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Dog Sledding in Alaska
You're speeding through Alaskan forest, sitting on a sled that's being pulled by some of Alaska's most powerful creatures. This is dog sledding—and it's not only an Alaskan tradition, but also a state obsession, one that's celebrated every March with the running of the 1,150-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome. Taking a dogsledding excursion is a chance to see what the fuss is all about. You'll meet Iditarod racers and their dogs and hear what it's like to run this brutal race. And often, you'll experience the thrill of dogsledding first-hand.
This is an outing you can do from Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, Girdwood, and Juneau. Options vary, but usually include touring the kennels of these champion dogs, seeing how they're trained, and cuddling their puppies. Many Iditarod racers and champions have tours, so you'll hear a first-person account of what it's
like to travel through some of Alaska's harshest terrain. Most of these tours are great for kids, but they're geared for all ages.
Two Different Kinds of Tours
Party on wheels. You'll visit a kennel and be surrounded by the cacophony (and smell) of dogs, meet team members and cuddle some of the puppies. You typically get to ride on one of the wheeled carts (on the ground, not snow) that the dogs use for training
Flying to, and riding on the snow. You'll combine about 20 minutes of dog sledding on a glacier with either a fixed-wing plane or helicopter flightseeing trip. These trips are pricier: $250 and up.
Price Range
$100 ground-based. $250+ fly-in
Where to Go
Here are the most common spots and a popular tours:
Anchorage: Salmon Berry Tours offers an authentic winter excursion.
Girdwood: Alpine Air Alaska's Glacier Dog Sled Tour is probably Alaska's best value for both helicopter tour plus riding with the dogs on ice.
Denali: Jeff King's Husky Homestead Tour is run by the winningest musher of all time, who shares stories and lets you meet his kennel of 80 dogs.
Seward: Seavey's Ididaride combines a meet-and-greet with dogs in their kennel and a wheeled cart ride through forested Resurrection River Valley and along a splashing creek.
Fairbanks: Bill Cotter gives winter tours and runs a dog sledding school.