Home · Expeditions · Dog sledding

Yukon · Carcross · December to April

Dog sleddingin the Yukon

Driving your own team across frozen lakes and boreal forest trails. The silence, the breath of the dogs, and nothing else.

Season
December to April
Duration
Half-day to multi-day
Group
Small groups
Level
Beginners welcome

The experience

Some fifty dogs, one pack.

In Carcross, between frozen lakes and mountains, some fifty dogs wait for the start. You learn to harness, to brake and to talk to your dogs, then you take the handlebar of your own sled, usually pulled by four to six dogs.

Our expert expedition guides know every trail and every dog by name. The pace adapts to you, never the other way round.

The breath of the dogs, the hiss of the runners, the silence of the boreal forest: from these hours on the trail, you bring back a memory for a lifetime.

Dog teams setting off across the frozen lake in the morning mist, near Carcross

Our formats

Three ways to go.

Half-day or full day

The outing

Introduction, then driving your team on the trails and frozen lakes around Carcross. On full days, lunch by the fire.

Multi-day

The expedition

Several days of sledding through the boreal forest, nights in stove-heated tents, northern lights when the sky allows.

Tailor-made

Sledding and helicopter

Combine sledding with a snowmobile outing, or a helicopter flight over the glaciers and peaks from Whitehorse.

Prices

From 310 €.

Tours · half-day or full day

  • Half-day310 €per person · €190 per child under 12
  • Full day410 €per person · €290 per child under 12
Included
All taxes, safety briefing, experienced bilingual guide, hot drink.
Not included
Cold-weather clothing and gear. We advise you on what to choose.
Cancellation
Full refund up to 72 hours before the tour.
No refund within 72 hours.

Multi-day expeditions

  • 2 days · 1 night1 000 €per person
  • 3 days · 2 nights1 620 €per person
  • 5 days · 4 nights2 600 €per person
Included
All taxes, safety briefing, experienced bilingual guide trained in wilderness first aid, meals and non-alcoholic drinks, heated-tent camping gear.
Not included
Cold-weather clothing and gear. We advise you on what to choose.
Cancellation
Non-refundable 25% deposit on booking.
2- and 3-day trips: no refund within 30 days of departure.
Trips of 5 days or more: no refund within 45 days.

Good to know

Before you go.

  • TemperaturesIn winter, usually between −5 °C and −30 °C. Very variable: from mild, sunny days to sharper cold. We advise you on gear suited to all conditions.
  • AccessFly to Whitehorse, then about a 30-minute drive to Carcross. Transfer arranged on request.
  • FitnessGood general fitness. No sledding experience needed.
  • AgeFrom age 5, accompanied. You drive your own team.
  • GuidesBilingual French and English guides.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions.

Do I need to know how to drive a sled?

No. You learn on site with our guides, at your own pace, before taking the handlebar of your team.

Is it really very cold?

Not always. The Yukon winter is very variable: some days are mild and sunny, around −5 °C, others can drop below −30 °C. It can't be predicted far in advance, which is why we help you prepare gear suited to all conditions.

Can I come with my family?

Yes. We adapt the duration and the routes to everyone's age and energy.

Where is Carcross?

In the Yukon, the territory of Canada's far northwest, at the gates of Alaska. Carcross lies about 30 minutes from Whitehorse, between Bennett Lake and Nares Lake, at the foot of Montana Mountain. Its sand dunes, nicknamed "the smallest desert in the world", contrast with the turquoise waters and snowy peaks. The history of the Gold Rush lives on in the period train station and the White Pass railway line, and the culture of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation remains vibrant. The village has 431 inhabitants and sits at 659 m (60°09′58″ N · 134°42′13″ W).

How should I dress for a sledding outing?

The three-layer principle: a base layer in merino wool or synthetic (never cotton), an insulating layer in fleece or down, then a windproof parka. Mittens rather than gloves, and cold-weather boots one size up. Cold-weather clothing is not included: we advise you on what to choose.

What should I pack for the day?

A thermos with a hot drink, snacks that don't freeze, a spare pair of socks, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm. Keep your phone and batteries in an inside pocket, where it's warm.

Do I need to be athletic?

Good general fitness is enough. A few weeks of walking or cycling before you leave help you enjoy the long days outdoors.

Do I need specific insurance?

Yes. Check that it covers the planned activity, medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as cancellation or delays due to weather. Keep the assistance number on paper and on your phone.

Other expeditions

Let's talk about your Far North.

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Terre Nord designs tailor-made expeditions in the Yukon and Manitoba (Canada) with local partner providers who operate the activities on site: expedition guides, dog sledding, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing and helicopter flights.

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