Dog Sledding in Alaska: One of the Last Frontier Activities

What could be a more primitive feeling than riding or mushing a dog sled over the frozen tundra? There isn’t much ice and snow left as global warming speeds up the heating process so if you are going to experience something as primordial as traveling across a vast whiteness with no color in sight except the blur of your faithful dog pack leading you through the frozen wilderness you better do it now.

These days you can go sledding whether it is the winter season or if you are traveling in the summer on vacation. They have dog sled rides where the outfit will helicopter their guests into the permanent great glaciers with the teams and their handlers waiting to take you on a one of a kind adventure that many vacation excursions can beat.

The biggest moment for dog sledders or mushers is the Iditarod. It is a grueling race which covers more than 1150 miles between 10 to 17 days. The teams consist of 12 to 16 dogs along with their musher. It is a partnership with great bonds of trust. Dog sled teams are not the dogs we raise at home, they are bred to work independently and as a team.

Where to Go Dog Sledding

Any country that has any type of snow, ice, or tundra will use dog sledding teams as a practical means of transportation, so you can find a place near to you and make a cheap travel. Vacation destinations such as Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Finland to name just a few, those craving a journey led by a dog should have no problem achieving that desire. It takes a special breed of person to be a dog sled handler and have the courage and resilience to lead the pack through some of the worst weather conditions.