Winter Dog Mushing
Quick: what’s activity screams “Alaska” perhaps more than any other? Dog mushing through the snow, of course! After all, Alaska is home to the world-famous Iditarod, and mushing has a long tradition here. Fortunately, you have lots of options for experiencing dog mushing on snow—as long as, of course, there’s snow (usually mid-October or early November until around mid-April). it’s a lot of fun, and all ages can do it.
So what’s it really like? Well, when you arrive at a kennel, you’ll be greeted by a group of dogs, running around, barking excitedly, and waiting anxiously to do what they love best—run.
You’ll hop on the sled, and very quickly your jaw will drop at how quickly these dogs move and work together, making it look effortless. And even more quickly, you’ll be immersed in the Alaskan winter wilderness—the miles will fly by.
You’ll want to bring your own winter gear on this adventure, though many tour operators will provide warm books and parkas. Just don’t miss an opportunity to go. If you’ve done dog mushing in summer, with a cart on wheels, you need to do it in winter—it’s a very different experience, and one you won’t soon forget. Of course, the mushers know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people, and will do their best to make it memorable—but really, it’s the dogs that steal the show!
Anchorage View All
Tours depart from nearby Willow (1.5 hr drive). Several companies provide a shuttle from Anchorage.
Embark on a thrilling dog sledÂding advenÂture with Snowhook’s team of Alaskan Huskies and expeÂriÂence the exciteÂment of runÂning sled dogs on the scenic IdiÂtarÂod trail. Owned by seaÂsoned racÂers, Snowhook offers perÂsonÂalÂized tours for all ages and activÂiÂty levÂels, with the option to comÂbine dog sledÂding and snowÂmoÂbilÂing for a full-day Alaskan adventure.
ExpeÂriÂence the exciteÂment of racÂing chamÂpiÂon sled dogs at the AlasÂka MushÂing School, just 75 minÂutes from AnchorÂage. Get a professional’s insight into the mushÂing lifestyle as you ride behind a team of enerÂgetic sled dogs on trails conÂnectÂed to the famous IdiÂtarÂod route. BunÂdle up and ride in comÂfort, or brave the cold and driÂve the team yourself!
SumÂmer or winÂter, visÂit a famÂiÂly-run chamÂpiÂon kenÂnel, meet friendÂly dogs and an expeÂriÂenced mushÂer for a ride along priÂvate trails with views of Denali. Opt to ride in the sled or mush your own. Or, for a truÂly authenÂtic advenÂture, go on a trainÂing run for the IdiÂtarÂod! Large groups and speÂcial events welÂcome when orgaÂnized in advance.
EveryÂbody loves sled dogs, and Salmon Berry Tours offers you the chance to get behind the sled year-round. In sumÂmer and winÂter, you’ll head to the kenÂnel of IdiÂtarÂod ChamÂpiÂon DalÂlas Seavey, where you’ll see a gear demonÂstraÂtion, meet the dogs, and ride on the sled behind them. They also have a mulÂti-day advenÂture for IdiÂtarÂod enthusiasts.
Denali National Park View All
ExpeÂriÂence the thrill of the iconÂic Alaskan sport of dogsledÂding from vetÂerÂans of the IdiÂtarÂod and Yukon Quest races! OperÂatÂing in sumÂmer and winÂter from Cantwell, about a 30-minute driÂve south of Denali NationÂal Park, the priÂvate tours will be just you and your group, led by expert guides. WinÂter tours can involve learnÂing to driÂve your own dog team or ridÂing out to see the northÂern lights. In sumÂmer, the excitÂed dogs pull a side-by-side on ...more
Fairbanks View All
Take part in the thrill of winÂter and fall dog sledÂding out of FairÂbanks. You’ll expeÂriÂence the sport with one of Alaska’s longest-runÂning dog tour comÂpaÂnies. Go for a ride, attend mushÂing school, or go on a mulÂti-day advenÂture to the hisÂtoric ToloÂvana Roadhouse.
Chena OutÂdoor ColÂlecÂtive, locatÂed in Two Rivers, offers interÂacÂtive expeÂriÂences with sled dogs and reinÂdeer. Enjoy reinÂdeer tours year-round, from quick introÂducÂtions to immerÂsive VIP and backÂpackÂing trips. Dog lovers can meet sled dogs, expeÂriÂence sumÂmer and fall trainÂing runs, or go on thrilling winÂter dog sledÂding tours and mulÂti-day expeditions.
PlenÂty of peoÂple come to FairÂbanks to look at the sky — for northÂern lights, or to bask in the midÂnight sun. But this dog-mushÂing expeÂriÂence outÂside of FairÂbanks is proof that there’s plenÂty more of FairÂbanks to be seen at eye — or even paw — levÂel. May through OctoÂber, take a a trail ride with 16 dogs hitched up to an ATV. NovemÂber through April, take a mushÂing tour through the snow!
VisÂit the world’s oldÂest SiberÂian Husky kenÂnel any time of the year with tour options rangÂing from a couÂple of hours in the sumÂmer to mulÂti-day winÂter advenÂtures explorÂing Fairbanks.
This famÂiÂly-owned, fly-in luxÂuÂry wilderÂness lodge is 200 miles north of FairÂbanks and 60 miles above the ArcÂtic CirÂcle. Stays are all-incluÂsive and excluÂsive — they only accept one group at a time. Go dogsledÂding, snowÂshoeÂing, or scan the skies for the northÂern lights. The lodge’s huge picÂture winÂdows make it easy to keep a lookÂout for the auroÂra from a warm, comÂfortÂable interior.
Glide over the snow on a sled that’s being pulled by a team of dogs — many of whom have run the IdiÂtarÂod, Yukon Quest, or othÂer races. Go with Rod’s Alaskan Guide SerÂvice and expeÂriÂence the thrill of dog sledÂding with dogs that love to run and pasÂsionÂate mushÂers who will offer a deepÂer underÂstandÂing of this unique sport.
Talkeetna View All
Ride snowÂmaÂchines on priÂvate trails through forests while keepÂing an eye out for wildlife on your way to visÂit sled dogs and mushÂers and learn what it’s realÂly like to run the IdiÂtarÂod while mushÂing your own team.
Find out what this iconÂic Alaskan sport is all about when you meet the dogs and learn about racÂing them with SusitÂna Sled Dog AdvenÂtures out of TalÂkeetÂna. Come in winÂter and you can also hop on a sled to realÂly feel what dog mushÂing is like!