Winter’s Embrace: A Journey of Stillness, Strength & Renewal

Winter is often seen as a season of retreat—one of low energy, introspection, and even isolation. But what if we shifted our perspective? What if winter, in all her quiet power, was a teacher, guiding us to rest deeply, move with intention, and embrace the wisdom of stillness?

Rooted in indigenous teachings and aligned with our values of mindful adventure, cultural immersion, and personal transformation, this retreat is designed to honor the season’s gifts.

Highlights Include:

🌲 Indigenous Wisdom & Cultural Immersion – Learn from Yukon First Nations guides about the land’s history, traditions, and the deep connection between winter and renewal.

❄️ Dogsledding Adventure – Experience the magic of gliding through the snowy backcountry, led by an expert musher and a team of energetic sled dogs.

🔥 Northern Lights Viewing – Witness the celestial wonder of the Aurora Borealis as it dances across the vast Yukon sky.

🧘 Mindfulness & Movement – Engage in gentle yoga, breathwork, and guided reflection to align with the natural stillness of the season.

🛷 Winter Play & Wellness – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hot tub soaks, and cozy fireside gatherings bring balance to adventure and restoration.

🐾 Wildlife Encounters – Meet Arctic foxes, caribou, lynx, and more at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, gaining insight into how nature thrives in winter.

💦 Healing Hot Springs – Sink into the soothing waters of Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, embracing relaxation inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese onsen traditions.

The winter season reminds us to slow down, to listen, to honor cycles of rest and awakening. This retreat is more than an escape—it is a reimagining of winter as a teacher, a healer, and a sacred space for transformation.

Are you ready to embrace winter’s gifts? Join us in the Yukon and step into the magic of the season.

More Than Just a Trip—A Transformational Experience

+Expert-Led Adventure: Knowledgeable guides with decades of experience and deep local connections

+Mindfulness & Intentionality: Daily practices and meaningful conversations woven into the journey

+Root Adventure Support: Experienced tour leaders dedicated to creating an unforgettable experience

+Personalized Booking Support: Talk to a real human when planning your trip!

+ Comprehensive Pre- & Post-Trip Support:

3-month physical & mental preparation guide
2 pre-trip Zoom calls for connection & logistics
2 post-trip Zoom calls for integration & reflection
post-trip guide to carry your experience forward

Contact us to learn more

Detailed Itinerary

(Click “+” To learn more)

