Dog Sledding in Alaska and Maine

It’s been Alaska’s official sport since 1972, but dog sledding, also known as mushing, has been part of the region’s culture for centuries. Mushing involves riding on a sled that is pulled by a group of powerful dogs. One of the most popular places to try dog sledding is Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, located about 65 kilometers outside of Anchorage, Alaska's biggest city (population: 301,010). The resort partners with different tour operators to offer dog sled tours. Check with the resort concierge about options, times and prices. On the East Coast, Mahoosuc Guide Service in Newry, Maine, located 20 kilometers from the Sunday River ski resort in the western part of the state, offers multiday dog-sledding excursions through the Mahoosuc Mountains and the area near Umbagog Lake, which straddles the Maine-New Hampshire border. Two- or three-day tours include campfire-cooked meals and use of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter camping equipment. The nearest airport is in Portland, Maine, about 120 kilometers from Newry.