks? I am desperate for info.
Thanks
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It is very cold in the arctic during the winter. Daytime
high can be around -30 degrees celcius, (air temp, not
including wind chill) and at that temperture it is very hard
to stay warm outside regardless of what you are wearing.
This also is not the best time to see Polar bears as they
are out on the sea ice hunting. That is NWT, Canada -
someone else will have to advise you about Alaska.
You probably wouldn't see Polar Bears in winter, in fact I
think they hibernate, at least the pregant female ones do.
Hmm. I think that one of the neatest ways to get up to the
north would be to go up with one of the freight trucks. In
the far northern winter months when rivers freeze over they
are used as highways for trucks. You would have to do a bit
or searching tho to find more info. Of course no matter what
you can alway fly up. The north isn't "closed" for winter
it is just not as hospitable (climate wise, people wise it
is fantastic).
Hmm. I think that one of the neatest ways to get up to the
north would be to go up with one of the freight trucks. In
the far northern winter months when rivers freeze over they
are used as highways for trucks. You would have to do a bit
or searching tho to find more info. Of course no matter what
you can alway fly up. The north isn't "closed" for winter
it is just not as hospitable (climate wise, people wise it
is fantastic). For the Yukon try:
http://WWW.Touryukon.COM/index.asp?userID=not_registered
according to a documentary I saw on TV, polar bears are in
transit from land to ice floes at the end of October in
Churchill, Manitoba.
Dead of winter might not be the best time to be looking,
very cold and very dark for most of the day!
If you're in the West and want to go North you may want to
check out Canada's newest province, Nunavut.
http://www.arctic-travel.com/
I haven't been there yet but it's supposed to be
spectacular. A word to the wise though, travelling to and
in the arctic is always *ver* expensive so you'll need to
budget accordingly.
Alyssa
Welcome to the Yukon Territory Canada! First stop
Whitehorse. Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon and it
is a very cute town. People are very easy going and you
will find everything that you will need to plan your trip
through this beautiful piece of land. Take the time to
stroll down Main Street. You will find a multitude of small
gift shops that have unique gift and souvenirs that you can
buy at a relatively good price. Further more if you like
gold check out the jewellery store they have some of the
most unique pieces of jewellery. For example you could pick
up a set of gold nugget earrings. After all you are in
Klondike country. This year turned out to be the 100th
anniversary of the Gold rush. Every year they make a big
fuss about it. After all that is what most tourists come to
see. For a good comfortable hotel check out the airport
chalet. A single room for one night will run you
approximately 50.00$ CDN. If you like camping just on the
city limits, almost downtown, you will find a camping ground
where you can pitch a tent for about 10$ CDN. That's like
5$ US!
Assuming you have a car and some time on your hand I really
really really recommend that you drive up to Kluane Lake.
To get there you take the Alaska Highway and head for Haines
Junction (2 hour drive to Haines Junction) do not get
confused with Haines Alaska. Once in Haines Junction you
may want to check out the park pavilion. Its located on the
right hand side just after the Petro Canada and the church
on the right hand side. You will see that Haines Junction
is a very small and even prettier place than Whitehorse. If
you need food Madely's General store has everything you
need! You have to check out the KPI (Kluane Park Inn). My
friends and I had a blast checking out the locals in the bar
that still has it's tacky late 70's early 80's chairs! The
ice cream parlour right next door (when you come out of the
KPI it's on the left-hand side heading towards Madely's) has
the best ice cream in town! Go with the small cone! It's
really a good deal!
Then you have two options. Really it's a question of what
you would like to see. When at the intersection in Haines
Junction you can head for Kluane lake or you can head
towards Chilkat pass. If you head towards Chilkat pass
there are a multitude of stops along the way including hikes
and information sites. There is also a Reserve where I
believe it's the Champaign Aisihik Nation that is accessible
to the public. Be aware and do not take any pictures they
will charge you for each one you take! On this reserve you
will be able to see a salmon trap. You can also for a price
sit and have tea or coffee with an elder who will tell you a
story about his people. It is very important that you not
interrupt and elder when he is speaking. It's considered
being very disrespectful. Chilkat pass will give you a good
idea of what tundra looks like. Very little trees and a
whole lot of moss, as well as beautiful arctic flowers. You
will not believe how many different types of flowers
actually survive this kind of climate. Before crossing the
boarder into Alaska turn around and head back to Haines
Junction.
