Dog Sledding in Alaska: Tours, Tips & What To Expect

You've got the icy wind in your hair, your cheeks are turning red from the cold, your smile is frozen into place, and your adrenaline is pumping. All you can hear are dogs barking around you. You're dog sledding in Alaska.

As the powerful dogs speed up, the sled teeters to one side, you hold on and you know at that moment, you're experiencing something truly special. Touring on dog sleds in the Alaskan Frontier is one of the most exciting things to do in Alaska.

Want to experience dog sled tours in Alaska for yourself? Use this blog as your guide on what to expect, from planning the tour, prices and the best time to go.

Key Takeaways

● The best months to go dog sledding in Alaska are from December to March.

● Dog sled tours in Alaska generally cost anywhere from $70 to $900, depending on the experience you want to have.

● There are countless tour types available, from glacier dog mushing to ones that allow you to see the northern lights.

● The proper gear and clothing are essential to stay warm and comfortable while dog sledding in Anchorage and throughout Alaska.

● Experience dog mushing while on a Royal Caribbean Alaskan cruise.

Is Dog Sledding in Alaska Worth It?

Yes! There's nothing like an amazing adventure during a vacation, and if you're looking for things to do in Alaska, dog sledding is a bucket-list experience. The best part? It's fit for the whole family. Young children can ride on the sleds with their parents after playing with puppies, and grandparents can enjoy a leisurely pace if they wish.

What’s the Best Month To Go Dog Sledding in Alaska?

The best months to go on sled dog tours are December through March, when there’s plenty of snow on the ground and consistent cold weather. February and March are especially great because you’ll get longer daylight hours than in December and January, maximizing your experience.

How Much Is Dog Sledding in Alaska?

Want to experience dog mushing? The cost of taking out Alaskan sled dogs depends on your tour's location and duration, but the typical price range is $70 to $900, with some tours being more than that. For example, taking a 30-minute tour at a location you can drive to yourself will be less money, whereas full-day tours with helicopter access will be more. The price ultimately depends on what experience you want and how long you’d like to spend with the husky sled dogs.

Planning Your Alaska Dog Sled Tours

The great thing about an adventure like dog sledding is that you can have many different experiences. The things you do will vary by the time of year you travel. But don't worry, dog sledding is possible every season in Alaska.

Hop on with champion husky sled dogs in Fairbanks as you take a tour over frozen rivers, through sprawling open snowfields and under snow-covered canopies. Check out the trails from above when you hop in a helicopter in Juneau, and get a view of the icy, sleek glacier you'll be mushing over once you land. Or, experience a training session during the summertime in Anchorage, where you'll be pulled by sled dogs on a wheeled sled.

Types of Dog Sled Tours in Alaska

Meet The Famous Sled Dogs

You can't come to Anchorage without visiting the dogs that run the most famous dog sled race in Alaska. Visit the kennel and enjoy a dog sled ride as North America's highest peak towers over you. Ride in the basket of the dog sled while your guide takes you over frozen rivers and stunning sandbars.

Find A Glacier In Alaska

Visiting Alaska in the summer may mean a slightly different climate, but that doesn't mean you can't cuddle some sled dogs or ride on a real dog sled. All you need to do is find a glacier. Just hop in a helicopter and take a ride to a snow-covered glacier where you'll be able to stand on the runners of a sled or ride in the basket while being pulled by sled dogs.

Try A Summer Cart Dog Sled Training Run

If you're tight on time or you're not too keen on helicopters, you can still take part in the fun. You'll switch your sled for a wheeled cart that your husky sled dogs will pull on a lush mountain trail. This is a truly unique experience because when most people think of dog sledding in Alaska, a snowy backdrop fills their minds.

Take A Sled Dog Kennel Tour

Adrenaline-pumping activities aren't for everyone, but you can still take part in the fun. Instead, opt for a visit to the kennel to play with puppies. In between puppy kisses, you'll learn all about some of the race champions and bloodlines from the mushers who not only run these Alaskan tours but also mush in the race.

See The Northern Lights – Go Aurora Spotting

If you're lucky enough to be visiting Fairbanks during Northern Lights season, which is between August and April after the midnight sun has ended, you should opt for a dog sledding tour at night. Imagine how cool it would be to sit on your dog sled, look up at the sky and be led under the striking green and purple lights of the aurora borealis by a powerful pack of huskies.

Get In Gear – What To Wear in Alaska?

Before you hit the trailheads, your tour providers will set you up with some gear. Guides are friendly and helpful, and they'll make sure you know what to wear as well as ensure it fits well to keep you warm throughout the day hiking in Alaska. This usually includes waterproof layers, a heavy coat and boot toppers for your shoes so your feet stay dry.

Make sure you wear lots of your own warm layers. Dry-wicking thermals are a must as your base layer, followed by a wool sweater, a down jacket and a hat and gloves. Depending on the time of year you go, your packing list may change, but you'll need layers year-round. In the summertime, opt for thinner layers, but remember you'll still likely need a heavier jacket in the evening. Document your dog sledding fun with a camera, but make sure it has a strap so you don't lose it while zooming through the Last Frontier!

Become a Sled Dog Musher in Alaska

If you’ve dreamed of finding the perfect dog sled tours in Alaska, you can make this a reality by going on a cruise. This is an easy way to smoothly arrive at your destination, get in the proper gear and go meet the famous husky sled dogs on a tour. Whether you visit during the winter season from December to March or opt for a summertime trip, you’ll find that dog sledding is definitely worth the hype. Plus, cuddling with puppies makes every family vacation even more special.