12 days
Duration
Whitehorse
from / to
3–6
Group size

«Yukon Winter Magic»

The ultimate winter photo trip with workshops

This unique photo trip with challenging training photo workshops is aimed specifically at committed photographers.

During this journey, which is closely connected to nature, you will be expertly tended to by professional photographer Beat Glanzmann and his business partner Eva Riedwyl. Beat and Eva have been living almost three hours away from Whitehorse since 1995 in their self-built log cabin resort in the wilderness of Yukon. They are considered open-minded, cordial and very experienced hosts. Both enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for nature and their local knowledge, which will take you to the most extraordinary and often remote spots from 28 years of “Discovering and Living in the Winter Yukon”.

Beats photographs are published worldwide. He is one of the most experienced photographers in the field of animal and landscape photography. You have the opportunity to benefit from his professional photographic knowledge and many years of wilderness experience.

Our journey offers excellent possibilities for various motives, not only to landscape photographers, but also to animal and night photography.

The group size is a maximum of 6 people and thus leaves space for more individual care.

During the optional post-processing workshops, the professional Beat Glanzmann offers you his knowledge and many tips and tricks for image processing. These correspond to the latest technical standards and are individually adapted to your experience and needs. On this photo trip we overcome the limits of photography and spare no effort to take you to the most exclusive locations that the north of Canada has to offer.

You can expect frozen lakes, ice floes, snow-covered mountains and landscapes, endless expanses, northern lights, crystal clear nights and untouched nature. Follow us into the staggering silence of the wilderness, into a world full of natural wonders and beauties, far away from civilization, everyday stress and mass tourism.

You are guaranteed to travel home with hundreds of spectacular landscapes and night shots!

Requirements

Basic knowledge of your photography and camera equipment. The tour does not require a high level of fitness. However, you should be in good physical condition to be able to hike at a leisurely pace and on good paths (about two hours).

  • Unique winter, ice and lake landscapes in the natural paradise of the Kluane National Park
  • Guided tours to the most wonderful photo locations
  • Crystal clear sky for star and northern light photography (without interference from man-made light influences)
  • Staggering silence, endless expanses and fascinating landscapes far away from mass tourism
  • Individual coaching by a professional photographer on photographic techniques and image composition
  • Image editing workshops (from simple image corrections to complex stackings, mask editing, panorama compositions and time lapses)
  • Cozy log cabin accommodations with romantic, crackling wood stove fire and open-air sauna

Individual arrival in Whitehorse, Yukon / Canada the day before the start of the tour. Individual overnight stay in a hotel  in Whitehorse. Welcome to the far north!

1st day:

You will be greeted at the reception of your reserved hotel at 10.00am (hotel is not included in the tour price). We accompany you on a short city tour, followed by a visit to a supermarket, where you can buy your personal snacks and drinks. Afterwards, an approximately three-hour drive to the GlanzmannTours-Lodge at Kluane National Park awaits us, with scheduled photo stops. Along the Alaska Highway and the Takhini River, you can often see wild animals like wapiti deer, moose, foxes or spruce grouse. In the late afternoon, impressively beautiful mountain and lake landscapes offer unusual motives for landscape photographs, with good lighting conditions.

Finally, we reach the Glanzmann Tours-Lodge with its romantic log cabins, which is directly adjacent to the nature park. Our 4 huskies are looking forward to your arrival and will welcome you. The individual log cabins, built by hand, are spread over 8 hectares of forest with an unobstructed view of an overwhelming mountain backdrop.

Indescribable silence and pure, wild nature await you here. After dinner together at the lodge we will discuss the course of the following day according to the detailed itinerary.

