Yukon Quest

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Yukon Quest Join us in 2027 for the YQ550 and the YQ300
Race start February 6, 2027

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At the top of the world in the Yukon wilderness of northwestern North America, an epic winter sports event takes place every February: the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Races. Covering 550 miles between Whitehorse and Dawson City, Yukon, in 2023 during the depths of winter, the Yukon Quest is known for excellence in canine care and fostering the traditions of northern travel by dog sled.

🎉🏆 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! 🏆🎉Congratulations to Clara Lambert, the winner of our 2027 Poster Contest! 🎨✨A huge thank you to...
10/14/2026

🎉🏆 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! 🏆🎉

Congratulations to Clara Lambert, the winner of our 2027 Poster Contest! 🎨✨

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and shared their creativity with us. We appreciate all the amazing submissions and want to congratulate Clara on this wonderful achievement!

👏 Help us celebrate Clara’s success! 🎉

A BIG WELCOME & THANK YOU TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!A warm welcome to everyone who registered with us in July, August, and Sept...
10/09/2026

A BIG WELCOME & THANK YOU TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!

A warm welcome to everyone who registered with us in July, August, and September! We’re delighted to have you as part of our organization and sincerely appreciate your support.

We also want to apologize for the delay in getting your membership items to you. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to get everything ready.

📬 Membership Update

You can expect to receive your membership pins, patches, and online membership cards (for those who purchased them online) in late October or early November.

Thank you for your patience and for choosing to be part of our organization. We truly appreciate having you on board!

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE HANNAH COHEN! 🐾The 2027 field welcomes a new face with a growing kennel, a passion for adventure, ...
10/07/2026

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE HANNAH COHEN! 🐾

The 2027 field welcomes a new face with a growing kennel, a passion for adventure, and a team of 24 Alaskan Huskies.

Hannah Cohen will make her debut as a rookie musher in 2027, representing Carmel, New York. Originally from the Hudson Valley, Hannah now lives and trains in Mendenhall, Yukon, where she runs Keystone Sled Dogs.

Hannah’s path to mushing began with an Outward Bound program between secondary school and university. It was there that she discovered sled dogs and the unique challenges of traveling with a dog team. After completing her degree, Hannah decided to turn that experience into a career and pursue mushing full time.

Five years into running dogs, Hannah has built Keystone Sled Dogs into a 24-dog kennel featuring Alaskan Huskies and bloodlines connected to D. Seavey, M. Phillips, J. King, R. Cook and G. Beck.

For Hannah, the appeal of mushing comes down to the experience of being out on the trail with her dogs.

“Being in the wilderness with the dogs, seeing new places and going on adventures!”

She also arrives at the 2027 race with some valuable experience already under her belt. In 2026, Hannah finished 8th in the Metjovidda Fjällrace 320.

Now she is ready for her next challenge.

“I like a challenge, and I want to finish with a happy and healthy dog team.”

That goal reflects what matters most to Hannah as she prepares for her first 2027 race. The competition will be demanding, but for this young musher, the journey is about building a strong team, gaining experience and sharing the trail with her dogs.

And when the miles get long, Hannah has an unconventional soundtrack to keep her moving. Her trail playlist leans heavily toward metal, with Mastodon, Tool, Slomosa and Metallica among her favourites.

From an Outward Bound introduction to mushing to building her own kennel in the Yukon, Hannah Cohen has taken a very interesting path to the starting line.

Now, the next chapter begins.

Welcome to the Yukon Quest 2027 race, Hannah Cohen and Keystone Sled Dogs!

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE NORMAND CASAVANT! 🐾From Mayo, Yukon, Normand Casavant brings an incredible 40 years of mushing exp...
10/04/2026

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE NORMAND CASAVANT! 🐾

From Mayo, Yukon, Normand Casavant brings an incredible 40 years of mushing experience to the Yukon Quest 2027.

