Winter Dream and Dog Sledding

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The swish of sled runners - the sound of panting dogs as they trot across the frozen lake. Moonlight cascading through spruce trees onto a blanket of snow. Our winter adventure leads you into breathtaking scenery. Here, in the untouched Yukon Territory, you will experience the overwhelming beauty of northern winter! Steer your own dog team through a fairy tale winter wonderland. You are accompanied by a skilled musher and will lodge in comfortable cabins. Small groups (a maximum of 6 guests) promise you a lasting winter experience. Lay your own snowshoe tracks in the dazzling white snow and try cross-country skiing. How about ice fishing or building an igloo? Combine a stay in true wilderness with the chance of spotting northern lights.

ITINERARY:
Day 1: You arrive in Whitehorse. Check in at your hotel in the heart of the town, close to the frozen Yukon River. You may want to take the opportunity to complete your equipment or just relax from traveling.

Day 2: In the morning we pick you up in your hotel and drive about half an hour north along the North Klondike Highway to Lake Laberge. The lake is crossed by dog team or snowmobile in order to get to the home of the Cathers family. The Cathers have lived here at the shore of Lake Laberge for almost 20 years and they like to share their exciting northern lifestyle with you. They have over 80 dogs to take care of and have entered the famous 1000 mile Yukon Quest sled dog race 16 times. In the afternoon you will be introduced to your new friends, the huskies.

Day 3 to 5: You will learn how to hook up the dogs to the sled and how to command them. Mushing involves learning basic techniques for steering and controlling the sled, observing the dogs, and helping them to do their job. Mostly, you just stand on the sled enjoying the scenery, but sometimes you can help the dogs by pumping with one foot or walking up a hill behind them. To start with, you will drive a small team of dogs on easy trails. This will make you comfortable with the trapper way of travel. As you learn the basics of mushing you build up to a slightly larger team. We will explore more challenging trails on and around beautiful Lake Laberge. If conditions allow, we even can go along a short section of the famous Yukon Quest Trail.

Day 6: You will feel that time went by too fast. Say good bye to your Husky friends before you travel back to Whitehorse. Check in at your downtown hotel.

Day 7: After breakfast you will board a ski plane, which will take you to Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge. Enjoy the flight over endless forests, frozen meadows, rivers and lakes. Keep an eye out for caribou. At the lodge, you will be shown to your warm and cozy log cabin. Explore the vicinity of the lodge and enjoy the incredible beauty and silence of Frances Lake. Evenings, a hearty dinner will be served in the main building, which boasts an awesome view of the Logan Mountains. The lodge also features a bright and comfortable living room with a small library and a crackling wood fire.

Day 8 to 11: Together we will explore and enjoy the fairytale winter paradise. Try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The trails lead us along the lake and through forests to exciting viewpoints. One excursion brings us to a creek where we will find the frozen stairs of a waterfall. Another trip takes us to the awe-inspiring setting of Frances Lake’s East Arm with the mountains beyond beckoning within your grasp. Many animals are around the lake and you will learn to tell their tracks apart. We might spot a few moose, hares, wolves or lynx, but for sure there will be no other humans. How about catching a fish through the ice? It’s not easy, but fun trying. And at night, marvel at the extraordinary bright starry sky and, with a bit of luck, observe fascinating northern lights dancing across the firmament. The incredible silence may only be interrupted by the howling of the wolves. We can also show you how to build a igloo. It takes a bit of time but is great fun. As exciting reward you may spend a night in it and enjoy a restful sleep on a warm Caribou hide - the real Inuit way! Or maybe you just want to spend relaxing days in an exceptionally beautiful setting, sit back in the comfortable warmth of your cozy log cabin, enjoy the hot sauna and indulge in good food.

Day 12: Today it’s time to say good bye and leave this wonderful place. The ski plane takes you back to Whitehorse where you will spend one more night in a downtown hotel.

Day 13: You will leave Whitehorse for your trip home or for your next Yukon adventure.

CLIMATE:
Northern winters are cold but dry. Therefore, even at cold temperatures outdoor activities can be performed. In February–March you can expect lots of sunshine with day temperatures ranging between -5° and -30° Celsius. At night temperatures may drop lower. The ice on the lake is about 60 cm thick and covered with a snow layer of 20 to 40 cm. Planning our daily excursions, we will always have to consider weather, snow and ice conditions.

THINGS TO KNOW:

• We maintain a 10 – 15 km network of cross-country ski trails in the near surroundings of the lodge, both for classic and freestyle technique.
• Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge & Tours is member of the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon (TIA) and the Yukon Wilderness Tourism Association (WTAY).
• Canadian legislation requires you to sign a release of liability and waiver of claims form prior to the commencement of the arrangement.
• Assistance from the guests during daily activities is appreciated.
• Our guides are well trained in wilderness travel and first aid. Take advantage of the expert knowledge of snow scientist Dr. Martin Laternser
• Small groups of 2 to 6 guests only.
• This trip itinerary is a basic outline. It may vary depending on weather, snow and ice conditions. We explicitly reserve the right to adapt the tour itinerary.

DATES AND RATES 2011:

Terms of Participation

RATES INCLUDE:

• All accommodation (5 nights at lodge, 4 nights at Cathers, 3 nights in hotel)
• Flight by ski plane from Whitehorse to Frances Lake and return
• Transfer Whitehorse – Lake Laberge (Cathers) and return
• All meals and guided dog sledding tours with Cathers (Lake Laberge)
• All meals and guided day trips at Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge
• At Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge use of wood-heated sauna (with cool off in the snow...), ski trails, snowshoes and angling gear

NOT INCLUDED:

• Meals in Whitehorse
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (the lodge is licensed and has a selection in stock)
• Appropriate winter clothing (we gladly advise or rent upon reservation)
• Sleeping bag for use inside the cabin at Cathers (temperature rating 0 to -10°C)
• We have a limited number of cross-country skis and boots at the lodge. We recommend taking your own equipment with you.
• Personal insurance (trip cancellation, medical insurance): We strongly recommend to arrange for sufficient coverage before the start of your trip.