Day 2 – 11:

The following photographic highlights await you in the next two weeks:

  • Frozen lakes: turquoise, blue and black ice surfaces with ice crevices and cracks
  • Ice floes: cliff-like ice floes and impressive snow drifts, surrounded by a breathtaking mountain scenery.
  • Northern Lights: a photographic highlight, which is usually particularly well visible at this time of year
  • Night photography: Moon and stars without any light pollution
  • Mountain panoramas: View of Canada’s highest mountain massifs for impressive panoramic pictures
  • Winter wonderland: icy trees, snow-covered mountain landscapes with countless motifs. Macro photographers also get their money’s worth here
  • Sea/Pacific: idyllic harbor feeling directly by the sea (day trip to Haines, Alaska/USA) over snow-covered mountain passes, high plateaus and along frozen mountain lakes. The journey itself offers impressive photo spots for winter pictures
  • Animal encounters: in addition to the dall sheep and with a little luck, encounters with moose, wapiti deer, bald eagles, snowshoe rabbits, foxes and grouse as well as ptarmigan are possible.
  • Log cabins: Cozy warmth and romantic atmosphere in our wood-heated log cabins, immersed in absolute silence, surrounded by a snow-covered forest and a crystal clear starry sky.
  • Sled dogs: Our 4 sled dogs roam through the forest of the Glanzmann Tours-Lodge during the day and are always a nice photo motif. We can meet up with a local musher to take pictures of a dog sled team.
  • Alaska Highway: The scarcely frequented Alaska Highway illustrates the endless vastness of this area on pictures.

Of course, a day of rest can be taken at any time, although we offer daily photo excursions and activities. We leave the participation in the day tours up to you and gladly offer you a time-out, if desired!

Day 12:

Return trip to Whitehorse, where the photo tour is concluded at noon. The individual return flight follows (do not schedule your departure to be before 2 pm).

Further information

All routes and times described in the itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions.

Overnight stays

Look forward to the romance of log cabins in the Glanzmann Tours-Lodge base, in the middle of the staggering silence of the wilderness. More details and photos of the accommodation can be found under “Log cabins”.
The comfortable log cabins, built by hand, are heated with wood. We count on the cooperation of our guests to heat the wood stoves. For the lighting in the cabins we use LED lanterns and candles, which create a cozy atmosphere with the crackling wood stove. You will be supplied with the best drinking water from our own well. Each log cabin has a cooking area, sink, water canister and kitchen utensils. Next to each cabin there is an “Outhouse”, an external toilet house.

Couples live in their own log cabin.
Two to max. three single guests share a log cabin.

On request, we can reserve two single or two double rooms for you.

A sauna in a log cabin built especially for this purpose, with a simple shower, invites you to relax.

It is possible to charge batteries for the camera, tablets and mobile phones during the day in the Glanzmann Tours-Lodge at the solar power supply.

Food

For the shared meals (breakfast and dinner) all participants meet in the main log cabin of the lodge. Both breakfast and dinner are included during all overnight stays in the log cabin lodges. One dinner at the restaurant in Haines (Alaska/USA), however, is not included. Breakfast is provided in the form of a buffet; dinner is cooked for you. The group then helps to wash the dishes.

Included services

  • All trips according to program from/to Whitehorse
  • Transport to the respective photo locations (car transport, snowmobiles)
  • Experienced, licensed, German/English speaking guide
  • Photo guiding and photo editing workshops by professional photographer Beat Glanzmann
  • 12 nights in our log cabins (double occupancy)
  • Half board (breakfast and dinner – excluding 1 dinner in Haines (Alaska/USA))
  • Sauna

Services not included in the tour price

  • Individual arrival and departure to/from Whitehorse
  • Hotel in Whitehorse on arrival and possibly before return journey
  • Transfer between airport and hotel (by shuttle bus or taxi)
  • 1 dinner at the restaurant in Haines (Alaska/USA)
  • Snacks
  • Drinks and alcohol
  • Tips
  • Personal extras and purchases
  • Optional Activities
  • Personal equipment (see equipment list)
  • Travel cancellation and health insurance
  • eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) for entering Canada (CAD 7.00)
  • ESTA permit for entry into the USA (21 US$), as well as the fees for crossing the border to Alaska/USA (6 US$)

Further information

All routes and times described in the itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions.

