BIG LAKE DOGSLED FIELD GUIDE
Drive a Team on Big Lake’s Iditarod Training Trails
A hands-on, up-to-3-hour program at Martin Buser’s Happy Trails Kennel that teaches you to mush Alaskan Huskies and returns you to the visitor center for hot drinks and cookies.
Drive a Team on Big Lake’s Iditarod Training Trails.
Learn to Mush places you in the harness beside powerful Alaskan Huskies at Big Lake, Alaska. The experience begins inside a roomy visitor center with an informative video, then moves outside for instruction, practice behind a snow machine and a guided six-mile run on Iditarod training trails — finishing back at the kennel where warm drinks and cookies await and you can thank the dogs by hand.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Drive a Team of Alaskan Huskies
The core of the program is hands-on mushing: after instruction from experienced guides you harness and drive a small dog team yourself, feeling the dogs’ power and athleticism up close.
Six Miles on Iditarod Training Trails
Participants will drive their team for a six-mile stretch on genuine Iditarod training trails, with guides setting up the run and providing on-trail instruction and support.
Visitor Center, Complimentary Gear and Treats
The visit begins and ends in a comfortable visitor center where an orientation video is shown, Alaska-tested winter gear is available if needed, and complimentary hot drinks and cookies are offered after the run.
What the day feels like
What It Feels Like to Be Behind the Gangline
The day unfolds as a compact, instructor-led progression: a visitor-center video orients you, guides fit you with any complimentary cold-weather gear needed, and you practice sled handling behind a snow machine. Guides then help harness and hook up a small team; they move ahead on a snow machine while you drive your team for six miles across Iditarod training trails. The return to the kennel is informal — you can pet and thank the dogs before warming up with hot drinks and cookies.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience is aimed at — age is the principal participation filter.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring your phone or camera—guides will stop for photo opportunities that, if weather permits, may include views of Mt. Susitna and Denali. Alaska-tested winter gear is available complimentary if needed.
The visitor center provides a warm place to regroup and complimentary hot drinks and cookies are offered at the end of the tour.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does Learn to Mush take?
The experience lasts up to three hours.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Participants must be at least 16 years old.
Do you provide cold-weather gear?
Alaska-tested winter gear is complimentary if needed.
Will I get to drive a dog team?
Yes — after instruction and a practice pull behind a snow machine, you will harness and drive a small dog team for six miles on Iditarod training trails.
Are there refreshments?
Complimentary hot drinks and cookies are available in the visitor center at the end of your tour.
Where does the experience take place?
The program runs from Martin Buser’s Happy Trails Kennel at Big Lake, Alaska; the meeting address is 19391 West Lakes Blvd, Big Lake, Alaska.
Will there be photo opportunities?
Guides make several stops for photo ops, which—if weather permits—may include Mt. Susitna and Denali.