The next thing to see is Kluane Lake! If you have seen Lake
Louise and you though IT was beautifulà. You will just love
Kluane Lake. It is also a glacier fed lake which is
approximately 80 km long (50 miles long). What makes it
even more spectacular is Sheep Mountain. Sheep Mountain is
a beautiful pinkish coloured mountain that blends in
perfectly with the Blue of the Water. If you are fan of
Physical Geography you will also appreciate the delta that
is and has been forming thanks to the Slims river that feeds
Kluane Lake. You can hike up Sheep Mountain. If you decide
to do so make sure that you have some warm clothes that you
can put on as you get up there. The winds are from the cold
air rushing down from the Kaskawulsh glacier and are not
very warm! Two bring lots of drinking water. It would be a
good idea to pack a lunch. Make sure you have bear spray,
after all you are in BEAR country! And finally make sure
that you check in at the Sheep Mountain Park Centre. They
like to keep a record of how many people actually hike up
and it's also a good idea because should something happen
they will know that you were supposed to be back by then.
You may also want to check out the Arctic Institute. Mile
1054 on the Alaska Highway. This is a base where students
as well as professors come to do research on many various
subjects. I was up there for a month to take a full credit
course on research methods. The base could probably
accommodate you for one or a couple of nights. Ask for Andy
he is the camp director. (I have the address somewhere for
Andy Williams. I would need to find it if you would like to
contact him. Please let me know if you do need it.) Ask him
how much it would cost you to pitch your tent on the beach.
And if you want you could ask him if that includes or
excludes meals. There are also a few other commodities that
may be useful for you. If you are there for supper you will
be able to meet a good bunch of people and talk about the
region. These profs have been coming to this area for
several years now and you will be able to get a little bit
of historic information should you be interested in that
kind of thing. Best time to be there to meet people would
be July that is when the group from the U of Ottawa are
there. (Can't you tell I am from the U of O!!!!).
If you like flying and you like glaciers there are two musts
dos!!!! The first is Andy's (the camp director) flight of
the Kaskawulsh Glacier. For $400.00 CDN (for 3 people) he
takes you up to the Kaskawulsh Glacier. You not only get to
see the Glacier but also the snow fields that create the
glacier as well as Mount Logan which is the biggest mountain
on Canadian soil! Bring your camera and some extra film
because I took approximately 48 pictures on that flight!
The flight lasts for about 1 hour. If you find that 133.33
each is a little too much for a flight you could always go
and see the Trans North helicopter company. They are right
on the Alaska Highway and they offer tours of the glacier as
well as heli-hicking. Prices vary. I know that for the ╜
hour helicopter tour of the glacier that will run you
$100CDN each. But if you are going to take any tour at all
I strongly recommend the plane ride. It's longer you see
more and it's cheaper. Only down side is there has to be
very little cloud cover so that you can get a good view.
Where as in the helicopter it does not matter as much.
I almost forgot the ghost town right next door to the Arctic
Institute. It's an okay place nothing to exciting. There
is also another small lake called Emerald Lake. It's you
guessed it green. The deposits of the lake and the elements
found in that lake give it that greenish colour. It makes
for a great picnic spot.
Before arriving at the Arctic Institute there is also a
horse back ridding place that you could go to. They
organise small day trips. I have no idea how much this may
cost but they can be an interesting way to visit the area
and learn a little more. You may be sore the next day but
hey it might be well worth it.
And besides with the exchange rate theses days it's a
bargain for you guys! Aren't we just pitiful!
Other information: Price of gas is 67 cents a litre (CDN)
Food can get expensive the more you
wonder away from Whitehorse.
Example (500 ml bottle of Pepsi 1.50 plus taxes normally in
Ottawa 1.14 with taxes included) still its not that bad!
In Destruction Bays Burwash Landing you will find a nice
little nature Museum called Kluane Museum. It gives you an
idea of the fauna that live in the park as well as what you
can find as precious metals.
I have also hear that Dawson City is a nice town to visit.
I know that they hold a music festival every year in the
month of July. People that have attended this event said
that it was fun and well worth it.
If you plan to cross over to Alaska I hear Skagway is a nice
town to spend a day in. (No more) There is also the ever
popular Chilkoot Trail. You may want to check to see if you
need to make reservations if you intend to hike the trail.
I don't know what else to add. If you need some additional
info or have specific questions please feel free to write
back.
I found a couple of web sites that may interest you:
http://www.city.whitehorse.yk.ca/
http://www.areaguide.net/yukon/
http://www.alaskainfo.org/frames.on/whitehorse/
http://www.hyperborean-web.com/kva/
http://www.dcmf.com/HeritageHome.html - Dawson music
festival
http://aix1.uottawa.ca/~njd2e/bruce/oldtimr.html
http://trek.dawsoncity.net/
http://www.touryukon.com/index.asp?userID=not_registered -
Seemed like a very pertinent and interesting site
http://outside.starwave.com/travelqa/022896/yukon.html
http://www.interlog.com/~parks/number1.htm
http://www.blackfeather.com/HT-KG.htm
Hope this helps you in your research!
Any more info JP