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6 Best Dog Sledding Yukon Tours (2024)
If you haven’t placed it there yet, dog sledding in Yukon should be at the top of your list of winter activities to do in Canada!
In addition to snowshoeing, skiing, and ice fishing, this is a fan favorite for when the temperatures drop, but you still want to spend time outside.
Yukon, which is a territory in Canada, is such a great place to go dog sledding because they know a thing or two about it – they hold an international dog sledding race every year called The Yukon Quest! It starts in Whitehorse, the capital city of Yukon, and ends 1,000 miles away in Fairbanks, Alaska!
This race is sure to inspire you to try this fun activity. Another bonus of traveling to Yukon for a dog sledding tour in the winter is the ability to see The Northern Lights, which I highly recommend.
While it’s bitter cold because of the lack of sunlight this time of year, seeing this beauty in the sky will make it all worth putting on all those layers! It’s a true bucket list adventure.
Now that you know you want to go for a dog sled tour in Yukon, I’ll give you the rundown on which ones are best!
🛷 I love this tour to meet pups and dogsled in the Yukon!
Top 3 Picks: Best Dog Sledding Yukon Tours
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Active Winter Adventure in Yukon
✔️ 1 day of dog sledding
✔️ Northern lights viewing
Skagway Shore Excursion: Full-Day Tour of the Yukon
✔️ 7 hours
✔️ Bus transfers included
Yukon Dog Sledding and Sightseeing Tour
✔️6 hours
✔️ Play with puppies
6 Best Dog Sledding Tours in the Yukon
1. Active Winter Adventure in Yukon
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 days | 🛷 Check Availability
Price Per Person: From $1,400+
This tour is far more than just dog sledding! In this five-day package, you also receive the chance to go on a sightseeing flight to view the snowy landscape from above, go snowmobiling, and swim in a natural hot spring.
You’ll be whisked off with an intimate group from your hotel or the airport to accommodations that are included in your package for four nights, including continental-style breakfast, and your welcome and city tour.
“Amazing Tour. Lots of activities and a fantastic place to do those activities. “
Wesley (read more reviews)
In addition, this package also includes aurora, or northern lights, viewing tours twice during the duration of your stay.
Your mushing experience happens on day 3, right in the middle of the trip, so you’ll be used to the winter weather and ready to experience the trails to the fullest with your dog team.
I highly recommend this tour if you are looking for Whitehorse dog sledding- where you’ll be picked up and dropped off- with all the activities included, it’ll make for an incredible winter adventure!
🛷 I love this 5 day dog sledding tour in the Yukon
2. Skagway Shore Excursion: Full-Day Tour of the Yukon
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 days | 🛷 Check Availability
Price Per Person: Varies
This tour is by bus! You can take it from the pick-up point or as an excursion from your cruise ship while docked in Skagway Port.
To ensure that dog sledding is a part of it, you’ll need to book at the right time of year – if it’s too hot, the dogs won’t go out. So keep an eye on the weather and book in the winter months to give yourself the best chance at this being a part of your experience!
“The full day tour consisted of many stops and fun facts. We even stopped at a local artesian, very authentic. I would recommend this tour if you are in Skagway.”
Rita (read more reviews)
This is a full-day tour where you’ll get to travel along the Klondike Highway by minibus through Canada’s westernmost territory. A professional guide will tell you all about the wildlife you are almost bound to see. You’ll also get lunch and a chance to see both the Welcome to Alaska and the Yukon Larger Than Life signs.
Various lakes, beaches, and trading posts are also a part of this tour. The Caribou Crossing Trading Post is where you will get to visit the dog sled camp and mush if weather permits!
🛷 Check dates for this full day dog sledding tour of Whitehorse here
3. Skagway Shore Excursion: Yukon Dog Sledding and Sightseeing Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours | 🛷 Check Availability
Price Per Person: Varies
As you continue looking for tours to go dog sledding in Yukon, you’ll want to look into this sightseeing tour for sure. Similar to the previous tour, you can take this tour as an excursion from a cruise while docked in the port.
