As the saying goes, it’s all about the location, even in dogsledding.

The Yukon Quest has announced a significant change to its 2025 race. 

The legendary race will now start off in Teslin on Feb. 2, following a ceremonial start at Whitehorse on Feb. 1. 

According to a Yukon Quest news release, it will then “follow along the lakeshore to Johnson’s Crossing, up the South Canol Highway to Ross River, then on the Dena Cho Trail over to Faro. Teams will then go on the Pelly River back to Ross River, and return to Teslin on the South Canol.” 

The trail will be split into four sections: 

Section A: Teslin to South Canol Road Junction – The trail will be established on Teslin Lake. 

Section B: South Canol Road Junction to Quiet Lake Campground – The trail will be established along the South Canol Road.

Section C- Quiet Lake Campground to Ross River – The trail will be established along the South Canol Road.

Section D: Ross River to Faro – The trail will be established following the Dena Cho Trail. 

The Quest has recently been running from Whitehorse to Dawson City, a distance of approximately 450 miles, following a split between the Canadian and U.S. sides, who now run a separate race in Alaska. 

The 2024 race’s start location, in what was a precursor to the changes this year, started at Suncatchers Inn Cattery near the Dawson Overland Trail due to icy conditions caused by rainfall around Whitehorse. 

The race used to start at Shipyards Park in Whitehorse. 

The start time was also adjusted to 2 p.m. to maintain the schedule of volunteers and coordination down the trail. 

In fact, the 2024 race was shortened to 300 miles when all was said and done, due to poor trail conditions. The mushers left Pelly Crossing, headed to Stepping Stone, then finished their race in Pelly Crossing instead of going on to Dawson City. 

The new trail will be approximately 400 miles.There will also be a shorter race starting in Teslin and running to Ross River (approximately 175 miles). 

“This is a very positive move for the safety of the trail breakers, the mushers and the dogs,” said Anne Tayler, Yukon Quest president.

The press release added, “The Yukon Quest board places the highest priority on the safety of dogs, mushers and the volunteers who help put in the trail. It is clear that old routes no longer work, particularly near Whitehorse, Eagle Rock (Carmacks) and McCabe Creek.” 

According to the Quest organizers, the new route “respects the spirit of the original Yukon Quest, following old and new trails, and honouring the traditions of travelling by dogsled in the Yukon wilderness, and carrying on the legacy of Teslin citizens who used to race sled dogs during Rendezvous.” 

The press release also stated that for 2026, “we hope to identify a trail that will re-connect the race with Pelly Crossing and Dawson City, and we will be working with First Nations to identify safe trail options.” 

The Yukon Star will have more on this story in the coming days.