8 Yukon Based Brands That Make Perfect Gifts For The Outdoor Adventurer On Your List
Small business owners in the Yukon are passionate about what they do, and they play a vital role in supporting our local economy. These companies and the faces behind them define the Yukon for what it is - a small town that provides a hometown feel to locals and enhances travel experiences for visitors. As you support a small business in the Yukon, you are supporting the local community, too. To help Yukon’s community, you don't need to travel far.
Overland Yukon has listed some perfect Yukon-based companies for you to choose from to find a gift suited for the outdoor adventurer on your list. From soap containing glacial silt collected near Kluane National Park to quality beer made in northern Canada, your loved one can experience the magic of the Yukon Territory the minute they open their gift. These companies all offer shipping across Canada (free with certain purchase amounts) or can be found in and around local retailers in other provinces.
Spending money locally helps sustain the growth of the Yukon and the travel experiences that we provide. You can feel good knowing that your purchase helped support the Yukon's economy and the people who live there.
1. The Yukon Soaps Company
The Yukon Soaps Company is an Indigenous-owned small business creating beautiful, healing nutrient rich handcrafted soaps, essential oils, grooming products, and more. Handcrafted by Joella Hogan in the small community of Mayo, Yukon, Joella's travels around the world inspire the creation of her products.
Besides the beautiful packaging, the Wind River and Yukon Wild Natural shampoo bars also serve as perfect items to pack for a weekend getaway in the wilderness. Pair these with one of their Yukon Pure or Galaxy Essential Soap Bars (or both), and your adventurer is well on their way to being stocked up with sustainable toiletries to bring along their Overland Yukon journey. The Yukon Soaps Company encourages consumers to reduce their environmental impact by purchasing bulk orders.
2. Sportees Activewear
Sportees began in Canada’s Yukon over 37 years ago with a line of custom clothing tailored to fit the active lifestyles of outdoor and fitness enthusiasts. Today people are sporting the brand name while engaged in every kind of recreational pursuit you can imagine. Sportees’ Yukon roots give it an intimate familiarity with cool weather conditions and winter sports, but it isn’t all about the cold. Here, you can find quality sporting wear for all seasons of the year.
You can purchase outdoor adventure clothing from Sportees and have it shipped worldwide. With products ranging from helmet liners, fleece lined dog musher pants, and multi-paneled cycling vests, Sportees offers the variety to find a gift tailored towards adventure specific interests.
3. Wild & North
Who doesn’t love free shipping and good smelling candles? Wild & North is a Yukon-based home fragrance company owned and operated by Jessica Eden and Heather Gillespie. All products are developed, produced, tested, packed, and shipped by their team in Whitehorse. Using entirely vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free ingredients and products, your adventurer is sure to love this sustainable business.
Items are limited, but produced with quality. Birchwood Pine and Pumpkin Chai are among the rugged scents. If you aren’t sure about what candle scents to purchase for your loved one, consider getting them a gift card instead. It's all about the thought, and the act of you taking the time to find a business that satisfies their interests will mean a lot.
4. Yukon Built
Free shipping in North America on all orders of $150 or more! Yukon Built is a brand of quality goods & apparel, centered around community. They design apparel & products that reflect our vibrant, unique community, and are inspired by our proximity to the Yukon outdoors. Producing quality clothing, Yukon Built also strives to provide customers with a glimpse into the historic Yukon Territory. As fourth generation Yukoners, Yukon Built’s love of the Yukon, and the North, runs deep.
The adventurer on your list is embarking on an Overland Yukon journey this summer, and Tombstone Territorial Park is first up on their list of destinations. They will appreciate having the lightweight windbreaker you bought from Yukon Built to keep them warm around the campfire as they spend the night in Tombstone Territorial Park and Reserve.
5. Aurum Skincare
Aurum was born of a deep love for the Yukon, the haunting beauty of its landscape and the dauntless nature of its people. It is here, on the traditional territory of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nations, that friends and co-founders Elise and Joanne found inspiration amidst the luminous trunks of boreal birch (betula neoalaskana).
Aurum’s calming award-winning birch serum makes the perfect gift for any occasion. With the purchase of two or more items, you will receive free shipping within Canada and the US!
6. Yukon Beer
Yukon Brewing opened its doors in 1997 under the name Chilkoot Brewing Co. Ltd. Owners Alan and Bob conceived their idea like many Yukoners – around a campfire on a canoe trip. Today, the brewery’s 10 packaged beers are available across Alberta and BC with some even finding their way as far east as Quebec and at the Hannover Zoo in Germany. Yukon Brewing turned their sights to distilling to eventually create Two Brewers Whisky. They also offer a robust line of spirits throughout the year, including their newest line extension, Concepts coolers. With pints, spirits, and whisky available, there’s a beverage to satisfy every taste palette on your list.
Beer, the Yukon, and good friends go together like few other things. Perfect for every occasion, Yukon Beer can be found at luxury retailers and distilleries across the following provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. Products can be found in restaurants and local liquor stores in and around the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
7. Anto Yukon
Anto Yukon offers small batch artisanal soap and body care inspired by the natural landscapes of Canada. Each bar of soap is hand wrapped in a unique contemporary art print by either Meghan Hildebrand or Jimy Sloan. These bright whimsical paintings will transport you into the world of dreams. Gift cards, pottery, and statement jewelry pieces are also available for purchase.
Anto Yukon products feature ethically sourced ingredients and natural aromas, with items free of parabens, phthalates, petroleum products, artificial fragrances and dyes. For an extra special gift, consider the Kluane Soap. This soap contains glacial silt collected near Kluane National Park – containing one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. It is detoxifying and slightly exfoliating. Kluane contains all natural ingredients, colorants, and essential oils. It is scented with lavender and mint.
8. Kamp Yukon
Trying to find the perfect sentimental gift? Kamp Yukon makes handmade quilted and sewn goodies proudly made in Mendenhall Yukon by Wendy Weykamp. With adorable lanyards, keychains, and more, the Yukon magnets are a gift that Overland Yukon especially loves. Gift them with a set of Kamp Yukon’s magnets to help them savor the special moments of their Yukon journey.
We always want to provide thrill seekers in our lives with the gift of adventure. Buying items from these small businesses to help your loved ones remember or look forward to their Overland Yukon journey is a way to show that you care. Thank you for continuing to support Yukon, Canada makers!