Canada, Destinations, North America, Wildlife Adventures, Yukon

Don’t Miss Dog Sledding in Whitehorse Yukon

Posted on January 16, 2018July 25, 2020 by Susan Portnoy

Dog sledding in Canada -- An Alaskan husky sled dog for dog sledding in Whitehorse

It was mid-morning when we arrived at Sky High Mountain Ranch for our dog-sledding adventure in Whitehorse Yukon about 20 minutes from downtown.

A sea of magnificent pines bordered a large lake shining silver in the sunlight. Everything glistened topped with four inches of freshly fallen snow as if straight out of a fairytale. We were going dog sledding, my first time, and I was beside myself with anticipation.

Musher’s Camp — Where the Sled Dogs Live

We could hear the sled dogs long before we entered the musher’s camp. A cacophony of enthusiastic barks echoed through the trees. That manic canine reaction one hears when a dog’s favorite human returns home after a long trip times 50.

We walked to the mouth of the 8km trail we would navigate during our hour excursion. Our chariots were lined up single file next to dozens of tiny dog houses. Huskies were everywhere, chained to their homes, running in circles, some jumping in the air. Others stood on the roofs of their houses with their tongues and tails wagging, hoping they’d be picked for the ride, though only 16 would end up mushing with us.

A cabin in Sky High Ranch's winter wonderland for dog sledding in the Yukon

We were a group of three guests and each of us would drive our own sled—an exciting prospect considering many companies only offer passenger rides. My Alaskan husky crew –– Bully, Jewel, Thunder, & Sneezy––were so adorable I wanted to plop them in my pocket and take them home with me.

Figuring I’d be better off following a pro, I chose the sled behind our guide, Jonathan, a hipster-looking ginger with a big smile and an “I’m a sporty, nature guy” aura.

After the customary introductions and pleasantries, we went over the basic rules for dog sledding in Whitehorse.

Other stories from the Yukon you might enjoy….

Dawson City: Why this Remote Yukon Town is Worth a Visit

Exploring the Yukon’s Mighty Kaskawulsh Glacier

Exploring the Yukon’s Mysterious Sternwheeler Graveyard

Chasing the Northern Lights from Above and Below

Rule 1: Once the dogs are harnessed, never let go of the sled.

Why? Because dogs love to go; they want to go. And they will happily go without you if you’re not careful. A reality Jonathan humbly illustrated when just before we were about to set off his energetic mutts yanked on his sled pulling it out from under and they were off, leaving him face down (and red-faced) in the snow.

Moments later with orders to “Stay there!” I watched Jonathan run after his pups around a bend and out of sight. Twenty minutes later, after a fellow staffer on a snowmobile helped to reunite Jonathan with his team, we were on our way as if nothing had happened.

A sled dog in White Horse, Yukon on top of his dog house

Rule 2: Use your break. Keep a reasonable distance between your lead sled dogs and the sled in front of you.

When traveling as a group there has to be some semblance of order. If you’re not careful, the dogs will get too close to the driver in front of you, and that’s not a good thing. Hence the brake, a metal bar at the back of the sled the driver steps on to create drag. The more you push down the more difficult it is for the dogs to move forward. If you want the sled to stop, you have to put all of your weight (and I do mean all) on the break and the dogs will stop, albeit begrudgingly. If you ease up, the dogs will lunge forward. Expect a constant game of tug of war when you try to harness their mobility. And boy are they strong!

Rule 3: No picture-taking. Focus on the ride, the dogs and the sled. No distractions.

I was hoping to take video and/or pictures during my ride but once on the sled, I realized it would be impossible. I can’t work my DSLR with one hand so that was out of the question and my phone died within 5 minutes due to the cold. (So disappointing.) In any case, I needed both hands to drive.

Dogs running in Canada as if in the greatest dog sled race in the world.

Rule 4: Stand with your knees slightly bent.

When I first thought about dog mushing, I had it in my head I would be gliding over even snow the whole time, not considering the ground underneath and how that would affect the ride. Once the sled is moving, you have to be ready for anything, uneven terrain, tight turns, uphill climbs, downhill momentum. There’s a lot of jiggling and movement, and it’s easier to navigate the bumps by absorbing the shock with your knees bent.

Rule 5: Use sign language.

The wind coupled with the distance between dog sleds makes talking, even yelling, impossible, sign language is the only way to communicate. When the leader puts one hand on top of his head he’s asking if you’re ok. If you’re alright, you respond in kind. If you’re not OK, you wave and he’ll stop.

Winter wonderland at Sky High Ranch in Whitehorse, Yukon

And We’re Off

With Jonathon reunited with his team, we were off and what I jolt that was! The dogs were NOT playing, they really wanted to go. The second I took my foot off the brake they shot forward as if we were competing in the Iditarod. Almost immediately, I had to brake again so the dogs wouldn’t run Jonathan over. It was a little disconcerting but once I found my rhythm, and the right amount of brake pressure, I could take my mind off the mechanics.

What I didn’t expect, was just how physical driving would be. Sure, the Huskies have the lion’s share of the work but even the ranch will tell you that dog sledding is comparable to cross-country skiing. You need to be in relatively good physical shape.

musher dog sledding across a lake in Whitehorse, Yukon

The physicality came from a number of things. From being a counter-balance to the sled around tight corners and ducking under tree limbs to helping with the hills by pushing with my foot. Plus the simple muscle coordination needed to react to the bumps and jostling of the sled took a lot of energy.

Balancing properly was also a part of the equation. My right foot was on a runner half its width and my left foot was riding the break with varying degrees of pressure depending on the trail and how fast the dogs were running. If we were on a straightaway and Jonathan was far enough in front of me, I would straddle both runners and let the dogs move forward. But being in a convoy meant most of the time I needed to keep my team in check and that meant one foot was typically on the brake.

Mushing is not a passive experience and I found playing an integral role in the ride much more exhilarating than I anticipated.

Some of the beautiful terrain on Sky High Ranch's property in Whitehorse for dog sledding

The Best Part

The best part about dog mushing—aside from the obvious novelty and the fact that you get to hang out with four adorable Alaskan Huskies—is the unique take on the scenery the ride affords you. Something about gliding at a clip through a snow-capped fantasy land, wind in your face, the sounds of the dogs breaking through frost, I found utterly sublime. In the future, however, I’d want more time, a half-day or a full day at least.

How you can go dog sledding at Sky High Wilderness Ranch in Yukon

Sky High Wilderness Ranch offers a variety of dog-mushing options to choose from depending on your time and interest, from hourly and half-day excursions to multi-day trips. No experience necessary. Note: Children under 12 are prohibited from driving their own sled.

Hourly:

$97 CAD per hour, per sled

Each driver gets their own team of 3 – 4 dogs

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, snacks

Half-Day Tours:

$190 for a half-day per sled

Each driver gets their own team of 3-5 dogs

Intro lesson on how to hook up a team and basic commands