Your journey begins in Whitehorse, Yukon‘s Capital.
Located on the banks of the Yukon River, this town was an important stopover for prospectors of the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 19th century. Home to the Kwanlin Dün and Ta'an Kwäch'än First Nations, the city is rich in history, culture, and adventure.
Upon arrival to Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport, a transfer will be provided to your hotel.
Indigenous Walking Tour: Transformations Along the Chu Nikwän
We’ll begin our adventure by immersing ourselves in Yukon life with a 1 hour walking tour along the Whitehorse waterfront, led by a local Indigenous woman, Amber.
Learn about the Yukon First Nations People and the history of this land through nomadic times, the Gold Rush era, and contemporary life. Amber is also a specialist in medicinal plants.
After refreshing from our travels with a walk, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner in Whitehorse.
Accommodations: Raven Inn and Suites
Raven Inn & Suites is a family-owned and operated business in the heart of Whitehorse. Experience their renowned Northern hospitality with modern, beautifully appointed rooms and suites plus a restaurant on-site. This hotel is about a 10 minute walk to the main street with restaurants and shops.
Meals: D
**Please arrive in Whitehorse by 3:30PM
Cross Country Skiing
Spend the morning in the fresh air embracing the Yukon wilderness.
Our local guide will lead the group in cross-country skiing at the Whitehorse Nordic Centre (approx. 1-2 hours of skiing - activity and pace can be adapted to the group).
Equipment is provided.
We’ll enjoy lunch at our leisure in Whitehorse (recommendations provided) as well as have some free time to stroll the town, shop for souvenirs, or relax at the hotel.
Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs
Enjoy a relaxing visit to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, where Scandinavian and Japanese Onsen healing practices are blended to create a unique wellness experience. Come and soak in their four luxurious rock pools containing natural hot springs water, unlike any other in North America.
They also have two relax rooms with sunrooms, heated loungers, and zero gravity chairs, two steam rooms (one is scented with eucalyptus) and two saunas. There are multiple decks and an on-site cafe for guests to enjoy.
Northern Lights Viewing
We’ll fuel up with some dinner in Whitehorse before joining local guides for an evening Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) tour for the chance to see the sky dancing with colour.
The location and timing of these tours will depend on weather conditions. All tours go outside the city limits to get away from any light pollution. A campfire and/or heated cabin with hot drinks and snacks will be provided.
Note: Northern Lights are never guaranteed, but we will do our best to maximize clear nights for the best viewing chances!
Accommodations: Raven Inn and suites
Meals: B | D
After a late night of Northern Lights viewing, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and free time in Whitehorse. Check-out by 11am.
Transfer to Carcross: 1 hr.
Welcome to Carcross
Welcome to Carcross, a friendly community within the Traditional Territory of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. Surrounded by big skies, soaring mountains and emerald-coloured glacier-fed lakes (in the summer!) this little community is alive with Indigenous art and Culture.
Discover some of Carcross’s treasures: the only one-way street in the Yukon, the oldest hotel in the territory, the smallest desert in the world and the Yukon’s strongest bridge.
Lunch is provided from a local cafe.
After lunch, we have the opportunity to connect with the local Carcross/Tagish First Nation to learn about their history and connection to the land.
We’ll head to check-in at Boreale Lodge and settle in with some mindful movement and a group gathering.
We’ll enjoy dinner at Boreale Lodge.
Accommodations: Boreale Lodge
Boreale Lodge sits on 16 acres of land nestled amongst the mountain peaks close to beautiful Carcross, Yukon. The lodge features a great common room (space for yoga), large dining space, a cozy library and huge windows for mountain gazing.
On-site activities: outdoor hot tub, bonfire, aurora viewing platform, toboggan hill, and snowshoe trails.
Meals: B | L | D
Today we have a full leisure day at Boreale Lodge. We’ll have the opporunity to enjoy all that the lodge and the surrounding area has to offer.
We’ll begin with morning movement, followed by snowshoeing with our local guide.
In the afternoon you might catch some hot tubbing, do some reading, or just relax and nap.
We’ll gather again in the evening for a mindfulness group session, followed by a bonfire and the opportunity to try and catch more northern lights!
All meals will be at the lodge.
Accommodations: Boreale Lodge
Meals: B | L | D
Experience the beautiful back country in pure Yukon Style by dogsled in the hands of an expert dog sled guide.
After a safety briefing and an introduction to the dogs and sled, we will hit the trail for a duration of about 2 hours.
During the dog sled trip we will travel through forested trails, down to the beach at Bennett Lake, Carcross and we will follow a portion of the historic White Pass route. Hot drinks and snacks are provided back at the base.
Depending on the fitness and comfort level of the group, the tour may be fully sit-in (guests relax in the sled while a local musher drives).
We’ll have another leisurely afternoon for hot tubbing, relaxing, and gathering again in the evening.
All meals at Boreale Lodge.
Accommodations: Boreale Lodge
Meals: B | L | D
We’ll enjoy a slow morning with some mindful movement and check out at 11:00am for the 1 hr transfer back to Whitehorse.
Yukon Wildlife Preserve Tour & Fat Bike/Kicksled
Experience Yukon's diverse wildlife up close in their natural habitats at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve , with over 350 acres that are home to 12+ species including Elk, Muskox, Bison, Caribou, Lynx, Arctic Fox, and more.
During our 2+ hours at the preserve, we will travel by fat bike and kick sleds accompanied by a guide/naturalist who will provide more information and stories about these species and their habitat. The loop is 5km of easy terrain.
Note: kick sledding is weather dependent (requires full ground snow coverage).
Accommodations: Raven Inn & Suites
Meals: B | L | D
It's time to go! Say farewell but not good-bye.
You'll be transferred back to the airport for your journey home.
Meals: B

