Dog Cart Rides / Tales from the Trail
Ever wonder what sled dogs do in the summer? Here at Wild Adventure Yukon, professional race dogs from all over the north join us for their summer training, where our experienced mushers adapt their daily activities according to the weather. The choice of our daily tour is based on the wellbeing of the dogs.
On the cooler days where it would benefit our dogs to work in harness, we offer a Dog Cart Ride and on the hotter days, we switch to socialization activities and offer an ATV Ride and a Meet and Greet with our canine athletes.
As it’s not always possible to predict the weather, it’s not always possible for us to predict which tour option will run on which day. For more information about how we decide whether or not our dogs will work in harness, please click “read
When the dogs are working in harness, we ensure that they are wet before, during and after the tour. Our custom staging area is outfitted with sprinkler hoses and the trail has pools of water to help keep the dogs cool while running in the summer.
Information about the risks of exercising dogs in the heat as well as temperature guidelines can be viewed here:
https://www.vets-now.com/summer/when-is-it-too-hot-to-walk-a-dog/
Why the motorized cart? Are the dogs actually pulling?
“read
Further, the motorized cart that we use here allows us to simulate fall training, where dogs run with a motorized all-terrain vehicle before there is snow on the trail.
Our experienced mushers are able to optimize the dogs’ training by watching the tug lines (lines that attach to the back of the harness) and either assisting the dogs if they are working too hard or letting off on the gas if they are not pulling enough.
Our dogs are born and bred to pull sleds and, in the winter, they race at the professional level. In the long distance races, a team will pull around 300lbs of weight for 50 miles at a pace of about 10 miles an hour. We are able to replicate real race conditions with our motorized cart by controlling the speed and the weight that is being pulled.
Booking info
On any given day, you can choose between a 15 minute and 30 minute experience. The decision of the tour type may be taken just before the start of the tour.
Reservations are recommended for the 30 minute experience as space is limited. Reservations can be made online. Space for the 15 minute experience is available in person on a first-come, first-serve basis until space fills up.
Price: 15 minutes: $45/person 30 minutes: $60/adult, $55/child.
Note: pricing does not include museum admission.
Free for enfants (under 5)
Hot Days
Cool days
15 minutes
Tales from the Trail
Tour includes: Express ATV ride, meet with sled dogs, Q&A with the musher, photo opportunities with race equipment.
Price : 45$/person, Free for lap kids (under 5).
This exclusive tour begins with an ATV Ride down the trail in our custom built dog training vehicle. An experienced musher will explain the benefits of conditioning race dogs using our specific training methods and equipment while guests can enjoy a slice of the Yukon wilderness.
This short ATV ride will finish at our Checkpoint Meet and Greet, where authentic race dogs will be waiting for one-on-one time with our visitors. Here, we will provide an introduction to dog sledding and share stories of living and racing with sled dogs. Guests will be encouraged to meet with accomplished race dogs and pose for pictures on a genuine dog sled.
Dog Cart Ride
Tour includes: Team hookup, safety briefing and dog cart ride.
Price : 45$/person, Free for lap kids (under 5).
Join the W.A.Y. team by riding in one of our unique, specially designed 12 passenger motorized training carts. Listen to the excitement of the dogs as the team is chosen and watch as they take their place on the line. You will experience a thrilling glimpse into team dynamics, social order and the dog’s passion for running.
Your tour will take you down a forested course, approximately one mile in length, specially designed to allow our canine athletes to train without snow. While on the course, you will see the teams respond to mushing commands, and learn more about the ins and outs of training a dog team.
Half Hour
Dog Days of Summer
Tour includes: ATV ride, visit with sled dogs, in-depth musher talk and Q&A, interaction with genuine Iditarod equipment, extended photo opportunities, dog powered demonstration.
Price: $60/adult, $55/child (includes admission to museum and petting farm) Free for children under 5.
Created by dog mushers for other dog lovers and fellow adventurers; this in-depth experience begins with an extended trip down the dogs’ training trail, in our custom built dog training vehicle.
The guests will be dropped off at our Wall Tent Check Point. Here they will learn about racing Alaskan huskies and the two world famous 1000 mile sled dog races from experienced dog mushers. There will be ample opportunity for visitors to ask questions about all facets of sled dog racing or life with working dogs. Next up is a close and personal visit with accomplished race dogs who are eager to have their picture taken and greet their new friends. A genuine dog sled, with a truly northern back drop and genuine race equipment, will provide guests with great photo opportunities to capture memories of the experience.
A small dog team will then be hooked up to a four wheeler and participants will witness the sheer passion for running that these dogs exude.
Dog Cart Ride & Musher’s Camp
Tour includes: Team hookup, safety briefing, dog cart ride, checkpoint visit and guide talk.
Price: $60/adult, $55/child (includes admission to museum and petting farm) Free for children under 5.
An extension of the 15 Minute Tour – your Dog Cart Ride will finish with a visit to our Wall Tent Checkpoint, where guides will share with you the history and passion behind one of the oldest traditions in the North. You will hear about our athletes and our musher’s commitment to each of our canine racers as well as interact with genuine Iditarod equipment.
Join the W.A.Y. team by riding in one of our unique, specially designed 12 passenger training carts. Listen to the excitement of the dogs as the team is chosen and watch as they take their place on the line. You will experience a thrilling glimpse into team dynamics, social order and the dog’s passion for running.
Your tour will take you down a forested course, approximately one mile in length, specially designed to allow our canine athletes to train without snow. While on the course, you will see the teams respond to mushing commands, and learn more about the ins and outs of training a dog team.
All tours are booked in Alaska Time.
*Online bookings are only available for the 10:30 and 1:30 time slots. Other time slots are booked on a walk-in basis.
**Time on the trail may vary slightly based on temperatures, trail conditions, and specific team you are riding with.
**Wild Adventure Yukon reserves the right to change tour options last minute.