Sharing a common border with Alaska, Canada's Yukon Territory is a region of almost half a million square kilometres and a population of under 32,000. Yukon has a powerful global image (particalarly for winter) and which is employed successfuly today in several diverse markets.
Unknown until the 1898 Klondike stampede when thousands of gutsy pioneers trekked the Chilkoot Trail and voyaged the Yukon River to seek their fortunes in Dawson City.
From early rough and tumble times Alaska and Yukon have stood shoulder to shoulder sharing geographic isolation, pioneer sprit and a unique sense of freedom! With perhaps more off-road opportunities the Yukon is a solid launch pad for choice backcountry trails, many first cut in gold rush times and perfect for 4x4 adventurers. Living up to expectations the demanding off road conditions test vehicles to the fullest and create an interesting challenge for drivers and support teams. Several selected 4x4 regions are sensibly close to communities with restaurants and hotel accommodation.
Canada's Dempster Highway was the first all weather route in North America to reach the arctic coast, traversing the Yukon and into Northwest Territories. Stunningly beautiful and utterly remote,the gravel surfaced route always makes great media copy supported by powerful photographic opportunities. Most challenging in winter, the Dempster exceeds Alaska's Dalton for sheer driver experience.
Frozen in winter the highway continues from Inuvik as an ice road across the frozen Beaufort Sea to tiny, outpost community of Tuktoyaktuk. Imagine yourself in a 4x4 driving an ice highway over a frozen ocean! In excess of 80 metres wide in places, the road is a dazzling clear blue ice. The icing on the cake so the speak....? A low afternoon sun casting a broad yellow light across an ocean of ice and snow! No traffic, just pure 4x4 magic!
Travelling an ice road of this scale is a rare experience and where occassional traffic includes a dog team. Listen to the clip here: Download land_rover_arctic_winter_safari_2.mp3
And you will love the road signs too because on the first part of the trip drivers navigate like mariners along the great (fortunately frozen) MacKenzie River where helpful signs assist tug boat skippers in summer. So you 4x4 drivers, brush up on your port and starboard and maintain a steady rate in knots!!!
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