Winter is a magical place in the Yukon, and I’m so glad my Dad finally got to experience it, after so many summer visits.
He prepared for his trip for months. He bought a one piece insulated snowsuit, that fit nicely under his slightly too large Canada Goose parka he was given by his wife’s uncle. I remember him calling, asking about what socks he needed, wool, smart wool, something else?
He had winter boots, and an even bigger pair of Arctic boots.
He was ready for the -40’s.
When I picked him up from the airport, it was -39C, but then warmed up for most of his visit! Which was probably nicer for everything, so cars worked, bodies worked, ice fog lifted, etc. I mean.. it still wasn’t warm – mostly in the minus twenties.
I’m going to share a bunch of his photos here. I won’t adjust them much in Lightroom, that is for him, the artist, to do before he prepares a book of his photos.
However, I do hope you aren’t on dial-up, because I’m sharing over a hundred photos here!
Dawson City
4th AveFront street viewed from the dykeThird Avenue Complex – The “Kissing Buildings”Billy Bigg’s Blacksmith shop5th AveThe start of the ice road across the frozen Yukon RiverOur friend Brian getting his team ready for some Yukon Quest volunteers to mush down the river to Forty Mile to help at the Clinton Creek checkpoint.A bunch of these dogs ran the Yukon Quest last year with Brian!Me picking up the mail, and chatting with a ravenDawson City Museum – always has impressive icicles on the roofSun peeking over the KlondikeThe diesel backup generators and the Chinese restaurantA cabin on 8th Ave.Looking up 5th Ave.A little skating rink along Front St.The General StoreLooking up Queen StreetThe KenoThe Monte Carlo – now the True North Company!The Visitors Information Centre – temporarily the Yukon Quest checkpoint in Dawson CityDawson Hardware – our Home HardwareThe Palace GrandKlondike Kate’s restaurant – hibernatingThe Post OfficeSOVA – our School of Visual ArtsThe Pit
After that picture, this spontaneously happened. Kudos to Dad for carrying cash in his parka so we could get refreshed.
Now the Masonic Temple. Built as a Carnegie Library.Gertie’sThe Triple J – also hibernating til springThe only gas station inside the town properThe Aurora hotel and restaurant – just reopened for the year – chicken & ribs!Long term care facilityThe Northern Lights weren’t out much, but here is a brief moment above Pierre Berton’s house.YOOP cemetery – the first Yukon Order of Pioneers resting area.The Bonanza MarketNeat angle of the kissing buildingsOur house – the full moon is BRIGHT tonight!the Dawson City MuseumThe GoatThe Downtownthe KenoBombay Peggy’s – hibernating for the winterThe Eldorado4th AveDay care students out for a walkMany streets dug up in town due to plumbing and sewer troubleThe Highways Department flooding the ice road (one lane stays open for travel while the other is reflooded)
West Dawson lookout
Photos from three different trips up to the lookout in West Dawson (across the Yukon River).
Looking across the river to Dawson City. A bit of open water here, and some overflowThe photographer’s chauffeurCan you see my house??Snowy spruce treesYukon RiverJust posted this car for sale – wanna buy it?Decent back to river levelLooking towards Dawson from the far side of the ice roadDad wanted to walk back across the road, so I left him behindFrom the ice road – we have sun! It doesn’t get high in the sky, but it is there! Took a drive through the campground after the dog teams departedThis was the vet shack during the Quest, wrapped in plastic and heated with a woodstoveLook at the icicles left behind!
Midnight Dome
Similarly, we went up to the top of the Dome in a few different snow/light/weather conditions.
Snow fell off the branches, and rolled down into snowballs!
Up the Dempster Highway
Caribou!If only we looked at the camera and smiled?
What a great time! I love the winter here, but it wasn’t until I took a week off to explore it with my Dad that I realized I don’t fully experience it through my regular routine. I highly recommend a winter staycation!
So nice to see what winter looks like up there- because I don’t have the need to experience it in person. I love the picture of the snow that fell off the trees and made snowballs. Very interesting! Glad that you and dad were able to have so many adventures even in the cold.
Sorry Richard, it is such a bummer when I come across one of your old comments with a question I neglected to answer! The official ice road is actually two roads side by side. While one is in use, they drill holes beside the other and pump water up to reflood the road, making it thick and strong. That makes it much safer than other areas where there can be overflow and inconsistent ice thickness.
riatherese
So much beauty! No wonder you love it there.
Julie
So nice to see what winter looks like up there- because I don’t have the need to experience it in person. I love the picture of the snow that fell off the trees and made snowballs. Very interesting! Glad that you and dad were able to have so many adventures even in the cold.
Ryan C
So many beautiful shots!
Richard A.
I loved the little snowballs!
So, if there’s open water in the river.. how do you know that the ice road is safe? Do they test it on a regular basis, and if so, how?
Lisa
Sorry Richard, it is such a bummer when I come across one of your old comments with a question I neglected to answer! The official ice road is actually two roads side by side. While one is in use, they drill holes beside the other and pump water up to reflood the road, making it thick and strong. That makes it much safer than other areas where there can be overflow and inconsistent ice thickness.