Dog Sledding in Alaska: Hands-On Experience with Iditarod Mushers

You steer the sled and give the commands. The dogs do the rest.

This hands-on dog sledding activity in Alaska puts you behind the sled on a wheeled cart with a live guide and expert mushers from a Top 10 Iditarod Kennel. You'll run the dog team through a training course, learn what "Gee" and "Haw" mean, watch an active eagle's nest nearby, and get a presentation on mushing before cuddling husky puppies. Pickup is included. The experience runs about 75 minutes and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dogsledding experience and kennel tour

• Meet the sled dogs with guide
• Go dog sledding on wheeled cart

The experience

You arrive at the kennel and meet the sled dogs first: the part most visitors don't expect. Your guide takes you straight into the working area where you'll see the team up close and learn what drives them to run. Then you're on the wheeled cart, holding the lines while the dogs respond to your voice. The commands are simple but the dogs know them cold: "Gee" turns right, "Haw" turns left, and when you call "Hike," they accelerate. You're steering, not just riding along.

Between runs, your guide walks you through how mushing actually works: the training, the conditioning, the bond between musher and team. You'll spot an active eagle's nest from the kennel grounds. The puppies come out after, and you get time to handle them, which is the part families talk about for weeks. All taxes and fees are built into the price.

The whole thing takes about 75 minutes from start to finish. Pickup is arranged, so you don't need to find the kennel yourself. Infants can ride in a stroller or on an adult's lap. Children under 12 ride at child pricing and must stay with an adult. Souvenir photos are available if you want them.

What’s included

• Live guide in English.
• pickup to the kennel.
• interactive training run on a wheeled cart with the dog team.
• presentation on dog mushing.
• time to cuddle husky puppies.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 26 May 2027

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Seward Helicopter Tours

Is this one for you?You're doing the driving yourself on the wheeled cart, not watching a demonstration: the dogs respond to your commands and you steer the run. This suits anyone with a free afternoon who wants to handle the team rather than just observe, and it works for families because children ride along and get hands-on time with the puppies afterward.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

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

You drive it yourself on the wheeled cart. You hold the lines and give the commands ("Gee," "Haw," "Hike"), and the dogs respond to your voice. The guide is there coaching you through the run, but you're steering the team.

What does a Top 10 Iditarod Kennel mean?

The kennel is ranked in the top ten finishers of the Iditarod, Alaska's famous 1,000-mile sled dog race. The mushers who run your experience are the same people who compete at that level, so you're learning from handlers with real racing credentials.

How long does the whole thing take?

The experience runs about 75 minutes from arrival to finish, including the training run on the wheeled cart, the presentation on mushing, and time with the puppies.

What's included in the price?

All taxes, fees and handling charges are included. Pickup to the kennel is arranged. Souvenir photos are available to purchase separately if you want them.