Girdwood Summer Sled Dog Adventure

Kasie Ziglar

2023-09

My boyfriend Corey and I did the dog sledding trip last week on Tuesday and it was the highlight of our entire trip. It was such a personal experience that allows you an inside look on what dog sledding is about. The amount of pure power and excitement the dogs have for their jobs is truly amazing to watch firsthand. Joe, Sarah, and Peter not only love these dogs endlessly, but they have a real authentic and raw connection with each and every one of them. Peter expressed that the word he loves for their connection with their dogs is empathy. To me, it was apparent within the first moment we meant Peters dog Anya, that this was true. Their job was not just to “take care” of these dogs or to simply train them to race. Their job is to understand and empathize with every quirk and individual personality trait of each dog. Thank you guys for giving us a quick look into a really awesome world.

Dr JoAn Monaco

2023-05

We did this today and it was the highlight to our trip to Alaska. Peter was our guide. He has so many interesting stories to share and was wonderful. Ryan was our lead musher with his assistant Hunter and his fiancée Sarah. They were incredible. Ryan is the grandson of Joe Redington who created the Iditarod decades ago….it was absolutely amazing to ride with him and listen to his stories growing up as a musher and racer from birth. I was skeptical about this activity as a dog lover, thinking this had an element of cruelty for dogs but I am happy to be wrong. These dogs are bred into racing and they love it. They were so excited to be ready to run the course and they are so beautifully treated by the entire team. The way these dogs were treated was so great…the team just knew what they needed, provided breaks through the course, water bowls and gave us the opportunity to pet and appreciate these gorgeous animals. After an incredible ride through beautiful mountains, over a roaring brook and passing a stunningly pretty blue sea and a glacier known as Milk Glacier, we were led to a cabin where the history of the Iditarod was explained by Ryan. Beautiful photos, the opportunity to feel his sled, try on his coat and beaver fur gloves AND to play with a group of puppies that were 34 days old….the puppies: Waffle, Bacon, Eggs, Benedict, and Pancake were so fabulous. I would HIGHLY recommend this activity to EVERYONE. It rained while we did this experience and the weather did not deter from the wonder of this experience. I have such an appreciation now for this sport, the Redington team and am so glad to have Ryan, Hunter, Sarah and Peter give us such a wonderful memory!

Vincent Ledvina

2022-05

Super awesome experience. From someone who wasn’t sure how exciting it would be, I was genuinely surprised how much fun I had. Peter was our guide and he was super knowledgeable, funny, and great to talk to. The dogs were so friendly and it was honor to meet Ryan, the grandson of the FOUNDER of the Iditarod! Peter and Ryan had competed multiple times so it was awesome talking to them about their experience. You can tell they love what they do.

Abigail Leckman

2023-05

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Patrick Elmore

2021-05

We had such a great time. The ride was fantastic and well worth the money. The staff was very passionate about there team of dogs and the sport of dog sledding. Our tour guide was very fun and had such an extensive knowledge of there area and sport. We would do this again. I Highly Recommend checking it out. Oh and the puppies were cute!

Helen Walicka

2020-05

Wow what a trip. Not to be missed. You’re picked up by 6x6 and driven through Girdwood past the gold mine to the dog kennels. These dogs take part in various competitions, including the gruelling Iditarod championship, throughout the year and are working Alaskan huskies. Trained and driven by Nicholas Petit who shows you around and introduces you to all his dogs they were second in the Iditarod last year.

Mike Masuk

2023-08

We took our family of 4 for our first ever Alaska dogsled experience this week and it was so much more than we could have expected! From the wonderfully polite and informative Pinzgauer driver, to the entire time we spent with Ryan, the whole thing was well worth it. Going into this we had some knowledge about the Iditarod race but knew little about it's history and the details surrounding how it works today and all of the challenges the mushers can encounter. From the details of his 2023 victory, to stories of his childhood and other experiences we left feeling like we knew Ryan as a friend. The dogs were absolutely amazing to behold. They are so clearly passionate about what they do and it's apparent the bond they have with the musher. The well being of the dogs even down to their interactions with each other is managed with intricate detail. The ride was an absolute blast with great information about the surroundings and facilities along the way. The show-and-tell segment toward the end with the sled, gear, and racing bits and pieces was wonderfully informative. We asked so many questions, and every one was answered spectacularly. Highly recommend this experience!

