Frosty's is back

Good morning,

A big thank you to the 124 new readers who joined our 2,535-member Lookout community! 

I got to knock off another trail run/hike off my list this week. Samuel Glacier is stunning and easily one of my favourites. I’ve got a mini trail report in case anyone else is interested in hiking it.

I’ll be at the Atlin Arts & Music Festival this weekend, cp,e say hi if you recognize me. If you’re planning on attending, let me know, as I’m hoping to do a story on event for next week’s newsletter.

With that, let’s dive in. 

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

Editor’s note: A few readers asked if I could include event links to all events. One reason I don’t is that many are just posters posted in Facebook groups, without actual links. I also usually don’t include links for ones that are free since anyone can show up. And the last reason is a technical one, it creates a bigger email size, cutting it off for some readers, which is always annoying!

The Yukon Weather Report

THE YUKON NUMBER

93

The number of active fires across the Yukon as of this morning. The fires have burned around 105,382 hectares. As of this morning, 25 have needed a full response.

THE AGENDA

⛏️ An independent review board looking at the Eagle Mine heap leach failure says that the disaster was preventable, with multiple ongoing issues that caused the disaster, including stacking poor quality ore, the steep selection of slope and poor drainage. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun said they aren’t opposed to the current sale resulting in the mine potentially re-opening, as long as the buyer has experience, will work to fix the site and wants to partner with the First Nation. Read more. [CBC]

Na-Cho Nyäk Dun also said they still want a public inquiry into the disaster, to address what went wrong fully. They also called Victoria Gold Corp “reckless” in how it operated the mine. Read more. [APTN]

🚶 The plan to adopt the Whitehorse North trail plan has been paused after the council voted to postpone it, with all councillors voting in favour. Part of the reason was a debate about banning snowmobiles on the non-motorized trails. Read more. [Yukon News]

⚡️ If you live outside Faro you may not be able to hear it, but people in Faro sure can. A diesel plant in Yukon, which looks like it will be expanded, has faced criticism from the community due to how loud the generator operates. It works as a backup for the town and the Yukon electricity grid. Locals are worried about more noise and air pollution. Read more. [Yukon News]

⛺️ As of Tuesday, the Ethel Lake campground is closed due to fire. All other campgrounds remain open.

🍇 Wine lovers rejoice, it may soon be easier to import your favourite drinks from different provinces. The Yukon and nine other provinces have entered into an agreement to allow direct alcohol sales across provinces and territories by May 2026. It’s a non-binding agreement, and things have moved slower than anticipated, but it is an important step. Read more. [Globe and Mail]

🏒 Yukon’s own Gavin McKenna has taken a big step forward in joining professional hockey, choosing to play with Penn State University this season. He’s expected to be the number one draft pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Go Gavin, go! Read more. [NHL.com]

🚘️ Who needs McDonald’s downtown when you can have McDonald’s in Whistlebend? Joking aside, there are no plans for McDonald’s to move there, but Northern Vision Development is seeking approval from city council to open a restaurant in the area that includes a drive-through. Some locals spoke against it because it might generate waste, and cause more idling cars. NVD noted it would encourage residents not to drive downtown to get a meal. Read more. [Yukon News]

👮 A collision that killed a U.S. citizen on Lewes Bridge last fall has resulted in the driver of the vehicle, also a U.S. citizen, being charged. Read more. [CKRW]

REVIEW

Frosty’s is back. And their ice cream is a winner

I’ve lived my entire life in the Yukon, all two and a half years that is, driving by an abandoned building called Frosty’s in Haines Junction, never knowing what used to be inside. It always felt like the place had real potential, given its location on the drive to Kluane and Alaska.

Luckily, Grace Clunies-Ross swooped in to re-open the building, and Frosty’s was reborn on May 24th. 

On my trip out to Samuel Glacier, I stopped by because, as readers know, I’m on a mission to rank every single burger in the Yukon. So, how did it stack up?

The place is popular. Very popular. There was a line when I arrived and a line when I left, a mix of locals, people heading to Alaska and returning to Whitehorse. It had an energy that the best summer spots have, people laughing, chatting and eating.

After a short wait, I ordered the burger and their soft serve ice cream.

The burger itself was nothing to write home about. A simple, if slightly overcooked patty, sharp cheddar cheese and a nice bun, it’s a perfectly acceptable burger given the price. The fries (as readers know) don’t factor into the ranking, but were satisfactory and happily not overdone like others I’ve had.

