Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs in Whitehorse. (photo courtesy of Garry Umbrich)
The Takhini Hot Springs in the capital city of Canada’s Yukon Territory has been closed to the public for more than a year. A new facility with a new name is on track to open this coming February. The water will still be heated by geothermal activity, but that’s about the only thing that will stay the same.
There’s nothing quite as magical as a soak in a hot spring on a cold winter’s day. But for upper Lynn Canal residents, the closest hot spring is in Whitehorse, and it hasn’t been open for more than a year.
This coming February, owner Garry Umbrich says that’s going to change as he expects to open the new Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs in the same location as the old pool.
“We removed the old building, it was demolished. We salvaged everything we could, the old pool, we have to demolish the whole concrete base of the pool and remove it from the site. And so we have an entirely 100% new facility,” said Umbrich.
He says there will be four soaking pools to choose from when the new facility opens, but only three will be in use during the winter.
“It’s not shaped like a swimming pool. And it’s not very deep, so you can’t actually swim in it. It’s a series of soaking pools, and they are done in the Japanese style. So if you’ve ever heard of an Onsen Pool, that’s kind of what we’ve built,” said Umbrich.
He says the bottoms of the pools are covered in flagstones that allow for a variety of sitting positions and the pools will be rimmed by large boulders giving them a more natural feel.
Flagstones and boulders bring a more natural look to the hot springs. (photo courtesy of Garry Umbrich)
“We took concepts from a little bit around the world. So, you know, we have tried to bring in a little bit of Liard Hot springs, which is on the Alaska Highway, by having a wooden boardwalk that you walk on, on your way to walk to the facility, after you park. You know, we try and keep a lot of a forest nice and close to the pool, to give you that feeling of being out in nature,” said Umbrich.
In addition to the pools there are now multiple saunas, steam rooms, relax rooms, lounge chairs, fire pits, walking trails, and benches in the woods. The facility will also have a new restaurant with what Umbrich calls Spa-Fusion food.
“There’ll be a soup of the day there’ll be probably a few different kinds of sandwich, meat, vegetarian, and fish. There’ll be some fancier spa types of things like Charcuterie plates, or cheese plates, and pickles and olive plates,” said Umbrich.
They are trying to get a beer and wine license, but that’s still in the works. Umbrich says there are currently groomed cross-country ski trails open and he expects the campground to re-open in the spring, though the old hostel has been converted into two Airbnb suites.
But all of this does come at a cost. Admission prices will start at around $25 USD for non-peak times, and climb up to around $50 USD for the busiest hours. And that doesn’t last for the whole weekend or even the entire day. If you leave the facility to go back to camp and grab a nap or go have dinner, you’ll have to pay again for another soak.
Umbrich says the project has run about $6 million USD.
Originally, the new hot springs complex was supposed to be open last winter, but Umbrich says the coronavirus pandemic has caused many delays.
And for Alaskans, a visit to the new facility will require some planning in advance as Canada’s Yukon Territory has implemented sweeping COVID-19 mitigation practices. These include proof of vaccine, photo ID, and masks for anyone 19 or older entering restaurants, recreation centers, or any indoor gathering areas with some exceptions.
At this time masks are also required inside of public saunas and steam rooms.
All non-essential U.S. or Canadian citizens traveling by road from the U.S. to Canada will need proof of vaccination and an approved molecular COVID test within 72 hours of reaching the Canadian border. The Canadian policy of allowing their citizens to travel to the U.S. for short trips without testing has been suspended. American travelers will also need to use the ArrieCan app or the web version.
If it wasn’t for the locals all these years, he wouldn’t have a priject to sell off to tourists.Typical corporate greed.
Gary’s dream was always about the money. That’s ok, after all that’s what business is. But you’re slamming the door on the everyday locals with your elite tourism prices, From the start you lied to us in meetings, as you looked for our support for your projects. What began decades ago as a local family recreational spot with a yukon vibe, where Irwin did not want to sell to someone internationally, for the purpose of keeping that neighbourly yukon vibe has turned out to be the opposite. But that’s business. As this is an Alaskan ad maybe there are plans for a reduced rate for the locals. Time will tell.. and karma will prevail.
What a joke. This disgusting pandering to the rich can take right off. I’m predicting colossal failure well before 2023.
Yukoners are all in this together. These people are liked or respected by locals. Hope their vehicles don’t break down. Will be a lonely walk back…
I was just wondering, are kids going to be allowed in. If you can only sit on a rock and enjoy the warmth of the shallow water where are the kids going to swim. I cannot believe how someone can completely destroy a place that so many people enjoyed for so many years. Plus they have pushed away, because of cost, the people that made the hot springs possible “THE YUKON PEOPLE “.
Its nice to do some upgrading to make a place pleasing to use but to completely rebuild a place to attract the rich is just plain absurd. I can’t see this hot springs surviving.
I will stay with my jacuzzi tub and epson salts, too expensive
We used to camp and swim at least twice a summer during the 80s and 90s. Great times and memories that are now unavailable due to greed. The worst part of 80s corruptilasim has returned with a vengeance. Locals remember. Locals never forget.