Tours
Classic DOG SLED RIDE
Visit a competitive Iditarod kennel and experience the rush of dog sledding on the same trails used for race training. Meet friendly Iditarod sled dogs, watch in awe at a high-energy hook up, and ride for five miles in the most Alaskan way possible behind a canine freight train with an experienced musher as your personal sled driver. Free hot cocoa and cookies available.
- 269 per person - includes a hot lunch and shuttle to/from Anchorage, provided by Greatland Adventures. (5-6hrs total)
- 169 per person - dog sled ride only, transportation & lunch not included. (1.5 hours, including dog sled ride and kennel tour)
1/2 Day MUSHING SCHOOL
Dream of driving your own dog sled? This 1/2 day mushing adventure is for you. Learn the role of each dog in the team and practice the basics of sled handling. Meet your very own team of sled dogs before setting out on a five-mile journey through Alaska's winter wonderland. Minimum age to drive: 16 years old. (Moderate fitness level highly recommended.) Free hot cocoa and cookies available.
- 399 per person - includes a hot lunch and shuttle to/from Anchorage, provided by Greatland Adventures (5-6 hrs total)
- 299 per person - mushing school only, transportation not included. (2.5-3 hours total)
Hatcher Pass Mountain Ride
Go dog sledding on a high-country ride through a historic alpine valley in Hatcher Pass. Enjoy one of Alaska’s hidden gems while you and your guide and team of sled dogs navigate for five miles into a humbling and wild landscape above tree line. This limited availability mushing experience is only available from mid-March through mid-April. Minimum two people.
- 229 per person - dog sled ride only, transportation & lunch not included. (2.5-3 hours total, including dog sled ride, kennel tour, and transfer to higher-elevation tour location)
STAY
Martin Buser's Happy Trails B&B
Want to see the true insider's view of a winning Iditarod kennel? Spend a night (or many) at four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser's bed and breakfast during the winter racing season, which is onsite at our main tour location. The Swiss-inspired home was built and lived in by the legendary dog musher himself, and the cozy interior is adorned with decades of Iditarod awards and racing paraphernalia along with Alaskan art. Our classic dog sled rides and 1/2 day mushing school are available to all guests of the B&B, with the exclusive benefit of walking just a few steps out the front door and hopping on a dog sled. If there are northern lights, a full moon, or a clear, starry sky, this is a fantastic opportunity to combine your entire Alaskan dream winter itinerary into one stay. Four rooms available, all with king beds and private bath. Each booking is for one double-occupancy room. Self-serve breakfast and coffee provided for your convenience. For more pictures of the B&B, check out the slideshow.
- 149 per night per room. For those with their own transportation.
Looking for Alaska dog sled tours? You've come to the right place. Located just over an hour's drive from Anchorage!
We operate Alaska's premier dog sledding rides and school, and we are also the closest to Anchorage. Go on a dog sled ride or drive your own team in our 1/2 day mushing school. We are a small group of professional dog mushers who have raced in distances from 100 to 1000 miles, from the Iditarod to the Yukon Quest to the Copper Basin 300 and more. Our winter day tours launch primarily from 4x Iditarod champion Martin Buser's Happy Trails Kennel, with some days at 7x Iditarod veteran Matt Failor's 17th-Dog Kennel. With multiple decades of experience, we would love to show you the world of dog mushing. Book or contact us today!
Phone
907-793-0647
mushingschool@gmail.com
Location
Big Lake, AK
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance do I need to reserve?
As you can imagine, dog sledding in Alaska is an iconic activity. While we get some reservations up to a year in advance, typically if you book 1-2 months ahead of time then you should be okay. Obvious exceptions to this are any major holidays and the weeks surrounding the start of the Iditarod (early March). The slowest period of the winter is mid-January to mid-February, all other times will generally get booked out.
How do I get there?
If you book the option with shuttle, the driver will pick you up at your location in Anchorage at approximately 9am on the morning of your tour. All you have to do is let us know where.
If you are driving yourself from Anchorage, you will head north on the Parks Hwy towards Wasilla. Make sure to stay left at the fork towards Wasilla/Palmer! From there, you drive through Wasilla and continue north. We are approximately 75m from downtown Anchorage, and specific directions and info will also be sent to you at the time of booking your tour. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
What should I wear?
If you have your own winter gear, wear it. If not, don't worry, we have plenty of arctic-quality parkas, snow bibs, and boots available to use.
What comes with the lunch? Are there Veg/VF options?
If you book a tour with shuttle for our morning tour time at 1030am, then after the tour you are provided with a hot lunch of locally-sourced caribou sausage dogs and sides. Yes, there are vegetarian and vegan options available! If you have any other special nutritional needs, please let us know beforehand.
Can I purchase a gift card?
Yes, of course! If you would like to purchase a gift card for someone, please do so here:
Alaska Mushing School
What else do I need to know?
As long as you are prepared to have a great time in cold conditions, you are good to go!
For the classic dogsled ride, passengers are welcome between 3-103 years of age. Centenarians ride free.
For our 1/2 day mushing school, the minimum age to drive the sled is 16 years old (Under 18 requires parent/guardian signature). While incredibly fun and addictive, mushing is a very physical activity; please take your own abilities into consideration before booking. Those under 16 may experience the mushing school if accompanied by a parent or guardian that will be the official driver (tickets are required for each person) - we do have some tandem driver sleds if this applies to you. Please contact us with any questions or requests.