A wilderness tourism operator and longtime Yukon musher, Normand has spent decades traveling through the bush. His introduction to dog mushing was simple: he watched others traveling by sled and knew he wanted to experience it for himself. From there, a lifelong passion was born.

Today, Normand runs a kennel of 19 Yukon Huskies, with 16 dogs in training and three retired dogs who are still active, healthy, and enjoying their best lives. His dogs are named according to different themes, including wind, insects, and more.

For Normand, the greatest part of mushing is the connection between himself, his dogs, and nature.

That connection has taken him down the Yukon Quest trail many times. Normand completed the 1,000-mile Quest in 2010, 2013, and 2015, finishing 10th in 2010, 7th and earning the Veteran’s Choice award in 2013, and 6th in 2015. After scratching from the 2023 YQ 300 due to illness, Normand returned to racing in 2026, finishing 4th in the Yukon Odyssey 100.

Now, he’s back for another Quest.

His goal for 2027 is simple: finish with a happy, healthy team and be happy and healthy himself.

Behind every musher is a strong support system, and Normand credits his partner, Karine, as his biggest support.

He also has a special connection to the Yukon Quest community. During the 2010 Quest, Normand met photographer Harry Kern while traveling across Eureka Dome. That chance meeting on the trail grew into a lasting friendship that continues to this day.

After four decades on the runners and multiple Yukon Quest finishes, Normand brings a wealth of experience, a deep love of the wilderness, and a lifetime of connection with his dogs.

Please join us in welcoming Normand Casavant back for the Yukon Quest 2027!

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE GARRICK SCHMIDT! 🐾From Treaty Two Territory in Saskatchewan, Garrick Schmidt is bringing seven yea...
10/03/2026

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE GARRICK SCHMIDT! 🐾

From Treaty Two Territory in Saskatchewan, Garrick Schmidt is bringing seven years of mushing experience and a team of 33 Alaskan Huskies to Yukon Quest 2027.

A Métis land-based educator and musher, Garrick first fell in love with sled dogs as a kid. Years later, while teaching at Ochapowace First Nation, he had the opportunity to work with a team of sled dogs brought in for students. Not long after, Garrick bought his first team of eight dogs and, as he says, “From there it’s history.”

Today, Garrick runs Eagle Ridge Sled Dog Kennel, a name inspired by his family’s roots in Saskatchewan’s Qu’Appelle Valley and a story shared by an Elder about the eagles that watched over the valley.

For Garrick, the best part of mushing is the connection with his dogs:

“They trust you, and you trust that they’ll get you home no matter what.”

This year’s team includes three littermates, half-siblings, and cousins. Garrick says he doesn’t have favorites because “they all are.” And while this is their first Yukon Quest, they certainly aren’t new to racing.

Garrick has successfully completed the Canadian Challenge 200, John Beargrease 300, and Underdog 100, and he serves as a board member and musher representative for the Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race.

The Yukon Quest is a race Garrick has dreamed of running since childhood, and he’s looking forward to taking on the 550-mile trail in 2027.

His goal is simple: keep his team happy, healthy, and wanting to continue down the trail even after they cross the finish line.

And when people say his team has attitude?

Garrick’s response: “I tell them it’s confidence.”

Please join us in welcoming Garrick Schmidt and Eagle Ridge Sled Dog Kennel to Yukon Quest 2027!

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE JJ SHELLEY! 🐾From Arizona to Two Rivers, Alaska, JJ Shelley’s journey into dog mushing has been qu...
10/02/2026

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE JJ SHELLEY! 🐾

From Arizona to Two Rivers, Alaska, JJ Shelley’s journey into dog mushing has been quite an adventure and we’re excited to welcome him to the Yukon Quest 2027!

At 29, JJ is a rookie musher with five years of experience, a kennel of 30 Alaskan Huskies, and big goals ahead. After moving north from Arizona for school, JJ got his start in skijoring, learning from longtime sprint musher Mari Raitto. In 2023, he met his amazing wife, Josi, who introduced him to distance mushing.

