Skip to Main Content
Holland America
  • Search
  • Favorites
  • en
    • English
    • Spanish
    • English
    • Spanish
  • Chat
    • 1-855-932-1711
    • or
    • Live Chat
  • My Account
    Hello Credits
    My Account Exclusive Offers Log out
  • Book a Cruise
    Book a Cruise
    Find
    • Search All Cruises
    • Cruises: 1 – 8 Days
    • Cruises: 9+ Days
    • Cruises: 17+ Days
    • Legendary Voyages: 25 – 59 Days
    • Grand Voyages & World Cruises: 60+ Days
    • Transatlantic Cruises
    • Holiday Cruises
    • Solar Eclipse
    • Charters
    Plan
    • City Stays & Overland Packages
    • Flights & Transfers
    • Hotel Packages
    • Cancellation Protection
    Gifts
    • Gift Cards
    • Send a Gift to a Guest
    Learn More
    • Cruise Planning 101
    • Required Travel Documents
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Family Travel
    • Accessibility
    Need free advice? Talk with a Personal Cruise Consultant.
    Experiences with us are too good to hurry through
    Savour The Journey
  • Destinations
    Destinations
    North & South America
    • Alaska & Yukon
    • Canada & New England
    • Caribbean
    • Hawaii
    • Mexico
    • California & Pacific Coast
    • Panama Canal
    • South America & Antarctica
    • Bahamas
    Europe & Mediterranean
    • Europe
    • Mediterranean
    • Norway
    • Iceland
    • Scandinavia
    • Transatlantic
    Asia, Australia & New Zealand
    • Asia
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Tahiti
    See the World
    • Legendary Voyages
    • Grand Voyages
    Holland America Owned
    • Half Moon Cay
    • Holland America Denali Lodge
    Need free advice? Talk with a Personal Cruise Consultant.
    Couple admiring view from ship deck
    Your dream vacation begins here.
    View Cruises
  • Alaska
    Alaska
    Alaska Cruises
    • All Cruises
    • 6 – 8 Days
    • 9 – 16 Days
    • 17+ Days
    • Learn about Alaska Cruises
    Alaska & Yukon Cruisetours
    • All Cruisetours
    • 9 – 16 Days
    • 17+ Days
    • Learn about Cruisetours
    Glacier Viewing
    • Interactive Glacier Map
    • Guide to Glacier Tours
    • Glacier Bay National Park
    • Our Glacier Guarantee
    Wildlife & Wilderness
    • Alaska Wildlife
    • Denali National Park
    • National Parks
    • White Pass Scenic Railway
    Learn More
    • Sustainable Seafood
    • What to Pack
    • Cruisetour Tips
    • Featured Ports
    Holland America Owned
    • Holland America Denali Lodge
    Need free advice? Talk with a Personal Cruise Consultant.
    Brown bear with three cubs
    Cross Denali off your bucket list.
    View Cruisetours
  • Ship Life
    Ship Life
    Our Ships
    • Fleet Overview
    • Suites & Staterooms
    Activities
    • Activities Day & Night
    • Spa & Salon
    • Casino
    • Shopping
    • Kids & Teens
    Dining
    • Destination Dining™ Our Commitment to Fresh
    • Culinary Ambassadors
    • Restaurants
    • Bars & Lounges
    Music & Entertainment
    • Production Shows
    • Live Music & Nightlife
    • Destination Experts
    Shore Excursions
    • Find Shore Excursions
    • Overland Tours
    • Best Price Guarantee
    Other Amenities
    • Club Orange
    • Have It All Package
    • Wi-Fi & Internet Packages
    Women relaxing at the Holland America Spa & Salon
    Treat yourself at sea.
    Go to Spa & Salon
  • Deals
    Deals
    Deals
    • All Cruise Deals
    • All Exclusive Offers & Cruise Deals
    • Travel by Sea Sale
    • Top Ten Cruise Deals
    • Refer a Friend, Get $50
    • Community Appreciation Offers
    • AARP Member Offer
    • Special Offers for Guests 3 & 4
    • Standby Program
    • Best Price Guarantee
    Have It All
    • Have It All Premium Cruise Package
    • Have It All Early Booking Bonus
    Club Orange & Mariner Society
    • Join Club Orange
    • $400 Onboard Credit - Early Booking Bonus
    • Mariner Society
    New Best Price Guarantee, even after you book!
    Explore Cruises
  • Manage My Cruise
    Manage My Cruise
    Manage
    • My Cruise
    • Check In
    • Make a Payment
    • Book Flights
    • Book Airport Transfers
    • Book Hotels & Travel Packages
    • Cancellation Protection
    Customize Your Cruise
    • Shore Excursions
    • Spa & Salon
    • Beverage Packages
    • Wi-Fi & Internet Packages
    • Dining Reservations
    Celebrate On Board
    • Gifts & Extras
    • Stateroom Décor Packages
    • Send a Gift to a Guest
    More Info
    • Download Mobile App
    • Know Before You Go
    • Cruise Credits
    • Departure Port Information
    • Required Travel Documents
    Airplane flying above clouds
    Book flights the easy way.
    Try Flight Ease®
  • My Account Exclusive Offers
  • Search
  • Log out
  • en
    • English
    • Spanish
  • Chat
  • Chat
  • 1-855-932-1711
  • or
  • Live Chat

Guide To Alaska Dog Sledding

Read the first-timer’s guide to Alaska dog sledding. What you need to know to have an unforgettable adventure on Alaska dog sledding excursions.


