Cart Dog Sledding in Skagway?

[TRAVELISMYTHING]

Has anyone tried this? Is it worth it? If so, do you have information on where to go once we get off the ships? Thanks!

[Appygirl]

We booked the dog sled through HAL. There are only a limited amount of spaces available. The cost was around $115. I do not recall seeing any kiosks or independent tour operators in the port area selling tours. That's not to say there weren't any but I didn't see them where HAL docks. I wandered around Skagway afterwards and again I did not see any tour operators.

 

When we got off the ship the train was there for the people taking that tour and we walked a bit past it and there were several wooden structures like bus stops where we waited until the mini bus picking us up for the dog tour arrived. There were a couple of women directing us to the waiting spot. Perhaps they were also selling tours too for anyone who hadn't prebooked something.

 

You have to really like dogs to go to the camp. Its noisy - barking - and there's a good kennel smell. If you don't like dogs, barking, and smell, this is not the tour to go on!

 

The carts are like oversized golf carts. They have a canopy on them in case its raining but the sides are open so if the weather isn't cooperating, a rain coat or slicker would be handy. This also makes the trail mucky so if you're sitting in the front seat you might get some mud. If the trail is muddy there is an uphill section where a tractor hooks onto the cart and pulls it up that section so its not overworking the dogs.

 

It was an experience. It was fun. We learned about mushing and met some puppies. I wrote a bit about it on my blog http://appytales.blogspot.com/2009/10/daily-program-for-tuesday-june-16-2009.html

 

and I have some photos on this page http://appytales.blogspot.com/2009/10/photos-of-skagway-and-mushers-dog-sled.html

 

Skagway is definitely a good port to have a shore excursion lined up in advance.

 

I have more photos of the dog camp here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.117706423528.118679.513858528&l=400e830ce0

[TRAVELISMYTHING]

We booked the dog sled through HAL. There are only a limited amount of spaces available. The cost was around $115. I do not recall seeing any kiosks or independent tour operators in the port area selling tours. That's not to say there weren't any but I didn't see them where HAL docks. I wandered around Skagway afterwards and again I did not see any tour operators.

 

When we got off the ship the train was there for the people taking that tour and we walked a bit past it and there were several wooden structures like bus stops where we waited until the mini bus picking us up for the dog tour arrived. There were a couple of women directing us to the waiting spot. Perhaps they were also selling tours too for anyone who hadn't prebooked something.

 

You have to really like dogs to go to the camp. Its noisy - barking - and there's a good kennel smell. If you don't like dogs, barking, and smell, this is not the tour to go on!

 

The carts are like oversized golf carts. They have a canopy on them in case its raining but the sides are open so if the weather isn't cooperating, a rain coat or slicker would be handy. This also makes the trail mucky so if you're sitting in the front seat you might get some mud. If the trail is muddy there is an uphill section where a tractor hooks onto the cart and pulls it up that section so its not overworking the dogs.

 

It was an experience. It was fun. We learned about mushing and met some puppies. I wrote a bit about it on my blog http://appytales.blogspot.com/2009/10/daily-program-for-tuesday-june-16-2009.html

 

and I have some photos on this page http://appytales.blogspot.com/2009/10/photos-of-skagway-and-mushers-dog-sled.html

 

Skagway is definitely a good port to have a shore excursion lined up in advance.

 

I have more photos of the dog camp here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.117706423528.118679.513858528&l=400e830ce0

 

Thank you so much for such a thorough report. This really helped me with my decision. I appreciate it!