HALF-DAY DOG SLEDDING TOURS
Fairbanks, Alaska
DRIVE YOUR OWN DOG TEAM
This 2 - 3 hour dog sled adventure is designed for those eager to experience an authentic Alaskan mushing experience -- driving your own dog team!
This is the real deal, which means you are not just along for a ride -- you are an active participant in this adventure and will get to drive your own small dog team of 4-6 dogs.
Before departure, your guide will introduce you to your team and give you a lesson on how to drive the sled.
You will learn:
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How to harness a sled dog.
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How to slow down and stop your team.
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How to steer your team.
After completing orientation and training, your guide will lead you on a six-mile journey through stunning old-growth boreal forest to the summit of a ridge. Here, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the White Mountains and the Chatanika River Valley. Along the route, we will have plenty of opportunities to pause and capture the beauty of this incredible experience.
During this tour, your guide will lead the way, monitoring the dogs and the trail, ensuring you feel confident and supported as you learn this new sport.
Dog Sledding in Fairbanks, Alaska with Siberian Huskies | Arctic Dog Adventure Co.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
✔ 2 - 3 hours immersed in dog sledding culture
✔ Drive your own dog team of 4-6 Siberian Huskies
✔ Warm outer clothing (parkas, snow pants, boots, mittens)
✔ Professional certified wilderness guides
✔ Dog mushing lessons
✔ 1+ hour of driving the dog sled
✔ 6 miles of dog sledding trail
✔ Scenic mountain vistas
✔ Photo Ops
✔ Hands-on time with the Huskies
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
X Baselayers, hat, socks (What to Wear Dogsledding)
X Transportation to/from the kennel (How to Get to the Kennel)
Are you ready to go dog sledding in Fairbanks?
TOUR SUMMARY
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Price: $399 per person.
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Duration: 2-3 hours from arrival to departure.
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Season: November - April.
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Group size: One person minimum, four person maximum. *Larger groups please contact us directly*
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Age: 12+
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Transportation: We do not offer a shuttle service. We recommend having a rental car. Click here for recommended transport options
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Booking: Online or by phone. For same day bookings, call/text (907) 841-4694.
Not everyone in your party interested in driving their own dog team? Unfortunately, we do not have a waiting room. Leave your less adventurous friends at your accommodations, or drop them off at one of Fairbanks' great museums.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
No previous mushing experience is required.
We will teach you everything you need to know to feel comfortable and well-equipped for your time on the trail. 99% of our clients have never stepped foot on a dog sled before! You are accompanied at all times by a professional dog sledding guide who oversees the whole experience, allowing you to relax and enjoy the thrill of driving your own dog team. The tour is about 50% uphill, meaning it will be necessary to help your dogs uphill, which requires some balance and cardio output.
WEIGHT LIMIT
Overall fitness and mobility is more important than weight. Be honest about your weight when registering so we can be sure to match you with the right dogs. Here are some guidelines to discuss to see if this adventure will be a good fit:
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Are you in good cardiovascular health? You will need to actively help and run up the hill behind your dogs for periods of 30 seconds up to a minute.
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Can you easily bend down to tie your own shoes, pick items up off the ground ?
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Can you comfortably hike 2-3 miles at a time ?
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Can you get yourself up off the ground quickly, ie do a burpee?
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Do you have decent balance? Can you stand on one leg for 10 seconds? You will need to jump on and off the runners when helping the dogs.
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Do you have two hands? You will need two hands to operate your dog sled.
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Are you pregnant past the second trimester? If yes, dog sledding is not for you at this time.
WHY THIS TOUR IS UNIQUE
✔ This is NOT a sled ride.
✔ You drive your own dog sled the entire tour, from start to finish.
✔ You do not share the dog sled with a guide or another person.
✔ You do not have a guide attached to you by a "tag sled."
✔ Our dogs are Siberian Huskies, one of the original Arctic sled dog breeds.
✔ Our teams are trained by 3x Iditarod finisher Lisbet Norris.
✔ All Lead Guides are Certified Wilderness First Responders -- safety is our priority and risk management our speciality.
WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED
Not sure what to wear? No worries! We provide all cold weather outerwear and boots. Check out our Day Trip Packing List for tips on what to wear to be warm and cozy visiting Fairbanks in winter
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Dog sledding offers an unparalleled adventure that families can enjoy together, creating lasting memories amidst snowy landscapes. It's not just the thrill of gliding over snow that makes it special; it's also about bonding with the sled dogs and learning about their care, which instills a sense of responsibility and teamwork in children.
Age Requirements:
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Children 12+ can typically drive their own team. Pending guide approval.
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Children under the age of 12 are allowed on Private Tours only.
