Exploring the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre

Exploring the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre: A Journey Through Time

Nestled in Whitehorse, Yukon, the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre offers a fascinating window into a prehistoric world that once connected North America and Asia. For history enthusiasts, science lovers, and curious travelers alike, this centre is a must-stop destination along the Alaska Highway. It brings to life the story of Beringia—a vast, ice-free land bridge that existed during the last Ice Age—and the dramatic changes in climate, wildlife, and human history that shaped the region. Through immersive exhibits, ancient fossils, and engaging narratives, the centre provides a deep dive into the Yukon's past, making it an unforgettable experience for visitors.

What is Beringia?

Beringia refers to a region that stretched from eastern Siberia across the Bering Strait to the Yukon and Alaska, forming a land bridge during the Pleistocene epoch, roughly 26,500 to 19,000 years ago. Unlike much of North America, which was blanketed by glaciers during the Ice Age, Beringia remained ice-free due to its dry climate and low snowfall. This unique environment supported a diverse ecosystem of grasslands, known as the Mammoth Steppe, where megafauna like woolly mammoths, steppe bison, and scimitar cats roamed. Beringia also served as a migration route for the first humans to cross into North America, making it a critical piece of human history.

The Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, located at Kilometre 1423 on the Alaska Highway, is dedicated to preserving and sharing this story. Since its opening in 1997, the centre has become a hub for education and research, offering visitors a chance to explore how climate change, geography, and biology intertwined to shape the ancient world.

What Visitors Can Expect to See

Stepping into the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre feels like stepping back in time. The centre’s exhibits are designed to immerse visitors in the Ice Age landscape, using life-sized replicas, fossils, and interactive displays to bring Beringia to life. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll encounter:

Life-Sized Megafauna Replicas

One of the centre’s highlights is its collection of life-sized replicas of Ice Age animals. A towering woolly mammoth greets visitors, its curved tusks and shaggy coat evoking the harsh, cold climate of Beringia. Nearby, a scimitar cat prowls, its elongated canines a testament to its predatory prowess. These replicas are based on fossils found in the Yukon, offering a tangible connection to the creatures that once roamed the region. Children and adults alike will marvel at the sheer size of these animals, gaining a deeper appreciation for the biodiversity of the Mammoth Steppe.

Fossil Displays and Archaeological Finds

The centre houses an impressive collection of fossils unearthed from the Yukon’s permafrost, including mammoth tusks, bison skulls, and horse bones. These well-preserved specimens provide insight into the diet, behavior, and extinction of Beringia’s megafauna. One notable exhibit features the remains of a 40,000-year-old horse, discovered near Dawson City, showcasing the Yukon’s role as a treasure trove for paleontology.

Archaeological artifacts also tell the story of early human inhabitants. Stone tools, such as the Bluefish Caves findings dating back over 24,000 years, suggest that humans crossed the Bering Land Bridge and adapted to the harsh environment. These displays highlight the resilience and ingenuity of the first North Americans, sparking curiosity about their way of life.

A Journey Through Time: The Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre and Beyond

 

Last September 2024, I embarked on an unforgettable road trip from Calgary, Alberta, to Alaska, a journey filled with breathtaking landscapes and rich learning experiences. One of the highlights of this adventure was a stop at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, just outside Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory of Canada. The drive itself was a story of its own—winding through the rugged beauty of the Rockies, along the iconic Alaska Highway, with vast stretches of wilderness unfolding at every turn. From Calgary, the route took me through Banff and Jasper, up the Icefields Parkway with its stunning glacier views, and eventually into the Yukon, a land that feels like a step back in time.

The Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre: A Window to the Ice Age

Nestled at kilometre 1423 on the Alaska Highway, right by the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport, the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre was a must-stop on my journey. This research and exhibition facility, which opened in 1997, dives deep into the story of Beringia—a 3,200 km landmass that once stretched from Siberia’s Kolyma River to Canada’s Mackenzie River, remaining ice-free during the Pleistocene due to its arid climate. Beringia was a crucial bridge for migrations between Asia and the Americas, a fact that fascinated me as I explored the centre’s exhibits.

Inside, I was transported to a world of woolly mammoths, giant short-faced bears, and ancient human hunters. The centre features life-sized replicas of Ice Age animals, including a full cast of the largest woolly mammoth ever recovered in North America—a sight that left me in awe. Interactive displays and dioramas brought Beringia’s treeless steppe to life, while films and artifacts, like those from the Bluefish Caves archaeological site, one of the oldest in the Yukon, told the story of the region’s first inhabitants. I learned how the Klondike Gold Rush miners unearthed mammoth bones, sparking tales of the Ice Age that continue to captivate visitors today. The centre’s blend of science and First Nations legends painted a vivid picture of a lost world, making it a perfect stop for anyone traveling the Alaska Highway.

Exploring the Area: Swan Migration at Marsh Lake

While in the Whitehorse area, I couldn’t resist exploring more of the Yukon’s natural and cultural treasures. Just south of Whitehorse, along the Alaska Highway, I visited Marsh Lake, home to the Swan Haven Interpretive Centre. Each April, trumpeter swans stop here to rest during their migration, but even in September, the lake was a serene spot to reflect on the journey. The centre hosts the annual Celebration of Swans in spring, with bird counts, tours, and workshops, but I enjoyed the quiet beauty of the lake in the fall, imagining the flocks that would soon arrive. The Yukon’s wildlife is abundant, and knowing where to look—like along the Alaska Highway near Kluane Lake for bears—added to the thrill of the drive.

Whitehorse and Beyond: A Taste of the Yukon

Whitehorse itself, with its 29,000 residents, offered a charming blend of history and modernity. I stopped by the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site, a restored stern-wheeler that once plied the Yukon River, and learned about the territory’s gold rush history. The MacBride Museum of Yukon History was another gem, with artifacts spanning from First Nations culture to the 20th century. For a dose of nature, I walked the Miles Canyon trail, crossing its suspension bridge over the Yukon River, the basaltic cliffs glowing in the late summer light.

The drive from Whitehorse to Alaska continued to amaze, with the Alaska Highway revealing pristine wilderness at every turn. I passed through Haines Junction, where the towering peaks of Kluane National Park came into view—a postcard-perfect moment that stayed with me long after I crossed into Alaska. The journey was a fantastic learning experience, from the ancient history of Beringia to the living landscapes of the Yukon and Alaska. Each stop, from the interpretive centre to the quiet shores of Marsh Lake, added a new chapter to my adventure, reminding me why the open road is the best way to explore this wild, beautiful corner of the world.