Feature Copy: Dog mushing visitor opportunities
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By Melissa DeVaughn
Whoever conceived of training dogs to pull a sled must surely have done it out of necessity. Historical photographs can be found in museums and galleries throughout Alaska, showing images of early Alaskans using their teams to check traplines, visit other villages and travel safely in winter.
Visitors, too, can benefit from the sport's popularity. Many contemporary mushers offer learn-to-mush programs, or simply offer short dog sled rides for a small fee. It is great training for the animals, and helps the people who own the dogs keep them in shape for competition.
According to the International Federation of Sled Dog Sports, archaeological evidence shows mushing goes back some 4,000 years in the northern regions of North America and Siberia. Think of sled dogs as working animals and that evidence makes sense: just as early American farmers depended upon draft horses to plow fields, so too, did the people of northern regions depend on sled dogs for survival in harsh winter conditions.
So, perhaps it's the long history, combined with the romantic, Jack London-inspired tales of man and dog, which attracts people to mushing today. In Alaska, mushing is part of life in winter, and dog drivers of all ages and abilities take part in the official state sport.
"Fairbanks' rivers are the perfect frozen paradise for dog mushing, skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing," said Karen Lundquist, vice president of marketing at the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau. Fairbanks is recognized as one of the state's most popular areas for mushing, although opportunities for sled rides exist throughout the state.
Whether you prefer a quick ride in a sled or a weeklong dog sledding adventure, Lundquist said it can be arranged.
"We have one company that's right (in town) who do tours right out of there," she said. "It's a real brief 15-minute type of ride for those who just want to say they did it."
Or there is the other extreme, offered by such tour operators as Denali West Lodge, located in Alaska's Bush in an area called Lake Minchumina. During the multi-day, all-amenities-included adventure, you'll fly from Fairbanks to Lake Minchumina, step off the plane and onto the runners of a dog sled. The team will carry you back to the lodge, where you'll spend the day relaxing and learning about the dogs, followed by a backcountry trip to the base of Mount McKinley, North America's tallest peak.
Another Fairbanks-area mushing opportunity includes Chena Dog Kennel Tour at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Tours can be arranged in winter or summer and the visitor center provides a great place to hang out either before or after your ride. Or sign up for the mushing school and embrace the sport further by learning to drive your own team of dogs.
Closer to Alaska's largest city, Anchorage, the possibilities are just as plentiful. In Willow, Iditarod veteran, Vern Halter's Dream a Dream Iditarod Farm and Dream Inn B&B has it all. The bed and breakfast offers spacious apartments where guests can base their winter or summer adventures. Summer kennel tours offer a short or full-day wilderness run on a wheeled cart. Or ride and drive your own dog team along the beautiful winter trails on half, full or even multi-day tours. When you think you're ready for the pros, Vern also offers the dogs, facilities, equipment, trails and coaching for the ultimate adventure, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This two-year training program is made for rookie mushers whose ultimate goal is to qualify and train for the Last Great Race.
Along Turnagain Arm in the ski town of Girdwood is Alpine Air Alaska Inc. Guests embark on a helicopter ride into the majestic Chugach Mountains, land on a snow-covered glacier and drive their own team of sled dogs. It's a great way to break up a skiing vacation with something a bit different, and will make for a great tail — er, tale — when you get back home.
More off-the-beaten-path locations include an overnight mushing adventure in the historic Bettles Lodge, in Bettles, a village in the Brooks Range accessible by airplane only. This trip also includes the option of adding mushing days to your itinerary, or just relaxing at the lodge, watching the northern lights (nearly guaranteed to come out if the nights are clear), or visiting the neighboring village and its Indian and Eskimo residents.
So, now that a mushing trip has been moved to the top of the to-do list, there are a few more bits of information to tuck away. First, come prepared so you're ready to have fun. Many tour companies provide warm clothing and boots, but ask ahead. If not, dress extra warm and in layers. Also, don't wear the fancy fur coat or leather jacket unless you don't mind it getting dirty. Sled dogs are affectionate creatures, and even the best behaved of them can't help but jump up and down a bit when they get excited for a run.
Second, remember this one very important rule: Never, ever let go of the sled. Most likely, this will not be an issue for those who attend a tour because the kennel owners use only extremely well-trained dogs that are unlikely to try to run off. Even so, be prepared and hold on tight.
IF YOU GO MUSHING:
Alaska Travel Industry Association (800) 862-5275
www.winterinalaska.com
Denali West Lodge: in remote Lake Minchumina (888) 607-5566, P.O. Box 40AC , Lake Minchumina, Alaska 99757, www.denaliwestlodge.com
Chena Hot Springs Resort: 56 miles from Fairbanks (907) 451-8104, PO Box 58740, Fairbanks, AK 99711, www.chenahotsprings.com
Dream a Dream Iditarod Farm and Dream Inn B&B: in Willow, about 65 miles from Anchorage (907) 495-1197, PO Box 389 Willow, AK 99688, www.vernhalter.com
Alpine Air Alaska: in Girdwood 42 miles south of Anchorage (907) 783-2360, PO Box 519 Girdwood, AK 99587, www.alpineairalaska.com
Bettles Lodge: in remote Bettles above the Arctic Circle, (800) 770-5111, P.O. Box 27, Bettles, AK 99726, www.bettleslodge.com
Alaska Travel
Industry Association
2600 Cordova St. Ste. 201
Anchorage, AK 99503-2745
P. (800) 327-9372
F. (800) 276-1042
E. ATIAmedia@gci.net