Sledding or sledging, which is correct, you might ask? Well, they both mean the same thing; they are just variants in rendering between American and British English.

Dog sledding is using a sled pulled by dogs over ice or snow. Once upon a time, people living in Arctic regions relied on sled dogs as their main means of transportation. Sled dogs were also used to transport supplies, mail, and medicine.

While these are used for transportation and the rest of it, sledding can also be used as a form of tourism. In the United States of America, there are so many tourist centres where dog sledding can occur. This article focuses on Alaska.

We are going to be seeing the best Alaska dog sledding tours. Should you want to try this out, we assure you that these tours are safe and promise to be fun between you and your dogs.

Dog sledding in Alaska didn’t start today, and it won’t end now, so do not think it is absurd to take your dogs through a walk or, as it may be the case, a run in the snow. You can take in the excitement of winter and fall on Fairbanks dog sledding. 

You will experience the sport with one of Alaska’s longest-running dog tour companies. Go for a ride, attend a mushing school or go on a multi-day adventure to the historic Tolovana Roadhouse. 

Alaska has the best dog sledding tours you could ever dream of.  Let us get you started.

History And Tradition Of Dog Sledding

Dogs have always been an important part of society, perhaps more so in the Arctic than anywhere else. 

With thick fur and padded paws, they were well-designed to survive and thrive in the cold weather. For this reason, dogs had a great deal to do with shaping life in the far north. One of the most famous ways humans worked with dogs to establish life beyond the Arctic Circle is by dog ​​sledding.

Today, people and travellers can go on dog sledding trips. These excursions allow people to experience the special connection between a team driver and sled dogs and offer a glimpse into the past when these animals were the best way to get around.

The First Dog Sled

Although dog sleds may have existed earlier, the earliest archaeological evidence of this mode of transportation is dated to around A.D. 1000. 

As far as archaeologists can tell, dog sleds were invented by Aboriginal and Inuit people in the northern parts of modern Canada and then quickly spread across the continent. 

Early dog ​​sledding did not look exactly like today’s dog sledding. Instead of a large sled with many dogs, it was usually just one dog pulling a minimal load – usually firewood and other supplies. 

However, over time, the power of using multiple dogs became more appealing. Larger loads could be transported over longer distances when the effort was divided among more animals. 

Still, dog sled teams were much smaller than today, usually consisting of two to six dogs per team.

Extension

Some colonists immediately recognized the value and power of using dogs in the winter, and most European settlers soon began incorporating sled dogs into their daily routine. 

The French Canadian Army actually used dog sleds during the Seven Years’ War. They were particularly useful because they were cheaper than horses but equally equipped to handle heavy loads and freezing weather.

As word of the practice spread, the idea of using dogs for sledding eventually made its way back to Europe. 

It was particularly attractive to polar adventurers who saw the value of using these animals in their search for the poles. Fun fact; did you know that Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer, became the first man to reach the South Pole, famously using sled dogs on his journey?

Racing

There are also races. With the establishment of the 408-mile All Alaska Sweepstakes in 1908, long-distance dog sled racing was born. 

This racing tradition continues today in Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia with races such as the Iditarod, Yukon Quest, Finnmarkslopet, and Beringia, each 600-1000 miles long.

Sprint mushing is another major element of sled racing, and perhaps the easiest, where teams typically race up to twenty-five miles per day at high speeds of up to around 20 miles per hour, which is much faster than you might think.

After millennia, sled dogs found themselves in competition in the last century with the widespread use of “new” modes of transportation such as aeroplanes, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles, but also with sled dogs and their musher owners. 

They found ever-expanding ways to navigate the recreational and racing “trails” together. There are now many “dry” styles of mushing for the warmer months, including canicross, scootering, bikejoring, carting and more. 

While the landscape is constantly changing, there are more opportunities to become a musher these days than ever before. 

The basic questions one simply needs to ask themselves before getting started are: Does your dog love to run? And you think you can hold the “sled?”

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Top Alaska Dog Sledding Tours

Did we tell you that a person who readies himself for dog sledding is called a musher? Well, yes. Just so you know, nothing beats the sound of a dog sled getting ready for the trail. 

As the musher begins to harness the dogs to the lines, there is a cacophony of yelps and screams. Until “Let’s go!” the order is given, that silence reigns, and the team quickly slides down the trail. 

As a visitor or traveller, there are many ways for you to meet Alaskan sled dogs and learn more about this important state activity, even in the middle of summer. 

You have no idea the fun you are about to enjoy as we drive through the top dog sledding tours in the state of Alaska. Ready your hat!

1. Dallas Seavey Kennel

When you arrive at the famous kennel of Dallas Seavey, which is one of the legends of the mushing world, you are sure to be greeted with excited barking.

