Dog sledding in the Yukon is an exhilarating experience that allows visitors to explore the stunning wilderness of the Canadian North. We visited the summer location of Tagish Lake Kennel on a Skagway to Emerald Lake road trip.
We stopped at Tutshi Sled Dog Tours, operated by Tagish Lake Kennel. Tutshi is located at kilometer 78.5 on the South Klondike Highway.
When seeking a fun adventure that combines breathtaking scenery with the thrill of working with a team of powerful dogs, then Tagish Lake Kennel is the perfect destination.
Tagish Lake Kennel, where dog sledding is provided in the winter, is about an hour south of Whitehorse. This family-run kennel has 60 dogs and offers a range of dog sledding tours catering to beginners and experienced mushers.
At Tagish Lake Kennel (winter) and Tutshi Sled Dog Tours (summer), you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the culture and history of dog sledding from knowledgeable guides who are passionate about their craft.
You’ll also get to meet the dogs, each trained to run in the Yukon Quest, Iditarod, and other long-distance races. They are friendly, well-trained, and eager to hit the trails.
However, it was 82F when we visited, and the dogs were relaxing and sleeping in the shade. They offer various packages depending on the season, according to how much you can spend and what you’re looking for.
History Of Dog Sledding In The Yukon
Dog sledding has been integral to the Yukon’s history and culture for centuries. Michelle Phillips and Ed Hopkins, owners of Tagish, are champion dogsledders passionate about their animals.
Dog sledding became an essential mode of transportation, providing a reliable means of travel during the long, cold winters. The indigenous people of the Yukon, including the Tlingit, Tagish, and Tutchone, were the first to use dog sleds for transportation.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is a yearly long-distance competition, taking place from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska, during the early part of March.
Established in 1973 by Joe Redington Sr. and the Redington family, the race aimed to preserve the sled dog culture and Alaskan huskies.
Michelle Phillips has competed in the Iditarod multiple times. We saw her many trophies won over the years and watched a video on sled dog racing.
The Iditarod race, covering roughly 1,000 miles of challenging terrain, commemorates the historic 1925 serum run to Nome. Back then, dog sled teams delivered diphtheria antitoxin to combat an outbreak.
Another endurance race is the Yukon Quest, a 1,000-mile sled dog race held annually in February. It spans the rugged terrain between Fairbanks, Alaska, and Whitehorse, Yukon.
Michelle and Ed have competed in the Yukon Quest, and all fees paid for mushing or dog sledding tours go towards supporting their team.
Tutshi Sled Dogs Overview
Winter and summer offer different tour packages. The best part about our visit was that we didn’t need a reservation.
Our package included time with the 17-week-old puppies, a video presentation, exploring a hut with dog racing trophies, bibs, and memorabilia, and an informational talk.
We learned a lot about the equipment needed to compete in a dog sled race. We were surprised to learn that some competitors run the race at night because colder temperatures improve the dogs’ performance.
Another interesting fact was a rule we learned of the Iditarod. Mushers must gut any large game animal, like moose, caribou, or buffalo, killed to protect life or property to salvage and use the meat, as specified by regulations.
Once we moved on to dog mushing, the excited dogs barked continuously, knowing they were about to be harnessed. The cacophony of sounds is part of the experience, but once they start running, there is silence.
In our summer mushing tour at Tutshi, our team of eleven dogs pulled a study UTV in neutral gear since there was no snow in the summer.
With Michelle as a musher and Karen and I in the utility terrain vehicle, we enjoyed the ride and took some fantastic pictures.
Riders can sit in the vehicle or stand on the back. Since we wanted to take photos, we chose to sit next to Michelle. It was a good opportunity to ask questions and learn about the dogs running positions in the team.
The dogs pull the vehicle for about 1.3 miles. It’s a short distance, as dogs don’t tolerate the heat in summer. But the ride was long enough to experience the thrill, which contrasts significantly with an encounter on snow or ice.
At one point during the tour, the dogs pulled us to the shore of a small lake. They barked again as they waited for their turn to cool off in the water. Such fun!
How To Get There
If you plan to visit Tagish Lake Kennel or Tutshi Sled Dog Tours to experience dog sledding in the Yukon, here’s how to get there.
By Car In The Summer
If you are visiting Alaska via cruise ship and looking for a way to enjoy a day in Skagway, consider renting a car. The road trip into the Yukon is picturesque, and a car rental is affordable for families.
We rented a fun Ford Mustang electric car through Klondike Cars in downtown Skagway, within walking distance from our cruise ship. The 45 mile journey from Skagway takes one hour and crosses an international border, so a passport is required.
