The Arctic Winter Games are one year away from coming to Whitehorse in 2012.

But organizers were keen enough to start the festivities yesterday with the first appearance of the 2012 Arctic Winter Games mascot, Borealis, the husky born from the northern sky, at the Whitehorse Elementary gym.

The countdown to the Games continues this afternoon with the Year Out Launch Show at the Canada Games Centre Concourse from 4:45 p.m.-5 p.m.

Olympian Zach Bell, the Watson Lake cyclist recently crowned UCI World Cup champion, will be on hand as the athlete ambassador of the Games.

The launch show will also include the official hand off to delegates from Team Alaska to officially kick off the Theme Song

Relay, the volunteer registration kick off and the first unveiling of the official Games merchandise featuring the work of local First Nations artist Mark Preston.

Sportslife will have a selection of custom designed merchandise that will grow as the Games approach.

"We are proud to be featuring (Preston's) work,” Sportslife co-owner MJ Warshawski said.

"Our goal is not only to help represent the amazing spirit of the Games but to also present some of the First Nations' culture and its importance in Yukon.”

The presentation of Games merchandise includes t-shirts, hoodies, Buff headwear, custom ear flap hats like the one worn by Games' mascot Borealis, keychain stuffies, mugs, water bottles, Games mittens and New Era hats, among others.

Ross Findlater, the founding member of the Volunteer Bureau of Whitehorse, will officially kick off the volunteer drive.

The first 50 volunteers to apply today will receive a free USB flash drive from Northwestel and a commemorative pin. Any volunteers who register on-line will be automatically entered to win a gift certificate for $200 from Latitude Wireless.

Those interested can apply online at www.awg2012.org or by phone at 393-2012.

The launch will be followed by the Business After Hours hosted by the 2012 Arctic Winter Games Host Society and Air North with hospitality provided by Yukon Brewing from 5-7 tonight at MacBride Museum.

Bell, a former Arctic Winter Games athlete, will be available to answer questions and sign autographs.

Those in attendance will also get the chance to win a return trip to Vancouver, Edmonton or Calgary, courtesy of Air North, and walk away with prizes from Yukon Energy and Tim Hortons.

In March 2012, thousands of AWG athlete, coaches, mission staff, officials and cultural performers will descend on Whitehorse for the first time since 2000.

The theme song will be relayed through Porter Creek Secondary, F.H. Collins Secondary and Vanier Catholic Secondary schools tomorrow.