Honing the Arctic Edge.

• Author: Brynko, B.L.
• Position: Adventure and travel business - Company Profile

Canadian Dave Loeks has a jump on other ecotour operators. He's been in business a decade.

The Far North isn't one of the world's easiest spots to start a business, especially when the livelihood depends on the land. But for those who like a challenge, the region certainly fits the bill.

In 1982, Dave Loeks launched Arctic Edge Ltd., an adventure travel business based in the Canadian Yukon city of Whitehorse, utilizing years of experience as a guide and skier, as well as business know-how. The enterprise he cultivated offers tours that blend the area's local wildlife, natural resources and cultures into an adventure lasting usually between 10 and 21 days.

Loeks, who earned a masters of business administration and a graduate degree in forestry science from Yale University, guided throughout his schooling and career. He continues to work as a consultant in natural resource management for the Yukon Territory and for private clients. Conserving the environment comes as second nature for Loeks, who is amused that rival wilderness tour operators recently have learned the advantages of marketing "ecotours".

Arctic Edge offers canoe trips on the Snake, Upper Liard and South Macmillan rivers in the Yukon and on the Keele and Mountain rivers in the Northwest Territories. The most popular treks are the 6- to 11-day rafting expeditions on the Firth River in the North Yukon National Park and the Tatshenshini and Alsek rivers in the Yukon and Alaska.

Energetic backpackers can select either a trek through the Donjek Valley or the Duke River Pass in the Yukon's Kluane National Park. And winter fare includes ski-hut treks through the St. Elias Icefields or dog sledding in the Yukon. Prices for trips range from less than $1,000 (U.S. funds) to more than $2,500.

Says Loeks, "We offer an elite itinerary. There's nothing second rate in there, unlike so many adventure wilderness tour companies dominating the field. To me, some of the other operators, who are based in California or Ontario and import their own guides, are like carpetbaggers, in essence. We're northern-based and employ guides who live in and know the area."

Arctic Edge has a stable group of guides, with plenty of knowledge of the Yukon, Alaska and the Northwest Territories. As many as nine employees work during the double-season year. The summer season, from June to mid-September, revolves around rafting, hiking and canoeing; in the winter season, from February to mid-April, activities include ski...