If coming from Whitehorse, take the South Klondike Highway (Highway 2) south towards Carcross. The 64 mile trip takes approximately 70 minutes.
By Bus
Without a car, the Carcross/Tagish Express bus provides transportation from Whitehorse. The bus departs from the Greyhound station and runs twice daily, seven days a week. The journey takes approximately seventy-five minutes and stops at the kennel.
No matter how you choose to get there, the stunning scenery of the Yukon will make the journey an unforgettable experience.
Dog Sledding In Winter Vs. Summer
How To Dress
If taking a winter excursion, they provide all the necessary equipment, including sleds, harnesses, and booties for the dogs. However, you must bring warm clothing and boots to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
The following items are essential:
- Warm, waterproof boots
- Warm, waterproof jacket and pants
- Gloves or mittens
- Hat or headband
- Sunglasses or goggles
- Sunscreen
However, there are no prerequisites of what to wear during a summer dog sled tour.
Tour Options
Tagish Lake Kennel offers a range of dog sledding tours in summer and winter.
In the off season, the short expeditions, which usually last one hour, give a glimpse into mushing a team of dogs through the stunning Yukon wilderness. This option is the most affordable, at under CAD 125.
We have done dog sledding in deep snow several times and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure.
For those who want to experience the full thrill of dog sledding, multi-day adventures are the way to go. They range from 2 to 7 days and travel to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Guests on a multi-day adventure camp out under the stars.
Tagish Lake Kennel provides tailored options for those with a specific itinerary or seeking a customized tour. Tours can be adjusted to match individual interests, whether the focus is photography, wildlife viewing, or a personalized experience.
The summer cart tours are inexpensive, at under CAD 70. They include dog mushing, puppy time, a video, and a gear demonstration.
The Sled Dogs of Tagish Lake Kennel
Breed Information
The sled dogs, predominantly Alaskan Huskies, stand out for their unique blend of endurance, speed, and strong work ethic. This distinct mix of traits, inherited from various breeds such as Siberian Huskies, Greyhounds, and German Shorthaired Pointers, makes them ideal for sled dog racing.
They are bred specifically for sled dog racing and have a lean, muscular build that makes them ideal for long-distance runs in the harsh Yukon terrain. We found them smaller than expected, but they are true canine athletes.
Training And Care
Michelle Phillips and Ed Hopkins have 50 years of experience raising sled dogs together. They are passionate about the care they provide and have won numerous awards.
The sled dogs at Tagish Lake Kennel are trained rigorously from a young age to guarantee that they are in optimal physical shape and able to perform at their best. They are fed a high-protein diet and receive regular veterinary care to keep them healthy.
The dogs are also given ample rest between runs to prevent overexertion and injury. Each dog has its own shelter, and the kennel has a heating system to keep the dogs warm during the cold Yukon winters.
In the summer at Tutshi, some young pups slept under the sun. We got to pet them, and they were very relaxed with strange humans like us!
We could tell these dogs were loved. While we noticed some had injuries, one missing a leg and one without a foot, they get to live out their days with the pack, even though their dog sledding days are over.
Booking And Reservation Process
To book a winter dog sledding tour with Tagish Lake Kennel, visit their website and select the tour package. Once you have chosen your preferred tour, you will be prompted to pick a time and date.
Alternatively, you can contact them directly via email or phone for winter sled dog tours. If you are new to sled dogging, consider calling or emailing so you can ask any questions you have.
No reservation or booking is needed if you plan on mushing at Tutshi Sled Dogs in the summer. We just arrived in our rental car, paid for our tour, and were immediately able to visit with the dogs.
Overall, Tagish Lake Kennel’s booking and reservation process is straightforward and user-friendly. We found the team knowledgeable, responsive, and passionate about their dogs!
Final Thoughts
Karen had been glacier dog sledding in Juneau in the summer years ago, and we had both been to Banff, Alberta, to try winter dog sledding. However, we had never tried dog mushing until visiting Tutshi Sled Dogs in the Yukon.
After arriving in Skagway during our Alaskan cruise, it was the perfect “detour” with our rental car. While I have no desire at my age to undertake a race such as the Iditarod, I still marvel at Alaskan Huskies and their love for racing.
We met champion Michelle Phillips in person; her love of the sport and her dogs was evident! Even for a family of four, the cost of dog mushing is modest because it’s in Canadian dollars!
I hope this article helps you decide if dog sledding or dog mushing is something for you? I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as we did.
