To adopt a nomadic lifestyle in the heart of winter: learning to move forward each day in the cold, choose the right routes, set up solid camps in the snow, and organize your space to stay warm, protected, and efficient, even in the most demanding conditions.
Exclusive dog-sled expedition
Slide through the wild landscapes by dog sled for a timeless experience.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXPEDITION
5 to 10 days / DECEMBER TO APRIL
Have you ever dreamed of experiencing the vastness of the Yukon behind your own team of sled dogs?
Travelling through frozen lands and sleeping beneath the northern lights?
Together, we will cross frozen lakes, alpine valleys, and endless tundra. We will sleep under the stars, build our camps, and live simply, moving at the dogs’ pace and in harmony with the winter landscape.
This journey is as much a learning experience as it is an exploration.
Along the way, you will develop real northern skills: learning how to mush across different types of terrain, read the land and how to care for and work with your dog team as true partners.
You will learn :
Learning to slow down and let the North guide you: finding your own rhythm, understanding your limits, feeling your instinct return, and embracing the serenity that grows out of simplicity. Far from modern noise and pace, letting go becomes natural, almost instinctive.
To drive your own dog team and learn to work with your dogs, step by step, across a wide variety of terrain. You will discover what it truly means to be a musher: reading the land, guiding your team, managing the pace, and moving forward together through the wild Yukon.
You will live 24/7 with your dogs, caring for them every day and building a deep, trusting bond that goes far beyond the trail.
To understand how nature transforms under the cold: analyzing ice, recognizing weak areas, safely crossing frozen rivers, and identifying signs that indicate danger. You will learn to read the land so you can move with confidence in an environment entirely covered in snow and ice.
To take care of your dogs throughout the expedition: feeding them, harnessing them properly, checking their condition, understanding their reactions, and learning to work as a team with them. A true bond forms when everyone moves at the same pace and trusts one another, day after day.
A glimpse of the adventure
Prices & offers
For 1 to 2 participants
Short & immersive adventures
FULL DAY DOG SLEDDING
395 $CA
+GST
- A full day of dog sledding in the heart of the Yukon's frozen landscapes.
- Learn the basics of mushing with your own dog team.
- Understand the dogs’ daily routine and work.
- Travel through snowy forests, frozen lakes, and alpine plateaus.
- A break around a fire to enjoy a hot drink and the silence.
OVERNIGHT DOG SLEDDING
850 $CA
+GST
- Learn the basics of mushing with your own team of huskies.
- 2 days of travel accros endless tundra and frozen lakes.
- Winter camping in a wood heated tent with the chance to witness northern lights dancing over our camp.
- Caring for your dog team: harnessing, feeding, daily routine.
- Winter camp life: dog care, setting up camp, chopping wood, get a true sense of the nomadic winter lifestyle.
Long-duration expeditions
5 DAYS
4500 $CA
+GST
- 5 days of dog sledding into remote northern wilderness.
- Travel on dog sled and move camp everyday.
- 1 night in a cozy off grid log cabin.
- 3 nights camping in a wood heated tent surrounded by mountains and boreal forest.
- Learn how to mush with your own team of sled dogs and how to care for your dog team.
- Learn how to build a winter camp and the daily routine of winter travel with dogs.
- Journey through wild landscapes far from civilization and encounter remarkable wildlife.
10 DAYS
7800 $CA
+GST
- 10 Days of dog sledding into remote northern wilderness.
- Travel on dog sled and move camp everyday.
- 3 nights in cozy off grid log cabin.
- 6 nights camping in a wood heated tent surround by mountains and endless tundra.
- Learn how to mush with your own team of sled dogs and how to care for your dog team.
- Learn how to build a winter camp and the daily routine of winter travel with dogs.
- Learn how to read the land and travel safely in winter in remote wilderness.
- Journey through wild landscapes far from civilization and encounter remarkable wildlife.
Wild encounters of the Yukon
What you might encounter during your adventure
( Tap to discover )
Prepare your expedition pack
Clothing
Personal equipment
Optional
Clothing
Good technical base layers (2 long-sleeve tops and 2 bottoms — avoid cotton, merino wool is ideal)
Fleece pants for camp
Fleece/wool layers ×2
Neck warmer ×2
Warm hat: beanie or fur hat
Warm socks ×3 pairs (merino wool is perfect)
Thin wool/fleece gloves ×2 pairs
Ski goggles and/or sunglasses
Warm slippers for camp
Personal equipment
Lighters / matches
Sleeping bag liner to keep the sleeping bag clean
Headlamp with spare batteries
Sunscreen and lip balm
Thermos (for tea or coffee)
Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products if needed
Personal medication if necessary
Pocket knife
Hand and foot warmers (2 per day, can be purchased in Whitehorse on the morning of Day 1)
Optional
A good book
Small power bank to charge your devices during the expedition
Compact camera with an extra battery
What awaits you on site
Be one with your team
You wills learn how to guide and care for your own dog team, read the terrain and work in harmony with the dogs.
A truly unique sensation, gliding in silence across wild, untouched lands.
Fully immersed in nature and moving as one with your dogs.
