We are planning a 3 week vacation in 2001 and plan to travel from Whitehorse to Inuvik. We will be flying from the UK to Vancouver & then up to Whitehorse. We would like any information about the Dempster Highway and the Yukon in general We understand that the Dempster Highway is only open during the summer months - What are classed as the summer months? We are planning to hire a car at Whitehorse, but would welcome advice on whether to hire a saloon, 4 wheel drive, off roader? <BR> <BR>Hope someone out there can help ! <BR> <BR>Regards John & Sue <BR>

What is a saloon car? If you stick to the highway I really think an ordinary car will be fine, but the rental agency could probably give you more accurate information than I could. <BR> <BR>My friends and I took a 1991 Volkswagen Westphalia van up the Demster highway. Since you're renting you won't need to worry about your paint being chipped (it was a gravel road when I was there in 1992). I did none of the driving and just lazed in the back, but I seem to recall that we had one flat tyre (this is quite common because of the gravel) and some gas stations were over 100 km (maybe miles even) apart. <BR> <BR>The mosquitoes were the size of bumblebees (well, not really, but they seemed huge). There are also insects called noseeums (no see ums, 'cause they're so small you can't see them), which are so small they could crawl through the screens of the van - they bite. <BR> <BR>There should be travel sites on the net for the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories. Summer probably means July and August, but the road is open more than that. The Dempster is open year round I thought, but some places you cross on the ice in wintertime, so there is are periods in the late fall and the early spring where the ice is too weak to drive on but the ferries aren't running. You can read a book outside at 2:00 a.m. it's so bright (so don't expect to see the Northern Lights). <BR> <BR>It's a fabulous area. The harshness and the vast spaces. I've been all over the world and it's one of my favourite places. <BR>

This from an Angling Newsletter I subscibe to- <BR>"The driving is tough,at times dangerous.Huge trucks roar up&down the road,and you have to pull over&let them have the way.Tourists drive the road like it's the Baja 1000.And when it rains sections of the road coated with Calcium Chloride turn dangerously slippery." <BR>Also <BR>"The Dempster Highway more of a narrow dirt,gravel,rock and sometimes mud roads,twists and turns through some of the wildest most spectacular Country anywhere" <BR>This was written by someone from Montana,an individual not unfamiliar with wilderness and rough roads. <BR>My advice is to rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle and if you're not familiar with driving one take a course in Britain,I'm serious. <BR>Start here http://www.touryukon.com/

Great choice for a trip! The Yukon is truly spectacular. As for a rental car, I am not sure if you have thought about where you are going to stay. There aren't many amenities up the Dempster, other than camping. I would recommend (just a thought) rather than going up the Dempster all the way to Inuvik, going up to the Tombstone Mountains, camping and then coming back and spending some time in Dawson City. It is a real taste of the Gold Rush with lots of buildings re-furbished to 1898 style, gold-panning, gambling, shows, etc. (small town though), and then taking the Top of the World Highway back to Whitehorse. This way you will see the amazing Tombstone Mountains, and also the unforgettable scenery along the Top of the World Highway, plus you can get a taste of the "old gold rush era". I would recommend visiting the Yukon Government web-site: [email protected] <BR> <BR>Also, if you need more info I am willing to track it down. As Yukoners, we love this place and are happy to share it's beauty with others. <BR>

Best time of year to do the Dempster is late Aug beginning of Sept. Advantages are: no bugs, will see northern lights, no tourists, great autumn colours. The highway is unpredictable. Many people have horror stories related to flat tires. For every one who had a flat there are others who had smooth sailing. Be prepared for one but don't assume you will have one. If the road is wet, then anticipate conditions approaching an icy road. It can be extremely dangerous. Reduce your speed. Take your time. There are few services other than at Eagle Plains, Fort McPherson. Campgrounds are rustic with no services. Evenings can be cold if you are camping. Have warm sleeping bags. No use going after first week of September as most tourist related businesses will have shut down. Hope this gives you a good starting point for further research. If you have some specific questions you can reach me at www.canadianexpeditions.com