FAQs

We provide a full service experience. Included in your trip cost is:
+Transportation: All transportation is included once you arrive in Whitehorse until you are dropped off at Whitehorse for your return flight home.
+Food: All meals as detailed in the itinerary
+All accommodations as indicated in itinerary for all nights
+All adventures and related equipment as indicated in the itinerary. Trip participants will be responsible for providing their own clothing and personal items. A packing list will be provided.
+Experienced local guides
+Root Expert Tour Leaders who will facilitate mindfulness/wellness practices
+Daily mindfulness activities/sessions
+Individual pre-trip support as needed
+2 pre-trip calls
+2 post trip calls
+Access to our Director of Traveler Experience who can help answer all your questions!
+All tips/gratuities
+ 3 month pre-trip preparation series
+6 Week Post-Trip Meditation Series to help integrate your experience
+Lifetime access to the Root Community
Airfare, travel insurance, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and anything not detailed in the itinerary.
Yukon is still deep in winter, but it's starting to shift toward spring — which makes it an ideal time for a winter adventure that’s cold enough for snow activities, yet offers longer daylight and slightly milder temps than mid-winter.
Here’s what you can typically expect in early March in the Yukon:
Temperatures
- Daytime highs: Around -10°C to -5°C (14°F to 23°F)
- Nighttime lows: Can dip to -20°C to -30°C (-4°F to -22°F)
- It can feel colder with wind chill, but Yukon’s dry cold is often more manageable than damp coastal cold.
Weather Conditions
- Snow is still very common — it’s a winter wonderland.
- Clear skies are also frequent, which means:
  - Beautiful sunrises/sunsets
  - Northern lights (especially with the longer nights!)
- March often brings stable weather, without the deep freezes of January or the slushy transitions of April.
Daylight
- You’ll enjoy about 10 to 11 hours of daylight — sunrise around 8:30 AM, sunset around 7:00 PM.
- Enough daylight for outdoor adventures, with cozy dark evenings perfect for reflection and aurora watching.
You’ll need to arrive in Whitehorse by 3:30pm on day 1.
Depart no earlier than XX on the final day.
We classify this trip at a difficulty level of 3 out of 5.
This expedition offers a full range of winter adventures — including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dogsledding — designed to help you connect deeply with the land and your own body. While we’ll be moving often and spending time outdoors, all activities are adaptable to different skill and fitness levels. Whether you're a seasoned winter explorer or trying these activities for the first time, you'll be supported every step of the way.
That said, the cold is real — and it’s part of what makes this journey so transformative. Embracing the elements can awaken something powerful in us, especially when we’re doing it in community and with intention.
Most importantly, nothing is mandatory. This is your experience. Feel free to participate in the activities that call to you, and give yourself full permission to rest when you need it. There’s no pressure here — just the invitation to be present, open, and curious.
Sleeping accommodations are based on double occupancy. If you're traveling solo, you'll be paired with a roommate of the same gender.
Alternatively, you can opt for a single supplement to have your own private room.
You will stay at two different lodgings:
1. Raven Inn and Suites
Raven Inn & Suit es is a family-owned and operated business in the heart of Whitehorse. Experience their renowned Northern hospitality with modern, beautifully appointed rooms and suites plus a restaurant on-site. This hotel is about a 10 minute walk to the main street with restaurants and shops.
2. Boreale Lodge
Boreale Lodge sits on 16 acres of land nestled amongst the mountain peaks close to beautiful Carcross, Yukon. The lodge features a great common room (space for yoga), large dining space, a cozy library and huge windows for mountain gazing.
On-site activities: outdoor hot tub, bonfire, aurora viewing platform, toboggan hill, and snowshoe trails.
At the mountain and island camps there will be minimal to no access to electricity and wifi.
Yes! Most dietary requests can be arranged in advance.
Please find a packing list here.
We will also go through gear questions in more detail in our two pre-trip calls.
Please email info@rootadventures.com or schedule a call. We would love to hear from you!