Imagine experiencing the thrill of dog sledding through a snowy landscape, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights. This adventure is a unique and unforgettable experience that combines the excitement of mushing through the Arctic wilderness with the awe-inspiring display of the Northern Lights.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth's magnetic field. This interaction causes spectacular displays of colored light in the night sky, typically visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
You'll have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights up close, and even take a guided tour to maximize your chances of witnessing this natural wonder. The best time to see the Northern Lights is during the peak season, from September to April, when the nights are dark enough to view the display.
Dog sledding is a fun and exhilarating experience that allows you to explore the Arctic wilderness in a unique way. You'll get to ride on a sled pulled by a team of happy and energetic sled dogs, taking in the stunning scenery and fresh air.
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Expeditions and Tours
You can experience the thrill of dog sledding and northern lights on exclusive expeditions and tours in Alaska.
The Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge offers all-inclusive and exclusive dog sledding expeditions, where you can go dogsledding, snowshoeing, or scan the skies for the northern lights from a warm and comfortable interior.
The lodge is located 200 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle, making it an ideal spot for witnessing the northern lights.
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Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge Expeditions
Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge Expeditions are a great way to experience the beauty of Alaska's wilderness. Located 200 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle, this lodge offers a unique and exclusive adventure.
The lodge is family-owned and operated, ensuring a personalized and high-quality experience for each guest. Stays are all-inclusive, making it easy to plan your trip.
You can choose from a variety of activities, including dogsledding, snowshoeing, or simply scanning the skies for the northern lights. The lodge's huge picture windows make it easy to keep an eye out for the aurora from a warm and comfortable interior.
Northstar Helicopters Glacier Tour
Imagine soaring above breathtaking landscapes with Northstar Helicopters' Glacier Tour. This adventure combines a scenic helicopter tour with the thrill of dog mushing on a glacier.
Get ready for an exhilarating experience with a team of Alaskan Sled dogs. You'll be able to see the stunning views from a unique perspective.
The tour offers a unique combination of flightseeing and hands-on fun. It's a great way to experience the thrill of dog mushing without the need for extensive training or experience.
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Jeff King Husky Homestead Tour
Jeff King Husky Homestead Tour is a unique experience that lets you get up close and personal with champion sled dogs.
Jeff King is a veteran musher who has claimed first place four times in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
You'll have the chance to hear tales from the trail and learn about what it takes to create a championship team.
The tour takes place at the Husky Homestead, Jeff's sled-dog training center, where he's been offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look for over three decades.
Here, you'll get to meet Jeff's dogs and see firsthand what goes into training a team for the Iditarod.
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Guides and Services
You can experience the thrill of dog sledding with experienced guides and passionate mushers who know the sport inside out. Rod's Alaskan Guide Service offers dog sledding adventures with dogs that have run the Iditarod and Yukon Quest.
Some guides even offer the chance to drive the sled yourself! Snowhook Adventure Guides of Alaska provides dog sled tours where you can meet the sled dogs and learn what it's like to run the Iditarod from the mushers themselves.
Alaska Adventure Guides
If you're looking for a thrilling dog sledding experience, there are several excellent guides to choose from. Rod's Alaskan Guide Service offers a unique opportunity to glide over the snow on a sled pulled by experienced dogs that have run the Iditarod.
You can choose from a variety of dog sledding tours, including those offered by Snowhook Adventure Guides of Alaska, which allow you to drive the sled yourself. Paws for Adventure is another great option, offering rides, mushing school, and multi-day adventures to the historic Tolovana Roadhouse.
For a more personal experience, consider visiting Alaskan Husky Adventures, a family-run kennel that offers private trails with breathtaking views of Denali. Alternatively, you can head to Alaska Mushing School, where you can learn the ins and outs of racing champion sled dogs and even drive the team yourself.
If you're looking for a truly authentic experience, try Susitna Sled Dog Adventures, which allows you to meet the dogs and learn about racing them. Seavey's IdidaRide Sled Dog Tours offers a unique experience, visiting the home of Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey and taking a thrilling two-mile dog sled ride.