You’ll see landmarks and beautiful landscapes as you explore, but most importantly, a dog sledding session with free time to play with the Iditarod training camp puppies is included in this tour. You’ll also get 15 minutes of mushing time during this dog sledding adventure!
“Such a great excursion! We loved seeing the dogs up close (especially the ten day old puppies) and enjoyed learning about the sport of mushing!”
Karen (read more reviews)
You’ll learn about Alaskan Huskies that race, visit a petting farm, visit a wildlife museum, and get a lunch of your choice during this epic excursion. You don’t want to miss out!
Your professional driver and guide will ensure that you have a wonderful experience. You’ll be with a group of up to 32 people, and having a shared experience with a large group always makes for a great time.
🛷 Check prices and dates for this tour here
4. Northern Lights & Huskies Dog Sledding Tour in Whitehorse
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 days | 🛷 Check Availability
Price Per Person: $500+
Location – Pick up points at various points in Whitehorse
A cozy lodge with sleddogs on site, stargazing, and a chance to see the northern lights? Can you think of anything more spectacular? I certainly can’t!
This is an authentic immersion experience in the wilderness of the Yukon territory.
With just four guestrooms available for this 2-day, 3-night excursion, you will surely have an intimate group to share this experience with as it is capped at eight travelers.
“I highly recommend Muktuk Adventures for active people who want to have a unique, memorable experience the Yukon! “
A Tripadvisor Reviewer (read more reviews)
You’ll spend your days in this beautiful place mushing and exercising the dogs, visiting the Yukon wildlife preserve, the Yukon River, or the Takhini hot spring. You’ll spend the nights stargazing or looking at the Northern Lights. Kluane National Park is only a 90-minute drive away on the Alaska Highway, so that is easily explored while on this excursion too.
All of your meals, coffee and tea, and bicycles are all included in this trip, so once you book your ticket, you don’t need to plan much else- this experience has thought of it all!
🛷 Check the prices and dates here!
5. Yukon Aurora Viewing Via Dogsled Tour in Whitehorse
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 days | 🛷 Check Availability
Price Per Person: $550+
If seeing the northern lights in addition to a dog sledding experience is part of your dream as you travel to the Yukon territory, you will want to check out this tour in Whitehorse.
The days are kept free for your choice of winter adventures on this 4-day tour and include dog sledding (the reason you’re reading this post!), snowshoeing, snow mobiling, and ice-fishing.
“Even the cold didnt take from the excitement of seeing the lights! The naked eye could only see tints of colour, but the camera picked up the colours beautifully.”
Maria (read more reviews)
Then in the evenings, you’ll travel with your guide to the Northern Lights Center in the wilderness of Canada’s Yukon Territories. You’ll be able to see the aurora borealis lighting up the night sky!
Sounds like a perfect getaway to me!
🛷 If you’ve always wanted to see the northern lights, then this tour is for you!
6. Mush & Pet the Pups at a Yukon Dog Sled Camp
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | 🛷 Check Availability
Price Per Person: $900+
Location: Skagway’s Port, Municipal Airport, or Westmark Inn as pick-up locations
If you are mainly interested in learning about the sled dogs’ journey, then this is the company you’ll want to book.
Michelle and her husband Ed share their puppy camp with you where they will teach you everything there is to know about mushing and training a team!
You’ll come away with some doggie accessories, her book, and a sponsorship of a sled dog. You’ll truly feel like part of a community after this “pet the pups” visit. You’ll also stop at Emerald Lake, Carcross, and Carcross Dessert for some lunch, shopping, and exploring.
“The sled dog camp was awesome! It wasn’t crowded, we had a thrilling sled dog ride, held puppies and had a short talk given to us by the owner. “
A Tripadvisor Reviewer (read more reviews)
Going on an actual ride on the dog carts are not included in the package price of this tour, so if you want to experience dog sledding fully, make sure to include this add on when you book.
It is wheelchair and stroller-accessible and service animals are allowed.
The ride is only 15 minutes, making it the perfect fit for every type of rider!
