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NEWS ENGLISH

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

From the Yukon to the Himalayas – Bhutan Ultra 2027

For more than two decades, the Yukon Arctic Ultra has brought athletes from around the world to Canada’s frozen north, challenging them to discover their limits while experiencing one of the most extraordinary wilderness environments on earth.

If you love exploring remote places, discovering different cultures and challenging yourself in extraordinary environments, I’d like to introduce another event to you: Bhutan Ultra.

A Different Kind of Ultra Adventure

Taking place from November 6–19, 2027, the Bhutan Ultra is a six-stage adventure along the eastern section of the historic Trans Bhutan Trail, in the heart of the Himalayas.

Participants can choose between two distances:

  • 200 km across six stages – the main race
  • 150 km across six stages – a shorter option for those who prefer a little less distance while enjoying the same remarkable experience

Unlike the Yukon Arctic Ultra, where athletes face extreme cold and must manage long distances with a high degree of self-sufficiency, the Bhutan Ultra offers a different kind of challenge.

There will be demanding climbs and descents, mountain trails, changing weather conditions and the physical challenge of running on consecutive days. But there will also be opportunities to recover, share experiences with fellow participants and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a stage race.

More Than Just Running

Bhutan is often called the Land of the Thunder Dragon, and it is a country unlike any other.

Ancient monasteries, spectacular Himalayan scenery, colourful prayer flags, traditional villages and a deeply rooted Buddhist culture make a journey through Bhutan a remarkable experience.

Our itinerary also includes time to discover some of the country’s cultural and natural highlights, including the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Punakha Dzong and other unforgettable places.

The idea behind the Bhutan Ultra is simple: combine a demanding running adventure with the opportunity to get to know an extraordinary country.

Just as the Yukon Arctic Ultra has introduced countless athletes to the beauty and challenges of the Yukon wilderness, I hope the Bhutan Ultra will encourage people to discover a very different, but equally fascinating, part of the world.

Join Us in November 2027!

Whether you’re a Yukon Arctic Ultra veteran looking for a new challenge, or simply someone who enjoys adventures that go beyond conventional races, Bhutan Ultra might be exactly what you’re looking for.

I would love to welcome some familiar faces from the Yukon to the Himalayas!

Find out more about the race, the itinerary and how to join us on the official Bhutan Ultra website:

https://www.bhutan-ultra.com/

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Yukon Arctic Ultra: The numbers behind the race

Since 2003, the Yukon Arctic Ultra has challenged athletes from around the world to push their limits in one of the toughest winter environments imaginable. Now, our new Records & Statistics page brings together the numbers, achievements and remarkable stories that have shaped the race.

How many athletes have taken part over the years? Where have they come from? How many have reached the finish line? And who holds the fastest times on our traditional trail?

Our new statistics page offers answers to these questions and more, looking back at over two decades of Yukon Arctic Ultra history.

Records, numbers and remarkable achievements

From participation figures and nationalities to finishing rates and course records, the page provides an overview of the event’s history.

We also take a closer look at how athletes have tackled the challenge: on foot, on skis and on fatbikes.

The course records distinguish between the traditional Yukon Quest trail, used until 2024, and the alternative routes and distances introduced in 2025 and 2026.

Introducing our Hall of Fame

One of the highlights of the new page is our Hall of Fame, celebrating athletes who have successfully completed the Yukon Arctic Ultra in all three disciplines.

Our first three inductees are Enrico Ghidoni, Jessie Gladish and Joaquin Candel. Each has completed extraordinary challenges over the years, including the longest distances we have offered. Their stories go far beyond finishing times and rankings. They reflect determination, versatility and a lasting connection to the Yukon and the race.

A history written by our athletes

Of course, statistics only tell part of the story. Behind every number is an athlete, an adventure, and often a tremendous personal achievement.

Trail conditions, temperatures and weather can vary dramatically from one edition to the next, making direct comparisons difficult. But that’s also what makes the Yukon Arctic Ultra so special: no two races are ever quite the same.

I hope you enjoy exploring the numbers and revisiting some of the memorable performances from our history.

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Gear information page updated

Preparing for the Yukon Arctic Ultra is about much more than simply buying a few pieces of gear. Success in the race often comes down to making informed decisions, testing equipment thoroughly, and allowing enough time to learn what works best for you.

To help athletes with their preparation, I have significantly expanded and updated the gear information section on the website.

