The Official Race Start begins in the town of Willow on the first Sunday in March. Come see the mushers head out on “The Last Great Race” and get a feel for a small-town Alaskan winter. The race begins at 2 p.m., with mushers leaving the gate every two minutes. Several thousand fans show up to cheer on the 60 to 70 dog teams; vendors selling food and souvenirs set up at the Willow Community Center. There’s usually a shuttle from Wasilla, and you can look on the race website for more information as the date nears.
If you're looking for a full winter vacation surrounding the excitement of the Iditarod, get in touch with Salmon Berry Tours. They offer two winter itineraries that include the Iditarod and other key winter experiences, such as the aurora! One is their 12-day Iditarod Aurora in Denali package, and the other is Iditarod Ultimate Family Field Trip. Both itineraries are offered just once a year, beginning in late February.
