The Yukon has an exceptional track record hosting major sporting events. With our new sport infrastructure, considerable experience, wide range of hospitality options and large community of committed volunteers, coaches and officials, the Yukon is primed to host major regional, national and international competitions.
Let our record speak for itself:
2008 Junior World Softball Championships
2008 Junior World Weightlifting Championships
2007 Athletes CAN Forum
2007 Canada Winter Games
2006 MASY Challenge
2006 Western Canadian Cross-country Ski Championships
2006 Canadian Age Class Short Track Speed Skating
2006 Junior National Freestyle Ski Championships
2005 K2 Alpine Ski Championships
2004 Canada Senior Games
2007 Canada Winter Games - Whitehorse, Yukon
From February 23 to March 10, 2007, Whitehorse was the proud host community of the 2007 Canada Winter Games. The Whitehorse Canada Winter Games, which are being hailed as the best ever, saw Canada's top amateur athletes compete in 22 sports at 10 venues in the Whitehorse area. In all, 3600 athletes, coaches and managers participated in the Games, accompanied by countless more family members, media, VIPs and spectators.
Athletes and supporters enjoyed our venues for their breathtaking views, modern conveniences and well-placed distances, with the furthest venue (Mt. Sima) just 18 km or a 22-minute drive from the Athletes Village located at Yukon College. A combination of world-class venues, dedicated volunteers and the natural beauty of Canada’s Yukon provided our national athletes, media and other Games-time visitors with a stunning look at the cultural riches and the vast beauty of the North.
The 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse will go down in history as one of the biggest and best events ever to take place north of the 60th parallel. Highlights included the Canada Games Cultural Festival, which showcased the rich cultures of Canada’s territories and an impressive array of artists and performers, and the Inuit and Dene Games featured as demonstration sports.
The Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse gave thousands of visitors a great look at winter in the North, and many Games-time visitors elected to stay longer for pre- and post-event excursions like dogsledding and aurora viewing. Many are also returning to experience summer north of 60, exploring our mountain landscapes, touring our scenic drives and enjoying hiking, biking, canoeing and rafting adventures.
Arctic Winter Games: 1972/1980/1986/1992/2000
The Yukon's sport tourism assets have been cultivated over four decades since Whitehorse first hosted the Arctic Winter Games in 1972. The Arctic Winter Games is a high profile circumpolar sports competition for northern and arctic athletes that celebrates sport, social exchange and cultures. Whitehorse has hosted the Arctic Winter Games five times in 1972, 1980, 1986, 1992 and 2000.
The 2000 Whitehorse Games brought together over 2,700 athletes, cultural performers, coaches, officials, special guests and spectators from across the North and beyond. The 2000 Games were significant as the Whitehorse Host Society attracted large private sponsorships and significant media coverage for the Arctic Winter Games organization.
Regional, National and International Championships
The Yukon has earned its place on hosting rotations for an increasing number of regional, national and international events. Organizations including Cross Country Canada, Canadian Freestyle Ski Association, Alpine Canada and Softball Canada have all chosen Whitehorse to host recent championship events. Thanks to convenient and direct air access from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, the Yukon is a popular location for a growing number of Western Canadian competitive events.
The Yukon is an affordable alternative to larger destinations, offering exceptional hospitality and a unique travel experience. Athletes coming to compete in the Yukon can look forward to state-of-the-art facilities, big-city amenities and truly spectacular scenery.