The sledding school starts immediately as the kennel’s masters and handlers teach you the basics of sled driving. Before you know it, your team is harnessed, and you are off on a six-mile run.

The route meanders along winter paths lined with birch trees. The lead musher sets the pace, and the tail musher follows, so all you have to do is keep the sled steady while your team of huskies do their work.

They are born runners and are perfectly at home trotting with their friends in the snow. You will have a photo break or two with these incredible K9 athletes before heading back to the kennel. The tour ends with a hot drink, lunch, and a return trip to Anchorage.

2. Denali Husky Homestead Tour

In keeping with the long tradition of Alaska mushing, Husky Homestead trains dogs for sledding. 

As a guided tour leaves the dogs behind, the kennel staff will describe what makes these dogs such incredible athletes, detailing their care, nutrition, and training routine. 

The dog sled’s boundless energy is evident throughout the tour. One thing is clear above all: These dogs love to run.

From there, the tour moves inside for a presentation by one of the Husky Homestead mushers. Gifted storytellers and tour guides will take the visitors behind the scenes of “The Last Great Race on Earth” and sledding in Alaska. 

Racing sleds and arctic survival gear, such as a basic full-body feather suit, are on display. But above all, guests will learn about the unique relationship between mushers and dog teams. 

Dogs are companions, teammates, and in some cases, even saviours, guiding mushers safely through bad terrains and impossible weather conditions. 

It is an extensive entertaining look into one of Alaska’s most beloved and important traditions, sledding.

3. Talkeetna Dog Sled Tour

Soon you are off to our favourite part of the hike: the five-mile training run. One by one, the excited puppies are taken from their homes in the kennel yard and harnessed.

Dogs pull a summer “sled,” a motorized wheeled vehicle used to build strength and endurance but also to practice pulling at the slower speeds necessary for the 1,000-mile race. 

Visitors climb into the sled, the musher gives the command, and the dogs are off.

The rocky path winds through the beautiful lush green forest. For as energetic as the dogs were before, they are now calm and collected. It allows for a surprisingly quiet ride. 

Halfway through the run, the team detours into a creek bed to cool off, then continues on a large recollection back to the kennel. 

Visitors have time to meet the dogs and learn about how they are cared for, their feeding, and the winter training program before heading back to Talkeetna.

4. Girdwood Glacier Helicopter Dog Sled Tour

It is a good sight to behold and an activity to engage yourself. The two-hour tour begins at Girdwood Airport. Guests receive full glacier gear and a safety briefing before climbing aboard the sleek R44 helicopter. 

During the flight, passengers see otherwise unreachable places as they climb over hidden lakes and hundred-foot waterfalls. 

Dog sled base camp appears at 3,200 feet, and the doggy fun begins at the softest landing. The Iditarod sled dogs that reside at Punchbowl are enjoying their summer vacation. 

Training for the winter races begins in early fall, but the way they jump and howl at the mere sound of sleds on the snow shows they’d rather be running than resting. 

They run, sweeping the sleds to which they are hitched onto a track around the glacier’s edge. Guests ride either seated in the front or standing on the rear rails, with the musher controlling the brake and calling out directions. 

Upon returning to base camp, guests are welcome to visit with the friendliest dogs, and if there happen to be a few there, meet the sled dog puppies.

5. Knik Helicopter Glacier Dog Sled Tour

Summertime residents on the glacier include sled dog teams and Iditarod mushers. The environment is perfect for training, especially for young puppies learning the ropes. 

The mushers offer a presentation on training and other topics while sharing Iditarod tales and introducing visitors to the team.

It will soon be time for a ride. The sled dogs pick it up immediately; as soon as the harnesses are removed, they jump and yip. The musher leads the eager dogs one at a time to the starting line. 

As the team is put together, the visitors are seated on the sled, and the order to run is given; they impatiently press into their harnesses while securely clipped in.

As the crew draws into the snowy area, all is suddenly silent save for the rasp of the sled runners. The tour guide waits for everyone to have fun with the dogs before leaving the arena.

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6. Doggoneit Denali Kennel Tour

When you arrive at the kennel, there are dogs waiting to welcome you. These young Alaskan Huskies are currently playful bundles of furry cuteness, but in a few years, they will take their turn wearing the harness. 

You will hear from the knowledgeable handlers of the adult dogs about the care and instruction given to canine athletes before witnessing the demonstration training run with the adult dogs. 

You will next proceed indoors for a presentation about the actual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The 1,000-mile “Last Great Race on Earth” is the apex of Alaskan sled dog racing, and it’s intriguing to hear from a musher who has participated in it.

You will learn about the overall way of life in Alaska in addition to hearing stories from the Iditarod and having an extra opportunity to meet the sled dogs. 

