Mush Your Own Sled Dog Team in Talkeetna, Alaska

Glide through silent snowy birch forests, led by a champion musher’s pace.

Mush your own team of Alaskan Huskies on a private trail system near Talkeetna, Alaska, with a live guide leading the way. You'll meet the racing kennel of a 4-time Iditarod Champion, play with the puppies, and drive the sled yourself for a 45-minute run through snowy birch forest. The whole experience runs about two and a half hours.

The experience

You arrive at the kennel and meet the dogs before you touch the reins. The guide introduces you to the Iditarod Champion sled dogs (the ones that have raced the 1,000-mile Iditarod), and then to the puppies, the upcoming champions still learning. You get time to play with them, get a feel for the team's energy and temperament before you're responsible for them on the trail.

Then you take the sled. Your guide is the lead musher, running ahead of you on the trail, and you follow behind with your own team, steering and calling commands as you move through the birch forest. For 45 minutes you're the one holding the reins, feeling the dogs respond to your voice, watching them work together. The guide handles the pace and the route. You handle the team. The only sounds are the runners on snow and the huskies barking with excitement: no engine noise, no crowds, just the forest and the dogs.

The whole outing takes about two and a half hours from start to finish. You'll need at least a moderate level of fitness to handle the physical demands of mushing, and if you have spinal injuries, this activity isn't suitable. Infants can come along if they sit on an adult's lap during the ride.

What’s included

• Tour of the 4-time Iditarod Champion racing kennel.
• time to meet and play with the puppies.
• your own 45-minute mush on the private trail system.
• live guide in English throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30 and 13:30

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (6 to 14 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by AK Sled Dog Tours

Is this one for you?The two-and-a-half-hour commitment leaves room for other activities in your day, making this a strong fit if you have a free afternoon in Talkeetna and want to spend it doing something hands-on rather than watching a demonstration. If you're new to mushing, the guide leading ahead means you learn by doing without navigating the trail yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 14 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

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.

What do I actually do during the 45-minute mush?

You hold the reins and drive the sled yourself, steering and calling commands to your team of Alaskan Huskies while your guide leads the way ahead of you on the trail through the birch forest.

Will I meet the Iditarod Champion dogs?

Yes, you'll tour the racing kennel of Dallas Seavey, a 4-time Iditarod Champion, and meet the sled dogs that have run the race, plus the puppies training to become future champions.

How long is the whole experience?

The entire outing runs about two and a half hours, which includes meeting the dogs, playing with the puppies, and your 45-minute mush on the private trail.

What's the trail like?

The mush follows the operator's private trail system through snowy birch forest near Talkeetna, with your guide leading ahead and you following behind with your own team.