The updated page includes:

  • Detailed information on recommended equipment categories
  • Alternative options for many pieces of gear
  • Comments and practical tips based on years of experience
  • A sample gear list that can serve as a starting point for estimating sled weight

Please keep in mind that there is no single “perfect” gear list for the Yukon Arctic Ultra. Equipment choices depend on many factors, including your experience, pace, race distance, personal preferences, and expected weather conditions. The information provided is intended as guidance and a starting point for your own research and testing.

I would also like to invite race veterans to contribute. If there is a piece of equipment that you believe should be included, or if you have valuable experience with specific gear, I would be happy to hear from you. With your permission, I may add some of your comments and recommendations to the website so that future participants can benefit from your knowledge.

I hope you find the information useful and that it helps you prepare for your Yukon Arctic Ultra adventure.

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

July entry fee deadline extended

Last week, we started the process of moving our LAU website from one hosting provider to another. Unfortunately, the migration turned out to be more complicated than anticipated, and we only completed it today.

As a result, during the last few days of July – just before the entry fees were scheduled to increase – the website was unavailable, and anyone interested was unable to access the relevant information. Therefore, we will honor the July entry fee for all registrations received before August 8.

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Our return to Muktuk Adventures!

Next winter the Yukon Arctic Ultra will return to the trail we had used for more than 20 years. Like the new trail we had the pleasure to experience in 2024 and 2025, it is not just about nature and wilderness. It’s also about the people. We are all really looking forward to visit the people who have become our friends.
Manuela and Jeff from from Muktuk Adventures are among these friends. They even helped us this year when we were actually in a totally different area of the Yukon – sponsoring checkpoint food that tasted absolutely amazing!
In 2027 Muktuk Adventures will be our first checkpoint and also the finish line for the new 32 km “Muktuk Challenge”.
Below link will bring you to a report and short video about Muktuk – recently published by the Weather Network.

Easy to see, why we like it there so much!

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Official YAU 2027 Training Course

There will be a change in the organisation of next year’s official YAU training course. After many years in the lead, Jessie Gladish will be handing over the torch to Fabian Schmitz from Bushcraft Yukon.

It’s great that Jessie, together with Gillian Smith, will continue to support Fabian during the course days. This means that the same “dream team” that has done such an excellent job teaching over the years will still be working together – now with Fabian taking on the coordination role.

Fabian is an expert in winter survival, has a deep passion for exploring nature, and is also the author of a book on winter survival (German language only). Having been involved in the race crew many times, he knows the YAU inside out.

As always, the course is not only open to YAU athletes. Anyone interested in developing these skills is welcome to join.

You will find more information about the course in the Training Course section here on our website.

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Yukon Arctic Ultra 2027 is ready for entries!

I asked the community in our facebook race group if they think that we should return to our old trail – Whitehores to Dawson City – if the Yukon Quest will have a comback there for 2027. More than 80% were in favor of that option! So, that’s what we will do!
Next winter the Yukon Arctic Ultra will return to the trail that we had used from 2003 to 2024. We will start Feb. 7th at 10:30am from Shipyard’s Park in Whitehorse. Possible distances will be the Muktuk Challenge of 32 km, 150 km to Braeburn, 375 km to Pelly Crossing and 480 km to Pelly Crossing. Athletes in teh 480 km distance will go from Pelly Crossing to Pelly Farm on the Pelly River and then return to Pelly Crossing on the farm road.
Next winter the Yukon Arctic Ultra will return to the trail that we had used from 2003 to 2024. We will start Feb. 7th at 10:30am from Shipyard’s Park in Whitehorse. Possible distances will be the Muktuk Challenge of 32 km, 150 km to Braeburn, 375 km to Pelly Crossing and 480 km to Pelly Crossing. Athletes in teh 480 km distance will go from Pelly Crossing to Pelly Farm on the Pelly River and then return to Pelly Crossing on the farm road.
We won’t go all the way to Dawson City. That distance will return in 2028. 
I want to, once again, thank everyone who has been involved in the last two editions that took us to Teslin, Ross River and Faro. I would not want to miss that experiene! I would be up for YAU special edition races of 350 km (Teslin to Faro) if there is sufficient interest. 
Now the focus is on 2027. The forms to sign up are ready. If you sign up before the end of May you will get the lowest possible entry fee.
We won’t go all the way to Dawson City. That distance will return in 2028.
I want to, once again, thank everyone who has been involved in the last two editions that took us to Teslin, Ross River and Faro. I would not want to miss that experiene! I would be up for YAU special edition races of 350 km (Teslin to Faro) if there is sufficient interest.
Now the focus is on 2027. The forms to sign up are ready. If you sign up before the end of May you will get the lowest possible entry fee.

