This 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 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.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at the Airport in Whitehorse. You will be picked up by our van and do a short tour of Whitehorse. Here you also have the chance to do some last minute shopping. Afterwards we drive to the Sky High Valley Ranch, 20km South of Whitehorse where we outfit you with your expedition clothing. You move into your cozy cabin, or nice double room in the main lodge. The Lodge is overlooking beautiful Fish Lake, with southern exposure. 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. 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 Sky High Valley Ranch. Includes: (L), (D).
Day 2: 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 a. m. 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 Sky High Valley Ranch. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: 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 Costal Mountain with Fish Lake nestled deep in the valley. Return to the Lodge Overnight at Sky High Valley Ranch. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Today we head towards beautiful Bonneville Lakes, west of the Ranch. 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 Sky High Valley Ranch. There is a gravity fed indoor shower waiting for you in the main lodge. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Now you leave behind the last remnants of civilization and head out to a real wilderness. The trail follows Fish Lake and climb and heads into the Costal Range to the south. After aprox 2.5 hrs of running time we reach our trapper’s wall tent camp at dry creek. Overnight in Wall tent. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: 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, before heading back to the wall tent camp. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: After a musher’s breakfast, we will start for our mushing back to Sky High Valley Ranch. The dogs pull us steady westbound with the Coastal Mountains in plain view ahead of us. Way too soon we return to civilization and most of all, you have to leave your new friends, the dogs, behind, but hey, for only one night. In the late afternoon we drive you to Whitehorse where you spend your night in a downtown Hotel. Overnight in Hotel. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 8: After on night in town, you will be happy to meet your trusty Huskies again. In the morning you are picked up by our van and once more we stop at the liquor store. Back at the ranch we hook up the dogs again and head out for a daytrip along Jackson Creek and Franklin Lake. Return to Lodge and overnight at Sky High Valley Ranch. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Today we cross over the Fish Lake from north to south with the majestic coastal mountains looming in all direction. At the south end of the lake we jump onto a trappers trail leading towards Ibex Lake. We will again have a fire and a light lunch before return to the Lodge and overnight at Sky High Valley Ranch. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Hooking up the dogs will have become much easier for you after working with them for a week. Our trip today heads up to Mount McIntyre again to the North, with more skill and conditions permitting the trip could go down, to the far north side along the old copper haul road and back to Sky High through Jackson Lake. This trail offers a great view high about the city of Whitehorse. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 11: Today we head towards Alligator Lake, a high mountainous lake, and mush the dogs through alpine landscape with its very own charm. Your driving skills will be tested, as a few trails demand your attention. By now you and your team travel in harmony. Overnight at Sky High Valley Ranch. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: For three days we leave behind the last remnants of civilization and head out for an unforgettable adventure. Your team of Huskies pulls you and your loaded sled to remote Coal Lake. Driving across unnamed lakes we reach our old trappers Cabin, which we still use. Everything we need will be packed with us on the sled. We go out to cut some firewood, cook together on the woodstove and share stories. If the group decides, we might even take a few of our new four legged friends in the cabin we have a great chance to see Moose or Caribou. Overnight in Trappers cabin / Walltent. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: Our breakfast will be cooking on the wood stove and together with your guide you help to take care of the dogs. While they get a mix of commercial dry food and chicken meat, you will enjoy fresh bacon and eggs or a nice omelet. Today’s trip will lead you even deeper in the Coastal Mountains towards Rose Lake past Ibex Mountain. Peaks of 6000 feet will rise to the South. Overnight back in Trappers cabin / Walltent. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 14: Another fine day of mushing will bring your 2 week adventure to an end. You hook up your team of dogs and we head back to the Fish Lake Base Camp. Transfer to Whitehorse and Overnight in Hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 15: Transfer 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
- Accommodations in Whitehorse (2 nights in double rooms)
- Accommodation in cabins (8 nights in double rooms) or heated tent outpost camps (4 nights, group accomodations)
- All meals including non-alcoholic beverages, except dinner day 7, - Use of personal sled and 3 to 6 Huskies
- Yukon Quest (or Iditarod Presentation) one night from accomplished musher (not during race season)
- Musher Certificate after Tour
- Winter Boots included, all other equipment see below
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 day 7,14 breakfast day 8,15)
- All expenses of personal nature.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Yukon
Dogsledding
Ecotourism
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