Cross vast landscapes
Venture into vast frozen lands. We will travel across high alpine plateaus, frozen lakes, tundra valleys and endless boreal forest.
Spectacular, open, wild landscapes home to incredible wildlife, that carry you back in time.
Venture into wild territory
You will reach remote areas few have seen, where nature remains pristine and untamed.
Our dogs, our travel companions
Our dogs are fully part of the family. Each of them grew up surrounded by love and attention.
Their happiness comes first and our entire life evolves around them. We make sure they are happy and healthy at all times.
They have their own funny personality but they all have one thing in common: they LOVE to run. That’s what makes every adventure so unique.
Driving a sled is not just learning to steer, it’s learning to listen.
Over the days, you will develop a true relationship of trust with your dogs. You will learn to understand them, encourage them, guide them, and take care of them.
This strong, genuine, and mutual bond is the heart of every successful expedition.
Our dogs train all year long to be ready to face winter and its long distances.
Training intensifies in the fall, on forest trails, before the snow settles.
Each session strengthens their endurance, coordination, and bond with the musher.
This balance between effort, play, and learning ensures their physical condition and their enthusiasm when departure day comes.
When the cold arrives, they are ready for the long miles. They are eager to run and always excited for a new adventure
Between runs, playtime, belly rubs, and naps, they’re living the good life.
Our dog yard is chain-free. The pack lives in spacious pens where they can run, wrestle and play together all day long.
Each one has their own little dog house, lined with cozy straw bedding, warm, dry, and perfectly comfy.
And at Rugged North, we have a golden rule: every dog gets a turn to sleep inside. We rotate nights so everyone gets their couch time and their fair share of fireplace cuddles.
One pack, one family
DETAILS
INCLUDED
- Camping equipment (sleeping bag, mattress, canvas tent)
- Extreme-cold clothing layers (parka, pants, mittens, neck warmer, boots)
- Meals at the ranch and during the expedition
NOT INCLUDED
- Base layers
- First night at the hotel upon arrival in Whitehorse (Day 0)
- Personal gear (see list)
- Alcoholic beverages : we provide transportation to local liquor stores
- Travel insurance, cancellation, and assistance
- Guide gratuity
- Round trip shuttle to whitehorse can be arranged for extra fee
- Everything not listed below included
YOUR QUESTIONS
No, no prior experience is required.
The first steps are gentle: the first day is dedicated to getting familiar with the sled, meeting the dogs, and learning the basics of mushing. We train on trails near the base camp before heading out on the expedition.
You learn to get to know your team of huskies, read their reactions, find your balance… then, when everyone is ready, we glide together into the wild North.
In the morning, we start by greeting and feeding those who work the hardest: the dogs.
Then comes breakfast for the humans, followed by taking down the camp, loading the sleds, and harnessing the teams.
We then begin the day’s journey, usually between 20 and 40 km depending on the weather, snow conditions, and route. The day is punctuated by several breaks: a fire, something warm to snack on, time to observe the landscape, read the tracks in the snow, and sometimes spot wildlife.
By late afternoon, we reach the next camp before nightfall. We set up camp, take care of the dogs, prepare dinner… and then everyone slips into their sleeping bag, under the northern sky sometimes lit by the aurora borealis.
No need to buy a full set of expedition gear before coming.
We can provide:
– Extreme-cold boots
– Extreme-cold parka
– Mittens suitable for polar temperatures
– Extreme weather snow pants
On your side, plan to bring:
– Thermal layers (merino wool base layers, fleeces, wool leggings, etc.)
A detailed gear list will be sent to you upon booking so you can arrive fully prepared to enjoy the adventure.
Dog sledding is a physically engaging activity: good overall fitness is recommended.
At times, you will need to help the dogs—pushing the sled, walking or jogging uphill, moving through deep snow… You’ll spend several hours outside, moving, in the cold.
You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should enjoy physical effort, the outdoors, and the spirit of adventure. The pace is always adjusted to the group so the challenge remains enjoyable rather than overwhelming.
No.
Our huskies live as a pack, with a well-established hierarchy and specific social codes. Introducing an unfamiliar dog could create stress, tension, or fights, and compromise the safety and smooth running of the expedition.
Out of respect for the pack’s balance and for everyone’s safety, we do not allow personal dogs on these trips.
We focus on simple, warm, and nourishing meals designed for physical effort and cold weather.
Some dishes are prepared in advance at the base camp to save time, while others are cooked directly over the fire at the campsite. You’ll enjoy hot, varied, and balanced meals to keep your energy up throughout the day.
Please let us know at the time of booking about any allergies or dietary requirements (vegetarian, etc.) so we can adapt the menus.
This allows for personalized guidance, real learning time with the dogs, and deep immersion in northern life. This is not mass tourism, but a human-scale adventure where each person truly becomes part of the team.
Information and bookings
Our dog sledding expeditions are open to everyone, whether you are a beginner or already familiar with northern travel.
Departures are organized throughout the winter season, depending on snow conditions and weather.
To find out upcoming dates, updated prices, or to get advice on choosing your package, contact us directly.
Our team will help you prepare your stay, choose the right equipment, and answer all your questions before departure.