Mush your way to fun this winter

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is one of the most noteworthy events in Alaska, and while the race is only two weeks long in March, it provides a year-round interest in dog mushing among both Alaska residents and visitors.

There are a number of tour operators — including Iditarod and Yukon Quest mushers — who offer guided tours of their kennels and include dog sled rides to their visitors. This is often a highlight for visitors, but residents will enjoy their time spent on the runners taking in Alaska’s official state sport.

The Iditarider program helps raise money for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race by auctioning off a ride with a musher during the ceremonial start in Anchorage the first Saturday in March. This year’s auction is closed, but there are still ways you can experience the thrill of riding behind an Iditarod team if you weren’t able to win one of the auctions.

Experience isn’t required when you visit a kennel, as mushers are more than willing to share their knowledge and let you have a hands-on experience. Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau members who specialize in dog sled and kennel tours include Martin Buser’s Happy Trails Kennel, Vern Halter’s Dream a Dream Dog Farm, Northern Lights Adventures and Huskytown Kennels in Talkeetna. Rides are available at the Iditarod Trail Committee headquarters in Wasilla during the summer months as well.

During a kennel tour, veteran guides will assist you with harnessing the dogs, talk to you about the terminology and equipment used, and generally allow you to be as involved as you’d like in getting ready for the run. After finishing with the run, you’ll often be included in feeding the dogs and getting them unhooked from the team.

Kennel tours are popular in both the summer and winter seasons. During the summer, four-wheelers or special carts are used for the riders. During the winter, the traditional sled basket is used, giving an authentic feel to the ride.

When planning a kennel tour and dog sled ride, make sure to call ahead, since operators often have different schedules during the summer and winter.

For more information about kennel tours or other winter tourism ideas, interested people can visit www.alaskavisit.com or call the Mat-Su CVB at 746-5000.

Casey Ressler (casey@alaskavisit.com) is the Mat-Su CVB Marketing & Communications Manager.