For photos and in depth information visit our official Canada Winter Games section on yukonvisitor.com.
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us for the 2007 Canada Winter Games. The City of Whitehorse is proud to host these Games, the first for Canada’s North. Our City is small but our community spirit is large and we are proud to welcome you into our homes and our hearts as we host these Games. Yukoners are famous for their “Yukon Hospitality” and we’ve called upon our community to open their homes through the “NorthStay Program” to care for visitors to our City during the Games. This will be an opportunity for us to showcase our northern spirit, our beautiful City and the spectacular landscape that surrounds us.
Welcome to all the athletes, artists, coaches and mission staff who will make these Games their own. The citizens of Whitehorse wish you the best of luck and hope that your stay is an experience you will cherish for years to come. Welcome also the media who’ll be busy working all through the Games.
We sincerely hope you find time to explore our City and our surrounding region.
This event is the biggest event we’ve ever hosted in Yukon and we’ve been looking forward to it for many years. Thank you for coming and thank you for bringing your families and friends. Please drop in at City Hall and sign our special Mayor’s guest book, kept especially for our friends of the Games.
Mayor Buckway on behalf of Whitehorse City Council
Venues
There are thirteen sport and cultural related venues being used for the Canada Games. All main spectator areas are wheelchair accessible and offer food for sale.
Canada Games Centre
The Canada Games Centre is Whitehorse’s new multiplex, built specifically for the event for which it is named. The Canada Games Centre consists of three ice rinks, a soccer field house and a flexi-hall. There is also a full aquatic centre complete with swimming pool, sauna, steam room, lazy river and water slides. There is an indoor track, a fitness area, meeting rooms and a child play area. The Canada Games Centre will host a variety of sports including Short Track Speed Skating, Figure Skating, Hockey, Ringette, Gymnastics, Judo, Table Tennis, Badminton and Synchronized Swimming. The Canada Games Centre is located at 200 Hamilton Boulevard, just west of the Alaska Highway.
Visit the Canada Games Centre Photo Gallery
Mt. McIntyre Recreation Centre
The Mt. McIntyre Recreation Centre will host the cross country skiing and curling events. The curling competition will be using six sheets of the eight-sheet curling rink and various cross country skiing loops. Recently, many upgrades have taken place to get the venue ready for the Games. These include widening and rerouting of trails, revamping the stadium spectator area, the acquisition of high tech timing equipment and the addition of cameras to the curling rink. Mt. McIntyre Recreation Centre is in close proximity to the Canada Games Centre, located on Sumanik Drive, which intersects Hamilton Boulevard just west of the Alaska Highway.
Visit the Mt. McIntyre Recreation Centre Photo Gallery
Mt. Sima
Mt Sima will be the venue for snowboarding, alpine skiing and freestyle skiing. Mt. Sima offers 12 runs over 350 metres of vertical drop. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the new t-bar as well as a new chalet, which are all additions for the 2006/2007 season. Mt. Sima is located at the end of Mt. Sima Road which is accessible from the Alaska Highway, five minutes south of downtown.
Grey Mountain
The biathlon event will take place on a field of play set up on Grey Mountain. A new parking lot has been developed to assist with venue operations. Athletes will enjoy improved trails and a new wax testing area. The facility is located 12 km from Athletes Village on Grey Mountain Road.
Porter Creek Secondary School
Wheelchair basketball and archery will be held at the Porter Creek Secondary School gymnasium. The facility is operated by the Government of the Yukon’s Department of Education. The school is located at 1405 Hickory Street in Porter Creek.
Visit the Porter Creek Secondary School Photo Gallery
F.H. Collins Secondary School
F.H. Collins Secondary School will host a variety of exciting events
including long track speed skating, boxing and the Inuit and Dene Games. During the first week, spectators can take in Inuit Games such as the Alaskan High Kick, Kneel Jump and Head Pull. Outdoor Dene Games,
such as snow snake and pole push will take place at F.H. Collins during
the second week of competition.
Visit the F.H. Collins Secondary School Photo Gallery
École Émilie-Tremblay
École Émilie-Tremblay will host the medal rounds of the squash events. The school is located at 20 Falcon Drive in Logan and is serviced by City Transit.
Visit the École Émilie-Tremblay Photo Gallery
Takhini Arena
Takhini Arena will host several hockey and ringette games including the semi-final and final rounds of hockey. The arena is operated by the City of Whitehorse and is located less than five minutes away from the Athlete’s Village. Improvements to the arena will be noticed for both the players and officials. The arena is located on Range Road near the intersection with Two Mile Hill.
Vanier Catholic Secondary School
Vanier Catholic Secondary School will host the shooting and fencing events. The gym will be fitted with the appropriate backstops for shooting and the lighting will be revamped to better accommodate these sports. The facility is located in Riverdale at 16 Duke Street and is serviced by City Transit.
Visit the Vanier Catholic Secondary School Photo Gallery
Better Bodies Fitness Centre
All non-medal round games of squash will be played at the Better Bodies Fitness Centre. This is a privately owned club with Playcon built courts. The facility is located at 122 Industrial Road, less than 10 minutes away from the Athlete’s Village.
Visit the Better Bodies Fitness Centre Photo Gallery
Stan McCowan Arena
Stan McCowan Arena will serve as a practice facility for the hockey and ringette teams. Although no games will be played at this arena, it will still be an important venue used for preparation. This arena is run by the City of Whitehorse and is located on Sycamore Street, which is accessible from Clyde Wann Road in Porter Creek and serviced by City Transit.
Visit the Stan McCowan Arena Photo Gallery
ATCO Place
ATCO Place, located on the riverfront, will come to life this winter when it hosts the Canada Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Cultural Festival events and indoor Dene Games will also be held in this temporary structure, which reflects the uniqueness of northern culture. Finger Pull and Hand Games are just some of the Dene Games happening at ATCO Place during the second week of competition.
