How to stay warm in the Yukon winter

Staying warm when you are outside during a Yukon winter is a matter of life and quickly freezing to death. After 10 years living in Dawson City, Yukon, here is my tested and approved winter gear kit:

Lisa Schuyler wearing a colourful winter hat and a mask stands in a snowy landscape, with frost covering their face. The background features snow-covered trees and a soft, golden sunlight peeking through the mist.
  • SKOOKUMbrand winter parka – I wear and recommend the Ivvavik Anorak (pull over) in Fireweed Pink with a coyote ruff. These coats are locally designed and manufactured! I prefer the pull over because it’s warm and there is a huge velcro’d pocked on my front. This is the best winter parka ever designed!
  • Outdoor Research Alti II mittens – I wear a black, men’s, in medium. They have a mitten inside (not glove!) and pull up over your coat’s wrist. Warmest mittens I’ve tried yet. With lots of room for a disposable hand warmer too for even extra warmth.
  • Toque with earflaps – I wear a Columbia toque with fake fur inside, with earflaps and a dome snap under my chin, allowing me to keep my hat tight and prevent a breeze on my ears. When I hike, I prefer a regular toque without ear flaps so I can hear better (pictured to the right).
  • Neoprene half face mask – I’ve used these for years. They keep the frostbite off your face! Pair with a fleece neck gaitor and a toque with ear flaps and you’re golden! (pictured to the right)
  • Steger Mukluks – warmest boots for dry snow conditions like we have here! We wear the Arctic ones. I wear the ones with the ribbon decoration. These are unbelievably warm, and they breathe so you don’t end up with wet feet. Order a size a bit larger than you normally would, if you want to fit thick socks in. Something about the wool lining and insole keep your feet really comfortable and warm.
  • Fleece neck gaiter – I’ve got this one, and also a royal blue one from SAIL.ca (shown in picture to the right). This is a key part of my winter gear – it keeps my neck and chin warm, and can easily pull up to cover my mouth and cheeks when needed.
  • Keen Revel 4 High Polar Hiking boots – These hikers have become my favourite winter hiking boot. Warm, wide toe box, easy tie, comfortable. Best for when it is down to -20C or so (even though they say they are good to -40). Beyond that, I switch to my Steger Mukluks for the ultimate warmth.

The key to surviving a Yukon winter is not to sweat, or you’ll freeze! I don’t recommend wearing cotton against your skin. I like a wool underlayer – both tops and bottoms. Smartwool has a good line of long johns and wool shirts. I prefer the quarter zip top over a crew neck. Then I wear a fleece layer over it.

Here are my newest pair of Steger Mukluks (Arctic model). My first ones became too small (why are my feet still growing!?) so I purchased a bigger pair. They have a thick wool insole and a thick wool liner. The winning combination!

A close-up view of two feet wearing Steger Mukluks, positioned on a gray wooden floor.

Over on my backcountry gear list page, you can see a list of gear I keep in my truck for winter travel.