Rebuilding the homestead, living without running water in a log cabin, and scheduling grocery runs more than 200 miles distant. 

All of this is a part of the epic Alaskan trip! A return narrated excursion to the Denali Park region marks the culmination of the three-hour tour.

7. Ididaride Sled Dog Alaska Tour

The day trip begins with a visit to the nearby Iditarod Kennel after pickup at the Seward Railroad Depot. 

Mushing experts will demonstrate how Alaskan Huskies are raised and trained before enthusiastic teams are attached to a summer sled (cart with wheels) and lead visitors down a fun two-mile training course. 

Visitors have plenty of opportunities to meet the wonderful canine competitors and, if the time is right, take in some of the kennel’s newest puppies.

The tour will stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant before continuing to Kenai Fjords National Park. For a stunning view of Exit Glacier, the group goes on a guided hike at this location.

Visitors can walk through the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center if they don’t want to hike. 

The trip ends as the group returns to Seward for a tour of the historic town and a visit to the Bear Creek Dam, where the salmon run.

Choosing The Right Tour For You

An important step in choosing the best dog sledding tour is choosing the best dogs. Mushers choose sled dogs based on, among other things, their size, weight, coat, and ability to work well with others.  Sled dogs are great athletes, lean and muscular, with healthy eating habits. 

There is no limit to the number of dogs that can pull the sled, so depending on the task, a musher can have two to three dogs for smaller jobs such as transporting supplies, up to twelve or sixteen puppies.

For protection in cold climates, the sled dog relies on its dense undercoat for warmth and wears booties to protect its sensitive paws. 

Before cross-country races, such as the famous long-distance Iditarod held annually in Alaska or the Yukon Quest, and performing non-race duties, each dog undergoes a thorough medical examination to ensure that it can work safely.

Dog sledding is a physically demanding exercise, which not many people are aware of, so be sure to carry your winter running boots. It’s crucial to aid your team by getting off the runners and jogging next to the sled as you travel uphill on the trail. 

This will relieve some of the burden on our husky heroes as they climb the slope. The alternative is to climb back on and push the sled like a skateboard if you’re fatigued.

Driver

The sled is usually driven by a professional musher. The mushers know the area like the back of their hand and take excellent care of the animals. Some activities also offer participants the opportunity to take guided rides. 

Driving the sled yourself is an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a real musher. It’s a more interactive way to enjoy dog ​​sledding and is a bit more athletic too. The instructor will explain how to control the sled, stop, and give the dogs the correct commands.

Clothes

Warm clothing is a must. Thermal wool underlayers, winter jackets, warm snow boots, and waterproof hiking boots are necessary to keep warm. You should also consider wearing or wearing coveralls, gloves, and a hat.

Age Requirement

The minimum age to ride a dog sled is 2 years old. Children this young must, of course, be accompanied by a parent. In some resorts, children over 8 can join the guide when driving the sled.

Maximum Number Of People

Dogs can pull a maximum of 200 kg per team. One sled can therefore fit a maximum of two to three people. Some sleds allow for additional riders. However, these sleds are larger and pulled by more dogs.

Destination

Choosing the right dog sledding destination is very important because it affects the hike and the dogs. Regardless of the strength of your sled dog, there is a higher chance of sledding failure if the destination and weather conditions are poor the first time.

What To Expect On A Dog Sledding Tour

Dog sledding is a special experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Whether you opt for a half-day trip or a multi-day adventure, here are some things to expect and get the most out of your adventure.

Dog sledding is a hands-on experience, and you will be involved in the entire process, from harnessing the dogs, driving the sled, and returning the dogs to the dog yard after the tour. 

Of course, the guide will give you clear instructions on how to do this and provide guidance and advice for the entire tour. If you’re nervous about dogs, don’t worry.

It can be overwhelming to meet all the dogs; there are a lot of sled dogs. But they are very well socialized and meet new people daily throughout their lives. They make friends easily, and you will most likely have a few favourites even after a short tour.

You will have the opportunity to change seats during the tour. There are tandem sleds where two people will stand and control the sled together. This type of sled may be better for more active people, but taking pictures while driving is difficult. 

The guides will select sleds before the trip based on weather conditions, trail conditions, group size, and other factors. 

Remember that in sledding, the main focus is the safety of visitors and that of the dogs, which is just as important.

• Stay calm and focused around the dogs.
• The sled brake is very important. Use it! You MUST break in downhills.
• Keep some distance from the team in front of you.
• Keep the ropes tight to avoid injury to the dogs, and keep the sled under control.
• Never leave your team until the guide has secured the sled.
• If you want to go to the dogs, take pictures, or the like, switch places with someone who can control the braking.
• Dogs always do their best. Don’t use your voice to speed them up. Rather help them by kicking or running up the hills a bit.
• Stay with the tour. The dogs are a pack and will get angry and stressed if you decide to stop somewhere along the route.

