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Photo courtesy of Andy Morrison Sled dog tours are a unique Alaskan experience. Tours are offer in Girdwood by Chugach Express at the Hotel Alyeska. |
By Rachel Drinkard
Turnagain Times Correspondent
Those opting to eschew Alaska in the winter due to some misguided belief that it’s an uninhabitable, frozen wasteland surely miss the best, and most iconic, activities and sights the state has to offer.
Case in point: being able to drive a team of highly trained Alaskan Huskies through the snow-draped rain forest and frosted alpine meadows of Girdwood is a thrill no summer visitor will ever know.
Chugach Express is the oldest commercial sled dog tour operation in Alaska, started in 1977 by long-time Girdwood resident Bob Crockett. Current owner Dario Martinez, himself a nine time Iditarod veteran, took over seven years ago and never looked back.
The company now operates year-round and focuses their winter operations on running tours near the Hotel Alyeska and the historic Iditarod Trail.
The Girdwood portion of the Iditarod Trail, Alaska’s only National Historic Trail, has not been used as a regular haul route since the gold rush era mail routes stopped running in 1916, and has never been included in the famous Iditarod sled dog race. The trail is still popular, however, in the winter for snow sports and activities and as a popular hiking route through Crow Pass to Eagle River in the summer.
Visitors to Martinez’ operation are often surprised to see that the burly White Fangs and Baltos of yesteryear have been shrunk into a motley crew of mixed breeds defined by what they do as opposed to how they look. A highly efficient and blazing fast breed designed for speed and stamina over just pulling power, the modern Alaskan Husky is a careful combination of everything from traditional freighting husky breeds to pointers and sight hounds. Breeding for speed has made a difference in more than appearance, though. So much so, in fact, that recent Iditarod winners finish the race in under ten days compared to the nearly three weeks it took the first Iditarod race winner in 1973.
Chugach Express’ Iditarod Classic tour offers a rare chance for guests to hear a comprehensive history of sled dogs and the Iditarod in an setting key to the development of both. Above and beyond that, the tour allows you to actually get a lesson in mushing and try your own hand at driving a team of these well-trained Iditarod dogs through pristine Moose Meadows.
Martinez also offers a special Moonlight Mushing tour, which holds the rare potential for a ride under the aurora, if conditions are right.
“Our tour distinguishes itself from others by providing a much more intimate and personal experience,” said Martinez.
The tour requires no prior experience and is appropriate for the young, the old and everyone in between, but participants are encouraged to dress in warm layers and be prepared for the often finicky Girdwood weather. Winter tours run primarily on weekends except through busy times around the holidays and Iditarod. The tour costs $199 for adults and $149 for children under 12.
For more information or to book your tour, visit www.chugachexpress.com or call Alpine Air at 783-2360.