The opening ceremonies of the Arctic Winter Games, Whitehorse, ca. 1972.
Yukon Archives, Arctic Winter Games Host Society fonds, 80/83 #52
Yukoners of all ages make the most of the winter months by participating in sports, volunteering at events and attending competitions. As the Yukon has grown, communities have built hockey arenas, curling rinks and recreation centres. The territory now has two downhill ski areas and a world-class cross-country facility.
Territorial Experimental Ski Training
Father Mouchet, an Oblate priest from eastern France, founded the Territorial Experimental Ski Training, or TEST, program in 1967. Two skiers from Old Crow who had participated in the program qualified for the Canadian National Cross Country Ski Team.
(Right) Yukon Archives, Whitehorse Star Ltd. fonds, 82/563, f. 136 #125
Nathan Wood flies high in the half-pipe run during the Canadian Junior Freestyle Championships at Mount Sima in March 2006. The competition was a qualifying event for the Canada Winter Games.
Mike Thomas/Yukon News
A ski-jumper, possibly Arne Anderson, at the Punch Bowl, across the Yukon River from Whitehorse, ca. 1945. During the first winter carnival, in 1945, there was no electricity on that side of the river, so announcements were delayed until the evening’s Amateur Night.
Yukon Archives, Mickey de Wynter fonds, 81/153 #11
In 1905, the seven-man Dawson City Nuggets travelled to Ottawa to challenge the Ottawa Invincibles for the Stanley Cup. The Nuggets lost their first two games, but went on to play a series of exhibition games in eastern Canada and the U.S.
Yukon Archives, PAM 1905-29, p.12
A skating lesson at the Civic Centre, Whitehorse, February 1964.
Yukon Archives, Whitehorse Star Ltd. fonds, 82/563, f. 133 #23
A hockey game outside the Elsa recreation centre, ca. 1971.
Yukon Archives, Whitehorse Star Ltd. fonds, 82/563, f. 136 #191
A Dawson City hockey team, ca. 1900.
Yukon Archives, Emil Forrest fonds, 82/503 #19
A women’s curling club, Skagway, ca. 1922.
Yukon Archives, University of Washington photograph collection, #1262
Bonspiel winners Janice Goodeil, Doug Dickey, Danny Luckinuk and Marv Lemiski, Whitehorse, ca. 1971.
Yukon Archives, Whitehorse Star Ltd. fonds, 82/563, f. 135 #154
J. Williams’s “ice yachts,” Carcross, ca. 1915.
Yukon Archives, John Scott fonds, 89/31 #161
Arctic Winter Games
It was at the first Canada Winter Games, held in Quebec in 1967, that the idea of organising a northern games competition was generated. Several northern leaders were struck by the advantages that would be gained if northern athletes had the opportunity to compete against other northern teams. Three years later, the first Arctic Winter Games were held in Yellowknife.
(Right) At the Arctic Winter Games athletes compete in traditional aboriginal games as well as modern sports.
Yukon Archives, Arctic Winter Games Host Society fonds, 80/83 #535