Dog Sledding vs. Musher's Camp: What's the Difference?

Alaskan huskies are an iconic part of Alaska, instantly creating the image of a team of dogs dashing across the snow while pulling a sled.  When looking at excursions, you'll notice both dog sledding and musher's camps offered as activities, with a significant price difference between the two.  The biggest difference is the setting and the experience: dogsledding takes you by helicopter to a glacier, where you'll ride a sled on snow, while musher's camps take place on wilderness trails, where the dogs pull a wheeled cart instead.

Let's start with dog sledding.

Dog sledding in Alaska happens on snow, typically atop a glacier.  You may think to yourself, "Great, I'm in Alaska.  There's got to be snow and glaciers in abundance."  And you'd be correct!  However, the glaciers where these excursions take place aren't exactly accessible by car.  Guests are flown by helicopter out to a glacier icefield, where a dog sled camp spends the summer months training and taking care of the dogs. 

Once you arrive, you'll meet the dogs and have the chance to be pulled in a sled by a team of huskies.  It's a pretty incredible experience and one that gives you the chance to actually experience dog sledding on snow in Alaska. 

The other option sets the scene in the Alaskan wilderness. 

Musher's camps are also training grouds for Alaskan huskies.  They aren't practicing on snow; instead, the dogs pull a wheeled cart through the forest trails.  Offered in Skagway and Juneau, these excursions provide a family-friendly and budget-friendly opportunity for guests. 

The thrill is still there.  I don't know about you, but it's not every day you're pulled behind a team of sled dogs, whether it's on snow or through a rainforest trail.

Musher's camps also offer an in-depth look at the history and significance of the Iditarod, giving visitors a chance to learn more about the dogs, the mushers, and the role dog sledding has played in Alaska's history.