How Far in Advance Should You Book Tincup Wilderness Lodge?

Photo credit: Meinrad Humm, Tincup Wilderness Lodge
 

The Realistic Answer: Plan 6–12 Months Ahead

Tincup Wilderness Lodge is small, remote, and highly sought after. Because of that, availability disappears much earlier than many travellers expect.

General booking guidance:

• Peak Season (July-August): 9–12 months in advance
• Shoulder Season (June, September): 6–9 months in advance
• Last-Minute (Under 3 months): Possible but limited availability

Tincup hosts a maximum of 10 guests at a time. When capacity is this small, even a handful of early bookings can fill an entire week.

Why Tincup Books Up Quickly

Very Limited Capacity:

Tincup operates for a short summer season, typically from June through September. With limited turnover days and a maximum of 10 guests per session, the Lodge can host only a small number of visitors each year.

To put that in perspective, a standard hotel might host the same number of guests in a single weekend that Tincup welcomes over several weeks.

High Rate of Repeated Guests:

A significant portion of Tincup’s availability is taken by returning guests. Many rebook for the following year either before they leave or shortly after returning home. Some guests request the same week year after year, which reduces public availability early.

Floatplane Logistics Limit Flexibility:

All arrivals and departures are coordinated around helicopter and floatplane schedules. This means:

• Specific changeover days
• Limited flexibility for mid-week arrivals
• Fewer opportunities to “squeeze in” additional guests

Once a week is full, there’s no workaround.

Booking Timeline by Season

July-August (Peak Season)

Typical booking window: 9–12 months in advance

When It Books Up: 9–12 months in advance

Why these months fill fastest:

• Warmest and most predictable weather
• Popular with families traveling during school holidays
• First-time guests often target midsummer

What availability looks like:

• 12 months out: Best selection of dates and cabins
• 9–10 months out: Good availability, but popular weeks start filling
• 6–8 months out: Limited options, less flexibility
• Under 6 months: Often fully booked

Planning tip:
If your travel dates are fixed—school breaks, anniversaries, work schedules—booking a full year ahead is the safest approach.

June (Early Shoulder Season)

Typical booking window: 6–9 months in advance

Why June is different:

• Fewer family travellers
• Long daylight hours and wildflowers
• Cooler temperatures and more insects
• Slightly lower demand overall

Availability pattern:

• 9 months out: Wide availability
• 6 months out: Most weeks still open
• 3–4 months out: Some last-minute flexibility
• Under 3 months: Occasional openings

Planning tip:
June is often the best option for travellers who value flexibility or are booking on shorter notice.

September (Late Shoulder Season)

Typical booking window: 6–9 months in advance

Why September fills faster than people expect:

• Fall colours
• Northern Lights potential
• Excellent late-season fishing
• Cooler weather and fewer bugs

Availability pattern:

• 9 months out: Strong availability
• 6 months out: Popular weeks begin filling
• 3–4 months out: Some availability remains
• Under 3 months: Occasional openings

Planning tip:
Mid-to-late September, especially during peak fall colour and aurora periods, can book almost as far ahead as July.

Group Bookings: Plan Further Ahead

Families, Friend Groups, Retreats

If you’re booking for 6–10 guests, you’re effectively reserving a large portion—or all—of the Lodge.

Recommended timeline: 12–18 months in advance

Reasons group bookings require more lead time:

• Coordinating multiple schedules
• Limited weeks that can accommodate full groups
• Additional planning for meals and activities

Full Lodge Buyouts

If you want exclusive use of the Lodge:

Recommended timeline: 12–24 months in advance

Some guests reserve full buyouts years ahead for milestone events like major birthdays, reunions, or corporate retreats.

Last-Minute Bookings: Is It Possible?

Sometimes—but it’s not something to rely on.

When Last-Minute Can Work

• June or September travel
• Cancellations due to illness or travel changes
• Solo travellers who can fill single open spots
• Flexible date ranges

When It Rarely Works

• July and August
• Fixed travel dates
• Groups of two or more
• Requests for specific cabins or week lengths

How to Improve Your Chances

• Join the cancellation waitlist
• Be flexible on dates and length of stay
• Check availability regularly
• Call directly rather than relying only on email

How to Secure the Dates You Want

Book your return visit early
Many guests lock in next year’s dates before they leave, ensuring first choice.

Set a calendar reminder
If you’re targeting a specific month, set a reminder 9–10 months ahead.

Join the Lodge mailing list
Occasional updates announce season openings or availability changes.

Stay flexible if possible
Open date ranges dramatically improve your chances.

If You Wait Too Long

If your dates are full:

• Join the waitlist
• Shift your trip earlier or later
• Consider booking the following year

If only partial availability remains:

• Book a shorter stay
• Combine with time in Whitehorse or Dawson City

If peak season is unavailable:

• Look at June or September
• Shoulder seasons offer nearly the same experience with fewer crowds

The Bottom Line

Tincup Wilderness Lodge is not a large resort—it’s a remote lodge with 10 guest spots, a short season, and consistently high demand.

• Want specific dates? Book early.
• Want your preferred cabin? Book early.
• Want flexibility? Shoulder season helps.
• Waiting until the last minute? Possible, but uncertain.

The earlier you book, the more control you have—and the smoother your planning will be.