Dog Sledding
Yukon Territory, Canada

Dog Sledding : Yukon, Canada

Many of the Yukon Territory recreation trails, wagon roads and backcountry gravel roads become dog sled routes after the snow has fallen in the winter months. These same routes lead into mountain valleys and alpine passes. Some are designated dog sledding recreation areas.

Many of the world's best mushers live and train in the Yukon Territory. Throughout the Yukon are dog sledding touring companies with kennels full of dogs eager to go on a dog sled adventure.

The dog sled guides provide day tours and multi day tours including accommodations and meals. Accommodations vary from cottages, lodges to winter camping. Dog sledding season usually runs from November to April.

Each Yukon community listed on this adventure website provides the descriptions and photos for some of the local dog sledding destinations. The contact information for participating dog sled tour companies are listed under each community.

There are areas in the Yukon Territory which are used as dog sledding training grounds in preparation for the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest. Two very famous and challenging dog sledding races held every year in the north. The Yukon Quest, is the more local dog sledding race starting in Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.A. and traveling to Dawson City and finishing in Whitehorse.

Dog Sledding is permitted in some areas of the Kluane National Park & Reserve. Mushers must register at the Canada Parks Office in Haines Junction prior to departure. Other Haines Junction areas to dog sled include the Takhini River and in Ibex Valley.

The Southern Lakes region of the Yukon Territory is another popular dog sled region of the Yukon. Lorne Mountain, north of the community of Carcross, is well known as a training ground for dog sledders who compete in the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod.

Whitehorse is central to many dog sledding destinations and tour operators. Some of the more popular dog sledding routes include the Takhini Express, Dawson Trail and the Yukon Quest Trail.

Further north , near Dawson City, the Overland Trail and the Top of the World Highway are dog sledding routes during the winter months.