Wild Adventure Yukon (Formerly Caribou Crossing): Wildlife, Sled Dogs & Chicken BBQ

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Lunch Time: Taste of the Last Frontier

Having finished our White Pass & Yukon Route Railway excursion at Fraser Train Station, we jumped on the tour bus which headed towards the Wild Adventure Yukon Caribou Crossing for a BBQ chicken lunch (...with coleslaw, baked potato, homemade roll and all-you-can-eat cake donuts!).

It looked good and smelled good!

Somehow, we lucked out being one of the first in line.

They had these Little House in the Prairie chuck wagon picnic tables outside, but we chose to stay indoors. Time to dig in!

Wildlife Museum

Look at that Iconic (and Functional) Nose of the Saiga Antelope

While the North American population of saiga antelope disappeared thousands of years ago alongside the woolly mammoths, their Eurasian relatives have survived. Today, wild saiga populations roam freely across the steppes of Kazakhstan and Mongolia, offering a rare living link to the Ice Age.

Standing face-to-face with a Woolly Mammoth at the Wildlife Museum was a powerful reminder of the Ice Age giants that once roamed these northern lands.

Even though they vanished thousands of years ago, seeing their massive tusks and shaggy coat up close made it easy to imagine them thriving across the cold landscapes of northern Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Siberia — environments they were perfectly adapted to.

Did You Know: A mature Alaska-Yukon bull moose can weigh 300 to 500 pounds more than its Yellowstone cousin — with some northern giants tipping the scales at over 1,800 pounds, making them true titans of the northern wilderness.

Seeing Mountain Lions deep in the Yukon wilderness is a rarity.

Majestic Wood Bison roam the wilds of the Yukon once again—a powerful symbol of resilience in Canada’s north.

Reintroduced in the late 1980s (notably the Aishihik herd), their population now stands at roughly 1,200–1,900 animals in southwestern Yukon, making them one of the most successful conservation stories in the region. – yukon.ca

For Yukon First Nations, the wood bison has long been a cornerstone of life. Generations relied on these massive animals for sustenance (nutritious meat and marrow), clothing and shelter (warm hides for robes, moccasins, and tipis), tools (bones for scrapers, needles, and utensils), and even cultural teachings passed down through stories and traditions.

15-minute Dog Cart Ride with Professional Mushers

Husky Heaven with these Cuddly Workhorses of the Arctic.

Playful, affectionate, and bursting with personality!

Update: This black dog reminded me of the Siberian Husky in the dog sled movie with Willem Dafoe called Togo (2019) which is based on a true story. Check out the Togo trailer.

The sled dogs looked like they had some built-up excitement of running and having a little arguement.

Every Dog Has a Special Role in a Sled Dog Racing Team

Sled dog teams are highly organized, and each position plays a critical part in the team’s performance, safety, and success. Here’s how the roles typically break down:

• Lead Dogs (usually 1–2 dogs at the very front):
  The smartest and most responsive dogs. They set the pace, follow commands from the musher (“gee” for right, “haw” for left), and make important decisions on the trail. Good leaders are confident, have excellent endurance, and stay focused even in tough conditions.
• Swing Dogs (right behind the leaders):
  These dogs help the team make smooth turns and keep the lines tight. They act as a bridge between the leaders and the rest of the team.
• Team Dogs (the majority in the middle):
  The powerhouse athletes of the team. They provide the bulk of the pulling power and maintain a strong, consistent pace. Endurance and strength are key here.
• Wheel Dogs (the two dogs closest to the sled):
  Usually the strongest and most reliable dogs in the team. They help steer the sled around corners, provide stability on rough terrain, and absorb a lot of the shock and weight from the sled.

Top racing teams carefully match dogs by personality, strength, and running style so the whole team works together like a well-oiled machine.

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples of the Yukon have worked alongside these remarkable dogs. Long before roads or snowmobiles, sled dogs were lifelines—hauling game, firewood, and families across frozen rivers and tundra. Their endurance and intelligence helped shape life in the North.

Then came the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. Suddenly, thousands of stampeders relied on dog teams to carry supplies over the brutal passes. A strong team could mean the difference between life and death, and good dogs were said to be worth their weight in gold.

If you ever get the chance, spend time with these canine athletes, you'll leave with cold cheeks, a full heart, and a deep respect for these incredible animals. Well worth the additional $45 CAD.

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