Page 14 - Yukon Winter Visitor

YUKON SKIING
Whether you prefer cross-country skiing on well-marked groomed trails, or breaking trail on virgin snow there are plenty of options in the Yukon.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
The community of Mount Lorne (30 min from Whitehorse) maintains about 12 km of ski trails.
There is a network of trails just north of Haines Junction with at least 15 kilometres of trails packed and track set.
CHADBURN LAKE TRAILS:
• Blue Trail (11.8 kilometres) • Red Trail (4.3 kilometers)
• Green Trail (4 kilometres) • Yellow Trail (8.3 kilometres) • Each trail features different elevation gains and terrain. • Magnusson on Grey Mountain Road is another option.
The Log Cabin ski trail is another interesting option for cross- country skiers. The Father Mouchet/Buckwheat ski trails, home to the annual Buckwheat Ski Classic race, begin across the tracks from the Log Cabin parking lot and are packed and maintained by volunteers throughout the winter.
NORDIC BACKCOUNTRY
Nordic backcountry skis are the widest and heaviest style of cross-country skis and are designed to tackle deeper snow and more challenging off-trail terrain. Most backcountry touring skis have a metal edge similar to alpine skis, which provides added stability on harder snow. This style of ski essentially falls in between a light touring ski and a full-blown telemark ski.
In the Haines Junction area there are enjoyable trails like the Auriol trail, a 16-kilometre loop or the Alsek River trail, an old mining road which leads you through wonderful peaks.
Along the Dempster highway, Tombstone Territorial Park offers more than 2,000 km2
of unique protected wilderness, reserved for adventurous and skilled skiers.
BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Alpine touring, telemark, or a split board are recommended for backcountry skiing.
Conditions are optimal in spring when days are already getting longer.
For backcountry skiing, White Pass on the South Klondike highway and Haines Pass on the Haines road are easily accessible. You can ski from the highway and it offers a diverse kind of terrain, from easy slopes to extreme steep lines.
Keep in mind that ski touring necessitates
a good knowledge of mountains, snow,
and avalanche conditions. It is strongly recommended that beginners go with a person who has strong skills and experience.
SAFETY
Remember, for every winter outdoors activity you are solely responsible for the evaluation of conditions and risks. Use Caution when in the backcountry; even
a small incident could lead to serious consequences.
• Be sure to have a realistic objective that fits your abilities.
• Plan your trip and stick to your plan.
• Never go alone.
• Let someone else know where
you are going and when you
will be back.
• Be prepared for an emergency.
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