Yukon Quest sled dog race returning in 2027, organizers say

The Yukon Quest sled dog race is set to make a comeback next year, organizers say, after the iconic race was cancelled this winter.

The Yukon Quest International Association (Canada) announced Tuesday that two races will take place on Feb. 6, 2027 and follow the traditional route along the Yukon River.

An approximately 480-kilometre race will start in Whitehorse and end in Pelly Crossing, with a checkpoint in Stepping Stone — a favourite stopping place among mushers, according to a news release from the organization. Meanwhile, an 885-kilometre race will start in Whitehorse and end in Dawson City, with a loop to Forty Mile and back.

“We’re going to do our very best to put on a good event, not only an event that people want to race, but an event that people want to watch and sponsors want to take part in. So I’m very excited to say the least,” said Mike Burtnick, the vice president of the Yukon Quest’s new board of directors.

A new board was elected in February after mushers, former board members and past volunteers held a special general meeting in an effort to bring back the historic race. Burtnick — a musher from Mendenhall who moved his family to the territory a few years ago to race the Yukon Quest — was among the 10 people elected to the new board.

The 2026 race was cancelled after a tumultuous year that saw board members leave one by one, until there was no one left to organize the race. Former board members attributed the collapse of the race to several factors, including contention around the race route, volunteer burnout and financial issues within the organization.

Race will return to the Yukon River

Burtnick said the decision to return the 2027 race to the Yukon River comes after receiving “resounding” feedback from mushers.

“People want to run that traditional route,” he said. “So our task in the trail committee was to see what we can do to put on a safe and reliable race. So put a trail in that we know we’re going to be able to run regardless of the conditions.”

Climate change has made conditions along the Yukon River unpredictable in recent years. In 2024, the Quest was cut short because of open water along the river. A year later, the race was moved to a new route from Teslin to Ross River along the South Canol road.

Burtnick said volunteers on the trail committee have identified risks along the trail and the race will use alternative routes where necessary to avoid open water. He added that trail breakers will take snow machines out on the route as early as December to keep an eye out for potential safety hazards.

“It’s going to give us more time on the trail ahead of the race to prep those options should we need to implement one of them,” he said.

As for the financial state of the organization, Burtnick said it has several funding agreements in place for the next year that will be announced in the coming days. He said those agreements, along with fundraising efforts and profits from the Yukon Quest store, will support next year’s race.

Louve Twedell, a local musher who previously ran the Yukon Quest, said she’s happy to hear the Quest is returning to its traditional route, but she does have some safety concerns.

“Hopefully there’s going to be mushers as part of the trail maintenance crew because [there are] different angles you can take with snow machines versus dog teams,” she said.

“The Yukon Quest was known to have a really good trail back in the day. So if we can bring that back, I think it would be very, very crucial for the survival of the organization.”

Twedell said the Quest means a lot to her family, who moved to the territory from Quebec to take part in the race.

“It’s been a part of my life forever … I was dreaming of doing it when I was a kid.”

She said she’s hopeful the race will happen in 2027, but she still has doubts.

“I think it’s a really good step forward. I’m hoping that [it] actually materializes. Until there is a sign-up date, and there is a trail plan, I’m going to be cautious.”

As for Burtnick, he said he’s confident the Quest will happen in 2027.

“I am 100 per cent confident that the race is going forward,” he said.

A report written by Tori Fitzpatrick

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: Veteran Yukon musher wins 2nd Yukon Quest in a row, CBC News

Norway: Norway ambassador visits Alaska to talk climate, Russia and, yes, Norwegian dog mushing success, Alaska Public Media

United States: Iditarod head vet, Stuart Nelson, dies suddenly at age 71, Alaska Public Media