I’m keeping the burger review short for one reason — the soft serve was the true star of the show.

You’d hope a place called Frosty’s would have excellent ice cream, and they deliver. Soft serve is usually either too sweet, or has a weirdly artificial aftertaste. This was neither.

Subtly sweet, subtly creamy, the flavour isn’t that pronounced but is really easy to eat (confirmed by the fact I ate it in a few minutes and almost ordered a second). It also maintained its consistency rather than immediately melting. It’s the perfect summer treat and I cannot wait to visit again.

I’d give the burger a 7.1, but I’d give the ice cream an 8.9, if we were doing rankings compared to other ice cream I’ve had in the Yukon. I suspect their sundae or banana split would score even better.

Welcome back Frosty’s, your soft serve ice cream will keep everyone visiting for a long time.

BURGER RANKINGS

HOME OF THE WEEK

It looks like there are quite a few homes up for sale in the Marsh Lake area, so we’re grabbing one from that area today. 

This one caught my eye, and you’ll understand why shortly. It’s a four-bedroom, two-bathroom, and most importantly, lakefront property. It’s a nice-sized home with 2,350 square feet of space. But what I like the most is that it’s got a ton of upgrades - new septic, boiler, roof and solar panels mean living here should be a breeze.

How much will it set you back? It’s not cheap, but also not insanely expensive…

TRAIL REPORT

Samuel Glacier

It was a beautiful day, trail running/hiking out to Samuel Glacier through the Chuck Creek Trail last Friday.

The weather was about as good as you could ask for. Sunny skies on the way there, with a splattering of rain at the end. There are quite a few creek crossings along the way. After taking off my shoes a few times, I slipped on one rock, and the rest of the trip my shoes were soaked (luckily it wasn’t cold out).

Someone mentioned in late June on AllTrails that they were punching through snow while walking in many spots. There were still some big mounds, but the snow was hard enough to walk over. 

I’ve knocked that one off my bucket list, and am hoping to get to a few more before the summer is over. Right now I’ve got the entire King’s Throne, part of Cottonwood, Mount Boyle, Tally Ho, Fraser Peak and Paddy Peak on my list.

EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Fridays in the Park | Valleyview Park, Whitehorse | Jul. 11 at 4:30 pm | Games, crafts, snacks and fun for all ages | Free

Yukon Pride Parades | Taking place in Dawson on July 12 at 1 pm, Whitehorse on Aug. 2 at 1 pm and Watson Lake on Aug. 16 at 12 pm

First Fish 2025 | Moosehide Village, near Dawson City | July 11–16 | Learn Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in traditions, fish & culture | Free with registration

Knee-high nature: Itty bitty bugs | Jim Light Park | July 15, 10 am | For toddlers and caregivers, join us for free to learn all about arachnids, butterflies, bees, and more | Free

Youth Wildcrafting Programs | Dawson City | Multiple dates in July | For kids 5+, learn outdoor skills and survival strategies | Register

Southeast Alaska State Fair | Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds, 1029 Haines Hwy, Haines | July 31–Aug. 3, various times | Parade, music, rides, shows, vendors & more | Tickets various prices

Augusto! Children’s Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre, Haines Junction | Aug. 8-10 | Art and music festival that celebrates children | Learn more

Arts + Music

Fiddle Night: Kevin Barr & Boyd Benjamin & Friends | 98 Hotel | Today at 8 pm | Traditional fiddle night with all-star talent | Free

Dustin Sheldon Artist Talk & Performance | KIAC – Dënäkär Zho Ballroom, Dawson City | July 10, 6:30 pm | Free artist talk and performance by Dustin Sheldon/Calm Rivers

2025 Atlin Arts & Music Festival | Tarahne Provincial Park, Atlin | July 11-13 | Come see over 30 bands, visual artists, films and more! | Tickets $186

Dawson City Music Festival | Downtown Dawson City | Jul. 18-20 | Over 25 artists and bands from across Canada | Tickets $195

Short Walks for Short Nights at ‘Round Back | 27 14 Ave. | July 24, 7-9 pm | Live performances, storytelling, musicians and artists | Tickets $12

