Let there be light! Lanterns help illuminate Yukon darkness
Photo: Tom Thurner
Nighttime is the light time to some degree for Yukon travel specialist Terre Boréale. The Whitehorse tour operator, which declares that it specializes in sustainable trekking and canoeing in lesser-known Yukon regions, is among other things willing to teach clients how to make snow lanterns, which feature lighting largely coated by snow.
Snow lanterns are seen as fun, relatively easy to make and the likes of Finns, Norwegians and Swedes make them for Christmas ornaments.
“They are more popular in Europe than here. It’s a fun activity for our guests, particularly when it’s in the Great Outdoors and the Yukon’s winter darkness,” says Miléna Georgeault, Terre Boreale’s co-founder. “It brings out the winter wonderland aspect of the tour. And it’s also a nice way to spend time outside building something of your own.
“We like making snow-lanterns at home, it’s quite festive. It’s a fun family activity too. There probably are more people making them now but since we are Europeans we’ve always made snow-lanterns. It’s a winter tradition,” says Georgeault, who like fellow Terre Boréale co-owner Maxime Gouyou-Beauchamps was born in France.
Terre Boréale is a family owned and operated Yukon travel specialist founded in 2013 in Whitehorse by two self-described “passionate adventurers of French origin.”
Terre Boréale says its mission is “to create a positive impact on their clients and staff, the locals, and Indigenous nations, while preserving and protecting the Yukon’s pristine environment and unique culture.”
The tour operator adds it is committed to “lead and manage, as much as it can, a zero-waste tourism operation.”
A decade after the company’s inception, Terre Boréale attained its B Corp accreditation. “This great distinction showcases the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and the transformation qualities of their tours,” Terre Boréale states.
Meanwhile, Terre Boréale says wintertime visitors who don’t mind cold, and might be looking for a healthy experience at the same time are invited to try”ice-dipping.”
The practice sees people jump into a Yukon lake during winter months.
“The cold stimulates the body and invigorates, increasing adrenalin levels,” Georgeault says. “This paves the way for our brain to release endorphins to flow through the body. Participants feel immediate effects. It improves their well-being and enhances the winter wonderland experience.”
Ice dipping in a lake needs to be supervised and given there aren’t always qualified people on hand to supervise Terre Boréale staff more often encourage guests to enjoy a sauna and then roll in the snow .
“This is a true winter experience and it is really good for the body and mind,” Georgeault adds of ice-dipping. “It’s popular worldwide now. Hot-cold therapy improves well-being.”
