Following Jack London - Dog-Sledding
Itinerary
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Day 1 Whitehorse - Sky High Valley
Departure at 10h00 from your hotel in Whitehorse for the Sky High Wilderness Lodge which is located 20 km south of the city. Upon arrival, we will outfit you with your expedition clothing and you will then have the opportunity to relax in your cozy cabin. Later on, we’ll show you how to harness the dogs and give you an instruction on how to ride the sled. Depending on the weather and time of the day we hook up the dogs and go for a short first run. You might finally want to take a sauna or just relax on the couch beside the stove, and of course listen to the dogs howling outside. (L, D)
Accommodation : Ranch
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Day 2 Sky High Valley
While the morning sun slowly lifts over the horizon we prepare for our daytrip after breakfast. We feed and water the dogs and harness them up at around 11h00. Today we cover approx 35km in distance driving towards secluded Jackson Lake. Just the slight sound of the working dogs and runners in the snow will be with us 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. In the evening, relax in our sod roof sauna before retiring for the night. (B, L, D)
Accommodation : Ranch
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Day 3 Sky High Valley
Today your team will pull you east of the ranch. As we climb in elevation we are heading onto an old abandoned mining road on McIntyre Mountain. Enjoy the rugged landscapes of the coastal mountains nestling Fish Lake in it’s valley. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you never know what you might see! Upon return at the lodge, you’ll have the opportunity to take care of the dogs then curl up by the fire or sit around the dinner table recounting your adventures with others. (B, L, D)
Accommodation : Ranch
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Day 4 Sky High Valley
This day takes us towards beautiful Bonneville Lakes, west of the ranch. The trails are narrower here with some challenging ups and downs. The scenery is breathtaking and the coastal mountains are always in view to the south and west. Part of the trip we are above tree line and easily cover 20-30 km. In harmony with the running rhythm of your team you will enjoy nature like you have never experienced it before. There is a gravity fed shower and sauna waiting for you in the lodge. (B, L, D)
Accommodation : Ranch
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Day 5 Sky High Valley
Imagine yourself years ago when only dogsled was used for transportation. Head out into the untouched wilderness for 3 days of winter camping at our wall tent camp at Dry Creek. A surge of new life creeps into your soul as you journey farther into the amazing landscape surrounding the Fish Lake Area. The trail on this day follows the shores of Fish Lake, climbs and heads into the coastal mountain range to the south. Enjoy the crisp freshness of this day and don't forget to take photos! Curl up at night by the woodstove for a cozy sleep in our wall tents. (B, L, D)
Accommodation : Tent
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Day 6 Sky High Valley
At dawn enjoy a hearty camp breakfast in our wall tent kitchen. From our camp, weather permitting we will make a run to the top of the mountain above the tree line to Ptarmigan Flats. Keep your eyes open for this beautiful white bird, while sledding on miles of wind blown hill tops. Over night at Wall tent Camp. (B, L, D)
Accommodation : Tent
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Day 7 Sky High Valley
After a last musher’s breakfast, 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. Way to early we return to civilization and most of all, you have to leave your new friends, the dogs, behind. In the late afternoon we drive you to Whitehorse where you spend your last night in a downtown Hotel. Once we arrive in Whitehorse, you will receive your musher diploma. You will then have the opportunity, to spend the evening in an authentic saloon, just like the trappers used to. (B, L)
Accommodation : Hotel
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Day 8 Whitehorse
Some free time to do some last minute shopping then The hotel van brings you to the airport for your return flight.
Dates & prices
Departures for French-speaking groups:
No departure for now
Trip code: HIVER-05
Included
- R/T transfer from the airport with the public hotel shuttle
- R/T transfer from Whitehorse hotel to the lodge
- Services of a musher-guide
- 1 dog-sled per person for 6 days
- "Extreme cold" clothing : snow-suit and gloves
- Expedition grade sleeping bag
- 7 nights accommodation (including 2 or 3 in a heated prospector tent)
- Musher diploma
- 19 meals (see abbreviations)
- Applicable taxes
Not included
- Air travel
- Drinks (excluding coffee and tea with meals included)
- Boots
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guide
Notes
International flights
Insurance
Practical info
Food
Budget & exchange
Tips
Vital equipment
- A pair of warm shoes or a pair of padded boots
- Slippers or light sneakers for the chalet
- Pair of wool socks
- Anorak
- Warm trousers
- Warm sweaters or fleece furs
- Underwear made of fine technical fibres
- Bathing suit
- Gloves, hat, scarf (depending on the season)
Material
- Toilet bag
- Pair of sunglasses
- Sun protection cream (face and lip)
- Pocket knife
- Flashlight or front light with spare batteries
- 1.5 litre minimum flask, light and isothermal.
Helpful equipment
- Waterproof pocket for your passport and/or identity card
- Your driver's license
- Your vaccination record
- Your travel insurance brochure
- Your currencies
- Your credit card and personal papers
- Plastic bags to guarantee the waterproofness of your belongings
- Clothing
- Dirty laundry bag
- Earplugs
- Notepad and pen Book, card game....
- Walking sticks (optional). They are a precious help to save your knees during the descent (up to 30% of your weight + that of your bag are supported by the poles) and support your effort during the ascent (the arms help in addition to the legs)
- Pair of binoculars
- Camera and battery charger
- Adapter for electrical plug
Luggage
Passport
Health information & recommendations
- Aspirin
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Small scissors
- Tricosteril
- Protective cream
- Sun face and lips
- Mosquito repellent cream or lotion
Weather
Electricity
Sustainable tourism
- A fair economical repartition
- The improvement of local teams’ working conditions and their awareness of the protection of the environment
- The information of travelers about respecting the local population and environment and the collection of their feelings at their return.
- Avoid letting waste out, throw it in the trash can or bring it with you
- Use potable water sparingly (take a shower instead of a bath and report any leaks) and avoid wasting it (use biodegradable soap to wash yourself)
- Avoid damaging cultural sites: don’t touch the statues, don’t move the stones and objects
- Exchange instead of giving (too Important gifts can destabilize the local economic stability of the country depending on their living standards)
- When taking a walk, especially in some fragile ecosystems, observe the fauna from afar, do not go beyond beaten roads, limit stamping and do not bring any souvenirs: give up picking rare flowers picking fossils...
- In some hotels, you can have individual air conditioning. It is advised to systematically switching it off when you’re out of the room to avoid energetical overconsumption and greenhouse gas emission.