Today, JJ and Josi run There & Back Again Sled Dogs in Two Rivers, Alaska.

This team is especially meaningful to JJ, representing years of breeding, training, hard work, and life together. The older dogs originally belonged to Josi, the 3-year-olds are dogs they trained together, and the 2-year-olds are part of JJ’s plans for his future Iditarod team.

As JJ says:

“This team really represents our life over the last several years.”

For JJ, the bond with his dogs is at the heart of mushing:

“I love that they’re more than just pets. They provide for my family. They put food on the table and a roof over our heads.”

With his sights set on a rookie Iditarod in 2028, JJ is using the Yukon Quest as an important step toward that goal. He wants more than just qualifying - he wants to be truly prepared. The Quest’s demanding trail, long miles, and remote camping will provide valuable experience for both JJ and his young team.

Please join us in welcoming JJ Shelley and There & Back Again Sled Dogs to Yukon Quest 2027!

We’re excited to follow their journey on the trail!

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE MICHAEL BURTNICK! 🐾We’re excited to welcome rookie musher Michael Burtnick of Keystone Sled Dogs t...
10/01/2026

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE MICHAEL BURTNICK! 🐾

We’re excited to welcome rookie musher Michael Burtnick of Keystone Sled Dogs to the 2027 race!

Based in Mendenhall, Yukon, Michael has been running dogs for 17 years and operates a kennel of 25 Alaskan Huskies. He is a tourism operator and professional engineer, but his real passion is being out on the land traveling with his dogs.

Michael got started running dogs because winter camping was more fun with dogs and, as he says, “even more fun the more dogs we added… racing was inevitable!”

The name Keystone Sled Dogs comes from his home province of Manitoba. His kennel carries bloodlines from Tagish, Seavey, Beck, R. Wright, Cook and King.

One special member of the team is Nahanni, a small but mighty leader who is always ready to go and cheer on the group. The last time Michael ran the Dawson trail, Nahanni single-led for more than 200 miles to help bring the team to the finish.

Michael’s recent results show plenty of experience and success on the Yukon trails:

~ 1st - Percy DeWolfe, 2025

~ 2nd - Yukon Odyssey, 2025

~ 1st - Percy DeWolfe, 2026

~ 1st - Yukon Odyssey, 2026

For 2027, Michael’s goal is simple: let the dogs do what they love.. RUN! He hopes to make it to the finish with a happy and healthy team.

And when Michael is out on the trail, don’t expect to hear music. His soundtrack is the pitter-patter of dogs on the trail and runners across the snow.

Behind every musher is a great support team, and Michael gives a special shout-out to his wife, Abby, who is always there to pick up the slack when something is forgotten or a handler backs out at the last minute.

Join us in welcoming Michael, Nahanni, and the entire Keystone Sled Dogs team to the 2027 race!

Welcome to Yukon Quest 2027, Michael!

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE JUSTIN OLNES! 🐾From shelter rescues to the starting line.We’re excited to welcome rookie musher Ju...
10/01/2026

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE JUSTIN OLNES! 🐾

From shelter rescues to the starting line.

We’re excited to welcome rookie musher Justin Olnes of ReRun Kennel to the 2027 race! Based in Fairbanks, Alaska, Justin is a wildlife biologist and has spent the past six years racing Alaskan huskies.

His kennel’s name says it all. Many of his dogs started out in shelters before Justin gave them a second chance to show what they could do. Four of his top leaders, including his incredible lead dog Fly, were adopted as puppies from the Fairbanks shelter.

Justin says the best part of mushing is working with his dogs toward a shared goal and being out on the trail together. This is a team with plenty of miles and experience together.

Recent results:

- 3rd - Solstice 50, 2025
- 4th - Copper Basin 100, 2026
- 6th - Su Dog 300, 2026
- 8th - Two Rivers 200, 2026

Now Justin is setting his sights on 2027 with a simple goal: MAKE IT TO DAWSON!