🛷 I love this tour to meet pups and dogsled in the Yukon!
Yukon Quest Dog Sledding Competition
Bonus Tour: Behind the Scenes at Yukon Quest
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 days | 🛷 Check Availability
Price Per Person: Varies
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run the Yukon Quest, this tour is a true behind-the-scenes peek at what it takes.
You’ll be fascinated by all of the information the guides share about the training that goes into the event, how the mushers navigate the extreme weather and terrain, and how they care for the dogs during it all.
You’ll even get a chance to taste the snacks the mushers have when they are out on their sleds in sub-zero temperatures.
Hands-on time with the huskies is also part of this package. If you are up for an educational experience, and an avid dog sledding fan, book this tour ASAP!
Dog Sledding in the Yukon Ethics
Many companies that offer dog sledding tours in the Yukon participate in a philosophy known as “ethical mushing.” This essentially boils down to the fact that they treat their animals like family and their well-being remains the number one concern for the mushers.
In these places, the dogs can move freely, sleep the way they want, and there is no breeding involved. As these dogs innately want to pull and run with their packs on trails, they happily oblige when it’s time to be hooked up to the sled or sleigh- no harm done!
Tips for Dog Sledding in the Yukon
First, keep the weather in mind! This is a winter activity in Canada and it’s going to entail braving low temperatures. While it’s totally worth it, you want to be comfortable in order to enjoy your dog sledding Yukon experience! To keep yourself comfortable, there are a few items you should definitely bring along for the ride:
- Wool Thermals
- Fleece Pants
- A great winter jacket or jumper
- Hats, gloves scarves, etc.
- Hand and toe warmers
- Any other layers you can possibly get on!
Remember a lot of these companies have your best interest in mind and also want you to be comfortable, so they’ll have items for rent to brave the coldest of weather.
Secondly, you need to be in decent physical shape to participate in the mushing. Some companies will specify those with back injuries or other medical conditions cannot participate. However, there are others that are both wheelchair and stroller accessible catering to families or those with disabilities. Make sure you book with a company that fits your specific needs.
Lastly, interact with the dogs! This is a part of the experience and they are going to be excited to see you. Enjoy that to the fullest. Get puppy smooches and take lots of selfies!
Wrap Up: Best Dog Sledding Tour in the Yukon
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the tours on this list as you plan your adventure dog sledding in Yukon.
Think about if you are looking to spend a couple of hours during a more relaxed mushing experience in your day or if you’d like a multi-day winter adventure. In addition, think about if you’d like other activities included in your excursion.
Your abilities, level of fitness, and whether or not you are traveling with children may also play a large factor in which tour you book.
Lastly, think about how much time you want to spend with the dogs versus being on the sled. Each company offers something a little different and you’ll want to pick the one you will most enjoy!
If I had to pick just one, I’d go with the Active Winter Adventure in Yukon as it is the most immersive experience and I feel like you get the most bang for your buck.
Again, you truly can’t go wrong, and I know you will enjoy any tour you book from this list. Have a great time on your winter adventure mushing and petting dogs! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
🛷 I love this tour to meet pups and dogsled in the Yukon!
Looking for more Canada winter tours?
Canada Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Canada travel insurance?
100% YES! — Canada has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens! Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I recommend World Nomads – starting at just $5 a day!
💧Can you drink the water in Canada?
Yes — In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. There are very few, rural areas that you can’t. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated.
🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?
Yes — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you’ll need to rent a car. (Read more)
📲 Will my phone work in Canada?
Maybe — Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. If your phone doesn’t work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. We don’t have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so you’ll need your phone for maps.
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Canada accommodations?
My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I use Hostel World. If you want a home-y feeling, check out VRBO (which is cheaper and safer than Airbnb).
Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters!
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?
For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
🎫 Do I need a visa for Canada?
Likely Not — US, UK, and EU passport holders don’t need Canadian visas. However, some other countries do (check here!). And if you plan to stay for more than 4 weeks (an average tourist visa length), you will need to look into visas to live in Canada.