The First Timer’s Guide To Alaska Dog Sledding

Hike! Gee! Haw! Frosted fir trees whip past, snow flies in your face as you command a powerful, well-coordinated sled dog team. Not only a sport and state obsession, Alaska dog sledding has a long history that goes back centuries when dogs were used by nomadic Native Alaskans to pull sleds full of supplies. It evolved into personal transportation, mail delivery and rescue assistance.

 

Get ready for an amazing adventure with this first-timer’s guide to Alaska dog sledding.


Alaska Dog Sledding Excursions

Alaska dog sledding excursions vary. Options include playing with pups at a musher’s camp or gliding over a glacier’s icy surface, happy canines leading the way. Find and reserve all Alaska excursions, including dog sledding.

 

You can find dog sledding in Juneau, Skagway and near Denali. In summer, expect to ride on dry ground in a custom wheeled sled, not on snow, unless sledding on a glacier. No matter the terrain, the tails will be wagging, the air will be brisk and the views spectacular.

 

Pay close attention during the orientation to learn commands and safety tips. If you’re not comfortable driving the sled, ride in the “basket.”


What To Wear Dog Sledding

It’s the one thing on every Alaska packing list and no, it’s not mittens. Wear removable layers. Alaska’s weather changes fast, sometimes multiple times in a day. Prepare to spend at least a few hours outside with the dogs.

 

If you’re going to dog sled on a glacier, put on warmer clothes. Wear wool socks, a comfy mid-layer, a waterproof parka and gloves. Gear such as glacier boots will be provided.


National Iditarod Historic Trail

Take an easy stroll from the port in Seward to mile zero of the National Iditarod Historic Trail, marked with a monument. The Iditarod is most famous for the heroic serum run of 1925 when dog teams ran life-saving serum to Nome and saved the tiny town from an epidemic. But the Iditarod’s history in Alaska goes back further. It was regularly used by Native Alaskans to travel to remote villages and later on, to deliver provisions to miners and settlements.

 

In the 1970s, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race began. It was a way to preserve dog mushing culture during the rise of the “iron dog” (snowmobiles). Depending on your dog sledding excursion, Iditarod veterans will regale harrowing tales of past races. You’re in for quite the treat.

 

Book your dog sledding excursion early. Dog sledding is one of the most popular activities on Alaska cruises.

 

 

VIEW ALL ALASKA CRUISE TIPS, TRAVEL ARTICLE & VIDEOS

Savour the Journey

Experiences With Us Are Too Good To Hurry Through

Explore Cruises

  • Find Cruises
  • Last Minute Cruise Deals
  • Our Cruise Ships
  • Family Cruises
  • Holiday Cruises
  • Cruise Accessibility
  • Cruise Brochures
  • About Holland America
  • Affiliates
  • Best Price Guarantee

Cruise Destinations

  • All Cruise Destinations
  • Alaska Cruises
  • Bahamas Cruises
  • Caribbean Cruises
  • European Cruises
  • Hawaii Cruises
  • Mediterranean Cruises
  • Mexico Cruises
  • Transatlantic Cruises
  • World Cruises & Grand Voyages

Plan & Manage Your Cruise

  • Cruise Check-In
  • Manage Booking
  • Shore Excursions
  • Flights & Transfers
  • Hotel Packages
  • Cruise Cancellation Protection
  • Gift Cards
  • Know Before You Go
  • Holland America Visa® Card

Customer Support

  • Cruising FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Speak to a Cruise Consultant
  • News & Travel Advisories
  • Blog
  • Cruise Fraud Protection
  • Call 1-855-932-1711
  • Sustainability
  • Holland America Team
  • Travel Advisors
White icon devices
Navigator Mobile App
Plan activities, purchase shore excursions, make reservations and more right from your phone while on board.
Google Play button Apple Store Button
  • White icon of Facebook
  • White icon of YouTube
  • White icon of Instagram
  • White icon of Pinterest
  • Site Map
  • Careers
  • Passenger Bill of Rights
  • Cruise Contract
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • Consumer Health Data Privacy Notice
  • Your Privacy Choices