For more than 20 years I have used a paperbased process for athletes to sign up to my Arctic Ultra events, i.e. you had to print a pdf-file, then scan and email it and later on send or hand in the originals. Thanks to Pat Cooke-Rogers, who is a YAU veteran and long-time crew member, last winter we tested a process that was mainly done online – the only exception being the Medical Certificate, which eventually does need to get printed because a doctor needs to fill it in and sign it. This new way of doing it worked really well. So, I am rolling it out for all events, including the Yukon Arctic Ultra!

You will get to the forms below. If something does not work, please get in touch. I can also send you the link in another way and of course assist in case of problems.



robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Final finishers in the 645km reach Johnson’s Crossing

Jan Rohrberg (GER) on the last stretch towards the finish line

From start to finish, Jan carried something that never seemed to fade – good spirits, a positive outlook, and a genuine warmth whenever he crossed paths with others on the trail.

We caught up with him not far from the finish, still smiling, still enjoying the journey, even after days of effort and fatigue. That attitude stayed with him all the way to the line.

Feb. 11th at 23:45, Jan arrived into Johnson’s Crossing to secure 4th place, closing out a strong and steady race run with consistency and heart.

Well done Jan – a pleasure to see you out there, and a race carried exactly as you started it: with positivity.

Magdalena Paschke (GER) greeted at the finish line by volunteer crew member Pat Cooke-Rogers

Feb. 12th at 16:58 in the afternoon, Magdalena crossed the line at Johnson’s Crossing, completing the 645km Yukon Arctic Ultra and bringing her long journey south to a close.

Returning to the Yukon after her time here in 2019, Magdalena once again immersed herself in the vastness of the trail. She relishes being outside in this landscape – perhaps not every single moment, but certainly most of them – and that connection to place carried her steadily forward.

Rumour has it she may also have had the best cared-for feet in the entire race – a quiet but crucial skill over 645km. And like several athletes fortunate enough to benefit from this year’s terrain, she enjoyed more than a little sledding on the final downhill stretch into the finish.

A composed, determined performance across a demanding and ever-changing course.

Well done Magdalena – welcome back to Johnson’s Crossing.

Thomas Miller (CAN) at the Johnson’s Crossing finish line

Feb. 12th at 21:33 in the evening, Thomas arrived into Johnson’s Crossing, completing his 600km journey the hard way – on a fat bike.

Choosing a bike is never the easy option. Hard, road-like trail that lets you make quick headway? It’s probably -40°C and punishing both rider and machine. Warmer conditions? You’ll be walking and pushing more than riding. And in any year, mechanical issues are simply more likely than on foot.

This year offered everything. Soft, resistance-heavy snow. Wet conditions. A metre of snowfall in a single day… twice. For a fat biker, it was relentless.

And yet, Thomas truly earned his nickname: Thomas the Tank Engine.

Soft trail? He trudged through it. Wet feet? He managed them. Fresh snowfall burying the route? He found a way.

Steady. Relentless. Uncomplaining. Just keep moving forward. Once you make the decision to do something, you’ve made it. Thomas decided to get to Johnson’s Crossing.

In one of the toughest years for bikes, Thomas didn’t just survive the course – he forged through it.

Well done, Thomas. A hard-earned, thoroughly deserved finish.

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Maxime Bachelot (FRA) ranks 3rd in 645km

What a day to close out a race.

Snow. Hail. Sun. Wind. Every weather system the Yukon could muster – and Maxime met them all head on. A long, tiring final push, the kind that tests patience as much as legs.

But the trail had one last gift to offer: a downhill run to the finish. A final sled. A moment of gravity doing the work at the end of 600 hard-earned kilometres.

Maxime crossed the line to claim 3rd place, completing this year’s 600km podium – and, more importantly, into the arms of his partner. After days of isolation and effort, what more could anyone need to refill the soul?

Well done Maxime. A strong race, carried through every condition the Yukon could throw your way.

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Yasmin Stoderegger (AUT) 2nd in 645km

If the Yukon rewards patience, it also rewards courage – and in the final days of her race, Yasmin showed both in abundance.

Gradually, then decisively, she lifted the pace. Faster. And faster still. A good portion of the closing stages saw her racing stride for stride with 604 Maxime Bachelot, pushing each other onward through the final miles.
And then came the finish.

At 10:30, after one final high-speed sled into the line, Yasmin hurtled across the finish with momentum, intent, and unmistakable strength. A powerful close to a hard-fought race.

Measured early, fearless late.

A superb run to the line.

Congratulations, Yasmin – what a way to finish. Second overall, and first female!