As you carve through the crips night air, down the snowy slopes of Mount Sima in Canada's Yukon Territory, the northern lights begin their enchanting dance, painting the mountains in an ethereal glow. Skiing at Mount Sima is thrilling on its own, but when the aurora borealis lights up the night, it becomes an experience that borders on the sublime.

Read on to discover why Mount Sima is the Yukon's (and Canada's) best-kept secret.

Tree run adventures

Mount Sima, positioned just 15 minutes from the Yukon's capital city of Whitehorse, is usually the first Canadian ski destination to open for the season and one of the last to close, with longer daylight hours during spring allowing for an extended ski season.

Ski bunnies are drawn to Mount Sima for its diverse wilderness trails, reliable snow, high elevation and non-existent chair-lift queues. From beginner slopes to black diamond trails, skiers of all ages and abilities can hone their skills while enjoying soaring views of mountains, valleys and wild rivers. From ice-climbing to night skiing, Mount Sima serves up powder hound adventures in a wild snow-dome paradise you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Accessible mountain fun

Hone your skills at Mount Sima Snow School, with private and group lessons for all ages. Personalised beginner ski and snowboard lessons are available for people with physical, visual, and cognitive impairments with certified ski and snowboard instructors trained in adaptive snowsport teaching methods under Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS).

Mount Sima Snow School provides adaptive equipment for students with physical impairments to use, including a sit-ski and outriggers.  

Cosy mountain fare

Pause for lunch at The Lodge, Mount Sima's picturesque mountain chalet. Last Run Lounge, with its full bar and northern-inspired bites, takes in sweeping views beyond the slopes and often plays host to après events where local musical talent are invited to share their sweet tunes with the shredders.

Ski by day, aurora by night

After an exhilarating day of skiing, connect with an experienced northern lights guide, such as Nomada Excursions, Epic North, or Up North Adventures who take you from your hotel in Whitehorse out into the wilderness, where a perfect, black-sky canvas displays the shimmering, dancing ribbons of aurora. Listen to tales of northern life and learn the folklore of the aurora borealis as you sip on hot chocolate around a hot wood-fired stove or fireplace. High quality winter gear, including boots, is available for hire in Whitehorse.

Alternatively, experience this magical phenomenon with Arctic Range Adventures, who offer northern lights viewing at the Aurora Centre, an idyllic location just outside the city of Whitehorse. An adventure with Northern Tales will take you 30 minutes into the wilderness outside Whitehorse to watch the Northern Lights from a prospector-style wall tent once used by gold seekers and trappers.

Alpine adventures under the midnight sun

Mount Sima is a formidable alpine adventure park all year round. During the long summer days, beginner mountain bikers love the 3.9-kilometre flow trail starting at the very top of Mt Sima, while intermediates can pick up speed on the single-track trail, straight from the chairlift, featuring fun features and rock slabs. Single track slayers can brave the rock slabs, down ramps and bridges decorating the numerous hair-raising black runs. Bikes and protective gear can be rented at Icycle Sports and Cadence Cycle in Whitehorse.

For thrills of a different kind, catch the chairlift for access to the launch sites for a paragliding experience you'll never forget. As you fly in a state of weightlessness and wonder, vast forests, sweeping slopes and glacial-carved valleys unfold beneath you, painted in hues of green and gold. Immerse yourself in the splendour of the Yukon, as you glide suspended between snowy peaks and boundless sky.

How to get there

Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney and Brisbane. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas. Internal flights to Whitehorse and Dawson City are available on Air North and Air Canada.

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