The Two Gentlemen of Verona | Guild Hall, 27 14 Ave | Jul. 30-Aug. 2, 7 pm | Outdoor Shakespeare comedy by Yukon Theatre | Tickets $15

Outdoors and Sports

Takhini Area Plant Workshop | Alaska Hwy pickup locations, Whitehorse to Takhini | July 10–11 | Learn, harvest and share edible wild plants | Call or text Dixie, 778-220-1053

Sheep Hunting Clinic | Yukon University, Room A2206, 500 University Dr | July 16, 6 pm | Learn safe, sustainable sheep hunting practices | Free

Dome Dash | Palace Grand Theatre, Dawson City | July 19, 9:30 am | Walk, run or bike the Dome Dash route | Free

Celebrate Parks Day | Wolf Creek, Pine Lake & Tombstone Campgrounds, Yukon | July 19 | Join free events across Yukon Parks

Pine Lake Triathlon | Pine Lake, Haines Junction| | Jul. 20, 8 am | 1 km swim, 23 km bike and 6km run | Register here

Drive Chip Putt Junior Event | Mountain View Golf Club | July 27, 11 am | Golf skills for ages 6–14, lunch and prizes | Learn more

17th Annual Haines Fishermen’s Free Coho Salmon BBQ | Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds, Haines | Aug. 3 | Free BBQ with local salmon and festivities | Free

7th Annual Takshanuk Ridge Run | 7 Mile Saddle Trailhead Parking Lot, Haines, AK | Aug. 3 from 8 am | Scenic ridge run with limited spots | Tickets $40

Honey Harvest | Wye Lake Park, Watson Lake | Aug. 7, 11 am | Learn how honey is harvested, snacks provided | Free

Discovery Day Golf Tournament | Dawson City Golf Course, Dawson City | Aug. 14-16, 2:00 pm | 18-hole team scramble with prizes and banquet | Learn more

Other

BREWGA aka Beer & Yoga at Winterlong | Winterlong Brewing Co. | Jul. 12 at 10:30 am | Yoga class with beer at Winterlong | Tickets $12

Indigenous Summer Play Readings | Village Bakery & Deli, 186 Auriol St, Haines Junction | July 20, 12 pm to 2:30 pm | Readings of two new Indigenous scripts | Free

George Johnston Museum 50th Anniversary | George Johnston Museum, 17 Nisutlin Dr, Teslin | July 18, 11:30 am to 3:30 pm | Speeches, lunch, art fair & cultural demos | Free

Have an event or a community announcement? Submit it here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

I have to say, the photos coming out of the market at Haines Junction look delicious. Cookies, brownies, dried morels… From what I can tell online (and someone from there, please correct me if I’m wrong), it’s on Wednesdays at 4 pm downtown during the summer, just look for the tents if you’re in the area. 

If you’re visiting Kluane, you can soon rent a boat from FasGas at the RV Park. 

The Yukon River Trail Marathon, on Aug. 3, needs volunteers. You can sign-up here. 

Yukon Fruitstand will be back in Dawson this Sunday for the farmers market, with a whole lot of produce and fruits. 

I can’t believe I haven’t posted this yet, but here’s the Haines Junction Bakery’s Summer Music Series list of all performers. 

The Yukon Food Bank has shared their meal schedule for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Whitehorse is seeking input on Firesmart bylaw and policy changes and its Vision Zero Policy.

There will be a marriage comissioner in Dawson on July 12 in case anyone wants to tie the knot. Contact Meaghen at [email protected]. 

If you’re a reader in Haines Junction, Yukon Handyman is back in town on July 26 and 27, contact [email protected] to secure a time. 

There’s still time to enter the Dawson City Pride Parade, either in a float or as a volunteer. 

A woman is looking for a retired man in Tagish who adopted her dog Tiffany, a duck toller, in 2023. 

YUKON JOB BOARD

Discover a new job in the Yukon:

• Multiple jobs available, Yukon Health and Social Services throughout the territory

• Executive director and registrar, Engineers Yukon in Whitehorse

• Herbmaster (Budtender), The Herbary in Whitehorse

• Director of health, Council of Yukon First Nations in Whitehorse

• Financial planner, Scotia Financial Planning in Whitehorse

VIDEO OF THE DAY

I mean, how’d they capture this video? Horses frolicking in the mud, rolling around in front of the camera? It’s like they’re showing off and know the camera is there…

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