Dog Sledding - Subarctic Wilderness Tour

dog review This place is a concentration camp for dogs, and it is one of the worst things that I have ever seen in my life. Do NOT go here and do NOT support this abuse, or the cycle will continue. My daughter and I visited in Feb 2026 when the temperature was between -5 to -18F on the day that we were there. The dogs were freezing cold: the dogs were shivering, picking up alternating paws, tucked tails, and whining. These are all signs that they are too cold and need to be brought in for warmth. These dogs are not huskies, but sprint dogs who are breed with greyhounds and sight hounds, so their fur is short and close to their bodies (similar to a black lab). They are not made for this weather. Next, the dogs were skin and bones. So much so that you can see not only their ribs, but their pelvis bones. They looked like the exact poster dog for ASPCA (a skinny dog on a metal chain in the snow). The dogs are so skinny that you can even see their ribs in photos. I have raised performance animals, service dogs, and have done dog agility; and this body condition is not normal or healthy. Especially in the winter, when the dogs need more fat to stay warm. I plead with Andy to do something because they were cold, but he refused. He wouldn't even put booties (common for sled dogs to wear) on them. The dogs were standing on 1-2 feet of packed snow (so basically ice in subzero temperatures) and tethered by a heavy, 3-ft short metal chain. Their dog houses were buried in the snow, and they were so small that the dog had to crawl in and curl in a ball. They cannot stay in there to keep warm for long because that would be extremely uncomfortable to not be able to move. I realize that they need a small kennel to survive these subzero temperatures, but this is no way to live. They are forced to be outside to unball themselves, stand, turn, or walk. When they are not chained up, they are dragged to the sled to run. I have video of this. It was the opposite of what I have seen at other places. Andy even had them pull him on a snowmobile (that machine is way too heavy). He did this to clock their speed, but you can get speed other ways that don't involve 900 pound machines. Further, their conditions are horrible. During the 3 hours that I was there, the dogs were never given either food or water, not even after a 1.25 hour run. There was no water at all for the dogs. They cannot drink snow as that will further lower their body temperature. The dogs are supposedly being fed only twice per day, but animal experts in the area recommend 3x per day using a high fat diet, especially in the winter. The dogs are skin and bones. The dogs on tethers were whining and crying during my entire visit. Andy completely stopped talking to me when I demanded medical care for a dog that was bleeding with puncture wounds. Andy lied to me and said that the wounds were caused by the metal chain. To me, it looked like the dog was attacked by another dog or a wolf. The dog had puncture wounds on his head and neck (by his throat). The dog's ear tip was also bitten off. There was blood, and the dog needed medical care, which was denied. Other dogs had sores that might have been frost bite. Some dogs had these sores on their rear sitting bones or near their abdomen. There also was blood on the snow by some dogs. In addition, at least one of the dogs who pulled our sled was "structurally unsound" as witnessed by me and even spoken to me by the musher. The dog was not running right and kept hitching its leg. I pointed it out to the musher, and she said that the dog had structural issues, and that is why it does tourism sleds and does not race. I told her that the dog should never pull a sled (being hooked up to go other dogs' speeds) under any circumstances. He was clearly not structurally right, and I believe that he had luxating patella. The dog should go to a pet home. My daughter and I did a different dog sled prior to this experience, and the dogs were not treated like this at all. It was completely a different experience. The dogs were happy and loved to pull the sled. I wonder how and why this place gets good reviews. I think that it is from people who don't understand dogs and their body language (especially performance and working dogs). I also wonder if these reviews came from clients on warmer days. But anyone who does not at least put booties on their dogs in subzero temps, does not love or take care of his animals. Dogs feel the cold just like we do. I had 2 down coats on, and they had nothing, not even water after running. Do NOT give this person any money. His operation is pure evil, and it is abuse through neglect. It completely reminded me of the concentration / work camps in Germany, but this time for dogs. These dogs are denied medical care, given the bare minimum, and then forced to work. It is sickening.

We booked this tour at the last minute because the other one we had scheduled cancelled due to weather. When I say I’m so glad the other one cancelled I couldn’t mean it more!! Andy and his team were so warm and welcoming!! We had the BEST time!! We will be talking about this tour forever, it was seriously so amazing!!

Great experience! Learned a lot about dog sledding, got to help harness the dogs, and it is an experience we’ll never forget.

Had a great time Andy and his team are very hospitable and you have A very fun day . The dogs are beautiful and so is the area in which you go sledding with the dogs well worth the investment. And many dogs about 75 dogs to see and greet and about 4 goats lol . Great day !

100000% recommend! The experience was so amazing! Guides were very accommodating and sweet! We had an opportunity to meet the dogs before sledding and they offered us some warm drinks after! It was easy to locate the destination and arrive there safely even after a severe winter storm! Would definitely recommend booking if you’re thinking about it!

Used this outfitter last year for a couple guided fishing trips, which were awesome so I hooked up with them again for a Mush trip. We were welcomed, educated and taking on a trail ride with the dogs doing the hard work! Bucket list checked off. Dogs were well behaved and the guide very well versed! Would I do it again, perhaps if I could go say on an overnight(s) trip.

Worst experience ever; worst customer service with no logic and compassion. This is not how you do a business.

What an amazing experience. Anastasia picked us up at the hotel and was very knowledgeable and entertaining during the drive out to location. The dog team and musher were outstanding and the scenery along the trail was so beautiful. Did see one moose along the way and had such a great time. Highly recommended

The very first thing I’d like to point out is the great customer service. From the moment of the reservation ( Sasha was really patient), to Greg who drove us to Nenana and definitely the mushers - they were so nice to me and my family - really nice and friendly people. But definitely the dogs ares the real deal - they are champions!!!

Alaska Fishing and Raft Adventures gets my highest recommendation for their dog sledding! We had a special situation arise while in Fairbanks and contacted Miklene about the dog sledding. She was able to work out an opportunity for us to participate in an afternoon trip to Goldstream Husky Sled Dog tours, and it was a high point of our trip. Andi and Sebastian were the stars of the day, and it was a special treat to interact with the dogs - who obviously couldn't wait to run! Don't hesitate to contact Alaska Fishing and Raft Adventures for their dog sledding options.