YELLOWKNIFE ATTRACTION FIELD GUIDE
Northern Lights by Toboggan: Dogsledding the Frozen Lakes of Yellowknife
A 3-hour evening that pairs a 30-minute dogsled toboggan ride away from city lights with lakeshore aurora viewing and a warm-up in a traditional log cabin.
Northern Lights by Toboggan: Dogsledding the Frozen Lakes of Yellowknife.
Under Yellowknife’s wide, cold sky, this outing trades the hum of the city for the soft cadence of dogs’ paws on snow: guests sit bundled in cozy toboggans while a dogsled team crosses a frozen lake, then gather at a woodstove-heated log cabin for bannock, storytelling and, when the conditions align, a front-row view of the aurora.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Cozy toboggan dogsled across a frozen lake
Begin with a 30-minute dogsled ride on a frozen lake that takes you away from city lights; riders sit in toboggans, bundled under blankets as the dogs’ rhythm becomes the evening’s soundtrack.
Traditional log cabin warmth and storytelling
Return to a woodstove-heated log cabin filled with Indigenous artifacts and furs, where guides share stories while guests enjoy pan-fried bannock and hot beverages.
Lakeshore viewing and camera-ready moments
If the aurora isn’t visible during the ride, a nearby lakeshore viewing area minutes from the cabin gives guests space to set up tripods, use cameras and try again under the northern sky.
What the day feels like
What the evening feels like
The pace is elemental: a half-hour dogsled departure into dark, silent icefields, then a slow return to a crackling woodstove and the social warmth of bannock and stories while guides watch the sky; throughout there’s the possibility of stepping back outside to frame the aurora from a prepared lakeshore spot.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this outing suits—and when it might not be ideal.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Dress very warmly for time outdoors; cameras and recording devices are encouraged for aurora photography.
Multiple layers and cold-weather outerwear are recommended—the operator asks guests to dress warm for the dogsled and lakeshore portions.
Bring your camera and tripod if you have one; guests are invited to set up at the nearby lakeshore viewing area to capture the lights.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the overall experience?
The experience lasts three hours.
How long is the dogsled portion?
The dogsled ride is 30 minutes long.
How many people fit in a toboggan?
Each toboggan may carry up to five passengers.
Is there a warm place to go after the ride?
Yes—guests return to a traditional log cabin heated by a woodstove, furnished with Indigenous artifacts and furs.
What if I miss the aurora during the ride?
There is a lakeshore viewing area minutes from the log cabin where guests can set up tripods and try again to photograph or watch the lights.
What should I bring?
Dress warm; cameras and recording devices are encouraged.
How often do sled rides depart?
Sled rides run every half hour back to back.