Dog Sledding

Long before snowmobiles, ATVs and bush planes made winter travel easy in the remote wilderness, intrepid Alaska Natives used man’s best friend to navigate the snow-covered terrain by having them pull a skinless kayak frame on runners. Later, explorers and prospectors who came to the North relied heavily on dog teams to get around.

Today’s sleds and sled dogs look a bit different than those of centuries ago but the excitement for Alaska’s state sport of dog mushing is greater than ever. Visit a working kennel, meet these charming, four-legged athletes and hear captivating tales of the trail from a veteran musher.

Cheer on dogs and mushers at a local sprint race or take a 30-minute ride in the basket of a dog sled. Learn to drive a team of your own at a half-day mushing school or during an overnight guided tour under the northern lights. High-energy and adorable, Alaska’s sled dogs will steal your heart.