Dog Sledding

Dog mushing, also known as dog sledding, is Alaska’s official state sport. It has been part of life in Alaska since its earliest days, long before Alaska was a state or European explorers reached its shores. Despite the great distances between some rural communities, traveling by dog team is often still the best way to get around. Today, dog teams are used by rural residents who rely on teams to hunt and travel, weekend hobbyists who enjoy exploring the backcountry with man’s best friend, and Alaska’s version of elite sports celebrities — the competitors in the state’s big-name races like the Iditarod. For visitors, there are several ways to experience Alaska’s dog sledding culture:

Dog Sledding Tours & Demonstrations

In communities across Alaska, dog sledding tours are available year-round that allow guests to ride in a sled or cart behind the team or even mush their own team. These tours can range from a couple of hours to several days. Mushers take guests through their kennels to learn about the history of the sport, raising and training dog teams, go for a short ride, and meet the dogs and puppies. The longer experiences include guided winter backcountry camping for the truly adventurous. 

In summer, some teams relocate to the surface of glaciers to continue training year-round. Guests can travel by helicopter to glacier camps for a truly amazing dog sled ride. These trips are popular shore excursions for cruise ship passengers as well as independent travelers. Prices can vary depending on duration of the tour, with kennel tours and demonstrations as the most affordable, and glacier dog sledding and multi-day tours as the most expensive.

Races

Another exciting way to appreciate Alaska dog sledding is to join the cheering fans at one of dozens of races held statewide each winter. Sprint races take place frequently, sometimes at designated dog mushing trails and tracks, other times on downtown streets during festivals or other big events. In early March, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race kicks off with a ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage and an official start the next day in Willow and finishes in Nome to the applause of thousands of spectators. The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race covers 1,000 miles between Fairbanks and Whitehorse in February.