Escarpment 2025
The City is planning for the 2025 freshet season and monitoring the impacts of snow melt on the downtown escarpment, including along Robert Service Way.
There continues to be a risk of landslides along the escarpment and Robert Service Way, as occurred in 2022 and 2023.
There is a potential for Robert Service Way, the Millennium Trail and other trails along the base of the escarpment to experience partial or full closures during the 2025 freshet season if geotechnical engineers recommend closure based on slope conditions.
Stay tuned here for updates on the status of the escarpment, and follow our social media channels on Facebook(External link) and Instagram(External link) for updates.
Please contact the City if you have concerns about the escarpment:
- in emergencies (imminent slope failure or public safety risk): contact the Whitehorse Fire Department by calling 9-1-1;
- after hours (non-emergency): call the City reporting line at 867-667-2111; and/or
- for questions and general slope observations, contact City of Whitehorse staff using Report a Problem(External link) on our website
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Seasonal movement observed
Share Seasonal movement observed on Facebook Share Seasonal movement observed on Twitter Share Seasonal movement observed on Linkedin Email Seasonal movement observed linkYou may have noticed some activity along the escarpment recently, including along Robert Service Way. Some minor slides have been observed in recent days.
These are small, shallow movements that are considered to be normal seasonal movement. We are closely monitoring the escarpment along with our geotechnical engineering partners, including conducting regular inspections to assess ongoing risk.
The risk of a slide remains low, but rest assured that crews remain prepared to take action if conditions change.
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Airport Area Trails Reopen
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Sections of the East Airport Access Road Trail that were closed in April have now reopened.
Parts of the trail, including small connecter trails, were closed as a precautionary measure during the early part of the spring freshet due to some erosion in the area.
The area is now dry and stable, allowing the trail to be reopened to users.
The City is continuing to monitor the escarpment area with the use of a slope scanner, regular engineering inspections, drone surveys and other measures to ensure water seepage and potential slides can be managed in a way that prioritizes public safety.
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Airport Area Trail Closures
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As part of the City’s ongoing monitoring of the escarpment during spring freshet, sections of the East Airport Access Road Trail have been temporarily closed. This includes small connector trails within the area shown on the map.
Spring snow melt is causing localized erosion in the area. The City made the decision to close trails to keep trail users safe. The Black Street stairs remain open.
Active monitoring of the escarpment includes the use of a slope scanner, regular engineering inspections, drone surveys and other measures to ensure water seepage and potential slides can be managed in a way that prioritizes public safety.
Changes in trail status and traffic flow may be altered as monitoring continues.
We thank the public for their cooperation.
Contact:
Guiniveve Lalena
Acting Manager, Strategic Communications
City of Whitehorse
guiniveve.lalena@whitehorse.ca
(867) 334-2400