| Saturday, September 4th, 2010 | Sky High Valley Ranches Ltd. | Whitehorse, YT 8°C   |
| Saturday, September 4th, 2010 | Sky High Valley Ranches Ltd. | Whitehorse, YT 8°C |
| Dates |
|---|
| Jan 12 - Jan 22, 2011 Mar 16 - March 26, 2011 | Rates |
| Can $4,860.00 + GST/Person Additional: Room in Whitehorse Can $109 + GST add. | Participants |
| Max. 6 participants / Musher Guide |
Sky High Wilderness Ranch is excited to offer the adventurous and experienced outdoors enthusiast and musher the trip of a lifetime. After only 3 days at Sky High for preparations and to familiarize clients with dogs, sleds, and equipment, the group sets out for next 7 days of mushing and winter camping.
* Please note that dog sledding is comparable to cross country skiing and does require you to be in relatively good physical shape.
* All our tours are guided for your safety. Before commencing on any trip, we provide basic training on how to operate and ride a dogsled safely. We supply warm high-quality winter outer clothing and boots - if required. All our guides are fully certified, always travel with a SAT phone and a well stocked First Aid Kit on any dog sled tour.
* We do recommend that you arrive the day before your tour. Whether you arrive the day of your tour or days before don't worry we'll take care of you. All clients will be picked up at the airport upon arrival and taken to a hotel or straight to the ranch. Pre and Post nights can be booked for you upon request.
The morning on the day of your tour you will be picked up at 10AM in the hotel lobby. As a group we will do some last minute shopping and pick up any items missing from the packing list. Afterwards we drive to the Sky High Wilderness Ranch, 20km South of Whitehorse where we outfit you with your expedition clothing. Enjoy a hot lunch and then be introduced to your 4 legged companions for the week. Now you learn the basics of; dog care, checking their feet and shoulders, dog massage, sledding and parts of the sled. Harness your team, hook up and go for your very first run! After taking care of the dogs we can enjoy the sauna, have a shower, hot dinner and cozy up by the fire.(B,L,D)
While the morning sun lifts slowly over the magnificent horizon, we say good morning to our new canine friends and ensure they are fed, watered and happy. Then we sit in the comfort of our lodge dining room having breakfast and plan our day. Today we cover approx 35km in distance driving towards secluded Jackson Lake. The only sound will be the runners in the snow, the working dogs, and your words of encouragement. This is the day that you begin to know each dog's personality and form a bond that only man and dog can understand. With every stop, praise and show of affection for your dogs, they will learn to trust you and you to trust them. Relax in our sod roof sauna before retiring for the night. Overnight at Sky High Wilderness Ranch. (B,L,D)
This day takes us to the famous Nicolas Vanier's Cabin and then on to beautiful Bonneville Lakes, west of the ranch. Imagine life as a trapper many years ago as you drive your team up to the trapper cabin built for the movie "The Last Trapper". Then head on towards Bonneville Lakes. 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 20-30km. In harmony with the running rhythm of your team you will enjoy nature like you have never experienced it before. Return to Sky High and take care of your hard working team. There is a gravity fed shower and sauna waiting for you in the lodge. (B,L,D)
Leave the last remnants of civilization, step back in time and become one with your team as you mush the historic trails to our trapper cabin at remote Coal Lake. Everything we need for this camp will be packed on our sleds. Here we live the simple life with just the basics; cutting firewood, cooking over the fire or on the woodstove, heating water for washing, mushing the scenic trails and sharing stories by the fire in the evening. Sleep in the cabin or in our wall tent. We have a good chance of seeing Caribou, moose or wolves in this area so keep your camera handy! Make sure your dogs are well fed and have clean bedding for the night. Enjoy a hearty dinner and an evening of stories. Over night at Coal Lake base camp. (B,L,D)
Today will be challenging as we travel on the famous Watson Trail. Here we experience the amazing beauty of the Boreal Forest, crossing many creeks & rivers. Enjoy a hot lunch on the campfire. In the evening we set up camp at ??? . Overnight in wall tent. (B,L,D)