His secret weapon? A great team at home and a wife who isn’t afraid to provide a little “tough love” when he needs to buck up and get ’er done.

As for trail music, Justin will be relying on the hype playlist his wife and friend Lizzie have been putting together.

We can’t wait to see what this hardworking team does out on the trail.

Welcome to Yukon Quest 2027, Justin!

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE GREGORY WILLIAMSON! 🐾From Quesnel, British Columbia, Gregory Williamson is bringing Wildland Sled ...
09/28/2026

🐾 WELCOME TO THE RACE GREGORY WILLIAMSON! 🐾

From Quesnel, British Columbia, Gregory Williamson is bringing Wildland Sled Dogs to the starting line of the 2027 Yukon Quest 300!

Gregory’s journey into mushing started with a high-school report about the Iditarod. What began as curiosity quickly became a passion, leading him to learn from experienced mushers, work with sled dogs in northern and backcountry environments, and eventually build his own kennel.

Today, Gregory has 25 Alaskan Huskies and 10 years of experience behind a team. His kennel carries bloodlines including Beck, Peck, Seavey, Streeper, Cook and Santos, among others.

But for Gregory, mushing isn't just about miles or race results.

“The dogs don’t care about excuses, egos or how tough you think you are. They tell you exactly where you stand.”

And his 2027 team has some great characters:

Cello is a seasoned leader with a Yukon Quest 450, Kuskokwim 300, Odyssey 100 and Underdog 100 behind him.

Tennessee is one of Wildland’s rising stars, a confident young leader Gregory sees as a future cornerstone of the kennel.

Max is another young prospect gaining valuable long-distance experience.

And Hero and Bolt bring the kind of reliability and determination that can make all the difference when the trail gets tough.

For Gregory, this race is about more than one finish line. It’s about building the next generation of Wildland Sled Dogs and taking the next step toward longer-distance racing and eventually setting his sights on the Yukon Quest 550 and the Iditarod.

And there’s one thing you might want to watch for on the trail…

Gregory likes heavy bass and a good rhythm during those long stretches and apparently, there may even be some ugly dancing on the sled to stay warm!

Behind the scenes, Jenn, Gregory’s indispensable handler, is a huge part of the operation, keeping the dogs, gear, transportation and countless details moving forward.

Gregory may be the one standing on the runners, but Wildland Sled Dogs is very much a team effort.

Welcome to Yukon Quest 2027 Gregory and Wildland Sled Dogs!

We can’t wait to see you, Cello, Tennessee, Max, Hero, Bolt and the rest of the Wildland team on the trail in February.

🐾 Welcome to the Race, Michael Hamilton! 🐾 From a childhood dream to the starting line, Michael Hamilton is ready to tak...
09/25/2026

🐾 Welcome to the Race, Michael Hamilton! 🐾

From a childhood dream to the starting line, Michael Hamilton is ready to take on the 2027 race with his team from "Sleepy Sawmill Kennel".

A rookie musher with two years of experience behind the dogs, Michael will be guided by his team of Alaskan huskies, including his incredible lead dog, Suna. His goal is simple but meaningful: "'finish with a happy team'".

Michael credits Michelle Phillips for helping him get his start in mushing, while his wife and handler provides unwavering support every step of the way.

After placing 7th in the 2026 Odyssey, Michael and his dogs are ready for their next adventure.

Welcome to the 2027 race, Michael and Sleepy Sawmill Kennel. We’re excited to have you on the trail!

Address

2-1109 Front Street
Whitehorse, YT
Y1A5G4

Opening Hours

Monday 7:45am - 11:45pm
Tuesday 7:45am - 11:45pm
Wednesday 7:45am - 11:45pm
Thursday 7:45am - 11:45pm
Friday 7:45am - 11:45pm
Saturday 7:45am - 11:45pm

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