Please note that dog sledding is comparable to cross country skiing and does require you to be in relatively good physical shape. The itinerary is an outline of the events that will be expected during the tour, however there is a good possibility that the Quest Trail part of the tour will be done the first week and the Sky High portion done during the second week. The maximum of 4 clients for the Quest trail is due to the logistics of transporting dogs and equipment. We do recommend that you arrive the day before your tour. Whether you arrive the day of your tour or days before don't worry we'll take care of you. All clients will be picked up at the airport upon arrival and taken to a hotel or straight to the ranch. Pre and Post nights can be booked for you upon request.
The experience staged here is fittingly harmonized with this land’s history and the meeting of cultures it has made possible since the Gold Rush days. The ranch offers simple comforts without running water nor electricity. We use propane lighting; we burn wood for heat, much like the first visitors of European stock did in the late 19th century. If the rugged northern landscape of the Yukon River basin maintains much of its wilderness character today, this operation only enhances it for visitors.
Our trips are not escorted by snowmobiles or any type of motor vehicles. Snowmobiles are used only for emergencies and sometimes to haul supplies to the camp. Transportation is by dog sled and horse only. The impact on the environment is minimal in the sense that we take out everything we bring onto the land. Refuse and human waste are bagged.
Conservation officers come out regularly to monitor our activities, which are licensed by a territorial wilderness tourism regulatory body which requires us to submit annual reports on everything from the number of guides we use and their qualifications, to the number of guests we take over the land and the specific areas we visit with them throughout the year. Trip duration and type, as well as any secondary activity we might engage in while guests are with us are also reported as part of this process.
Because of the way we run our trips, the Kwanlin Dunn First Nation allows us to travel over their land for part of our journeys. We, in turn, give them access to our land. Dog sledding is an integral element of the local culture throughout Yukon. It allows travelers to look at the land through a different lens, one that engages participants in a profound manner; one that capitalizes on the ancestral relationship between humans and their domesticated canine friends.
Most of the guides are native to the area, they keep coming back to lead trips year after year because of the income, but also because of the opportunity this responsible tourism offering provides the staff and guests to help preserve a tradition that is very much part of the cultural fabric of the Yukon Territory.
This Yukon Quest trail dog sledding adventure is a challenging but relaxed fun trip! We supply you with the best equipment possible, teach you all the important aspects of mushing and prepare the trails as good as possible.
To participate you must be healthy, enjoy working with dogs and have a good team spirit. Dog sledding is a comparable physical activity to cross-country skiing, so you should be in relatively good physical shape.
We point out, that unforeseeable circumstances such as weather conditions, extreme temperatures, condition of the group or illness of the dogs and may force us to change this itinerary. The safety of our guests takes precedence and our decisions are final.
The camps have no power or telephone, showers are of basic gravity fed nature and not available in tent camp. You will be required to sign a " release of claims and waiver of liability form" prior to the departure of this tour.
Packing List:
- Note: No Cotton!
- Thermal Underwear: 2 long sleeve shirts and 2 pants
- Fleece Pants and Sweater
- Neck Warmer/Balaclava
- Fleece Hat(Toque) or Fur hat
- Thermal Socks - 4 pairs
- Thin Fleece Gloves
- Head Lamp
- Goggles or Sunglasses (optional)
- Camera (optional).
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Friday-Saturday. Arrival at the Airport in Whitehorse (Yukon), or pickup at a hotel at 10:00 am, if you decided to arrive early (we can make pre-tour hotel night reservations for you). You have the chance to do some last minute shopping. Afterwards we drive to the Ranch, 20 km South of Whitehorse. On the drive we will tell you of the rich history of the Fish Lake Valley and you will hear the fascinating story of how this operation came to be. As we climb in elevation, the landscape becomes even more breathtaking. The lake comes into view around the corner and we arrive.
You move into your cozy cabin, or nice double room in the main lodge. The Lodge is overlooking beautiful Fish Lake, with southern exposure. Here we outfit you with your expedition clothing. The dogs are waiting to meet you. Lunch in the main lodge. Do you want to know what a bootie is? Well you learn it today. We show you how to harness the dogs and give you an instruction on how to drive the sled. Depending on the weather and time of the day we hook up the dogs and go for a short first run. Three dogs pull you on this first day. You will get a sense of what this Yukon Quest Trail dog sledding adventure is all about. After taking care of the dogs we enjoy a hearty meal. You might want to take a shower or just relax beside the stove, and of course listen to the dogs howling outside. Overnight at the Ranch. Includes: (L), (D).
