Winter
Nov 2007 to April 2008

 

Five days – four nights.  A made to order trip that features a genuine Yukon winter experience. FOX BAY RETREAT is situated on the shore of Lake Laberge, just north of the capital city of Whitehorse, Yukon.  This 30-mile long lake is part of the legendary Yukon River. The river flows south to north through the lake.  It is named for Michael Laberge, a French Canadian during the early pioneer days of the territory.  The famous northern poet Robert Service immortalized the name of the lake in his poem “The Cremation of Sam McGee”:

 

The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was the night on the marge of Lake Laberge
I cremated Sam McGee

 

From the time that you arrive in Whitehorse you are treated to true Yukon hospitality and your stay at FOX BAY RETREAT will be filled with northern memories. The tour includes an introduction to the phenomena of AURORA BOREALIS also known as the Northern Lights. You may wish to come simply to experience the opportunity of viewing the northern lights but there are many options open to you that will enhance your stay with us.

 

Day 1. SATURDAY

Arrive at Whitehorse airport – transfer to City Hotel
            (See General Information below on airport arrivals.)
              You provide your own Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast at
                                                the hotel or restaurant of your choice.
                        (Note blackout hotel days under accommodation heading below)

 

Day 2. SUNDAY

0900HRS – pick up winter clothing if required, early morning shopping.
11:00Hrs transfer to FOX BAY RETREAT – approximately 1 hour.
Lunch.

Afternoon: GUIDED winter trail hike. – approximately 2km – 1-1/2 hrs. Visit beaver dam and Fox Creek. Learn to identify animal tracks. A complete interpretive and informative talk on winter nature by an experienced guide.
1900Hrs.- Dinner.

Evening – campfire and optional activities. Aurora viewing all night.
Hot drinks provided.

 

Day 3 MONDAY- 1100Hrs – Full Canadian breakfast.
Optional activities all day.
1900Hrs – Dinner.
Evening – campfire and optional activities. Aurora viewing all night.
Hot drinks provided.

Midnight Sleigh Ride: (approximate duration – 1 Hr)
With snowmobile and sleighs travel the winter trails of Lake Laberge.
Half way through the ride, stop and listen for to the night. The lonely cry of a Wolf or Coyote, the questioning hoot of the resident owl or the frosty crackle or the wind in the trees are the sounds experienced only on special, northern nights such as this. When ice conditions permit, we stop on the snowy surface of the lake underneath the vast, star-studded night sky. Although it is said that the Aurora does not make a noise, we think it does if one listens close enough. There is nothing like it.

 

Day 4 TUESDAY - 1100Hrs – Full Canadian Breakfast.
Optional activities all day.
1900Hrs – Dinner.
Evening – campfire and optional activities. Aurora viewing all night.
Hot drinks provided.

 

Day 5 WEDNESDAY - Continental breakfast and early morning transfer to Whitehorse airport.
(see transfer times below)

 

 

OPTIONAL RENTALS

 

Snowshoe rental - $50.00 per person for the duration of your stay.
Headlamp - $20.00 for the duration of your stay. (new batteries are provided but
additional batteries extra)
Winter clothing package – boots, gloves, snow pants, winter coat, winter hat or toque
            $125.00 per person. ($10. damage waiver is optional)

 

ADDITIONAL CLIENT PAID OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

 

Available on day 4 – Midnight Sleigh Ride.  You have the option of repeating your midnight outing of the night before.

Cost: $ 85.00 per person.

 

Available on Day 3 – Snow machine trail ride. (approximately 3 hours)
Make tracks on the fresh snow of Lake Laberge or ride on the many bush trails
around the FOX BAY RETREAT. In early winter (November 1 to December
15th) ice conditions may restrict us going out onto the lake.  After freeze up the
ride takes you onto the lake and around Richtofen Island. During the ride, we stop and make a winter trail fire. Snacks and hot drinks are provided.

 

Cost $135.00 per person.

 

 

Available on Day 3 and 4 – Guided snowshoe trail walk. (approximately 1 Hr) Learn the art of walking on snowshoes. It looks easy but can be quite challenging
and a real workout. This innovative footwear was designed to walk on top of the
snow. Get a lesson on how to use them and while hiking through the bush learn to interpret the many signs of nature around you.

Cost: $55.00 per person.

 

Available on Day 4 – Ice Fishing (approximately 2-1/2 hours.)
Learn how it’s done. Drill a hole in the ice, drop a line and try your luck. Species
available in the lake include lake trout and the deep swimming burbot, a fish not
unlike a saltwater cod and much prized by the local natives for their livers.
We provide a 1-day Yukon fishing license and basic fishing tackle. An experienced guide is with you for the duration of the trip. A warm up fire, great camaraderie amidst a crisp northern afternoon makes this an unforgettable experience.

Cost: $135.00 per person.

 

 

ACCOMODATION

 

HOTEL ACCOMODATION: From February 24th to March 10th, 2007, The Canada Winter Games are held in Whitehorse. During this period and for several weeks on either side of these dates, hotel rooms may not be available.  During this period, the first night is spent at FOX BAY RETREAT. Shopping and winter clothes pickup will be done on the day of your arrival and we provide the dinner and breakfast at no additional charge to you. Where HOTEL rooms in Whitehorse are provided the cost of the tour is based on double occupancy. 

 

FOX BAY RETREAT - As you can see from the accompanying photographs we have a number of choices in accommodation available. There are small, medium and large cabins. Some are log cabins some are not. lodging is provided in two person (double) and four person (quad) cabins. Large cabins can house up to 5-6 persons.  Meals are provided for in the large main cabin.

 

The camp is totally self-contained. We have our own generators, which are used on a posted schedule basis. If batteries need charging we can accommodate the task. Each cabin is equipped with a wood stove for heat and a number of propane lights. A personal flashlight with a change of batteries is recommended. You have access to a sauna on a first come – first served basis and there is a washhouse / shower facility that is open to all for most of the day and evening. The use of the washhouse facility is restricted to the times of electrical generator use. Each cabin also has its own outdoor toilet (outhouse).

 

TOUR COSTS

 

With FOX BAY double accommodation: $1255.00 per person.
With FOX BAY quad accommodation $1139.00 per person.
With FOX BAY Single accommodation $1725.00 per person.
(GST 5% extra)

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Optional activities. Participation in these is limited by the availability of staff and equipment.  If you wish to take advantage of the additional activities offered above it is recommended that you reserve them prior to your arrival.

Reservations: A 25% deposit is required at time of booking.  Full payment is required 30 days prior to your arrival. The deposit is refundable up to 30 days prior to your scheduled trip. There is a $100.00 cancellation fee charged.  There is no refund for deposit or tour price should you cancel during the 30 day prior to arrival period.  50% of your payment may be applied to any of our services during the next 12 months. This includes both summer and winter activities offered by FOX BAY RETREAT or KANOE PEOPLE LTD. (see www.kanoepeople.com)