100-day countdown is on in Whitehorse, host of 2026 Arctic Winter Games
‘When hosting events of this size, there’s always that little bit of a scramble’
When biathlon ski athlete Mallory Horton is told she has 100 days left to get ready, she chuckles.
“That’s sooner than I thought,” said Horton.
Horton is among the many Yukon athletes who have already secured their spot to compete at the 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, now just 100 days away.
“I’m pretty nervous about the competition, but I think I can do it,” she said.
Whitehorse will host the event which runs from March 5 to 15, welcoming more than 2,000 participants from northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and other circumpolar regions, to compete in 20 sports.
It will be the first time since 2012 that Yukon’s capital hosts the games.
Whitehorse was scheduled to welcome the 2020 Arctic Winter Games — the 50th edition of the event — in March of that year, but the event was cancelled at the last minute because of growing concerns about COVID-19.
Now, with just 100 days to go before the 2026 event, Arctic Winter Games host society general manager Megan Cromarty says she believes the city will be ready on time.
“I think when hosting events of this size, there’s always that little bit of a scramble … like, there’s not enough time,” Cromarty said.
“But I think we’re in a really good position to be ready to host everybody when they arrive.”
Cromarty adds that the next few weeks will be devoted to moving from the planning phase to being fully operational.
“We are moving into almost-Games mode,” said Cromarty. “Making sure that all …. volunteers are scheduled, on-boarded and trained, and venues are open and ready.”
That includes Biathlon Yukon’s new facility in Whitehorse, as well as Yukon University’s facilities.
Earlier this week, the local host society announced a partnership with Yukon University. The campus cafeteria will serve as the main meal site for all participants.
The facility has been used in the past to host other major events, including the Canada Games in 2008.
“It’s just a real privilege to step into it again,” Shelagh Rowles, interim president of Yukon University, said. “Sport gives us an opportunity to work, learn and celebrate together.”
Meanwhile, Team Yukon continues to run trials for athletes, to finalize rosters before Jan. 26.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Nunavik-Quebec to become permanent member of Arctic Winter Games committee, CBC News
Finland: Ice fishing World Championships latest in Finnish series of odd sports events, Yle News
United Stated: Racing sled dogs: The care of canine ultra-athletes, Alaska Dispatch New