Tips For A Memorable Dog Sledding Experience

Alaska is America’s largest, coldest, and 3rd least populated state. It is known for its Nordic outdoor activities, spectacular national parks, massive glaciers, aurora borealis, Kodak bears, and dog sledding. Dog sledding is, by some accounts, the most popular shore excursion in the state.

Often dog sledding trips include a helicopter trip into the mountains and then a dog sledding trip on the glacier. It’s one of the best ways to experience the best that Alaska has to offer. 

Other trips are multi-day trips around the national park. In addition to dog sledding, other year-round activities include dog kennel tours and training rides.

Alaska has a long tradition of dog sledding. There are even opportunities for summer dog sledding. In the summer, many teams camp high on the glaciers, and one can enjoy a long Alaskan summer day dog ​​sledding in a T-shirt. 

Guests can stand on the sled and drive the dogs themselves or sit in the “basket” of the sled and enjoy the ride.

Winter is, of course, the peak season for dog sledding. At this time of the year, you can also enjoy the aurora borealis (aurora borealis). Don’t forget to wrap up warm for this time of year!

FAQ

How Much Does It Cost For Dog Sledding In Alaska?

Prices for dog sledding trips to ing this tour. So expect to pay around $650 to $750 per person regardless of who you choose Alaska does not vary much from company to company. There are actually no offers when booked.

Is Dog Sledding In Alaska Worth It?

Dog sledding on the glacier is very expensive in the summer because of the helicopter tour, but it’s definitely worth it if you have it in your budget. Alaska dog sledding tours are led by professional mushers and others who love dogs and know how to give visitors an amazing experience on their tour or kennel visit.

What Is The Famous Dog Sled In Alaska?

The Iditarod is the most famous and infamous dog sled race in the world. It spans nearly 1,000 miles of Alaskan wilderness. The Iditarod begins in Anchorage and ends in Nome for about half of the dogs.

What Is The Famous Dog Sledding?

The Iditarod is the most prestigious dog sled race in the world. The annual event takes competitors about 10 days to cross two mountain ranges, the frozen Yukon River and the treacherous ice of the Bering Sea, often in blizzards or sub-zero temperatures, to finish in Nome’s old gold rush town.

Is Dog Sledding Worth It?

A dog sled ride is undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable experiences ever. Highly recommended!

Why Is Dog Sledding So Expensive?

Dog sledding can be quite expensive as it costs a lot to properly feed and care for these dogs. They are athletes and should be treated as such. So the prices reflect that. Prices average around €180 per person for a half-day adventure in Tromso, Norway.

How Long Does Dog Sledding Last?

Sled dog races vary in distance. Shorter races range from 4 to 100 miles, middle distances from 100 to 300 miles, and long-distance races from 300 to over 1000 miles. Some of these distances are completed in two or three days.

What State Has The Best Dog Sledding?

Alaska is one of the most popular dog sledding destinations in the US and the world. While there are many places to go dog sledding in Alaska, the most accessible is Anchorage. Many dog ​​sledding tours leave in Anchorage and go to Girdwood or Willow by bus.

How Fast Do Dog Sleds Go In Alaska?

Modern sled dogs travel an average of 20 mph for shorter distances and 10 to 14 mph for longer distances. Even in poor trail conditions, sled dogs can manage 6 to 7 miles per hour. Dogs can travel more than 90 miles in 24 hours and pull up to 85 pounds each!

What Dog Saved People In Alaska?

Despite its rough beginnings, Togo has saved thousands, said Seppala. “I never had a better dog than him,” he continued. His stamina, loyalty, and intelligence could not be bettered. Togo was the best dog that ever travelled the Alaskan Trail.”

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Conclusion

Sledding can be a wholly fun experience if you choose the right location. That is why this article on the best Alaska dog sledding tours is poised to guide you on your sledding journey in Alaska and make it a memorable one. 

You should know that most of the dogs, if not all the dogs, used for sledding are friendly to avoid any catastrophic end.

We advise you to visit the places mentioned above in Alaska for the best time of your life. Are you scared of dogs and unsure if this will be an exciting journey? Do not be scared; the tour guides are experienced. 

All you need to do is follow the tips stated in this article and extra tips from your tour guide, and you will be just fine.

Feel free to share this article with friends and loved ones. If you have more inquiries, leave us a message in the comment box, and a member of our team with respond as soon as possible.

We wish you all the best in your journey to one of the best sledding states in the United States of America. Your fun has just begun.