There are 20 sports at this year's Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse. Pin trading has long been considered an unofficial sport at the AWG, so that makes 21.... And now, podcast producer Mark Koepke suggests a 22nd "sport." 

As he documents the final sprint in a multi-year, volunteer-led marathon to plan the circumpolar world’s biggest sporting and cultural event, Mark takes a cue from his favourite event—Arctic Sports—and talks a fine line between cooperation and competition.

CREDITS
Produced by Mark Koepke
Intro/outro music by Major Funk
WEIO audio courtesy of Ross King

Music:
Funk Meister by TheoJT -- License: Attribution 4.0
Beautiful Minimalist Piano by TheoJT -- License: Attribution 4.0
Cute Background Loop Song Thing by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- License: Creative Commons 0
Tom-Based Rock, 135 BPM by carloseton -- License: Creative Commons 0
Peaceful Simple Piano by TheoJT -- License: Attribution 4.0
Slay the Dragon by code_box -- License: Creative Commons 0
Rogue Strings Rag by code_box -- License: Creative Commons 0
bel fiore by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- License: Creative Commons 0
Half Time Show by code_box -- License: Creative Commons 0
Large crowd applause.wav by Bansemer -- License: Creative Commons 0

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY
The Sourdough Mocktail
He’s a real batass
These old houses
Hard rock minors

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"It was supposed to be a two-week workin' vacation," says musician Ryan West of his first trip to the Yukon." That was 2009. It's 2026 now, so it's been a long two weeks." 

One of the reasons Ryan stayed was the community—musical and otherwise—that he discovered at Whitehorse's iconic 98 Hotel. Every third Thursday of the month, he and his band The Lucky Ones now grace its cozy stage, doin' their best to fill "an unfillable fiddle-shaped hole" left by the legendary Joe Loutchan.

Recorded in the kitchen/"green room" of The 98, Ryan and fellow Lucky One Ian Smith discuss their long-intertwined histories with, and mutual deep affection for, this local institution—and how it inevitably inspired a song. And when they're done talkin', you'll get to hear "The Old 98" by The Lucky Ones. We know you'll be pleased as punch.

Check out the music video and look for Genesee Keevil's article about the The 98 Hotel in the spring 2026 issue of The YUKON Magazine.

CREDITS
Recorded and mixed by Mark Koepke
Music by The Lucky Ones
Intro/outro music by Major Funk

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY
((Poetry)) by Peter Jickling
((Theatre)) by Larrikin Entertainment
((Radio)) by JAM Live!
((Music)) by the august arrival
((Fiction)) by Nadine Sander-Green
((Moosic)) by Cows Go Moo 

CONNECT WITH US
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Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
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Welcome to spring—and new beginnings! To kick off the first series of our revitalized podcast, The YUKON Magazine’s new publisher, Tammo Walter, steps into the Karen McColl-sized role of “host.” He catches up with the magazine’s (sort of) new editor Kanina Holmes and podcast producer Mark Koepke for a preview of the exciting content that audiences can look—and listen—forward to this season. Tammo also shares a conversation that he and his co-publisher, Manu Keggenhoff, had about the enduring mission of The YUKON Magazine. 

CREDITS
Produced by Tammo Walter and Mark Koepke
Mixed by Mark Koepke
Intro/outro music & stings by Major Funk 

Other Music:
Fun Happy Song by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- License: Creative Commons 0
The Lucky Ones – Live at The 98  Hotel.
Rock/metal melody 3 by kbrecordzz -- License: Creative Commons 0
acoustic guitar melody #006 by GuitarStringTheory -- License: Attribution 4.0
Super Happy Springtime Song by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- License: Creative Commons 0 

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY
Amy Kenny’s Yukon Questionnaire
Mark Koepke… a “batass” guy
These old houses: DPW’s Whitehorse legacy
Winter 2025 | it’s time to Manu up!

CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: [email protected]

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Subscribe for yourself or as a gift for that special person who needs a little more Yukon in their life. Four issues every year, delivered right to your door.

Like a quarterly magazine for your ears, we produce a variety of audio-rich episodes... with a diversity of voices... on every aspect of the Yukon experience.

Stay tuned for our spring 2026 series. The first episode drops on Wednesday, February 11th.

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It's been 10 months since the last episode. What happened to the podcast? Is it ever coming back? Finally, we return with some long-awaited news.

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They built their reputation playing live gigs around the North—from the Southeast Alaska State Fair, to the iconic 98 Hotel, to Folk on the Rocks. Next up, it’s opening for Tom Cochrane at his April 5 show in Whitehorse. 

But Cows Go Moo is no stranger to the studio, either. In May 2024, life took the band’s six teenage members down two highways (the Alaska and North Klondike) to their second recording session at Green Needle Records. 

