As travellers increasingly swap soaring summer temperatures for cooler escapes, the trend for ‘coolcations’ continues to gather pace.
According to new research from Trip.com Group, searches for “coolcations” and cooler destinations have increased by 74% year on year since the start of 2026, with demand expected to rise even further during the summer months. The travel company also reports a 237% increase in searches for cooler destinations during the June to August period compared with the same period in 2024, as travellers seek more comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds and immersive outdoor experiences.
Few destinations are better placed to meet this growing demand than Canada’s Yukon. Situated in Canada’s far northwest beside Alaska, the Yukon transforms into a spectacular snow-covered wilderness each winter, where frozen lakes, towering mountains and dancing Northern Lights create one of the world’s most extraordinary cold-weather destinations. Nearly 80 per cent of the territory remains pristine wilderness, offering visitors the chance to embrace authentic Arctic adventures, reconnect with nature and experience one of North America’s last truly wild frontiers.
Here’s just a few reasons why the Yukon is the ultimate coolcation destination:
Witness Nature’s Greatest Light Show – The Yukon is one of the best places on Earth to experience the Aurora Borealis. Sitting beneath the Auroral Oval and with very little light pollution, the territory offers exceptional opportunities to witness the Northern Lights dancing across crystal-clear skies. Visitors can enjoy the spectacle from purpose-built heated viewing facilities, secluded wilderness lodges or cosy cabins, making every evening an unforgettable experience. The Yukon boasts one of the world’s longest aurora seasons from mid-August to mid-April.
Experience Authentic Arctic Adventures – Winter is the perfect time to embrace the Yukon’s great outdoors. Glide through snowy forests by dog sled, speed across frozen landscapes by snowmobile, strap on snowshoes to explore peaceful boreal forests or ski. These quintessential northern experiences provide the perfect introduction to one of Canada’s most spectacular winter destinations.
Relax at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs – Geological evidence suggests the hot springs have been flowing here for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years. At Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, Scandinavian Nordic bathing traditions blend seamlessly with Japanese onsen practices to create a unique wellness experience. Reopened following a CA$7.5 million renovation, the facility features naturally heated mineral pools, cold plunges, meditation spaces, yoga facilities and relaxation rooms, all surrounded by the Yukon wilderness. Every winter, visitors can also take part in the famous Hair Freezing Contest, where frozen hairstyles compete for titles including Most Creative and Best Facial Hair.
Meet the Yukon’s Iconic Wildlife – Wildlife encounters continue throughout the winter months at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. Open year round, the preserve is home to moose, muskox, wood bison, mountain goats, elk, thinhorn sheep and woodland caribou, all living in large natural habitats. The non-profit organisation also operates a Wildlife Research and Rehabilitation Centre, helping injured native animals recover while inspiring visitors to better understand the Yukon’s remarkable ecosystems.
See the Northern Lights from 30,000 Feet – One of the world’s rarest Northern Lights experiences is returning to the Yukon, with Northern Lights Resort & Spa unveiling its exclusive five night Aurora360 Arctic Discovery packages for February 2027. Available on departures from 4 to 9 February and 6 to 11 February 2027, each itinerary includes the extraordinary Aurora360 Flight, a specially chartered aircraft experience that takes guests above the Arctic Circle for unrivalled views of the aurora borealis from 30,000 feet. With every guest guaranteed a window seat, the once in a lifetime flight is complemented by stylish wilderness accommodation, gourmet dining and unforgettable Yukon winter experiences, including snowmobiling, husky encounters, nightly aurora viewing, and visits to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.
Sleep Beneath Arctic Skies – For adventurous travellers, winter camping offers an unforgettable way to experience the Yukon. Popular locations including Kluane National Park and Reserve and Tombstone Territorial Park provide spectacular settings for camping beneath snow-covered peaks and star-filled skies, with the chance of seeing the Northern Lights overhead. While careful preparation is essential, the reward is complete immersion in one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
Hit the Road on a Winter Vanlife Adventure with Yusquatch Adventures – Visitors can discover the territory at their own pace on the 12-day Wheels of the Arctic winter expedition. This self-drive itinerary journeys through frozen lakes, mountain landscapes and welcoming northern communities, combining scenic drives with wildlife encounters, outdoor adventures and unforgettable aurora viewing.
Discover Indigenous Yukon – Experience the Yukon through the eyes of its First Nations communities with immersive Indigenous-led winter adventures. First Nations history runs as deep as the territory’s rivers, with a rich cultural heritage dating back more than 12,000 years. Home to 14 distinct First Nations, each with its own traditions, language and heritage, the Yukon offers visitors the opportunity to connect with Indigenous culture through guided experiences, storytelling, art and time spent on the land. Eleven of the 14 First Nations are self-governing, overseeing their own resource management, economic development and social programmes, while warmly welcoming visitors to discover the people, traditions and enduring relationship with the land that continue to shape the Yukon today.
Climb a Tower of Ice – One of the Yukon’s most exhilarating winter adventures, the Ice Tower is a purpose-built frozen climbing structure created and operated by Equinox Yukon in partnership with Mount Sima. Suitable for beginners and experienced climbers alike, visitors receive expert instruction before scaling the towering walls of ice, making it an unforgettable way to experience the territory’s adventurous spirit.
Take on the Winter Solstice Run – Every December, runners brave enough to embrace the cold gather in Whitehorse for the annual Winter Solstice Run. The 12-kilometre course takes participants through snowy landscapes in sub-zero temperatures before rewarding them with a well-earned hot chocolate at the finish line, proving there is no better way to celebrate the shortest day of the year.
Try Ice Fishing on a Frozen Yukon Lake – Swap crowded fishing spots for the tranquillity of the Yukon, where frozen lakes become the setting for one of winter’s most authentic adventures. The ice fishing season typically runs from mid-winter into spring, with guided excursions providing everything visitors need, from warm clothing and equipment to expert local knowledge. Adventurers can drill through the ice, drop a line and try their luck catching lake trout, burbot or northern pike, before warming up with hot drinks or even a freshly cooked shore lunch. For an unforgettable experience, some operators even combine evening ice fishing with Northern Lights viewing, offering the chance to reel in dinner beneath the dancing aurora.
About Yukon
Tucked into Canada’s far Northwest beside Alaska, the Yukon is the country’s most accessible northern destination. It is home to Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak, and the world’s largest non polar icefields in Kluane National Park and Reserve. Nearly 80 percent of the territory remains pristine wilderness, creating vast landscapes rich with wildlife. The Yukon covers an area roughly the size of Spain yet has only 46,000 residents, alongside 220,000 caribou, 70,000 moose and thousands of bears and mountain sheep. The region offers unparalleled access to nature, culture and northern adventure.
Getting to the Yukon: Air Access
Reaching the Yukon is easy thanks to convenient air links from major Canadian hubs. Air North, Yukon’s Airline, offers year-round jet service from Whitehorse to Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Edmonton, plus seasonal routes to Toronto and Ottawa via Yellowknife, as well as northern connections to Dawson City, Old Crow and Inuvik. Air Canada operates daily flights to Whitehorse from London via Vancouver. WestJet provides seasonal service from London to Whitehorse via Calgary (overnight in Calgary required) from June to early September.
For further information on the Yukon, visit www.travelyukon.com