For a more adventurous experience, consider Alpine Air Alaska's Girdwood Glacier Dogsledding tour, which involves flying to a dog camp and then driving the sled yourself over a glacier.
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A Brief History
The relationship between men and dogs dates back many thousands of years, with dogs first being trained to pull sleds around 3000 years ago for practical purposes in North America, Siberia, and Scandinavia.
Dogs were initially used to transport goods across these northerly regions, showcasing their incredible endurance and strength.
By the 19th century, dog sledding had become a recreational activity, and today it's a popular excursion for visitors to remote regions, as well as a competitive and beloved sport.
The Finnmarkslopet in Norway and the Iditarod in Canada are famous multi-day husky sled races that attract thousands of spectators each year.
Dogs used for dog sledding are typically Alaskan malamutes, Alaskan huskies, and Siberian huskies, selected based on their stamina, speed, strength, and friendliness towards humans.
Choosing the right dogs is crucial, with lead dogs selected for their intelligence and others for their strength.
Dogs are trained from a young age to be highly obedient to their mushers, and as pack animals, they quickly establish a hierarchy in a team.
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Paws for Adventure
You can experience dog sledding year-round at various kennels in Alaska. Visit Happy Trails Kennel in Big Lake, operated by four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser, for a thrilling dog sled ride.
Come in winter and you can meet the dogs and learn about racing them with Susitna Sled Dog Adventures out of Talkeetna.
You can run Iditarod sled dogs and even have a chance to drive with Snowhook Adventure Guides of Alaska. Their dog sled tours are available both in winter and summer.
Meet friendly dogs and an experienced musher at Alaskan Husky Adventures, a family-run champion kennel. They offer rides along private trails with views of Denali.
Glide over the snow on a sled pulled by dogs that have run the Iditarod, Yukon Quest, or other races with Rod's Alaskan Guide Service.
Locations and Activities
You can experience dog sledding and witness the Northern Lights in several locations in Alaska. Fairbanks is a great spot, with year-round tours available, including exclusive aurora dog sledding trips in the winter.
If you're interested in dog sledding, Fairbanks is home to one of Alaska's longest-running dog tour companies. You can take a ride, attend mushing school, or go on a multi-day adventure to the historic Tolovana Roadhouse.
In other locations, you can meet with sled dogs in their kennel and take a wheeled cart ride through forested areas, or even take a fly-in glacier tour.
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Anchorage
Anchorage is a great base for exploring Alaska's winter wonderland. Several companies offer dog sledding tours that depart from nearby Girdwood (45 min drive) or Willow (1.5 hr drive). A shuttle from Anchorage is also available.
You can choose from a variety of dog sledding experiences, including meeting with sled dogs in their kennel and taking a wheeled cart ride through the forested Resurrection River Valley. Alternatively, you can take a fly-in glacier tour for a truly unique adventure.
If you're looking for a more hands-on experience, Alpine Air Alaska offers a dogsledding tour where you can try your hand at driving the sled yourself. They fly to a dog camp run by the oldest established dog-sled tour business in Alaska, where you'll be introduced to the dog team and get to experience the thrill of mushing.
Here's a quick rundown of some of the dog sledding options available in Anchorage:
- Departure locations: Girdwood (45 min drive) or Willow (1.5 hr drive)
- Shuttle option available from Anchorage
- Dogsledding experiences: kennel visits, wheeled cart rides, and fly-in glacier tours
- Hands-on experience with Alpine Air Alaska's dogsledding tour
Alaska Glacier Helicopter Tour
You can experience the thrill of dog mushing on a glacier with a team of Alaskan Sled dogs. This unique adventure combines a scenic helicopter tour with the excitement of dog sledding.
The tour typically lasts around 90 minutes and runs from mid-May to early September. This makes it a great option for those who want to enjoy the Alaskan summer.
You'll take a flightseeing round trip to reach the glacier, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The small friendly group environment ensures plenty of one-on-one time with the dogs and their mushers.
