For most of the country, the biggest sporting event this month will be the Super Bowl. That’s not the case in the Yukon.
What happened: The 2025 edition of the Yukon Quest dog sled race kicks off later today. The storied contest has an all-new route this year, covering over 680 kilometres that will start and finish in Teslin, Yukon. The top musher (and their pack of very good dogs) will bring home $12,000.
Catch-up: First held in 1984, the race once went from Whitehorse to Fairbanks, Alaska, covering a distance of ~1,600 kilometres and earning it the moniker “the most gruelling race on Earth.” That changed in 2022 after a dispute between the Canadian and U.S. governing bodies.
- The two sides grew divided over the number of mandatory rest stops and vet checks, with the Canadians wanting more, leading the Yanks to peace out and start a new race just in Alaska.
Why it matters: The new route isn’t just because of the split; it’s part of a broader push to secure the future of the event. The route is designed to avoid once-reliable terrain that’s grown dangerous due to climate change. Last year’s race ended early due to unsafe trail conditions.
- There are also new regulations to allay concerns about dog health. A study last year found that a third of dogs participating in races between 2018 and 2020 were injured.
Big picture: Even in an abridged form, the Yukon Quest is still a big deal for Yukon communities with hundreds of spectators expected to partake in festivities at designated checkpoints. And organizers are hopeful it will return to its original length in the future.—QH