How to Enjoy British Columbia’s Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run 

My final day in British Columbia: As my boots crunched across the snow, I felt the bump of the chemical warmer nestled under my toes between two pairs of wool socks. I was dreaming of 60-something-degree weather at home in Texas, hoping feeling would eventually return to my feet. This was next-level cold, and as beautiful as the winter scenery was, the words “I’m not a winter person” had run through my head a million times during my weeklong trip to Canada, followed by “What was I even thinking?”

I heard the dogs before I saw them, high-pitched, joyful yips rippling through the icy morning air. I rounded the corner, and there they were — multiple teams of sled dogs barking, jumping and wiggling with impatient excitement. We were minutes from the start of the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run, a yearly event in Quesnel, Wells and Barkerville, British Columbia, where the mail is carried by dog sled. These dogs knew they had a job to do and were eager to get to it.

The enthusiasm was contagious, and suddenly, I didn’t notice the cold so much.

The 2026 Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run will take place Feb. 6-8.

History of the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run

The mail run dates to 1992, when it was a qualifying event for the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod, both intensely competitive and rugged dog-mushing competitions. In 1998, the competitive focus was dropped, and the emphasis shifted to participation and community spirit. The event is also open to skijorers, cross-country skiers, kicksledders, snowshoers, runners and, according to the event website, “probably any other form of self-propelled transportation capable of navigating a snow-packed trail.”

Participants are sworn in as honorary mail carriers, and yes, they transport real mail, which is handed to Canada Post officials at the close of the event. Volunteers are a major force behind the event, and 2026 marks the 34th year. There are usually about 25 teams participating in the three-day event, and they are a sight to behold as they fly through the snow.

Rubbing paws with the sled dogs

I live in South Texas, so a dusting of snow every few years — and maybe an annual road closure due to ice — is about it as far as winter weather goes. Hip-deep snowdrifts and teams of dogs invigorated by subzero weather are a true novelty for me. I had the chance to hang out with a few of the teams before the run and to pet a couple of the pups. Most were too pumped to begin running to care much about my presence, but it was fun to see them up close. The consensus: This event is akin to a Super Bowl for sled dogs.

The mushing teams take off on a staggered timetable, and each time one leaves, the decibel level of the dogs still waiting rises. I believe a dog’s bark means something. We don’t always know what they’re saying, but they know. The intent behind these barks couldn’t have been clearer. These teams were ready, and although they may not have understood their part in the mail-carrying mission, they knew it was their job to run.

Watching the dogs break into a run was pure poetry. When the handler released the harness, sending them out with a shower of snow in their wake, it felt like the rest of the world melted away for a few fleeting moments. This event might not be a race anymore, but I’m pretty sure the dogs don’t care.

Historic Barkerville

The best place to see the sled dogs in action is on the final mail run from Barkerville. You can see the dogs take off from their staging area, then walk up the main street to watch the teams zip through as they complete the run.

Barkerville Historic Town and Park is an open-air living history community offering a snapshot of life during the mid-1800s gold rush. While summer is the primary visitor season, there’s also a winter season with scaled-back services and self-guided tour options. Historic Barkerville comes alive during the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run, with locals coming out to see the dogs deliver mail and a handful of businesses opening their doors for the event. To fully experience Barkerville’s charm and history, visit in summer, although winter is undoubtedly picturesque.

Historic Barkerville is comparable to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, where visitors can immerse themselves in the history of a bygone era. It’s the next best thing to teleporting back in time and interacting with some of the region’s early settlers.

Nearby Wells, British Columbia

The nearby community of Wells is an artsy small town with brightly colored buildings that pop against the stark white snowy landscape. The Wells Hotel is a great place to stay to experience the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run. It’s a cozy inn with comfortable rooms and an on-site gastropub featuring one of the largest private Scotch collections in Western Canada.

The snow reached my second-story window during my February stay, but there was a roaring fire in the lobby and a rooftop hot tub to keep me warm.

How to enjoy the event from anywhere

Although seeing the dogs run in person is hard to top, anyone can take part. If you’re in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast area, there are designated spots where you can purchase a mail run envelope. Place completed envelopes in a special drop box with whatever personal message you wish to include, and your chosen recipient will receive a piece of mail stamped “Carried by Dog Sled.” Each year’s envelope features unique artwork.

You can also order envelopes online and have them delivered anywhere in the world. Make sure to observe the timeline posted on the mail run’s website to ensure your envelope is included.

More about Canada’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast – and why it’s so darn cold)

The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast covers a vast area in the middle of British Columbia, stretching from the Fraser Canyon in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. Winter weather typically lasts from November through March. The region’s cold winters stem from its inland location; without the ocean’s moderating influence, Arctic air pushes down into the area, resulting in frigid temperatures. It is stunningly beautiful, a little wild and worth experiencing in winter — if you’re dressed appropriately.

I’ll be honest: A climate where I have to wear three pairs of socks and so many layers that my knees don’t bend all the way is not my jam. I was pretty stoked to get back to “winter” weather where a sweatshirt is an adequate February outer garment, but spending my last afternoon with the sled dogs helped me appreciate the majesty of a Canadian winter.