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Overnights
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CHUGACH EXPRESS DOG SLEDDING TOUR Ever dreamed of moving silently across snowy landscape pulled by a team of Alaskan Huskies? Dog sledding, also called mushing, is an exciting link to traditional Alaska winter transportation. Iditarod Team Chugach Express's lively huskies and mushers provide an introduction to sled dog mushing. Moose Meadows is our setting along the Iditarod National Historic Trail in the Chugach Mountains of Girdwood/Alyeska.
Meet the harnessed team and musher for introductions and photographs. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is a popular topic of conversation as well as information about team commands, running positions and breading.
Our unique double stanchion sled allows you to drive the team and learn commands like: Gee, Haw and whoa. Take the long way around Moose Meadows sled dog loop on the way to our kennel.
The home of these amazing athletes has everything necessary to run and train in Alaska. These dogs are always ready for adventure as they tour Alaska by winter and it's glaciers by summer.
Native Alaskans bred huskies from wolves for companionship, protection and transportation. Today's sled dog teams are a blend of this past and legendary kennels like Joe Redington and Leonhard Seppala's. Step on the runners for this authentic Alaskan adventure.
Price: $199 per adult $149 children 12 and under
Departs on the hour, reservations required
Turnagain Times December 4, 2008 Chugach Express sled dog tours takes you on a ride into the past
By Rachel Drinkard
Case in point: being able to drive a team of highly trained Alaskan Huskies through the snow-draped rain forest and frosted alpine meadows of Girdwood is a thrill no summer visitor will ever know.
Chugach Express is the oldest
commercial sled dog tour operation in Alaska, started in 1977 by
long-time Girdwood resident Bob Crockett. Current owner Dario
Martinez, himself a nine time Iditarod veteran, took over seven
years ago and never looked back. The company now operates year-round and focuses their winter operations on running tours near the Hotel Alyeska and the historic Iditarod Trail.
The Girdwood portion of the Iditarod Trail, Alaska’s only National Historic Trail, has not been used as a regular haul route since the gold rush era mail routes stopped running in 1916, and has never been included in the famous Iditarod sled dog race. The trail is still popular, however, in the winter for snow sports and activities and as a popular hiking route through Crow Pass to Eagle River in the summer.
Chugach Express’ Iditarod Classic tour
offers a rare chance for guests to hear a comprehensive history of
sled dogs and the Iditarod in an setting key to the development of
both. Above and beyond that, the tour allows you to actually get a
lesson in mushing and try your own hand at driving a team of these
well-trained Iditarod dogs through pristine Moose Meadows. Martinez also offers a special Moonlight Mushing tour, which holds the rare potential for a ride under the aurora, if conditions are right.
“Our tour distinguishes itself from others by providing a much more intimate and personal experience,” said Martinez.
The tour requires no prior experience
and is appropriate for the young, the old and everyone in between,
but participants are encouraged to dress in warm layers and be
prepared for the often finicky Girdwood weather. Winter tours run
primarily on weekends except through busy times around the holidays
and Iditarod. The tour costs $199 for adults and $149 for children
under 12.
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