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony will be held on February 23, 2007. The ceremony will showcase the majesty of the north. Events include the lighting of the Games Cauldron, athlete’s parade, opening speeches and live entertainment. This will be a great way to kick off two weeks of competition.
Closing Ceremony
The Closing Ceremony will be held on March 10th, 2007. This will be the official culmination of the Games. The purpose of the ceremony will be to acknowledge all participants, volunteers and sponsors. It will also be an opportunity to recap some of the highlights of the Games. The ceremony will celebrate achievements and pass the torch to the next host of the Canada Games.
Yukon Arts Centre
Set atop a hillside overlooking Whitehorse, this gorgeous facility was built in 1994. The 424 seat proscenium arch theatre hosts world-class artists, local performers and productions, internationally acclaimed dance and theatre companies. The 4200 sq. ft. Public Art Gallery is the only class A gallery North of 60 and hosts 10 to 14 exhibits per year. Major National and International shows and showcases of local Artists are on exhibit throughout the year.
Visit the Yukon Arts Centre Photo Gallery
Contact Information
City of Whitehorse
City Tourism: 867-668-8629
City Hall: 867-667-6401
City Transit: 867-668-8396
www.visitwhitehorse.com
Emergency Numbers:
Ambulance • Fire • Police: 911
Ambulance (non-emergency): 667-8889
Fire Department (non-emergency): 668-8699
Police RCMP (non-emergency): 667-5555
Whitehorse General Hospital: 393-8700
Poison Control: 393-8700
Important Numbers:
Canada Games Hotline: 1-877-393-2007 or 1-867-393-2007
Volunteer Hotline: 867-393-2000
NorthStay: 1-877-393-2007
Air Canada: 1-888-247-2262
Air North: 1-867-668-2228 or 1-800-661-0407
First Air: 1-800-267-1247
For more information visit: www.2007CanadaGames.ca
Canada Winter Games Athletes Village
The Athletes Village, which has been constructed specifically for the 2007 Canada Winter Games, is located on the campus of Yukon College. It has been designed to house nearly 4,000 athletes, coaches, artists and managers in its two dormitory style buildings, but will not be an accommodation option for the general public during the Games. The Village will include food, sleeping accommodations and medical services as well as an information center. The buildings are secured 24 hours a day to ensure athlete safety. Both residence buildings are equipped to handle athletes with special needs.
Visit the Athletes Village Photo Gallery
General Information
Canada Winter Games Facts
13 Teams
3,600 Athletes, Coaches, Artists and Managers
120-150 Mission Staff
400 Major Officials
200+ Media
150 Host Broadcast Staff
600-800 VIPs and Corporate Sponsors
100,000 Day Visits to Venues
14,000 lbs of Pasta Served
210,000 Meals in Total Served
Canada Winter Games Things to See and Do
There’s tons to see and do in and around Whitehorse! Try some winter activities while you’re here or visit our galleries and specialty stores for mementoes of your visit. Whitehorse and the Yukon are special, make the most of your time here by truly experiencing the North. The following are suggestions of things you can do during your stay or maybe a good reason for you to come back!
MacBride Museum
Interested in Whitehorse’s gold rush past? Then check out the MacBride Museum. See Sam McGee’s Cabin and an old-fashioned telegraph office. Explore First Nation and RCMP history and try your hand at gold-panning. On display at the museum is old engine number 51 of the White Pass and Yukon Route.
Located at First Avenue and Wood Street.
www.macbridemuseum.com
Beringia Museum
The Yukon Beringia Centre is a museum designed to bring visitors back to a lost era where mammoths roamed the earth and a sea/land bridge connected Russia to Alaska. See prehistoric beasts and artifacts in a fun and informative environment. The Beringia Centre offers insight on how North America’s first people arrived in this new world. The Beringia Centre is located near the Whitehorse International Airport.
www.beringia.com
Cross-Country and Alpine Skiing
With over 100 kilometres of cross country trails and an excellent downhill ski centre, Whitehorse accommodates skiers of all types and abilities. Mt. McIntyre Cross Country Ski Centre offers lit trails for cross country skiing on a crisp winter night. Mt. Sima offers 12 downhill runs over a vertical drop of over a 350 metre vertical drop.
Ice Fishing
Just because the ice has set in on the lakes doesn’t mean that the fish aren’t biting. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon with friends or family on one of our many lakes. There are many outfitters that can equip you for ice fishing and provide transportation as well.
Hot Springs
The Takhini Hot Springs are located 25 minutes north of the city. Open year-round the Hot Springs are a destination for those looking to relax after a hard day of work or physical activity. See the Northern Lights while enjoying a soak on a cold winter night!
www.takhinihotsprings.yk.ca
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding has been a means of transportation in the north for centuries. With the advent of the snowmobile, dog sledding became a hobby instead of a necessity. Dog sledding is still alive and well in the Yukon. There are many outfitters that teach the ancient art and allow visitors from all corners of the globe to experience this distinctly northern mode of transportation.
www.whitehorseinfo.com
www.travelyukon.com
www.yukonwild.com
World Famous Yukon Quest
The Yukon Quest is a 1,000 mile international sled dog race. Known all over the world as the toughest sled dog race there is, this event is a true Yukon tradition. Be part of the fun this February 10th as the dog teams leave the streets of Whitehorse and begin their journey to Fairbanks, Alaska.
www.yukonquest.com
Snowmobiling
Vast land and nice winters make the Yukon a heaven for snowmobile enthusiasts. Snowmobiling is a great way to see the country and there are many adventure operators in Whitehorse that will help you do just that.
www.ksa.yk.ca