Children 11 and under will ride in the Guide’s sled. This is for safety reasons. Carrying kids in the basket will require the guide have a bigger sled dog team, which takes a very high level of awareness, risk management, and experience to monitor kids AND high energy sled dogs. For this reason, kids in the basket are still full price.
WILL I DRIVE MY OWN DOG TEAM?
Yes. You will drive your own team of 4-6 dogs.
What to Expect:
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One Person Per Sled: You’ll have your own sled and team, so there are no passengers in the basket.
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Expert Guidance: A professional dog sledding guide will be with you every step of the way. They’ll drive their own team just ahead, keeping an eye on the trail, your dogs, and your progress. This lets you focus on enjoying the ride while ensuring safety and support.
Skills You’ll Learn: Before heading out, your guide will give you a hands-on lesson to get you ready:
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Meet Your Team: You’ll be introduced to your sled dogs, getting to know the amazing athletes who will be your partners for the day.
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Harnessing a Sled Dog: Learn the proper techniques for harnessing your dogs—an essential skill for any musher.
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Sled Control: You’ll be taught how to safely drive your sled, including how to slow down, stop, and manage your team on the trail.
Not a Tag Sled Tour: Unlike tag sledding, where the guide controls everything, here you are in charge. While this experience involves more work and responsibility, the reward is greater, as you feel the power and partnership of working with your own team of dogs.
Alternative Options: If you do not wish to drive your own team, please contact us directly to discuss a private tour with ride options.
GALLERY
TESTIMONIALS
"I highly recommend taking a tour with these folks!!! The kennel is located in a beautiful area with trails that go through the trees and open up into beautiful vistas. We were in Fairbanks to watch the start of the Yukon Quest and this tour was a major highlight of our trip. Add a tour with Arctic Dog Adventure Co to your trip! You won't regret it :)"
— Kathryn, Winter 2023
"This was the highlight of our trip to Alaska. Lisbet and her entire staff were AMAZING and so informative. They were so welcoming and made sure we felt comfortable. They go over everything with you so you feel confident before getting on the sled. I would recommend them and hope to visit again soon!"
— Autumn, Winter 2024
DAY TOUR BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY
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Payment is due in full at the time of booking.
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A full refund will be issued for cancellations received more than 30 days from the trip date. No refund for cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the trip date, but payment will be considered credit.
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Credit is good for one calendar year from the time of booking. Credit can be transferred. If you do not make your tour on time, we will not refund payment, but we will reschedule your tour at no extra cost.
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No reimbursement is provided for trips shortened due to inclement weather.
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Arctic Dog Adventure Co. reserves the right to cancel a tour for any reason. If Arctic Dog Adventure Co. cancels a day tour, we will refund you in full or reschedule for no extra charge.
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Please see Booking Terms & Conditions for more details.
1) Head North from Fairbanks on the Elliott/Steese Highway (AK-2/AK-6). Ten miles outside of town, you will reach Fox, the junction of the Steese and the Elliot highways (AK-6 & AK-2). Go straight through Fox on the Elliott Highway (AK-2) (turning right will take you up the Steese Highway (AK-6), turning left will take you to the Goldstream Valley).
2) 3.5 miles past Fox, at the top of a steep and windy hill, take a LEFT onto OLD MURPHY DOME ROAD. If you pass Hilltop Gas Station, you have missed the turn.
3) Drive 6 miles down Old Murphy Dome Road and take a LEFT at the first street sign you see: HATTIE CREEK ROAD.
4) SLOW DOWN. Kids and dog teams use this road. We are located at 2270 HATTIE CREEK ROAD. We are the FOURTH driveway on the RIGHT near the bottom of the hill. Again, SLOW DOWN. The hill is steep and you cannot stop quickly. We have a sign reading "2270" and Arctic Dog Adventure Co." at the bottom of the driveway. Do not follow the "Husky Lifestyle" signs -- those belong to a neighbor. We have parking at the bottom of the drive. Grab what you need from your car and walk up to the Check-in sign at the top of the drive. If you miss the driveway, do NOT make a left hand turn into the drive -- this is a good way to get stuck. Go back up to the top of the hill to turn around in order to make the right hand turn into the drive.
Feel free to call Lisbet with any questions or concerns: (907) 841-4694
This is a semi rural area. Sometimes it takes a long time for road crews to come through and clear the roads after it snows. We strongly recommend using a vehicle with 4 wheel drive.
No transportation? Taxis come out to the kennel regularly but note it will be ~$200 roundtrip, not including tip. We do not recommend Uber or Lyft. You may be able to get an Uber out to the kennel, but you will likely not get one to come back out to pick you up unless you specifically arrange that with the driver. We highly recommend Cafego's Tours and Transport for transfers.