Calgarians Maureen and Matt Mosteller opted to challenge themselves by navigating frozen tundra.

The husband-and-wife team is representing Canada in the Fulda Challenge Extreme Arctic Winter Adventure, which began in Whitehorse yesterday with dogsledding at Muktuk Adventures and extreme cooking with celebrity chef Steffen Henssler at SIR North Country Ranch.

The teams – representing Canada, Germany, Austria and Switzerland – continued the challenge today with the snowmobile race starting in Pelly Crossing and the wall climb in Dawson City.

The extreme event is a change of pace for the Mostellers, who were both athletes in their prime, but are strangers to many of the off-beat competitions in the challenge.

"We've got great spirits, and lots of support, but most of the events we haven't done before,” said Matt, a former alpine ski racer. "We've trained for running to keep our fitness level strong. But we are both good athletes in various other sports, and we hope that we're quick learners.”

Maureen is also a former ski racer and competitive water skier.

She said running was one of the easier sports for her to pick back up.

Adapting to the cold is another matter, she added.

"That was a big concern for me, but I think we'll be OK,” she said. "We're going to do just fine.”

Up until yesterday, the couple's sojourn north has been a learning experience, Matt said.

And they're open to advice.

"It's an important challenge for both of us, we'll grow from it, and each and every step of the way we'll have a great experience,” Matt said.

"It's really been about wanting to take adventures, and really do adventures that really challenge yourself. You never learn or grow if you don't challenge yourself in your life, and we felt that not only for ourselves individually but together, challenging our relationship, we'll only grow stronger.”

The Fulda Challenge will stage events in and around Whitehorse, Dawson, Eagle Plains, the Arctic Circle and Inuvik.

The Yukon government's investment of $150,000 through a cooperative marketing agreement supports media coverage from foreign journalists and broadcasters attending the annual event.

"We are pleased to see Fulda's signature red and black colours again and we wish contestants and organizers the best of Yukon as they embrace not only the Challenge itself, but also Yukon's winter wonderland known for its pristine beauty and what can be harsh winter conditions,” Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor said.

An estimated $7.4 million Canadian in public relations advertising is expected to be generated.

While in the territory, an estimated $1 million is spent locally by Fulda on equipment rentals, food and beverages, transportation, accommodations, staging of events and other services which help to stimulate the local economy.

"Over the past 11 years, the Fulda Challenge has developed into a major marketing tool for our Fulda Plus tire brand,” said Dr. Rainer Landwehr, group managing director for Goodyear/Dunlop Germany. "I am very excited to experience the Fulda Challenge, the events, the venues, and of course Yukon and its people personally for the first time.”

Matt echoed that sentiment.

"There's certainly some other competitors that are here that are just amazing athletes – world class athletes – and we're certainly honoured to be participating with them,” Matt said. "But the most important part is they're all really wonderful people, and we're learning lots, we're seeing lots, we're enjoying the experience, and it's going to be a long, cold journey.”