How We Keep You Safe on a Dog Sledding Trip

Dog sledding through Alaska’s wild backcountry may look remote and rugged — but at Arctic Dog Adventure Co., every expedition is carefully designed, prepared, and guided to the highest safety standards. Behind every scenic trail, home-cooked meal, and starlit campfire lies a system of training, planning, and communication that keeps guests and dogs safe, warm, and supported at every moment

Hi, I'm Lisbet! A 3-time Iditarod finisher, 3rd-generation kennel owner, and certified Wilderness First Responder.

A Professionally Guided Wilderness Experience

Our adventures are led by certified wilderness professionals who know the regional terrain, weather, and most importantly, the dogs, inside out. Every Guide holds Wilderness First Aid or Responder (WFR) certification — the gold standard in backcountry medical training. This means our guides have been through 40 or 80 hours of first aid training including real life scenarios to solidify their learning. This certification is required to be renewed every 3 years with a 2 day refresher course. 

We are a team that lives and breathes northern travel. We grew up here, live here and understand how to be safe in these cold, dark days of winter. We never leave safety to chance.

Before anyone leads a trip, they’ve completed our ADAC training, co-guided day tours and expeditions, learned every dog by name and harness size, and demonstrated mastery of many skills beyond sled handling and emergency response. It takes 2 years of working with us before a Guide is certified to solo lead a multiday trip - and there is still support provided. 

Layers of Preparation You’ll Never Have to Think About

Weeks before guests ever arrive at the kennel, our team is training dogs, inspecting and replacing equipment, ordering and organizing dog food and packing trails. 

Every multi-day trip follows a detailed preparation process that covers trail safety, communication, and comfort strategies for both people and dogs. Prior to each trip's guests arriving, guides are planning meals, packing safety gear, performing pre-trip checks, inspecting sleds and lines again, monitoring weather forecasts, reviewing evacuation routes, and creating dog teams based on each client's needs and the dog teams’ fitness and health. 

Guests receive a full trip orientation on day 1 — covering how to stay warm, dry, and safe — plus a review of emergency communication procedures. And once on the trail, participants are never left alone: our trips are team-based, with guides in constant radio and visual contact throughout the journey.

Prepared for the Unexpected

We take a proactive approach to managing risk in Alaska’s backcountry. Our teams travel in areas with cell or satellite communication, and we always carry well-stocked people and dog first aid kits and emergency evacuation equipment.

In the rare case of a medical emergency, a snowmobile and truck with trained personnel are always on standby to transport guests to medical care. If a situation does require additional support, we are prepared to call in professional responders (Alaska State Troopers) who can reach our groups by snowmachine or helicopter.

Equipment and Dogs You Can Depend On

Our sleds, harnesses, lines, and guest gear are meticulously maintained and inspected before every departure. 

The same goes for our dogs — our Siberian Huskies are seasoned athletes with years of trail experience. Their well-being is central to every decision we make on the trail, from pacing to rest breaks to trail selection.

Thoughtful Planning, Not High Risk

It’s natural to feel some hesitation about venturing into Alaska’s winter wilderness. But rest assured — these are structured, guided, and controlled expeditions, not extreme survival missions. Every itinerary is designed with safety margins for weather, daylight, and trail conditions, and adjusted in real time when necessary.

Behind every smooth-running trip are countless hours of preparation — from training guides and maintaining equipment to rehearsing emergency protocols. You may never see all that goes into ensuring your safety — and that’s exactly the point.

At Arctic Dog Adventure Co., we believe that adventure and safety go hand in hand. Our goal is simple: to let you experience the magic of Alaska’s wilderness — the sound of sled runners over snow, the communal howls of the huskies, and the silent dance of the northern lights above — with complete confidence that you’re in capable hands.