Few adventures capture the spirit of the North like a Alaska dog sled tour. These tours offer a rare blend of adrenaline, culture, and connection. If dog sledding is on your Alaska travel bucket list, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. From glacier-top sled rides to summer kennel visits, Alaska offers some of the most authentic and scenic mushing adventures in the world.
If you’re planning a trip to the Last Frontier, you’ve likely realized that “dog sledding” isn’t just one thing. In Alaska, you can fly to a glacier in a helicopter, walk through a museum, or sit on a porch and hear stories from a real Iditarod musher.
To help you decide which adventure is right for your trip, here is a breakdown of the five best types of sled dog tour experiences.
1. The “Insider” Kennel Presentation
For travelers who want to understand the soul of mushing, an intimate kennel presentation is the gold standard. A kennel persentation offers a “behind-the-curtain” look at a working racing kennel.
- The Experience: You are welcomed into a professional racing environment to meet elite athletes like Carhartt and Whiplash. You’ll learn the science of the “super-athlete” metabolism, hear first-hand stories of life on the trail, and—the highlight for many—get hands-on time socializing with the next generation of pups.
- Why it’s a “Best” Pick: It is the most educational and personal experience available. You leave feeling like you’ve made friends with the dogs and the mushers and learned about the entire Alaska mushing lifestyle, not just checked a box.
2. The Glacier Sled Dog Ride: Flightseeing Adventures
If you are visiting in the height of summer but want to feel the runners on actual snow, you’ll have to head up. Helicopter tours take you from the lush green coast to the top of a bright white glacier.
- The Experience: A spectacular flight followed by a short sled ride on the ice.
- The Trade-off: This is often the most expensive option and is highly dependent on weather, but the views are unbeatable.
3. The Authentic Winter Sled Ride: The Traditional Experience
If your travels bring you to Alaska between November and March, you can experience mushing exactly as it was intended: on a wooden sled over a frozen trail.
- The Experience: Bundled in parkas, you’ll glide through the silent, snow-covered forest. It’s the quietest and most “magical” version of the sport.
- The Trade-off: You’ll need to be prepared for sub-zero temperatures!
4. The Summer Cart Ride: The Training Run
Since there is no snow in the valleys during the summer, some kennels offer “cart rides.” The dogs are hooked up to a wheeled UTV or a custom-built cart to keep them in shape.
- The Experience: You get to feel the raw power of the team as they lunge into their harnesses. It’s loud, fast, and exciting.
- The Trade-off: It can be a bit dusty, and because it’s a “ride,” you often spend less time learning about the individual dogs’ personalities.
5. The Iditarod Headquarters: The History Lesson
For those on a budget or a tight schedule, a stop at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters is a great way to see the “Hall of Fame.”
- The Experience: A museum-style walk-through with trophies, photos, and a small gift shop. There is often a short cart ride available in the parking lot during the summer.
- The Trade-off: It is a self-guided, “tourist hub” experience. You won’t get the one-on-one time with a musher or the deep-dive education you find at an active kennel like DogGoneIt.
How to Choose the Right Dog Sledding Tour
Before you book, consider:
- Season: Winter for sled rides; summer for kennel presentations, carting or glacier tours.
- Intensity: Kennel visits that are accessible to all or the more physical experience of a ride.
- Interests: Culture, racing, photography, wilderness, or family fun.
- Location: Denali, Fairbanks, Anchorage, the Yukon, Banff, Iceland, and Norway all offer unique experiences.
Why DogGoneIt Tours Is the Best Choice for Denali Dog Sled Tours
If you only have time for one dog experience in Alaska, we recommend the Kennel Presentation at DogGoneIt Tours. While Alaska offers many dog sledding experiences, DogGoneIt Tours stands out for its:
✔ Family-run authenticity
You’ll learn directly from mushers who live the lifestyle year-round—not seasonal guides reading a script. Ask questions, take photos, and really understand what makes sled dogs unique.
✔ Perfect Denali location
Convenient for anyone staying near Denali Park. Transportation is provided.
✔ Welcoming atmosphere
Visitors rave about how friendly the staff are and how clearly they love their dogs.
It’s the kind of tour people remember for years.
Plan Your Alaska Dog Sledding Adventure
Whether you’re dreaming of winter sledding, summer kennel visits, or meeting the incredible dogs who shaped Alaska’s history, dog sledding is one of the state’s most memorable travel experiences.
And if your travels bring you near Denali, DogGoneIt Tours is the must-do experience that brings authentic Alaska mushing to life.
Ready to meet the team? Book your tour now!