Dog Sled Ride in Alaska: Drive Your Own Team

You Drive the Sled Through the Alaskan Backcountry

A 2-hour dog sled activity at Susuitna Sled Dog Adventures where you ride and drive a team through the woods, with a midway stop for photos of Mt. Denali if conditions allow. You'll meet the dogs beforehand, take turns at the reins with a musher on hand, and finish with hot cocoa and time with retired sled dogs. Available as a day or night ride.

The Experience

The morning or evening starts in the dog yard, where you'll meet the team before they're harnessed. The staff walks you through what to expect, and you get to play with the dogs while they're being geared up—this is where you see their energy firsthand. After a quick lesson on handling the sled, you head out onto a 6.5-mile trail through the woods with an experienced musher riding along. The ride lasts about an hour, and you'll take turns driving, so you're not just a passenger.

Halfway through, the musher stops to give you a chance to photograph Mt. Denali if it's visible that day. The wilderness around you is quiet except for the dogs and the runners on snow. You can switch between standing and sitting on the sled during the ride, depending on what feels right. When you return to the kennel, there's hot cocoa waiting and time to pet the dogs and give them attention—many of them are retired from racing and love the company.

Susuitna Sled Dog Adventures is run by Rohn Buser, a 3x Iditarod finisher who grew up around sled dogs; his father Martin won the Iditarod four times. The dogs here are treated as family, not just working animals, and that shows in how they're handled and how much the operation values sharing them with visitors.

What’s included

• An experienced musher riding with you.
• instruction on handling the sled.
• a 6.5-mile ride with turns driving the team.
• a midway photo stop for Mt. Denali views if visible.
• hot coffee, tea, or water.
• time to pet and cuddle with retired sled dogs after the ride.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Susitna Sled Dog Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose the day ride if you want to see the landscape clearly and experience the dogs' energy in daylight; the night option suits travelers who prefer riding under the stars or have daytime conflicts. Either way, you're driving the sled yourself rather than watching, so the experience depends on your comfort holding the reins and your fitness level for standing and balancing on a moving sled.

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Top questions

Can I actually drive the sled myself, or do I just ride along?

You take turns driving the sled with the musher on hand to guide you. The musher rides along the whole time, so you're learning from someone experienced, but you're holding the reins and steering the team for part of the ride.

What's the difference between the day and night dog sledding options?

Both the Classic Dog Sled Tour and Night Dog Sledding follow the same route and include the same activities—meeting the dogs, the 1-hour sled ride, and time with retired dogs afterward. The main difference is the time of day you ride, which changes the light and the feel of being out in the wilderness.

Will I actually see Mt. Denali on this ride?

The musher stops halfway through the ride specifically to photograph Mt. Denali if it's visible. Visibility depends on weather and cloud cover that day, so it's not guaranteed, but the stop is built in for the chance to see it.

How long am I actually on the sled versus getting ready and hanging around?

The total time is about 2 hours. You spend roughly an hour on the sled itself, with the rest of the time spent meeting the dogs, getting geared up, receiving instruction, and enjoying cocoa and time with retired dogs when you return.

Is this safe for kids, and how young can they be?

Children are welcome from age 2. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the ride. The activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, and you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

What do I need to bring, and what's provided for the cold?

Susuitna Sled Dog Adventures provides water, hot coffee, and tea. You should dress warmly for the conditions—the staff will help you gear up for the cold weather at the start, but bring layers and cold-weather clothing appropriate for riding outside in Alaska.