All About Us

History of The Ranch

Sky High Wilderness Ranch has been offering visitors the "Adventure of a lifetime" for over 30 years. It was founded by Sylvia and Ian McDougall and has over the years grown into a well known and respected adventure tourism business. Between our sled dogs and horses, there is always something to do for the animal lovers of your group.

Because we are right on Nature's doorstep we also share our home with Yukon wild life and have great respect for their trails, watering holes, dens, and territories. At Sky High there is opportunity for hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and more!

The Kwanlin Dün First Nation history in our area dates back centuries and we share respect for their culture and values when using their land for our tours. Most of our tours involve some sort of camping: winter and summer. Our smaller group sizes ensure that we stay true to our belief in the "leave no trace" philosophy. All human and animal waste is carried out regularly and camps are moved often to ensure our wilderness stays pristine.

Being "OFF-GRID"

Our love of the land and environment we live in is evident in the simple way of life at Sky High. It is all about quiet comfort without the interference of telephones, internet, electricity, television etc. Step back in time, cozy up by the fire, light the lamp and read a book or stay up late and watch for the mystical Aurora Borealis.

Our “off the grid” lifestyle ranch is serviced by quaint outhouses (toilets), has limited cell service, no WiFi and water is hauled up from downtown. Our buildings are warmed by a wood stove, making for a cozy stay, while we also have gravity fed showers. All our lights and appliances are all powered by propane (no electricity).

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Overlooking Sky High Wilderness Ranch in Fall

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Meet the Team

Here is a brief introduction to Sky High team. All passionate by the dogs and horses, the Team is more than happy to show and explain the mushing/horseback riding world in the true Yukon Wilderness.

GENERAL MANAGER

JOCELYNE LEBLANC

Yukon Quest Veteran Jocelyne LeBlanc is the General Manager at Sky High. She was raised in New Brunswick and arrived in the Yukon approximately 20 years ago. She raised her racing team and raced in the 2010 Yukon Quest winning both the 'Red Lantern Award' and the 'Challenge of the North Award' for completing the Quest from Dawson City with only 7 dogs. With the combination of strong leadership skills, outgoing personality and experience, Jocelyne knows perfectly how to make your experience unforgettable.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

CORENTIN FAVRE

Corentin, called "Coco", is the Operations manager. He is managing the staff, the dogyard and pretty much everything that is happening on the ranch. You will find Coco on the trail, on a roof, preparing horses and dogs, or guiding, when is not in the the office. Born and raised in the middle east of France, he always dreamed to "live alone in Canadian's forest" so he decided to learn skills of outdoors jobs. He learned forestry and Wildlife management in Quebec. Quebec being overpopulated for him, he found the Yukon as the perfect place. When he's not on the Ranch, he's skiing, hiking, hunting or fishing in the mountains.

DOG SLED GUIDE

Jonathan Alsberghe

For Jonathan, everything started with a book: 'Les Terres de l'infini: La Vallee sans Homme' by Roger Frison-Roche, which is about an epic adventure in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Jonathan came to Canada from Northern France in 2009 and lived in Quebec for the last 7 years. It was there that he discovered dog sledding along the Saguenay Fjord. Later, he got his first Siberian Huskies: Torngat and Marathon, and started to learn and teach them how to run with a sled, bike joring and hiking. Recently, 2 adorable girls, Iroise and Venise, joined the team and the great adventure is ongoing! The ardent and living First Nations' culture and history played a huge role in Jonathan's decision to move to the Yukon. Besides mushing, Jonathan has many talents: he is a landscaper, florist, sailing instructor, lift operator at the local ski hill at Mt Sima, and pyrotechnician who occasionally illuminates the beautiful Northern sky in bursts of colour. He is passionate about sharing his new-found love for the North and this great adventures with the dogs. That is why he has come to Sky High!

DOG SLED GUIDE

Elaine Saunier-Bellemare

Elaine is a true Montrealer/Quebecoise! This means she loves food, arts, music and culture in general. Of course, she likes outdoor activities but she is also a good dancer. Elaine would be more than happy if you could show her one/two of your steps! Dog sledding is her true passion though, and that is why she came to the Yukon to learn, watch and work with the best mushers. She has more than 6 years of guiding experience (hiking, canoeing dog sledding) as well as a School Guiding Degree from QC

HORSEBACK & DOG SLED GUIDE

Kristina Kapusnakova

Kristina began her love for the outdoors in her home country of Slovakia. There she worked at a remote cabin in the mountains - a place only reachable by a 10km uphill hike with a 30kg backpack. This off-grid cabin is one of few places in Europe where porters still have to carry everything up and down the mountain! Since then she has always been searching for the least-crowded and remote places to live, and the Yukon is the best option for that! Sky High is everything Kristina has dreamed about - a place where she can spend her time doing her favourite things: hiking, running, horseback riding, dog sledding, reading books, writing poetry and getting lost in the mountains.

DOG SLED GUIDE

Natalie Cihlářová

DOG SLED GUIDE

Nicolas Cardona

HORSEBACK & DOG SLED GUIDE

Regan Fuerstner

SKY HIGH IN THE MEDIA

"THE LAST TRAPPER"

"The Last Trapper" was filmed in the Fish Lake area and used our Coal Lake cabin for a set in the movie. Watch the clip here.

YUKONIC EPISODE

Our Sky High Dogs starred in this episode of 'Yukonic'. Watch the clip here.

MERCEDEZ BENZ COMMERCIAL

Mercedes Benz did a Smart Car promotion with our dogs pulling the smart car. Watch the clip here.

"THE SKINNY DIP"

Best Boy Productions filmed "The Skinny Dip" Yukon episode at our ranch - some of our staff are actors. This episode aired on the Travel Network. Watch the clip here.

MAN TRACKER

An episode of Man Tracker was filmed at Fish Lake.

"CANADA'S AMAZING RACE 2"

Season 2, Episode 5 of Canada's Amazing Race featured challenges at our Ranch! Watch the clip here.