Local Rental Solutions Ltd

Arctic Rescue: Thawing the Ground to Save Dawson City’s Iconic “The Pit” ❄️🚧

In -45°C Yukon cold, a brutal water main break flooded downtown Dawson City in early January 2026 — right in front of the historic Westminster Hotel (aka “The Pit”).

This 1898 landmark, with its famously slanted floors from permafrost, dim Christmas lights, and role as the community’s beating heart 💗, suffered major flooding and closed indefinitely for repairs.

Our Whitehorse team jumped to the frozen pump and deployed our dependable ground thaw units: the frozen ground thawed overnight, enabling safe, swift excavations on Water Line 5.

Repairs progressed — one break fixed, another isolated — despite the extreme conditions affecting dozens of properties.

Proud to support these frontline teams in protecting a Yukon staple where “everyone eventually shows up.” Here’s to The Pit’s comeback and many more tilted pints ahead! 🍻

Would love to see any pics you have of this iconic pub!