The flags of the eight competing contingents, two host First Nations and City of Whitehorse were raised outside the Canada Games Centre as the countdown to the Arctic Winter Games breaks 100 days. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – Whitehorse marked just under 100 days until the 2026 Arctic Winter Games with a flag-raising ceremony at the Canada Games Centre on Tuesday.
The event was hosted by the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society and featured the raising of the flags of all eight competing contingents, the two host First Nations and the City of Whitehorse. Host Society President Tracey Bilski says the event serves as a celebration of the upcoming games.
“We’ve been working on this for a couple of years, so this is a pretty big milestone, and with that milestone, our host society and our staff and our volunteers will now be moving from the planning stage to full operational mode,” said Bilski. “I’m incredibly proud of that milestone.”
Whitehorse Mayor Kirk Cameron reaffirmed the city’s $750,000 contribution in funding and in-kind support and encouraged community members to volunteer.
Representatives from the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Yukon Government, including new Community Services Minister Cory Bellmore, emphasised the importance of community partnerships and volunteer support for the games.
Over 2,000 athletes and coaching staff are expected to be in Whitehorse during the games from March 8th to 15th.