Overnight stays

You stay in comfortable log cabins, built by hand, heated by wood. We count on the cooperation of our guests to heat the wood stoves. For the lighting in the cabins we use LED lanterns and candles, which create a cozy atmosphere with the crackling wood stove. You will be supplied with the best drinking water from our own well. Each log cabin has a cooking area, sink, water canister and kitchen utensils. Next to each cabin there is an “Outhouse”, an external toilet house.

Couples live in their own log cabin.

Two to max. three single travelers share a log cabin.

On request, we can reserve two single or two double rooms for you.

A sauna in a log cabin built especially for this purpose, with a simple shower, invites you to relax.

It is possible to charge batteries for the camera, tablets and mobile phones during the day in the Glanzmann Tours-Lodge at the solar power supply.

Food

For the shared meals (breakfast and dinner) all participants meet in the main log cabin of the lodge. Both breakfast and dinner are included during all overnight stays in the log cabin lodges. One dinner at the restaurant in Haines (Alaska/USA), however, is not included. Breakfast is provided in the form of a buffet; dinner is cooked for you (vegetarian meals on request). The group then helps to wash the dishes together.

Clothing and personal material

  • Luggage container
  • Casual trousers
  • Warm trousers
  • T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, pullovers
  • Underwear
  • Warm winter socks
  • 2-3 pairs of gloves (2 pairs of thin finger gloves and 1 pair of warm mittens)
  • 1 pair of winter shoes (best with removable inner shoe, can be rented with prior notification)
  • 1 pair of warm house or bivouac shoes (for cabins)
  • Goretex jacket (this should be wide enough for you to put on enough layers underneath)
  • Goretex trousers (under which you can put on long thermal underwear and/or fleece trousers)
  • Warm jacket or sweater and enough warm clothing
  • Down jacket (very comfortable to photograph)
  • 1 set thermal underwear
  • Warm hat with ear protection
  • Neck warmer “Buff”
  • 2 towels for the sauna
  • Toiletries
  • Wet wipes (optional)
  • Earplugs
  • Eyeglasses and replacement eyeglasses for those who need them (we recommend contact lenses additionally because of condensation/icing hazard of the lenses)
  • Headlamp (including spare batteries)
  • Thermos flask (min. 750 ml)
  • Pocket knife (carry it with you in your checked baggage for the flights!)
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Wristwatch or mobile phone with alarm function (or travel alarm clock)
  • Rucksack (about 20 liters for spare clothes and snacks on the way; lunches can be bought locally)
  • Rain cover for the rucksack or waterproof bag in the rucksack to protect documents, photo equipment etc. from moisture
  • Personal medication (carry in hand luggage for flights)
  • Headphones for the flight (can be bought in the plane)

For December to April trips you need to bring

  • Sunglasses and Ski goggles
  • Sunscreen
  • Balaclava with face protection

What can be rented additionally

  • Baffin or Sorel winter boots (guaranteed warm during cold days) CA$ 40.00 per week (please reserve in advance)
  • Towel for sauna CAD 5.00 (washing fee)

Documents

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months after the date of return)
  • Electronic travel authorization (eta) for Canada. Recently, an electronic authorization (eta) is mandatory to fly into Canada (arrival by ship or by land does not require eta). This affects nationalities that do not normally need a tourist visa for Canada. This includes Swiss and EU citizens. Permission must be obtained online before entry. It costs about CA$ 7.00.
  • Please also note the current entry regulations to the US/Alaska. ESTA is required for travelers from other continents.
  • Address of your accident, rescue and health insurance, as well as travel cancellation and liability insurance
  • Flight tickets
  • Credit card
  • Vaccination certificate or copy
  • Cash approx. CA$ 50.00 and 50$ US

(recommended) Camera equipment

  • Power-adapter for 110 volt (adapter north America)
  • Camera, memory cards
  • Lenses
  • Batteries, rechargeable batteries, charger
  • Cable release / remote release
  • Tripod
  • Various filters (if available)
  • Camera/lens pockets

We strongly recommend several batteries/battery packs. It is possible to recharge the batteries at the Glanzmann Tours base during the days only.

Photographic equipment tips and details PDF

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