The Yukon Quest has a future as an all-Alaska sled dog race

John Schandelmeier

COMMENTARY

Most Alaskans are aware of the Yukon Quest. It has been called the “little brother of the Iditarod.” And, indeed, it was. Colder, darker, and with fewer teams entering — it was indeed the little brother; the younger brother you thought would grow up mean and tough. But the woes struck. Originally, the Yukon Quest was a 1,000-mile event between two countries, in Alaska and the Yukon. The COVID-19 pandemic came, and conflicts between members of a race board split between Alaskans and Canadians put an end to the Yukon Quest as we once knew it. Today, the Yukon Quest is a shadow of the race it once was. There is a Canada event and a separate Alaska one. Both race organizations have been striving to craft meaningful races that will attract competitive teams.

The Yukon Quest Alaska has been attempting a 550-mile Quest for the past four years. Each season, something thwarts that plan. Mostly, the issues relate to a weak purse, a lack of teams interested or poor trail conditions. To be sure, the Yukon River between Circle and Eagle can always be a rough section of trail for the race crew to tackle. Jumble ice, recent late freeze-ups and cold pre-race temperatures have been a problem in recent years. However, the biggest single issue is the lack of dog teams and mushers who have the means and fortitude to tackle a long sled race that traverses some of the toughest terrain in Alaska.

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