Day 2: Sunday. While the morning sun slowly lifts over the horizon we prepare for our day trip after breakfast. We feed and water the dogs and harness them up at around 11:00 am. We cover about 35 km in distance, driving towards Jackson Lake and the Copper Haul Road. Just the slight sound of the working dogs and runners in the snow will be with you for that day. You get to know your dogs and start to form a personal relationship. With every stop, and praise for the dogs, they learn to trust you and you to trust them. Overnight at the wilderness ranch. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Monday. The dogs will pull us on a trail east of the Ranch. We are continuously climbing in elevation as we are heading on an abandoned mining road on MacIntyre Mountain. On occasional stops we can enjoy unprecedented scenery of the Coastal Mountains with Fish Lake nestled deep in the valley. Returning to the Lodge and Overnight at the Ranch. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Tuesday. Today we head towards beautiful Bonneville Lakes, west of the Ranch, part of the Kwanlin Dun first Nation Traditional Land. The trails are narrower with some challenging up and downs. The Coastal Mountains are always in view to the South and West. Part of the trip we travel above tree line and easily cover between 20 and 30 km. Slowly, a new feeling of life will creep in. In harmony with the running rhythm of your team, you will enjoy nature in a way you've never experienced before. Overnight at the Ranch. There is a gravity fed indoor shower waiting for you in the main lodge. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Wednesday. Now you leave behind the last remnants of civilization and head out to a real wilderness. The trail follows Fish Lake, climbs, and heads into the Coastal Range to the south. After approximately 2.5 hours of running time we reach our trapper's wall tent camp at dry creek. Overnight in Wall tent. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Thursday. From the wall tent camp, weather permitting we will make a run to the top of the mountain above tree line to Ptarmigan flats where there is a good chance of seeing large flocks of these beautiful white birds and having some wonderful sledding on miles of wind blown snowy hill tops along side the Ibex mountain range, and at the base of Mount Granger. There have been frequent sightings of caribou and moose in this area. Back to the wall tent camp for night. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Friday. After a musher's breakfast, we will start mushing back to the Ranch. The dogs pull us steady westbound with the Coastal Mountains in plain view ahead of us. Way too soon you return to civilization and have one night at the Best Western Gold Rush Inn before beginning the second part of your adventure at Braeburn and on the Yukon Quest trail. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 8: Saturday. You will once again be picked up at 10 am in the Hotel lobby. Here again you also have the chance to do some last minute shopping. We return to Sky High to start preparing your equipment, sleds, gear and dogs for the 2-hour drive to Braeburn, one of the official check points of the Yukon Quest. The rest of the day will be spent getting the dogs and equipment to the cabins at Skuttlebutt lodge. Settle into your new surroundings and take some time to just sit with your dogs while they also get a quiet day to rest. Includes: (L), (D).
Day 9: Sunday. While the morning sun slowly lifts over the horizon we feed and water the dogs and then enjoy our own hearty breakfast. Then we prepare for our day trip, harness the dogs, hook up and we're on our way! This will be a shorter day of exploring and ice fishing on big and Little Braeburn Lakes. Test your skills and catch your dinner! These Lakes are excellent for Burbot, Lake trout, Grayling and Northern Pike. Then back to the cabins at Skuttlebutt lodge to cook the catch of the day! Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Monday. Today we head across the Alaska highway north onto the Quest Trail, through the wilderness to Coghlan Lake. Here we mush back into some real Yukon Wilderness where we take a well deserved break, give the dogs their well deserved snack, and have some lunch by the camp fire. We easily cover between 30 to 40 km. Slowly a new feeling of life will creep in. In harmony with the running rhythm of your team you will enjoy nature in a way never experienced before. The evening we spend again in our cozy log cabins. Time for a shower? Overnight in Cabins at Skuttlebutt Lodge. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 11: Tuesday. For three more days we leave behind all the comforts of civilization and head out for an unforgettable adventure. Your team of Huskies pulls you and your loaded sled to remote historical Kynocks Road House camp, along the Yukon Quest Trail. The Yukon Quest is the toughest Sled Dog Race in the World. Everything we need will be packed with us on the sled. We go out to cut some firewood, set up the Arctic oven tent, cook together and share stories. If the group decides, we might even take a few of our new four legged friends in the tent. We have a great chance to see Bison, moose or Caribou. Overnight in tent or under the stars. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: Wednesday. After so many days of sledding the morning routine becomes a part of life - saying good morning and feeling the energy from the amazing dogs that have pulled you over numerous obstacles and hundreds of kilometers. Today will again be filled with wonder as you break camp and hook up your partners to the sled and head further down the Quest trail. If all goes well we will be setting up camp once again at Doolie Lake. Overnight in tent or under the stars. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: Thursday. Waking up after a night of watching the northern lights would make this a morning that is only written about in books. In the middle of the wilderness, in the Yukon, on the Quest trail, the dogs are now a part of your world and are excited to see you each morning. Time to pack up camp, which is getting easier with all the practice. With human and canine having had a good breakfast it's time again to hit the trail and head for the last camp of the trip by the banks of Little River. Overnight in tent or under the stars. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 14: Friday. After a last musher's breakfast, the food is nearly gone and the sleds are lighter, we will start for our final day of mushing. The dogs pull us steady southbound with the Coastal Mountains in plain view ahead of us. Our destination is Flat creek where the transportation will be waiting for us. The truck and trailers will be loaded for the short drive back to civilization. After heartfelt goodbyes from the dogs and guide, a comfortable room at the hotel will be waiting for you. Overnight at the Best Western Gold Rush Inn. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 15: Saturday. Over breakfast you can start planning your next wilderness adventure and contact us about even more challenging tours that we offer to out door enthusiasts. The Whitehorse shuttle service van brings you to the airport for your southbound flight. Or better yet, complete your Yukon winter experience, by joining another tour offered.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Transfer from and to Whitehorse, Yukon
- Accommodations in Whitehorse (2 nights in double rooms)
- Accommodation in cabins (8 nights in double rooms) or heated tent outpost camps (4 nights, group accommodations)
- All meals including non-alcoholic beverages, except dinner on day 7 and 14, breakfast on day 8 and 15 in Whitehorse
- Use of personal sled and 3 to 6 Huskies
- Musher Certificate after Tour
- Winter Boots included.
Price Excludes:
- Alcoholic beverages (we buy jointly before the tour)
- Winter clothing rental of warm Northern Outfitters Jacket, Pants and sleeping bag $25 each item, mitts $10 payable upon arrival in cash or credit card
- Meals in restaurants (dinner on day 7 and 14, breakfast on day 8 and 15)
- All expenses of personal nature.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Yukon
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Dogsledding
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