Cabin Aurora Overnight

Easy to moderate because of several moderate hill climbs where you will need to help the dogs by pushing the sled uphill and be able to balance adequately to manage the sled brake on the descent. This two day trip traverses hilly Interior Alaska landscapes. 

No previous mushing experience is required. We will teach you everything you need to know to feel comfortable and equipped for your days on the trail. ​That being said, dog mushing is a physical activity...from harnessing dogs to standing on the sled all day, you will need to be reasonably able-bodied in order to fully enjoy this experience. This two day trip traverses hilly Interior Alaska landscapes.  

In order to safely enjoy this trip you must be able to:

•  Lift 50 lbs.
• Endure hard falls onto ice or hard-packed snow.
• Get dragged while holding onto sled handlebars (hard on shoulders).
• You must be able to squat to go to the bathroom outside. 
• You must be able to balance on one foot for a minimum of 5-10 seconds.
• You must be able to climb stairs quickly and easily. 
• You must be able to jump up from a prone position on the ground and in deep snow off-piste (i.e. a snow burpee)
• Be capable of walking or hiking on steep and uneven terrain for up to 4 hours.
• Be prepared to wrangle strong sled dogs (hard on wrists, hands, shoulders and lower back).  
• Be prepared to be exposed to cold, wet, windy and otherwise adverse weather conditions sometimes found in higher latitudes. 

If you are over the age of 65, we require a medical clearance from your doctor. (Click here to see our medical form.) This form must be submitted no earlier than  3 months and no later than 1 month prior to your trip. It is your responsibility to download and complete the form in time. 

You do not need previous experience with cold-weather climates, but you will need to equip yourself with a proper set of winter base layers in order to ensure your comfort and safety. Weather and temperatures in Interior Alaska can still be harsh and unpredictable. We will provide you with warm outerwear and boots and provide a list of required gear -- your comfort is our utmost concern!  Check out our packing list for a complete list of provided and required gear.

The White Mountains National Recreation Area has 12 beautiful log cabins dotted at 10-25 mile intervals along hundreds of miles of trails frequented more commonly by caribou and wolves than people. The cabins are rustic, with an open concept design.

Each cabin is outfitted with a wood stove, a small kitchen, a large table with benches and a wall of double bunks. A favorite feature all the cabins share is a large picture window orientated toward the best view the location has to offer.

Each cabin can comfortably accommodate 6 people, the largest up to 12. There is an outhouse at each cabin. 

Although the northern lights can be viewed in Fairbanks from August through April even at Kp0,* your chance of seeing the lights increases when the skies are clear.  March, followed by April & February, are historically the months with the lowest precipitation in Fairbanks, meaning clear skies and good chances of spotting the aurora. The northern lights are caused by charged particles from the sun (solar wind) hitting the Earth’s magnetosphere. Around the equinoxes (fall and spring), the Earth’s axis is side-on to the sun, which happens to sync with the magnetic field of the solar wind. That means that during the equinoxes in March and September, charged particles are more likely to be accelerated down the field lines of Earth’s magnetosphere, causing the northern lights.** 

​*Kp is used to measure aurora strength. 

**There is no guarantee we will see the northern lights. While regularly observed in Fairbanks, they are still an unpredictable natural phenomenon highly dependent on weather and cloud cover. We can guarantee: good food, tasty snacks, amazing scenery, comfortable accommodations and lots of time with our amazing huskies!

Yes. You will drive and be responsible for your own small team of 4-6 dogs. Being responsible for your own team means you will help harness, unharness and settle your dogs in for the evening each day. 

On Day 1, your professional dog sledding guide will introduce you to your team, give you a lesson on how to drive the sled, and take you out on a short trip to practice your new mushing skills. You will learn how to harness a sled dog, and how to slow and stop your team. Your guide drives their own team just ahead of you, keeping an eye on the dogs, the trail, and your progress. You will drive a dog sled both days.

Your dog sledding guide for this trip is yet to be confirmed.

All of our dog sled guides are experienced and professional guides. Each trip is lead by at least one Arctic Dog Adventure Co. Lead Guide. Lead Guides are certified Wilderness First Responders and have at least 10 years of dog sled guiding experience. All Assistant Guides hold Wilderness First Aid certifications and have at least 1 year of dog sled guiding experience. Your guides also have extensive knowledge of the local terrain and weather conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for you and your group.

Fairbanks is known as the "Golden Heart City," and for good reason. It's located in the heart of beautiful Alaska, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. From dog sledding to northern lights viewing, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city. Download our PDF to learn more about how to get here, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more!