Some tours, like Alpine Air Alaska's Girdwood Glacier Dogsledding, allow you to "drive" the dogs yourself, while others let you sit in the sled and enjoy the scenery. Either way, you'll get to experience the thrill of dog sledding on a glacier.
From Girdwood, you can take a shuttle option to reach the helipad, making it easy to get to the glacier.
TemSCO Skagway Glacier Flightseeing
You can experience the thrill of flightseeing in Skagway with TEMSCO. Their helicopters take you thousands of feet above sea level.
Imagine soaring above the treetops and getting a bird's eye view of the stunning Alaskan landscape. This is what you'll get with TEMSCO's glacier flightseeing tours.
Board a TEMSCO flight to the Denver glacier, a breathtaking sight that will leave you speechless. The helicopter ride is a thrilling way to get to the glacier.
You'll witness the majestic beauty of the glacier from a unique perspective, and it's an experience you'll never forget. The flightseeing tour is a must-do when visiting Skagway.
Our Activities
You can experience the thrill of dog sledding in various locations throughout Alaska, including Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Seward.
Dog sledding is a popular activity among visitors, and for good reason - it's a unique and exhilarating way to experience the Alaskan wilderness.
Whether you're looking to ride as a passenger or take the reins yourself, there are plenty of options available.
Some companies, like Rod's Alaskan Guide Service, offer dog sledding tours that allow you to experience the thrill of mushing with experienced mushers and their teams of energetic sled dogs.
Other companies, like Salmon Berry Tours, offer year-round dog sledding tours that take you to the kennel of Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey, where you can meet the dogs and learn about their training.
Some tours, like those offered by TEMSCO, combine dog sledding with helicopter flights to glaciers, offering breathtaking views and a truly unforgettable experience.
If you're interested in trying your hand at dog sledding, there are also companies like Alaska Mushing School that offer training and instruction.
Here are some of the activities you can enjoy in Alaska:
- Dog sledding
- Snowshoeing and skiing
- Mountain hiking
- Wildlife watching
- Fjord and sea excursions
- Dining and accommodation options
- Snowmobile tours
- Reindeer encounters
- Packages and guided tours
- Cable car rides
- Ice hotel visits
- Train journeys
- Whale watching
- King crab feasts
- Hiking and trekking
Denali View Snowmobiling
Denali View Snowmobiling is a thrilling experience that lets you ride snowmachines on private trails through forests while keeping an eye out for wildlife.
Located just an hour and a half north of Anchorage, this snowmobiling adventure is easily accessible.
You'll be able to visit sled dogs and mushers, getting a real taste of what it's like to run the Iditarod while mushing your own team.
This unique experience allows you to learn from the experts and get up close and personal with the sled dogs and mushers.
Girdwood Summer Adventure
Girdwood Summer Adventure is a must-do for any nature lover. You'll get to visit and snuggle real Iditarod sled dogs with their musher on a unique summer tour.
The tour starts by touring the kennel, where you'll get to see the dogs up close. You'll learn about their lives and habits, and maybe even get a few snuggles.
After the kennel tour, you'll harness up and explore the trails along Girdwood's mountains, taking in the spectacular views. Your guide will share fascinating stories about the area's gold mining history.
The trails offer a great way to experience the beauty of Girdwood's mountains, and the guided tour provides a unique perspective on the area's history and culture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go dog sledding in Iceland?
Yes, dog sledding is a popular activity in Iceland, offering a unique and thrilling experience. Learn more about this traditional Nordic activity in Iceland.
Sources
- Dog Sledding Tours In Alaska | Experience Mushing (alaska.org)
- icelandrovers.is (icelandrovers.is)
- Hunting Northern Lights by Husky (norwegian.travel)
- Explore Fairbanks (explorefairbanks.com)
- Aurora Hunter (aurorahunter.com)
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (alaska.edu)
- Northern Lights Husky Safaris in Lapland (theaurorazone.com)
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