Coastaljen Posted July 5, 2007 #1 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Lots of people here rave about dog sleds, but I know they are talking about the ones on the glaciers. Anyone do the one mentioned above? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryFromBoston Posted July 23, 2011 #2 Share Posted July 23, 2011 Lots of people here rave about dog sleds, but I know they are talking about the ones on the glaciers. Anyone do the one mentioned above? Here's your answer (from a friendly entertainer aboard the Zuiderdam who just did the tour, but NOT an actual Shore Excursion person): 1) Understand that there are two types of dog/musher tours available. One involves taking a helicopter to the icy peak high above, then having a short ride on the ice. The other involves taking a bus to a real Iditarod/Yukon Quest musher's dog camp, and having a ride on a sled on gravel. The one you mention, run by Alaska Excursions, is the latter. Real mushers with great affection for their dogs give the tour. The crux of it is that they train the dogs in the summer by having them mush on sleds (on wheels), for the big winter races. You also get plenty of info, hands on time with the equipment, a walk across their suspension bridge, and time to cuddle the new batch of husky puppies. The tour is very well run. Please enjoy my video of the tour: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbepp71 Posted July 23, 2011 #3 Share Posted July 23, 2011 We took this tour just last week (the one without the helicopter ride). Fun for the whole family! Our daughter (8) raves that it was her "high" of the whole cruise, especially holding the 3-week old puppies. Husband (36) and I (39) as well as brother (42) and mother (65) all had a great time. The staff is very knowledgeable, and the dogs are so happy to run (there are 200 dogs at this camp!) The only complaint I have is that the sled ride is pretty short (about 10-15 minutes). But overall, the experience was great. It was also nice to get a ride out of the kitchy part of Juneau, and some good info from the tour guide along the way. You'll see the capital building, and a few other cool things on the way to the camp. It's no helicopter ride, but good value for the money. Hope that helps! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing husky Posted July 24, 2011 #4 Share Posted July 24, 2011 I have to jump into the conversation again...as it is very near and dear to my heart...and I know almost all of the mushers on all of the tours.....(We live in a small mushing world, and everyone knows everyone else...) The Alaska Excursions is a wonderful experience...but it is on a cart and you get to go approximately a mile or so with a couple of stops for the dogs as it is very hot for them in the summer...They run best at -10 so when it is in the 60's that is a regular heat wave. No matter what trip you decide to take, you will meet real mushers.....and real sled dogs. Many of the mushers have completed either Iditarod, The Yukon Quest or The Fur Rondy races or the North American Championships in Fairbanks.....Some of the mushers have won these races, but every single one of them is a real musher....and it is the the highlight of an Alaskan cruise. If you want to see them in action for real, sometime, come to Alaska in the winter....Be part of a race...we always need volunteers....and see the great land in the best season....Winter..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassyredhat Posted July 25, 2011 #5 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Thank you for this ! :) We are booked for the one NOT in the helicopter. DH absolutely refuses (too much Viet Nam). I really wanted to see the dogs. Now I'm not second guessing my choice. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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