Boreal Breakaway: Half Day (3 hours) 

Welcome & Orientation

Your visit begins in our heated welcome cabin — a cozy space to gather, dress for the trail, and ease into the rhythm of life at the kennel. We’ll start with a welcome greeting, land acknowledgement, safety briefing, and an introduction to our compassionate dog-care philosophy — the foundation of everything we do.

Meet the Dogs & Learn the Culture

Next, step into the dog yard to meet your four-legged guides. You’ll learn about their northern heritage, individual personalities, and the bonds that make mushing possible. This hands-on, heart-forward moment invites you to truly connect with the pack and illustrates what responsible, ethical dog care looks like in a modern kennel.

Boreal Trail Ride — 2 Hours of Dog-Powered Travel

Then it’s time to harness the dogs and head for the trail, where you’ll spend approximately two hours exploring our favourite backcountry routes — an expansive system of private and traditional trails that showcase some of the best mushing terrain in the Yukon. Traveling by modern dog sleds designed for comfort and stability, you’ll settle into the rhythm of the team and experience the landscape the way mushers do: through partnership, presence, and the quiet power of the dogs.

Choose the mushing experience that feels right for you:

Ride as a Passenger

Settle into one of our large “limo” sleds, designed to comfortably carry 2–3 guests while one of our professional guides drives the team. This option is perfect for families, photographers, or anyone who prefers to relax, enjoy the scenery, and take in the beauty of the boreal forest trails.

Drive Your Own Team

For guests seeking a more hands-on adventure, you’re welcome to drive your own team of Alaskan Huskies using our smaller, lighter, more maneuverable sleds — purpose-built for a single passenger and beginner driver. You’re welcome to switch positions midway through the ride so both guests experience what it feels like to stand on the runners and guide the team.

No previous mushing experience is required. For the self-drive option, a basic level of fitness is needed — similar to what’s required for downhill skiing. With gentle instruction and the dogs setting a steady pace, most people find the movement intuitive and gain confidence quickly.

Gliding behind the dogs through quiet spruce stands and open winter terrain, you’ll discover why dog-powered travel has been cherished in the North for generations.

Post-Run Connection with the Dogs

After the trail, we return to the kennel for post-run dog care — a guest favourite. Together, we’ll cool down the team, offer them well-deserved snacks, and enjoy time for photos, cuddles, and questions. These gentle, hands-on moments highlight the respect, care, and partnership at the heart of our kennel philosophy.

Clothing

Dress in warm, breathable layers so you can adjust to changing temperatures and activity levels.

• Base Layers (top & bottom): Wool or synthetic materials to keep you warm and dry (avoid cotton).

• Mid Layers: Fleece or wool sweaters to add insulation.

• Outerwear: A winter jacket and snow pants suitable for northern conditions.

• Winter Boots: Insulated boots rated for cold weather.

• Warm Accessories:

  • Mitts or gloves (a spare pair is helpful)

  • Toque/winter hat

  • Neck warmer or buff (scarves not recommended)

• Eyewear: Sunglasses to reduce glare off the snow.

Personal Items

Pack light — space on the sled is limited.

• Camera or phone for photos

• Reusable water bottle (moderate intake recommended for on-trail comfort)

• Any essential personal medications

Helpful Notes

• Please leave large personal bags at the kennel. There’s very limited room on the sleds, and we can safely store any non-essential items on site.

• Use the washroom before departure. There are no washroom facilities along the trail for half-day and full-day tours.

• We recommend not overhydrating immediately before the trip to ensure a comfortable experience on the trail.

Cancellation Policy

Your safety — and the well-being of our dogs — will always guide our decisions. While we do our very best to run every tour as planned, there are moments when conditions in the North simply aren’t safe for guests or the team.

Weather & Operational Cancellations

Keystone Sled Dogs may cancel your tour if weather or other circumstances make travel unsafe, including:

• Extreme temperatures: below –35°C or above +15°C
• Unsafe trail conditions: such as ice, overflow, poor visibility, or any hazards that compromise safe travel (as assessed by our experienced guides)
• Other unforeseen circumstances that prevent us from operating safely or responsibly

We make every effort to avoid cancelling a tour unless it’s absolutely necessary. The best time to enjoy your dog-sledding experience is almost always the date and time you originally booked, and we know many guests travel far and look forward to this adventure for a long time. Our team will do everything reasonably possible to ensure your tour can go ahead as planned.

If we must cancel, you’ll be offered:

• A full credit to rebook at another mutually convenient date and time, or

• A full refund if rescheduling isn’t possible within a reasonable timeframe

Guest-Initiated Cancellations

• 100% refund or full credit when cancelled 7 days or more before your tour

• 50% refund when cancelled between 48 hours and 7 days before your tour

• No refunds for cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled start time

Northern travel is shaped by weather, the land, and the wellbeing of our dogs — and we’re committed to ensuring your experience is safe, meaningful, and memorable from start to finish.