This course is specifically designed for athletes participating in the Yukon Arctic Ultra race, similar ultramarathon events or expeditions in cold-weather conditions.

How do you dress in extreme cold? What is the best footwear? What equipment should you bring? How do you pack your pulk? How can you avoid frostbite and hypothermia in temperatures as low as -40°C? How do you set up a cold-weather bivy? You will practice lighting your stove in the cold and learn how to quickly start a fire to warm up. We will help you plan your snacks and meal rations, cover communication in emergencies, and help you develop problem-solving skills.

This course will also cover Yukon-specific aspects of the race (such as possible wildlife encounters, trail etiquette, and traplines), its remoteness, and what that means for your race strategy and emergency situations.

Our instructor team is passionate about the Yukon Arctic Ultra, the Yukon, and winter adventures in the far north. We want you to succeed in your YAU, and we are happy to share our knowledge to help you prepare for this challenge. Gillian Smith and Jessie Gladish have both raced in the YAU and ITI multiple times and bring a wealth of knowledge about long-distance racing in cold, dark northern winters. Fabian Schmitz has competed in long-distance dog sled races in the Yukon and Alaska, published a book on winter survival, and teaches wilderness skills courses in the north.

Online Component:
The course kicks off with a Facebook group that allows for discussion among participants and instructors. We will also host three online workshops (2.5 hours each, in October, November, and December 2026) featuring a mix of presentations, discussions, and Q&As.

Yukon Workshop:
The in-person workshop takes place approximately one week before the start of the Yukon Arctic Ultra. This component gives you the opportunity to test your race gear in real Yukon winter conditions, practice your bivy system, and learn how to handle your pulk. An overnight bivy exercise to simulate the race environment is also included.

Detailed itinerary coming soon.

Price: $1,350 plus 5% GST
Dates:

• Online meetings: tentatively Oct 18, Nov 15, and Dec 13, 2026
• Yukon workshop (in-person): Jan 31 – Feb 4, 2027

It is also possible to sign up only for the online component ($200) or to join the overnight exercise ($200).

While this workshop is specifically designed for winter ultramarathon athletes, we also welcome participants preparing for other winter expeditions who could benefit from this experience. Please contact us—we are happy to discuss whether this workshop is the right fit for you.