Alaska Dog Sledding School - Featuring Winter Lake Lodge
Tour 240

Dog mushing in the Alaskan wilderness requires absolute trust between man and animal which can only be gained through a thorough understanding of animal care and training. In our Alaska Dog Mushing School you will learn from experienced mushers the skills to run your own dog team. Your training will include practical hand's on instruction regarding the care and feeding of sled dogs, theories of dog team building, voice commands, plus training and operating a dog team on the trail. Your skilled dog musher will also share knowledge of sled dog racing, tips for living comfortably outdoors in cold weather, and wilderness survival techniques. The Alaska Dog Mushing School training takes place on the historic Iditarod Trail. Winterlake Lodge is an official checkpoint of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Enjoy daily runs with your dog team on the trail with overnights in rustic, but comfortable log cabins.

4 days / 4 nights

Day 1: This morning, depart from Anchorage's Lake Hood by ski plane to Winterlake Lodge. Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be met by your hosts who will get you settled in and review your tour program. Overnight at Winterlake Lodge in the log cabins.

Days 2 & 3: Spend the days working with your instructor and the dogs. Practice your skills harnessing and mushing your own dog team each day on trail rides. Overnight at Winterlake Lodge in the log cabins.

Day 4: This morning, the ski plane will return to the lodge for your return flight to Lake Hood and Anchorage. Tour concludes upon arrival in Anchorage.

Roundtrip ski plane flights between Anchorage (depart from Lake Hood) and Winterlake Lodge, 4 night lodging, all meals during stay at lodge, dog sledding instruction, and all taxes.

Meals: Meals are served from one daily menu. Please advise us if you have dietary or special meal requirements.

Note: The 4 day/4 night program allows you to go through a complete cycle of mushing training to drive your own team. It is the most popular length of stay. However if your available travel time does not allow a 4 day program, you can also stay shorter at lodge and do daily dog mushing excursions; in this case, you would not train with one dog team on a daily basis. For more information on stays at Winterlake Lodge with a different focus, please click here. 

Alcoholic beverages, gratuity.

December 15, 2008 to April 10, 2009: Daily departures

Lodge is NOT available from March 7 to March 11, 2009, due to being an Iditarod Check-Point.

(dates are subject to change depending on snow conditions)