In this episode, you’ll hear the Cows and hard workin’ producer Jim Holland workin’ hard to rock hard on a hard rock track that really works. Jim asked the band for everything but “more cowbell”… and they udderly delivered. The finished product is Cows Go Moo’s most recent self-composed single, “The Forgotten.” (You can call it “James Hetfield Takes a Bath with His Guitar and Amp,” if you prefer.) 

A story about Cows Go Moo also appears in the spring 2025 issue of The YUKON Magazine. The band was previously featured on this podcast in an separate April 2023 episode titled "Hard rock minors."

MORE FROM THIS SERIES:
((Fiction)) by Nadine Sander-Green
((Music)) by the august arrival
((Radio)) by JAM Live!
((Theatre)) by Larrikin Entertainment
((Poetry)) by Peter Jickling

CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: [email protected]

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Subscribe for yourself or as a gift for that special person who needs a little more Yukon in their life. Four issues every year, delivered right to your door.

Tuxedo has black and white fur, blue eyes, and a sensitive side. He works hard and is rewarded with belly rubs, massages, and warm soup. But a day in the life of Tuxedo and his fellow Alaskan Huskies at Sky High Wilderness Ranch is more nuanced than that. Veteran musher Jocelyne LeBlanc takes us behind the scenes from daybreak to trail time and beyond for insights into the lives of these loveable working dogs. 

Planning to visit the Yukon in winter? Learn more about dog sledding and other activities at travelyukon.com. 

CREDITS
Bonkers Instrumental With Like Four Different Instruments by Seth_Makes_Sounds | License: Creative Commons 0
Friendly Beat by Seth_Makes_Sounds | License: Creative Commons 0
Bubbglegum Pop Song by Seth_Makes_Sounds | License: Creative Commons 0
Xylo Song.wav by kaydinhamby | License: Creative Commons 0

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
The coolest hair on earth
Is ice fishing actually fun?
Off-grid luxe
Fur-baby fostering

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Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
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It was unusual for people to bring children to the Klondike during the gold rush of 1898 but Black Americans Alonzo and Mattie Agee came with their five children. Once in the Yukon, they carved out a living cutting hair and prospecting. Researcher Peggy D'Orsay of the Hidden Histories Society Yukon tells us what she's learned about this enterprising family and what it tells us about the context of the time. 

*This episode first aired in February 2022. 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Exploring the North with Murray Lundberg
The search for children who never came home
Fort Selkirk, 'where my ancestors lived'
Not another gold rush tour

CONNECT WITH US
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Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
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LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
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What does it take to have the coolest hair on Earth? A hair-freezing contest, for starters. But as Karen McColl quickly learns, it’s not just about frigid temperatures—it takes patience, strategy, and maybe even a little discomfort. Armed with insider tips from two-time champion Nanae Takano, Karen and her friend Shannon head to the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, confident they can sculpt their way to victory and claim the world's coolest hair. But will their frozen-hair dreams hold strong—or thaw before the finish line? 

Looking more information about the hot springs or ideas for other winter activities? Head to travelyukon.com. 

CREDITS:
DIGGING IN HAWAII by Blacksteam -- License: Creative Commons 0
Easy Going Music Loop by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- License: Creative Commons 0
Pop Guitar Loop Thing by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- License: Creative Commons 0
Ambient Meditation Guitar by Geoff-Bremner-Audio -- License: Creative Commons 0
Music Pieces.wav by DylanTheFish -- License: Creative Commons 0
Menu Music by wi-photos -- License: Creative Commons 0
Ukulele music from various artists at Freesound.org – Creative Commons 0 licenses
Various news clips sourced from https://www.youtube.com/

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
The ice swimmers
Climbing Mount Logan (twice!) for science
The Sourdough Mocktail
The Fantail Five: reliving an epic ski trip

CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: [email protected]

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE
Subscribe for yourself or as a gift for that special person who needs a little more Yukon in their life. Four issues every year, delivered right to your door.

“Our two passions in life,” says Winterlong Brewing co-owner Marko Marjanovic, “are hiking and beer. So, we created a lifestyle for ourselves in both hiking and beer-making. It’s a perfect match.”

For our second two-for-one Yukon Questionnaire, Marko and his partner-in-all-things, Meghan, combine forces to trek through our not entirely sober line of inquiry about life in the Yukon. We think they sound pretty good. Maybe as good as truckstop poetry. Crack a tall boy and have a listen. 

MORE FROM OUR YQ SERIES:
Roch Shannon Fraser - broadcaster
Amy Kenny - writer & magazine editor
Steve McGovern - comedian
Peter Mather - photojournalist
Davida Wood & Tosh Southwick  

CONNECT WITH US
Website: theyukonmagazine.com
Instagram: @the.yukon.magazine
Facebook: @TheYukonMagazine
LinkedIn: @theyukonmagazine
Email: [email protected]

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Subscribe for yourself or as a gift for that special person who needs a little more Yukon in their life. Four issues every year, delivered right to your door.