Trails & Traditions: Dog Sled and Indigenous Culture Presentation (5 hours)
A shared northern experience rooted in land, culture, and the deep connection between people, sled dogs, and place.
This special offering weaves together our signature Half Day Voyage dog-sledding adventure with an in-depth 90-minute cultural presentation delivered by our partners at Long Ago People’s Place (Champagne & Aishihik First Nations). Together, these two experiences create a rich, meaningful day that honours the land, the dogs, and the vibrant living culture of the North.
Your journey begins with an adapted version of our Boreal Breakaway: Half-Day Dog Sledding — an unhurried run through quiet forest and open country, guided by a hardworking team of huskies and the steady rhythm of the land beneath your runners. It’s an intimate, hands-on introduction to dog-powered travel, filled with moments to connect with the dogs, enjoy the scenery, and experience the simple, timeless pleasure of winter travel by sled.
The trail carries us directly to Long Ago People’s Place, where we bed down and snack the dogs before settling into the Big House for a hearty, home-style hot lunch featuring local flavours. It’s a warm, communal pause — a chance to share food, stories, and the calm stillness of the valley while the team rests nearby.
After lunch, your hosts from the Champagne & Aishihik First Nations lead a 90-minute cultural program. Through stories, teachings, and hands-on demonstrations, you’ll explore regional history, clan systems, traditional tools and skills, seasonal life, and the deep, enduring relationship between people and place.
Together, these two journeys — one on the runners and one rooted in community — offer a meaningful connection to the North. It’s a day that celebrates the land, honours the dogs, and uplifts the living culture that continues to shape this place.
Trails & Traditions weaves together two deeply rooted northern experiences: the joy of travelling with a team of Alaskan Huskies and the living cultural teachings of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.
This unique point-to-point journey begins with a dog-powered adventure through our favourite local trails and concludes at Long Ago People’s Place, where you’ll be welcomed into the heart of a traditional camp for storytelling, teachings, and hands-on learning.
It’s an immersive, relationship-centred experience grounded in respect — for the dogs, for the land, and for the people whose culture has shaped this region for generations.
Start: Keystone Sled Dogs Kennel
Finish: Long Ago People’s Place, Champagne
Offered in partnership with Champagne & Aishihik First Nations
A deeply meaningful northern journey that blends dog-powered travel, land-based learning, and the living culture of the Champagne & Aishihik First Nations.
Part 1: Sled Dog Journey — From Keystone to Champagne
Your adventure begins at Keystone Sled Dogs, where you’re welcomed inside our heated cabin to gear up in comfort before meeting our team of Alaskan Huskies. We get to meet the dogs, share their roles on the team, and guide you through the traditions and history of mushing on this land.
After a safety briefing and harnessing the dogs together, we set off for roughly 1.5-2 hours of trail time, traveling over quiet forested routes toward the community of Champagne. This point-to-point run gives you a taste of traditional northern travel: steady, peaceful, and powered by the partnership between people and dogs.
Arriving at Long Ago People’s Place, we take time for post-run dog care—offering snacks, praise, and hands-on attention to ensure every dog is comfortable and content before resting. Guests are encouraged to participate in this care routine, reflecting our values of respect, responsibility, and connection.
Hot Lunch in the Big House
Step inside the Big House, a warm gathering place built in the style of traditional log structures. A hot homemade northern lunch is served here—comforting, hearty, and the perfect way to settle in before the cultural portion of the day.
Part 2: Cultural Presentation at Long Ago People’s Place
90 minutes of immersive learning hosted by Long Ago People's Place (Champagne & Aishihik First Nations) educators
This in-depth cultural session shares teachings, stories, and land-based knowledge rooted in generations of Dän (CAFN) tradition. Topics may include:
Cultural Foundations
Clan system and the roles within it
Potlatches and their cultural significance
The Southern Tutchone language map and place names
Land claim history and how modern agreements shape community life today
Origins of Long Ago People’s Place and how the camp was created
Land-Based Knowledge & Traditional Skills
Introduction to hides and furs
Traditional uses of animal materials
Demonstrations of tanning tools and processes
Stories about harvesting, respect, and sustainable use
Guided Camp Tour
Explore the front camp and learn about:
Different types of traditional shelters
Historic trapping methods and trap setups
Caribou fences and their importance in seasonal harvesting
Spring camp structures and daily living
Smokehouses, fish traps, and traditional food preparation
This session is interactive, immersive, and enriched by personal stories, traditional knowledge, and opportunities for respectful questions and discussion.
Trails & Traditions connects what we care about most: ethical dog care, eco-conscious travel, cultural respect, small-family warmth, and meaningful experiences that bring people into relationship with the land, the dogs, and the stories of this place.
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.