
easy
3–4 hours
Suitable for people in average walking fitness; able to be on your feet for several hours on snow-covered, uneven terrain.
Spend a half day traversing Whitehorse backcountry on lightweight snowshoes, following routes once used by trappers and gold-seekers. This guided tour includes transfers, equipment, snacks, and a chance to spot spruce grouse, snowshoe hare and other quiet northern wildlife.
A hush arrives before you step out: the town still behind you, breath fogging in the early light, and a guide tightening bindings on lightweight modern snowshoes. The trail ahead is a ribbon cut through white—spruce and birch lining a corridor of compressed snow, wind having brushed sculpted ripples across the surface. You move deliberately; each step sinks and lifts, a small methodical negotiation with the land. The Yukon feels patient here, as if the rivers and ridgelines are waiting to see which way you'll choose.

Bring base, insulating and windproof outer layers—the Yukon can be mild in sun and biting in wind even on the same day.
Carry an insulated water bottle to prevent freezing; the guide provides a snack, but extra calories help on cold outings.
Wear insulated, waterproof boots with good ankle support—snowshoes strap over them and keep you stable on variable snow.
Move at a conversational pace to avoid overheating and sweating, which can chill you quickly when you stop.
Trails mimic routes used by gold prospectors, trappers and Indigenous peoples—transport and survival routes shaped local place names and navigation techniques.
Guides emphasize staying on established tracks, packing out waste, and minimizing noise to protect wildlife and fragile winter vegetation.
Snowshoe bindings fit over robust winter boots and keep your feet dry and warm.
winter specific
Layering lets you adjust warmth as you move and when you stop for photos or breaks.
winter specific
Protects extremities from rapid heat loss in cold or windy conditions.
winter specific
Cold drains batteries fast—bring spares and keep them close to your body between shots.
winter specific