The city sits near the Whitehorse Valley, which gives it a milder climate than some of the areas located to its north. In fact, Whitehorse has the warmest climate of any area in the Yukon, with an average high of 20.6 degrees Celsius (69 degrees Fahrenheit) during the summer months and an average low of -19.2 degrees Celsius (-2.6 degrees Fahrenheit) during the winter.
The city has long days during the summer with more than 19 hours of daylight. It receives about 57 inches of snowfall per year and 6.4 inches of rainfall annually.
Whitehorse is known for its arts and entertainment options that take place throughout the year. As a result, hotel prices may increase when a major event is taking place. Some of the top festivals include the Yukon International Storytelling Festival (mid-August), the Sourdough Rendezvous Winter Festival (mid-February), the Available Light Film Festival (early February), the Adäka Cultural Festival (late June through early July), and the Frostbite Music Festival (early March). So, depending on your choice of seasons and festivals, any time can be a good time to visit Whitehorse.
Since Whitehorse is a smaller city in Canada and the only city in the Yukon Territory, it doesn't have a long list of hotel options. However, one of the hotels offering discounts to AAA members is the Coast High Country Inn, which sits near the SS Klondike riverboat.
The spacious guest rooms come with microwaves, refrigerators, free wireless internet access, desks, tea and coffee makers, and phones offering free local calls. You can stay active at the on-site fitness center or shop for souvenirs at the gift shop. Other amenities include a picnic area and assistance with tickets to local attractions and tours. You'll also find two restaurants, a bar, and available room service during limited hours. Full breakfasts are available to guests for an additional cost.
Days Inn by Wyndham Whitehorse delivers excellent value to guests, offering comfortable accommodations and affordable rates. Amenities include a fitness center open 24 hours a day, a sauna, free wireless internet access in the rooms and common areas, a gift shop, and a picnic area. You'll also have access to a business center, dry-cleaning and laundry services, and a roundtrip shuttle offering free service to the airport. The rooms feature flat-screen TVs with cable programming, tea and coffee makers, separate workspaces, and complimentary toiletries. Grab a bite to eat at the hotel restaurant or enjoy a nightcap at one of the two bars.
Best Western Gold Rush Inn is another appealing place to stay that provides a high-value experience. Your room will include a microwave, a refrigerator, free Wi-Fi, a TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, free toiletries in the private bathroom, and an iron with an ironing board. During your stay, you're welcome to use the fitness center and computer station. The hotel also has its own restaurant that serves tasty menu options and cooked-to-order breakfasts. The on-site saloon is a great place to relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing. Guests can also park free of charge on-site.
Whitehorse is known for its outdoor activities because of its position near the northern mountain range of the Rockies and other natural areas. Within the city, you'll have access to more than 500 miles of trails. These trails include portions of the Trans Canada Trail, which can take you to other parts of the country.
Many of the trails are open to motorized and non-motorized activities, including mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and ATVs. During the warmer months, you can also canoe and kayak in the Yukon River.
One of the top attractions in Whitehorse is the SS Klondike sternwheeler, a riverboat that greets visitors as soon as they enter the city. Now open for self-guided tours, it was once a major source of transportation in the region, offering travel for gold miners and their families to the Klondike.
If you're interested in learning more about the mining history of the area, stop by the Copperbelt Railway & Mining Museum. The building replicates an early 20th-century train station. Many visitors also enjoy relaxing in the Takhini Hot Springs, located just outside the city's border. The water's temperature falls between 97 and 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
Whitehorse is a unique Canadian city full of history, culture, and recreation, no matter when you visit. The variety of accommodations in the area means that you'll be able to find the perfect combination of price, comfort, and access to everything you'll want to do.
Below are reviews of the city of Whitehorse, YT from an actual visitor's perspective.
The walking trails were great. So was the downtown shops.
The people are very kind and friendly. My husband left his wallet in a shopping cart and it was returned to the desk intact by an anonymous kind stranger.
Taxi service is great and people very friendly and helpful.
Whitehorse is such a beautiful city. There are so many options of special activities to do, things that you can't easily do anywhere else in the world.