Alaskan Husky Adventures
Dog Mushing in Beautiful Chatanika, Alaska.
Alaskan Dog Sled Adventure Tours
At Dew Claw Kennel we offer new experiences, longer trips, and more opportunities for hands on dog mushing experiences. For adventurous travelers who want to experience the Alaskan wilderness by dog team.
Photos from Dew Claw Kennel Tours
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan adventure. Your experienced guides, Dan Kaduce and Jodi Bailey have decades of experience driving dogs. Both are veterans of the 1,000 mile Yukon Quest and Iditarod sled dog races. Your friendly team of Alaskan Huskies have been bred and trained specifically for long distance mushing, and are super excited to show you just how incredibly adapted and capable they are at winter travel.
Your trip begins at Dew Claw Kennel for a gear check and orientation to mushing. Then we will head out on the trail, where spectacular views await. Camp is a relaxing place, where you can enjoy a home cooked meal around the campfire, and a cozy nights sleep in our heated arctic tents. Warm drinks and plenty of snacks are provided to keep you fuels up for your adventure. Out booking calendar is open and we are offering 3 night camping expeditions. We do offer shorter camping trips, please contact us for scheduling,
For folks who would like a more intensive instructional mushing experience we offer Mushing Boot Camps by request. If you are wanting to get a solid skill base or wanting to improve your winter camping and long distance racing skills we can arrange an intensive personal hands on learning opportunity. These range from 3-7 days and are tailored to your personal mushing goals.
Mushers Boot Camp
limited avalibility
Mushing boot camps are intesive hands on learning oppertunities. Live in a dry cabin on the kennel property and join the Dew Claw team as we train and care for our canine athletes. This is an oppertunity for winter adventurers and athletes to experience the sport of mushing completely, while spending time exploring the beautiful trails in the near-by BLM White Mountains Recreation Area.
Campout
Multi-day dog powered camping trips for groups of 2-4. Join the amazing Dew Claw athletes as we explore the trails around Interior Alaska. Days spent traveling by dog team end with a meal cooked around the campfire and a good nights sleep in our heated arctic oven tents.
We will only be offering a limited amount of winter 2022-23 campouts, as our teams will be training for the 2023 Iditarod.
>If you are intertested in sponsoring the Dew Claw Team please feel free to contact us.
Mushers Boot Camp & Custom Tours
please contact us to plan your adventure
F.A.Q
1) Will we see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are one of the most beautiful and amazing phenomena to be seen.
On night tours and camping trips, there is always the possibility. However, it is Mother Nature who ultimately runs the show. If the Northern Lights are out the best way to see them is far away from the light pollution of Fairbanks. Our out of town location offers excellent opportunity to view Aurora in all it’s glory.
Learn more about the Aurora:
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2) What should I wear/bring on my adventure?
You will want to dress in multiple warm layers so that you can adjust on the trail as needed. Avoid cotton socks and base layers, choose wool or synthetic. It is better to have an extra layer you take off and carry in the sled then to not have enough gear.
And you will definitely want your camera, you will want to make sure you are using lithium batteries as alkilines don’t work when they get too cold. Also consider extra batteries as they do not last as long in the cold. For longer rides and camping you may want a thermos for hot drinks, and chemical heaters/hot hands for inside your mitts make for cozy warm hands. For the camping trip or night run you will want a small LED headlamp or flashlight.
And be sure to bring a sense of adventure!
***We do have some gear available, please contact us prior to your trip if you have any concerns about your gear so we can make sure you will be comfortable and prepared for your trip. All guest will have a gear check during orientation to ensure they are prepared for the conditions.***
3) Can anyone go mushing with Dew Claw?
Dog mushing is physical activity, and many guests prefer to experience it as a passenger with one of our experienced guides. Most guests enjoy a try at driving a tag sleds, that follow directly behind the guide and allow guests to experience the power of driving a team. Guests take turns riding in the sled, ideal for taking photos and speaking with your guide, and driving their own tag sled.
We have experience and are happy to accommodate guests with physical limitations. If you have concerns please contact us to discuss your situation so that we can design an adventure with your safety and comfort in mind.
All guest will be required to sign a release waiver. waiver DCK
4) Where do you operate your tours?
Tours are offered in a variety of locations in and around the Chatanika Valley on the Steese highway; an easy and senic drive from Fairbanks. This enables us to customize our tours and take advantage of the best available conditions. It also means repeat guest can experience different trails with the Dew Claw Dogs. We are permitted with the BLM to offer excursions in the White Mountain Recreation Area. We travel on the Chatanika River and also on a series of local trails near our kennel. Weather and snow conditions dictate where we operate in order to ensure our guests have a safe and memorable trip. Once you book a Dew Claw Kennels Alaskan Husky Adventure we will contact you to discuss the details of your trip and give you directions to the trail we will be using for your adventure.
5) Terms & Conditions
Cancellation Policy:
There is 25% non-refundable deposit on all reservations.
A 50% refund will be issued if the cancellation is received before 7 days of the tour.
No refunds will be issued if the cancellation is less than 24-hrs prior to the tour.
Day of booking cancellations will not be refunded. No shows will be charged in full.
We reserve the right to cancel due, but not limited to, hazardous weather or trail conditions, and dogs best interest. In the event of a cancelation on our part guests will be offered a re-booking at no cost at an earliest shared convenience or a full refund.
Terms and Conditions
- Once we receive your reservation we will contact you with driving directions, trailheads are all located approximately an hours drive from Fairbanks on a well maintained road.
- Participants must sign a waiver
- Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
- All guests must be able to follow instructions given by our guides. You are going to be in traveling by dog sled on the snow covered trail. This requires attention to our instructions at all times while acting as the driver (musher) or sitting in the basket of the sled.
- Please dress appropriately for the weather,
Good weather link for us : https://weather.com/weather/today/l/Chatanika+AK+USAK0314:1:US
Contact us if you have questions or concerns about how to outfit yourself for the cold. - Please advise us if you have health or mobility issues that may require adaptations for your comfort.
- Everyone is welcome on Dew Claw’s Alaskan Husky Adventures, guests under the age of 13 and those with physical limitations will enjoy traveling as passengers.
- Thank you for planning you Alaskan Husky Adventure with Dew Claw Kennels
6) Points of interest in the Chatanika / Steese Highway area.
In addition to mushing there are some great opportunities for year round recreation, as well as access to historical sites. Please feel free to explore our guide book for the area at our AirBnB listing.