Sunlight
cascading through spruce trees onto a blanket of snow. Our winter
adventure leads you into breathtaking scenery. Here, in the untouched
Southeast Yukon, you will experience the overwhelming beauty of
northern winter! Lay your own snowshoe tracks in the dazzling white
snow, try cross-country skiing. How about ice fishing or building a
quincy? Combine a stay in true wilderness with the chance of spotting
northern lights. Another highlight are the flights by ski plane: it
will land right in front of our lodge on frozen Frances Lake. Enjoy
your own cozy log cabin, a crackling wood fire spending comfy warmth.
Indulge in great food, relax or take a sauna followed by a cool-off in
the snow! Small groups (a maximum of 6 guests) and expert guidance
guarantee a unique winter experience.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: You arrive in Whitehorse.
Check in at your hotel in the heart of the town, close to the frozen
Yukon River. You may want to take the opportunity to complete your
equipment or just relax from traveling.
Day
2: After breakfast you will board a ski plane, which will
take you to Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge. Enjoy the flight over
endless forests, frozen meadows, rivers and lakes. Keep an eye out for
caribou. At the lodge, you will be shown to your warm and cozy log
cabin. Explore the vicinity of the lodge and enjoy the incredible
beauty and silence of Frances Lake. Evenings, a hearty dinner will be
served in the main building, which boasts an awesome view of the Logan
Mountains. The lodge also features a bright and comfortable living room
with a small library and a crackling wood fire.
Days
3 to 6: Together we will explore and enjoy the fairytale
winter paradise. Try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The trails
lead us along the lake and through forests to exciting viewpoints. One
excursion brings us to a creek where we will find the frozen stairs of
a waterfall. Another trip takes us to the awe-inspiring setting of
Frances Lake’s East Arm with the mountains beyond beckoning within your
grasp. Many animals are around the lake and you will learn to tell
their tracks apart. We might spot a few moose, hares, wolves or lynx,
but for sure there will be no other humans. How about catching a fish
through the ice? 
It’s not
easy, but fun trying. And at night, marvel at the extraordinary bright
starry sky and, with a bit of luck, observe fascinating northern lights
dancing across the firmament. The incredible silence may only be
interrupted by the howling of the wolves. We can also show you how to
build a quincy (an Inuit snow house). It takes a bit of time but is
great fun. As exciting reward you may spend a night in it and enjoy a
restful sleep on a warm Caribou hide - the real Inuit way! Or maybe you
just want to spend relaxing days in an exceptionally beautiful setting,
sit back in the comfortable warmth of your cozy log cabin, enjoy the
hot sauna and indulge in good food
.
Day 7: Today it’s time to say good
bye and leave this wonderful place. The ski plane takes you back to
Whitehorse where you will spend one more night in a downtown hotel.
Day 8: You will leave Whitehorse
for your trip home or for your next adventure.
CLIMATE:
Northern winters are cold but dry. Therefore, even at cold temperatures
outdoor activities can be performed. In February–March you can expect
lots of sunshine with day temperatures ranging between -5° and -30°
Celsius. At night temperatures may drop lower. The ice on the lake is
about 60 cm thick and covered with a snow layer of 20 to 40 cm.
Planning our daily excursions, we will always have to consider weather,
snow and ice conditions.
THINGS TO KNOW:
- We maintain a 10 – 15 km network of cross-country
ski trails in the near surroundings of the lodge, both for classic and
freestyle technique.
- Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge & Tours is
member of the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon (TIA) and the
Yukon Wilderness Tourism Association (WTAY).
- Canadian legislation requires you to sign a release
of liability and waiver of claims form prior to the commencement of the
arrangement.
- Assistance from the guests during daily activities
is appreciated.
- We are well trained in wilderness travel
and first aid. Take advantage of the expert knowledge of snow scientist
Dr. Martin Laternser.
- Small groups of 2 to 6 guests only.
- This trip itinerary is a basic outline. It may vary
depending on weather, snow and ice conditions. We explicitly reserve
the right to adapt the tour itinerary.
DATES AND RATES 2013:
| Duration: |
8 days from/to Whitehorse |
| Dates: |
February 15 to March 31,
2013 |
| Rates: |
$3350 CAD + GST per person
(double occupancy) |
| |
Lodge extension
|
$250 CAD + GST per
person
and night |
| |
Single supplement |
price on application |
|
This trip may be amended by dog sledding
or winter
trekking on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Rates on
request. |
Terms
of Participation
RATES INCLUDE:
- All accommodation (5 nights at lodge, 2 nights in
hotel)
- All meals at the lodge
- Flight by ski plane from Whitehorse to
the lodge and return
- Guided day trips at the lodge
- Use of ski trails, snowshoes and angling gear
- Use of wood-heated sauna, cool off in the snow...
NOT INCLUDED:
- Meals in Whitehorse
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
(the
lodge
is
licensed and has a selection in stock)
- Appropriate winter clothing (we gladly
advise
or
rent upon reservation)
- We have a limited number of
cross-country
skis
and
boots at the lodge. We recommend taking your own equipment with you.
- Personal insurance (trip cancellation,
medical
insurance): We strongly recommend to arrange for sufficient coverage
before the start of your trip.
