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Whitehorse — travel, stays & events guide
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Whitehorse city overview
Whitehorse is a city in Canada shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forYukon River, SS Klondike, Miles Canyon, Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre
RegionCanadaCanada
Time zoneAmerica/Whitehorselocal time
Founded1883historical origin
City history
The surrounding area had seasonal fish camps and Frederick Schwatka, in 1883, observed the presence of a portage trail used to bypass Miles Canyon.
The discovery of gold in the Klondike in August 1896, by Skookum Jim, Tagish Charlie, and George Washington Carmack, set off a major change in the historical patterns of the region.
Early prospectors used the Chilkoot Pass, but by July 1897, crowds of neophyte prospectors had arrived via steamship and were camping at "White Horse".
The White Pass and Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway linking Skagway to Whitehorse had begun construction in May 1898.
By May 1899, construction had arrived at the south end of Bennett Lake.
It was only in June–July 1900 that construction finished the difficult Bennett Lake section itself, completing the entire route.
By 1901, the Whitehorse Star was already reporting on daily freight volumes.
On May 23, 1905, a small fire in the barber shop of the Windsor Hotel got out of control when the fire engine ran out of water, spreading throughout the city and causing $300,000.
In 1920, the first planes landed in Whitehorse and the first air mail was sent in November 1927.
Until 1942, rail, river, and air were the only way to get to Whitehorse, but in 1942 the US military decided an interior road would be safer to transfer troops and provisions between Alaska.
In 1950, the city was incorporated and by 1951 the population had doubled from its 1941 numbers.
On April 1, 1953, the city was designated the capital of the Yukon Territory when the seat was moved from Dawson City after the construction of the Klondike Highway.
The White Horse Restaurant and Inn was among the buildings destroyed, after its co-founder Frederick Trump had sold his shares and left the city.
The Canadian portion of the highway was only returned to Canadian sovereignty after the war.
Worth seeing
Yukon River
Yukon River is a practical Whitehorse planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
SS Klondike
SS Klondike is a practical Whitehorse planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Miles Canyon
Miles Canyon is a practical Whitehorse planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre
Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre is a practical Whitehorse planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Aurora viewing
Aurora viewing is a practical Whitehorse planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Alaska Highway
Alaska Highway is a practical Whitehorse planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Whitehorse before booking Whitehorse hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Whitehorse by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Whitehorse, CanadaFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Whitehorse airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Whitehorse day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Whitehorse events in the shared event index yet.