Experience the Thrill of an Authentic Alaskan Tradition

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You're speeding through Alaskan forest, sitting on a sled that's being pulled by some of Alaska's most powerful creatures. — Alaska.org

Dog sledding has been an Alaskan tradition for centuries beginning with the Native Alaskans, who used dogs for travel, hunting, and protection. The Gold Rush era saw many more people using sled dogs to scope out routes through unforgiving terrain and transport people and mail between remote locations.

Dog mushing took its place as Alaska’s official sport in 1972, and is a bit of a “state obsession,” according to Bob Kaufman, founder of Alaska.org. Today, plenty of sled dog races are held each winter all across the state, with the most famous being the Iditarod.

While on a family trip in my early twenties, we had the chance to stop at a sled dog kennel called Uncommon Journeys. Located just outside Whitehorse in Canada’s Yukon territory, they raised and trained Alaskan Huskies here for adventure treks through the Yukon and Alaska.

When we arrived, I saw a sea of individual dog houses and braced myself for the commotion I expected would soon arise from having so many dogs in one place—but I was mistaken. They were incredibly quiet and well-behaved, each one tied up next to its own house, with space to roam in and out. With roughly 50 dogs here, it looked like a small dog village! We soon got a chance to go in and meet some of the dogs, and they were friendly and calm, loving all the attention.

They definitely weren’t your typical Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute like you see in the movies, though. These dogs were all different sizes, colors, and builds. The company owner, Martha, explained that over the years, different breeds have been combined to create the fastest and strongest dogs that are best suited to the demands of the trail.

Despite their mismatched appearance, they all had one thing in common: an incredible passion for running and pulling!

After telling us all about the dogs and the kinds of treks they offered into the Arctic, Martha gave us a demonstration of how dog sled teams operate. She hooked eight dogs up to the harness, and their instincts immediately set in. You could see how excited the dogs got, knowing they were about to go for a run. They started leaping forward and up and down like they had springs in their feet! Good thing they were still tied up.

As soon as she took the brakes off the ATV they were about to pull, they lunged forward and were off, running down the road. Martha later informed us that these dogs have about six to seven times the aerobic capacity and capabilities of humans! They can run 60 miles straight before they need to stop to catch their breath. If both you and a dog were to run up the steepest hill you could handle for 5 minutes, and then you measured your heart rate and compared it to theirs, the dog’s would come back down to normal five to six times faster. That’s how much better shape these dogs are in than even the very best human athletes on earth!

The alpha dog of this kennel was the smallest female dog. She only weighed about 50-60 pounds, but knew how to take charge of her team. She was the lead dog on all the journeys they took throughout the Yukon and Alaska. Many of the dogs at this kennel were also past champions of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race that occurs every February and runs between Fairbanks, Alaska and Whitehorse, Yukon. The race lasts anywhere from 10 to 14 days and is very dark for the most part. I couldn’t imagine the determination and fortitude required to run a race like that!

Although we didn’t get a chance to experience dog sledding on that trip, it was still a great opportunity to learn more about the history of Alaska’s famous sport and the incredible dogs that make it possible.

Uncommon Journeys has since shut down, but many companies across Alaska offer dog sledding adventures to visitors looking to take part in an authentic Alaskan tradition!

As Travel Alaska says,

Dog mushing is more than just Alaska’s official state sport. It is a way of life in the Last Frontier. It’s also one of the best ways to explore Alaska’s scenic backcountry.

Start your search with a list of dog sled tours on Alaska Tours, Travel Alaska or Alaska.org.

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