We've got the colourful five per cent and we are proud of it. Yukon and Yukoners are not about mundane, boring experiences. We strive to be different in personality and by nature. We've got long winters to think about how different we are and what we can do to emphasize it. We've also got natural phenomena reflected in our "Larger than Life" tagline. Write a story, give us a call - you'll realize our fascinating natural phenomena comes to us naturally.
Dawson's Sour Toe Cocktail
Stroll into Dawson City’s Downtown Hotel, belly up to the bar in the Sourdough Saloon, order the infamous Sour Toe Cocktail and no one will look at you strangely. This local concoction is garnished with a genuine, alcohol-preserved human toe. The original toe was reportedly from the frostbitten foot of a stampeder who traversed the Chilkoot Trail. That toe is long gone—every few seasons, another accidental toe swallower seems to come along, and luckless Downtown Dick has to find himself another digit. Partakers of the Sour Toe Cocktail receive a certificate for their achievement, while swallowers are severely chastised.
Night Magic
The Yukon enjoys exceptional viewing of the aurora borealis. This wintertime phenomenon—known to many people as the Northern Lights—appears like undulating ribbons of green, blue and red light. Scientifically speaking, the Northern Lights are the aftermath of explosions on the sun known as solar flares. These explosions send a wave of high-energy particles into space. This ‘solar wind’ is drawn towards Earth’s magnetic fields, and solar dust particles concentrate like rings around the polar regions. They hit gases in our upper atmosphere and charge the gas molecules, making them glow like neon lights. If the earth did not have a magnetic field, we would not have the aurora.
Yukon’s low-light winters make for excellent viewing, and fall and spring produce the best effects. According to some, the northern lights even make a crackling noise, and the lights have inspired many myths and legends. The Yukon is also home of the Northern Lights Space & Science Centre housed in Watson Lake. The centre welcomes visitors year-round to learn about the aurora borealis and view simulations.
The World's Smallest Desert
The Carcross Desert is affectionately known as the world's smallest desert. The dry climate and wind conditions have created sand dunes and forced special vegetation to adapt to the surroundings. This pocket desert is a popular tourist attraction.
Land of the Midnight Sun
On June 21, summer solstice, the sun never sets in some parts of Yukon. All over the Territory
you can read a book, paddle a canoe, or fish outdoors all night. The midnight sun makes for long summer days, and wondrous carmine and magenta skyscapes that last for hours, rather than minutes. Yukoners fill up their batteries, take in a little extra vitamin D and take advantage of this light to enjoy their favourite outdoor activities. It truly makes up for the longer, dark, days of winter.