As we go farther into the boreal forest we are now in the Big Ben Area - named after the famous bear; "Big Ben". This area is well known for it's large Grizzly Bear population. There is nothing to worry about though, the bears are all hibernating this time of year. Take care of your team and set up camp. Over night in Wall tent. (B,L,D)
After a hardy mushers breakfast we are back on the trail heading along the Coastal Mountains (2500-3000 meters above sea level) to Rose lake. This area is known for it's spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. This is the winter home of the Southern Lakes caribou and moose herds. This evening we set up camp and overnight in wall tent. (B,L,D)
This day we will be a day of rest. Try our hand at ice fishing for lake trout or snowshoe down the lake and take photos. Go for a hike and identify the many animal tracks you will see in this area. Sit by the fire ad enjoy it's warmth as you recount your adventures with others in the group. Overnight in wall tent. (B,L,D)
Wake to the morning sun coming over the horizon, take care of your team, have breakfast, take down camp and head up the trail to Mud Lake. While you are taking in the landscape remember in this area expect to see wildlife. Caribou, moose, Ptarmigan, wolves and lynx frequent this area. Camp at Mud Lake Wall tent. (B,L,D)
On this your final day of mushing take in one last time the rugged beauty of the landscape. Listen to the sound of the runners and the soft panting of the dogs. Keep your eyes open for our herd of free range horses that are often sited in this area. As we head back towards the ranch we travel above the tree line for approx 15km then down into the valley at the end of Fish Lake. Return to Sky High for a hot lunch, take care of your team, pack your belongings and say your good byes. Take in one last time the wilderness around you as you travel down the Fish Lake Rd. to Whitehorse for our last night in a hotel. Over night at Best Western Gold Rush Inn. (B,L)
Over breakfast you can start planning your next Sky High adventure and contact us about even more challenging tours that we offer to out door enthusiasts. The Whitehorse shuttle service van brings you to the airport for your southbound flight?. Or better yet, complete your Yukon winter experience, by joining another tour offered.
| Packing List |
|---|
| Ξ Thermal Underwear- 2 long sleeve shirts and 2 pants |
| Ξ Fleece Pants and Sweater |
| Ξ Neck Warmer and Balaclava |
| Ξ Fleece Hat(Toque) or Fur hat |
| Ξ Thermal Socks - 4 pairs |
| Ξ Thin Fleece Gloves - 2 pairs |
| Ξ Head Lamp, with Lithium batteries |
| Ξ Goggles or Sunglasses |
| Ξ Camera, with Lithium batteries |
| Ξ Indoor shoes or slippers |
| Ξ Thermos |
| Included | Not Included |
|---|---|
| Ξ Transfer from and to Whitehorse | Ξ Alcoholic beverages (we buy jointly before the tour) |
| Ξ Last night accommodation in Whitehorse (1 night double room) | Ξ Winter clothing rental of warm Northern Outfitters Jacket, Pants; $35/item, sleeping bag $45 each, mitts $10. Payable upon arrival in cash or credit card |
| Ξ Accommodation in cabins (3 or 4 nights double room) or wood heated tent outpost camps (5 nights group accommodation.) | Ξ Meals in restaurants (dinner day 10, breakfast day 1) |
| Ξ All meals including non-alcoholic beverages, except dinner day 10, breakfast day 1 in Whitehorse | Ξ All expenses of personal nature |
| Ξ Use of personal sled and 4 to 6 Huskies | Ξ Gratuities |
| Ξ Musher Diploma & Shuttle Pass | |
| Ξ Winter Boots included, all other equipment see right |
* We strongly advise that you purchase travel/cancellation insurance before traveling.
* This Dog sledding adventure is a challenging but relaxed fun trip! We supply you with the best equipment possible and teach you all the important aspects of mushing.
* To participate you must be healthy, enjoy working with dogs and have a good team spirit. Dog sledding is a comparable physical activity to cross-country skiing, so you should be in relatively good physical shape.
* The camps have no power or telephone, showers are of basic gravity fed nature and not available in tent camp. Shower and sauna at Lodge.
* We point out, that unforeseeable circumstances such as weather conditions, wind chill factor, extreme temperatures (-30 or lower), condition of the group or illness of the dogs may force us to change this itinerary. The safety of our guests takes precedence and our decisions are final.
* You will be required to sign a "release of claims and waiver of liability form" prior to the departure of this tour.