NENANA DOGSLED FIELD GUIDE
Nenana Dog Mushing: Two Hours Inside Interior Alaska’s Kennel Culture
A two-hour, small-group dog mushing tour out of Fairbanks that brings you to a Nenana-based husky kennel to meet puppies, watch world-class lead dogs and ride in or behind a sled.
Nenana Dog Mushing: Two Hours Inside Interior Alaska’s Kennel Culture.
From Fairbanks, this intimate two-hour excursion slips into the winter wilderness around Nenana, dropping you into a working husky kennel where newborn puppies and world-class lead dogs live and train. It’s a close, hands-on window into the Interior Alaska dog-mushing life—its routines, its animals and the quiet landscape that shapes both.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Puppies, Lead Dogs and Racing Lineage
Meet newborn puppies and world-class lead dogs and learn how teams are selected and trained for long-distance races such as the Iditarod and Yukon Quest—an intimate introduction to the people and bloodlines behind competitive mushing.
Two Hours on the Sled — In or Behind
This compact, small-group tour gives you a two-hour mushing experience: you’ll learn to ride with the team, either in the sled or trailing behind, and watch race-caliber teams perform in a real kennel setting.
A Nenana-Based Kennel South of Fairbanks
Operating out of a Nenana-area kennel just south of Fairbanks, the tour takes you away from crowds into the quieter Interior Alaska landscape that is known as the capital of dog sledding.
What the day feels like
What the Day Feels Like
You’ll leave Fairbanks for a short transfer to the Nenana-area kennel, meet the teams and puppies, don provided arctic outerwear and spend two focused hours learning about the dogs and mushing—riding with them in or behind the sled and watching experienced teams at work—before returning to your departure point.
THE DOGS
Puppies, Lead Dogs and Racing Lineage
Meet newborn puppies and world-class lead dogs and learn how teams are selected and trained for long-distance races such as the Iditarod and Yukon Quest—an intimate introduction to the people and bloodlines behind competitive mushing.
THE RIDE
Two Hours on the Sled — In or Behind
This compact, small-group tour gives you a two-hour mushing experience: you’ll learn to ride with the team, either in the sled or trailing behind, and watch race-caliber teams perform in a real kennel setting.
THE PLACE
A Nenana-Based Kennel South of Fairbanks
Operating out of a Nenana-area kennel just south of Fairbanks, the tour takes you away from crowds into the quieter Interior Alaska landscape that is known as the capital of dog sledding.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits—and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Arctic outerwear (jackets, pants, gloves, hats) is provided as part of the tour; dress in warm base layers and insulated footwear appropriate for winter conditions.
The tour includes arctic gear (jackets, pants, gloves, hats), a meet-and-greet with dogs and puppies, a two-hour mushing experience and complimentary coffee and snacks.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the dog mushing tour?
The tour is two hours in duration.
Where does the tour depart from?
The tour departs from Fairbanks with pickup at your Fairbanks hotel and operates out of a Nenana-based kennel south of Fairbanks.
Will I get to meet puppies and lead dogs?
Yes; the itinerary includes a meet-and-greet with newborn puppies and world-class lead dogs.
Is cold-weather gear provided?
Arctic gear—jackets, pants, gloves and hats—is provided for the tour.
What do participants actually do during the experience?
Participants learn about the kennel and racing dogs, and spend the core portion of the tour riding with the sled teams—either in the sled or behind it—watching race-capable teams perform.