Adam S.

2022-05

This is a must do adventure if you are a dog lover or want to get a feel of the iditarod culture in Alaska. We got a chance to meet and hear stories from Iditarod legend Ryan Redington. My whole family enjoyed the dog sled ride and of course to meet the new puppies. Good down to earth people.

Megan Zamudio

2023-07

We were picked up in the coolest vehicle I’ve ever seen…it had antlers. The driver/guide, I believe her name was Tiffany, was RAD!! She was so knowledgeable and fun!! The dogs, and Ryan, and the beauty of being out there was SO worth your time and money!! I would do it 100 times if I could!!

sachiko Hori

2023-08

It was sooo exciting. This dog sled was my dream and highlight of my Anchorage visit. (It is about 50 min away from Anchorage but the ride there was nice) The dogs were powerful and nice, the guides were fantastic. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Scott Rocush

2022-05

Went here with wife, daughter 11, son 10, elderly parents 75 and 78. The staff were extremely helpful with my elderly parents (one walks with a cane) getting in and out of the vehicle and sled. Kids loved the experience and playing with the puppies. Had a fascinating discussion with a Redington family member about the Iditarod and all the work keeping the dogs in top shape. I would definitely recommend this experience if you like adventure and something different.

Ryan Mott

2020-05

Had a great time with my wife and kids. Definitely worth the money. Kids are 1 and 3. We learned alot about the dogs and got to play with them and the puppies. We rode on the cart that the dogs pulled and was very impressed how well the dogs performed turning left and right by verbal command and how fast they are. Nicolas also showed us his medals and news clippings and told us stories of his races. Will do again!

Michael Van Fleet

2022-05

You are missing it if you don’t do this. It’s refreshing and rare to experience something so authentic and completely not commercialized. A handful of down to earth folks who love their craft and have a neat setup for sharing what they do … and hopefully helping to fund their participation in racing, and continuing a family legacy.I honestly booked this for my 10 and 12 year olds who love animals, and for sure, it delivered. I wasn’t expecting to jump on a cart getting pulled by a whole team of dogs around a mountain road, and later listen to a guy tell stories about the crazy things that happen during a sled dog race.

Keshav Bhat

2022-05

We loved the entire experience and learned a lot about Alaskan culture and lifestyle. My only reason for 4 stars - how short the actual dog sledding is. Barely 4-8 min. My son and I were looking forward to at least 15-20 min of riding into the woods.

Todd Haldeman

2023-05

If you love dogs, this is for you! Fun, adventuring drive up the mountain in open-air vehicle, then great meet & greet with Ryan and his dog team...can't wait to cheer you on at 2023 Iditarod!

Samantha Carroll

2022-05

Amazing experience from start to finish. Peter was very entertaining and knowledgeable. Ryan and Sarah were very friendly and we loved hearing about their experiences. My kids, 4 and 8, loved the ride and the dogs! Highly recommend this adventure.

Ry R

2022-05

Amazing !!!!... This was one of the biggest highlights of our trip to AK. Was a wonderful experience and we will never forget it!...Wonderful people...Amazing Dogs!..That something like this exists is so rare & special! Thank you for the experience and the memories!

Michal Frystacky

2018-05

If you like dogs, go. If you want to learn more about the iditarod from one of the top racers, go. If you want to have fun, go. If you are visiting from out of state, go.

Jaci Pankhurst

2023-07

Very cool! Got to meet the 2023 Iditarod winner and some of his dogs.

Beth Long

2023-08

Really cool inside look at dogsledding and the history of the Iditarod.

Dzmitry Mik

2021-05

If you like such kind of entertainment as riding on dogs at summer time I recommend to be more kindhearted and do it at winter season😉

Maria A. Gallego

2022-05

Loved it!