Multi-day Yukon Fat Bike Expedition

Join ACMG ski guide James on this exhilarating fat bike expedition where you can explore the rugged Yukon territory on the adventure of a lifetime.

5 Days

Feb

High

Intermediate

Description

The beautiful Yukon territory in Canada has attracted seekers and adventurers all throughout history. Whether to look for gold, or to experience its wild fauna, it is a great place to explore! On this four day Yukon fat bike expedition, we combine the rush of a challenging adventure, with the glory of nature.

Due to the snowy trail and the long distances we will be covering each day, a good fitness level is a requirement. Every day we will ride approximately 40-60 kms. This is somewhere between 4 to 7 hrs./day, depending on trail conditions and energy levels. But although it will be challenging, we will have a 4-5 person support staff and all your personal gear for camp will be transported. Therefore, you will be able to enjoy the ride as well working hard!

We will begin our adventure in Whitehorse. Ideally, we ask that you arrive a few days earlier to check that your gear is in top shape. On the day before starting the expedition, we will get together for beers, nachos and a trip briefing. Then, the following morning, after driving to Eagle Bluff, we will start cycling. Throughout the trip, we will go down sled dog trails, around gorgeous lakes and stop in pioneer style cabins. Who knows, we might even strike some gold! Finally, we will end at the Takhini Hot Pools for a well-deserved foot soak.

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Then book your place now and join me on this unforgettable multi-day Yukon fat bike expedition! I will be happy to guide you along the way.

Want to explore Yukon in the Summer? Then check out our 3-day Yukon Wilderness Base Camp Hiking tour.

Price includes

Guiding fee
Breakfast
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Luggage transfer

Itinerary

Day 1: Meeting at Whitehorse

Trip briefing over beers and nachos.

We request that you arrive a day or two early in order to make sure your bike and gear are ready to go. If you need any last minute repairs, then Icycle Sport in Whitehorse will be able to assist you. This is also a good moment to check out some of the amazing winter single track around town.

There are a number of accommodation options in Whitehorse.

Day 2: Kickoff from Eagle Bluff

After hotel pick up at 7am, we have about 2.5hrs of driving to get our starting point at Eagle Nest Bluff. This is an important landmark on the Yukon River which we will cross on a trail that weaves between large blocks of spectacular jumble ice. Once we are on the other side, we will take the Yukon Quest Sled Dog trail that connects Whitehorse, Yukon and Fairbanks Alaska for a total distance of 1600 kilometres. After, we will start the climb up to Mandana Lake and on to the Chain of Lakes. We will travel through a stunning landscape with several large burns where blackened trees contrast with the snow before we drop onto the flat lake ice of Mandana.

If we have time, we may stop at the Heebink pioneer style cabin.

Breakfast is not included on the kickoff of our tour, so make sure to provide your own. Otherwise, we can stop at Braeburn Lodge for a full breakfast approx 1hr from Whitehorse.

Day 3: To the Village of Braeburn

Our next stop after a night out and hopefully our first peek at the Aurora Borealis is the village of Braeburn. To get there, we will ride on a lake system bordered by steep mountain terrain. A highlight of this stretch is Coghlan Lake with its stark limestone cliffs. Sections of single track between these lakes will be challenging but also some of the most beautiful of the whole route!

Day 4: On our way to the gold

On our third day of cycling we will go down the old Dawson Overland Trail. This is a place of history and treasure hunters, riddled with artifacts, old cabins, and where we might also catch a glimpse of bison and moose.

Day 5: Final foot soak at Takhini Hot Pools

On our last stretch of the Yukon fat bike expedition, we will get the chance to visit Dog Grave Lake and the Golden Canyon. As we approach the end, the terrain opens up and we approach the Takhini River valley, a large tributary of the Yukon River. A winding dog-mushing track will lead us to the Takhini Hot Pools were we can have a final restorative foot soak.

Details

More info

All participants must have all of the following equipment. Biking gear can be rented locally and we can help with that.

Biking Gear (guides will carry an extensive repair kit).

Fat bike in good working order (minimum 4" tire platform).

Helmet (optional but recommended as we will be crossing some bare lake ice).

1 extra tube, bike tool, tire lever.

Pump (everyone should have their own pump as you may want to alter tire pressure frequently).

Pogies (hand warmers that fit over handlebars).

Headlamp or bike light (we will try to avoid riding in the dark).

Warm jacket and pants for camp.

Toiletries (things freeze)

Water bottle (1L)

Small thermos (750ml)

sunglasses

Extra full merino or poly base layer (in luggage)

Hand warmer packs

Sunscreen

Emergency light.

Packable puff jacket (down or synthetic)

Luggage systems to carry all of the above plus snacks and extra clothes. Icycle Sports in Whitehorse sells an assortment of luggage from Salsa and Revelate.

Positive attitude!

Clothes:

Full merino med - light base layer (2 sets)

Footwear for biking: Your feet must stay warm down to -20C. Please put some thought into your footwear and run it by us before you commit to a system. Lightweight winter boots with flat pedals are acceptable. Remember, there is a chance you will have to push your bike for short stints.

Camp booties (insulated)

Touque (2)

Ultra light gloves for inside pogies

Larger gloves for camp etc.

Balaclava

Soft shell biking pants OR gortex over pants

Cycling bibs

1 set comfy camp clothes

1 light cycling jacket for warm days

1 packable puff jacket

1 breathable fleece or softshell

If you are purchasing items of clothing for this ride, Derek Crowe, Arctic Ultra veteran recommends Rab Vapour Rise garments and Sealskinz socks.

Personal gear for camp (will be transported for you) - Everything must fit in a small, soft duffle with no hard wheels or sides. Like a helicopter trip, there is very limited space on the snow machine trailers. Think extremely minimal packing like a self-supported ride

winter sleeping bag (-20C min)

book/reading material

camp booties

camp clothes

ear plugs (if needed)

personal medications (please inform our staff of medical conditions if you think they could lead to an emergency)

Booze and snacks

Alcohol is not provided by us but we will transport it for you. Please be reasonable with amounts. No glass please.

We will provide riding snacks however, if you are particular about your nutrition please bring your own gels, bars, whatever. We will have trail mix, bars, cookies, etc.

Meeting point

Whitehorse

About the guide

James

Mountain Guide

I am an ACMG ski guide, as well as a Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) Professional Member and an Advanced Wilderness First Responder.
I was born and raised in Fernie, BC in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and have spent my whole life working and playing in the mountains. There is nothing I love more than exploring remote mountains on skis and sharing that experience with others.

The northwest corner of British Columbia and the western Yukon offer some of the most mind-blowing ski terrain on the planet and I have spent over a decade exploring that terrain. As one of the few certified guides in this vast region, I have intimate local knowledge of the area and can help you make the most of your Yukon adventure.

Languages

English

Certificates

ACMG

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