Beaver Creek, Yukon, is a unique community nestled in the heart of Canada. As the country's westernmost community, it offers a blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty.
Beaver Creek is home to the White River First Nation, a community of Upper Tanana and Athapaskan Northern Tutchone speaking people. Their traditional territories extend from the Donjek River into neighbouring Alaska, and include the lower Stewart River and the area south of the Yukon River on the White and Donjek River drainages.
The community's main employers are the Canada Border Services Agency port, the White River First Nation, and several tourist lodges. In addition to the Alaska Highway, the Beaver Creek Airport also serves the community, making it easily accessible for visitors.
Like most of Yukon, Beaver Creek experiences a subarctic climate and falls within the NRC Plant Hardiness Zone of 0a. Situated at an elevation of approximately 650 m (2,130 ft), the community sees average daily highs of 20 °C (68 °F) in July and average daily lows of −30 °C (−22 °F) in January.
The record high temperature was 32.8 °C (91.0 °F) on June 15, 1969, and the lowest was −55.0 °C (−67.0 °F) on January 17, 1971. Beaver Creek has an average annual snowfall of 117.9 cm (46.42 in) and 298.6 mm (11.76 in) of rainfall. Interestingly, the airstrip at Snag, 25 km (16 mi) east of Beaver Creek, experienced the lowest ever temperature measured in North America (excluding Greenland), −63.0 °C (−81.4 °F) on February 3, 1947.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Beaver Creek had a population of 78 living in 40 of its 61 total private dwellings. This was a change of -16.1% from its 2016 population of 93. With a land area of 26.66 km2 (10.29 sq mi), it had a population density of 2.9/km2 (7.6/sq mi) in 2021.
Beaver Creek, Yukon, is a community steeped in history and culture, offering a unique experience for those who visit. Whether you're interested in exploring the traditional territories of the White River First Nation, experiencing the subarctic climate, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the area, Beaver Creek has something for everyone.
