Sled Dog Discovery & Musher's Camp

[Ling Girl]

Has anyone done this excursion, Sled Dog Discovery & Musher's Camp with HAL? Would love to hear your feedback. Thanks in advance.

[duck tune]

DH and I did this excursion on the Veendam in June in Skagway and absolutely enjoyed it. The day we were there it was raining quite hard at the pier. DH and I plus a grandmother and grandson were the only four on the excursion and got first rate treatment. There is a 20-30 minute drive out to the camp but the weather had much improved there and we saw some interesting scenery and river otter.

We had a nice ride with the sled dog team and a talk by a woman preparing for the Iditerod that was excellent. One of her dogs cuddled up with me for the whole talk and then we got to play with some new pups. DH was somewhat skeptical when I booked this but really raved about it many times since. I am 55 and he is 69 and we had a ball.

Highly recommend taking this and getting to see and do something different. Would do it again!

[robertmartha]

Did this excursion two summers ago with my wife abd 2 daughters (then 10 and 8) had an absolut blast. If you are a dog person - you will love it.

[Ling Girl]

Robertmartha, do you recall how long did they wheeled you around for? And was this at Juneau? My DH decided all of a sudden that he's interested in this excursion. Now I'm researching within only one week of my sailing. Thanks.

[RuthC]

My granddaughter and I did this in Skagway a couple of years ago. We had a blast! We got to take a ride on the sled, listen to a talk by a racer, play with some older puppies (hint: bring a baggie of Milk Bone dog biscuits ;) ), and then with the baby puppies.

Since this was a half-day tour we were able to do some shopping in town, walk around soaking up the atmosphere, and still take another tour in the afternoon.

[sue1898]

DH and I did this last year in Juneau and loved it! I recall the ride lasting perhaps 15-20 minutes. The lecture/question and answer period with a real musher was very interesting also but my favorite part was helping with the socialization of the puppies.

[robertmartha]

LingGirl

we also did the excursion in Skagway - it was 15 minute ride on the wheeled sled, about 45 minute talk by an iditerod racer (very well know racer we found out after we got home and looked him up!)- who was terrific and then about an hr with the pups. Also had time interacting with the sled dogs after the ride. Very enjoyable afternoon.

any other excursion questions? just ask. We have been to alaska twice and our planning trip number 3 next summer - it is an amazing trip. EVerything you have heard about alaska..it's true. It is as amazing as everyone says.

[Howasaur]

We went last May and it was a blast. The ride on the sled didn't seem that long.. but isn't it true of everything you always seem to want it to last forever. Our Daughter was with us in mid-twentys and enjoyed this trip to the utmost. The people at the camp bend over backwards to answer any and all questions. By the way the have a very nice gift shop there at the camp and money rasied goes to help the mushers.

The Pup's are cute and cuddly with Mom watching each one to make sure it is returned. At Skagway there was a older pup light brown and white that had color marking around the eyes that looked like he was waring glasses. Enjoy we sure did Money very well spent.:) :)

[Marianne]

We are looking at this tour also and it sounds so good. Was wondering if I could sneak one of the pups back on board ship. (LOL) But I'm in a quandry, because this is our first visit to Alaska and a friend told me about the tour to the Yukon, a bus-train trip, all day adventure. Now which is better? Oh boy!! Marianne

[Howasaur]

If you asked my daughter (Age Mid twentys) the Mushers Camp and dogs hands down. but she also loves all animals very much.:) :) :)

[NYGirl1002]

Oh oh oh I woud LOVE to do this excurision so much. I have already booked us on a 6 hour Best of Juneau excursion which comes back 1/2 too late for this one.

All three of us love dogs so much.

I am going to check when I check in on the boat if we could possible do both or move stuff around that day.

[Lurker1]

We did this a few years ago, and had a great time. We would do it again.

Due to the prevalence of the Alaskan State Bird (called the "mosquito" ), wear plenty of insect repellant . . .

[sue1898]

I found a couple of pix from when we did this last year...

[NYGirl1002]

Okay I did it!! I changed things around and got rid of the Salmon Bake so we could do this tour at 5:00 pm. The customer service at HAL rocks.

We will do that Mendenhall Glacier on our own. She told me we could take a taxi there.

When I told my husband about it he got all giddy when I said the word "puppies". I'm not even going to tell my daughter so I can surprise her. She will love this so much.

[Ling Girl]

Okay I did it!! I changed things around and got rid of the Salmon Bake so we could do this tour at 5:00 pm. The customer service at HAL rocks.

We will do that Mendenhall Glacier on our own. She told me we could take a taxi there.

When I told my husband about it he got all giddy when I said the word "puppies". I'm not even going to tell my daughter so I can surprise her. She will love this so much.

NYGirl1002, actually we were originally thinking of doing the Best of Juneau too. It will be our first time sailing to Alaska so we thought the Best of Juneau excursion would be a good one to experience a little bit of everything (whale watching, mendenhall glacier and salmon bake and with time left for a tram ride up mt. roberts). Now we're debating on this and the dog sledding. I researched a bit last night and still haven't made our decisions yet. I was wondering if anyone could answer for me if the sled is actually the wooden type one or something else. I saw a few video of that ppl actually sitting in a vehicle as opposed to standing on a sled. So I'm hestiant about this now. Appreciate if anyone could help shed some lights on this. Thanks.

[NYGirl1002]

Ling Girl here is HAL's description of the tour. The last line also said it does not run in the snow so I guess we're not on real sleds. When I heard the word "puppies" that was all I needed.

What better way to enjoy Alaska than to experience a team of powerful huskies in the great backcountry wilderness! This is your chance to glimpse a truly northern pastime. Learn about the life of sled dogs and their musher, and see these dogs in action when they pull you on a fast and thrilling summertime ride across dry ground. As you head out of Juneau to the dog camp, your guide will acquaint you with both the town's history and present day community. At the kennels, you'll meet the dogs and climb onto a wheeled sled, custom made for running during the snowless summer months. The husky team will whisk you along a wooded trail through some of Southeast Alaska's beautiful temperate rain forest. Spruce and hemlock trees and 12-inchthick spagma moss surround you on this unique one-mile ride. When it's over, sit down and enjoy a presentation by an Iditarod veteran, have refreshments and cuddle with some adorable husky puppies. Before heading back to town, you'll wander through the musher's camp with your guide and learn about the equipment, hard work, and great husky strength that goes into the life of dog sledding in the wild, rugged North.

[NYGirl1002]

duplicate post sorry

[RuthC]

Ling Girl, I was on a real sled, but I was in a seat on it; the driver was the one who stood.
The runners had been replaced by wheels since there was no snow, but otherwise it was a real sled ride. It didn't last too long, as the dogs do get tired, and have to do this a few times a day. But it was a lot of fun.

I thought it was worth the money. My granddaughter is allergic to dogs, but she still thought it was great! :)

[Ling Girl]

Thanks all for your advices. The dog sledding is starting to sound not as bad as we thought or saw videos of...

RuthC, how long was your sled ride and was this in Juneau? Thanks.

[RuthC]

RuthC, how long was your sled ride and was this in Juneau? Thanks.
Mine was in Skagway. I don't really recall how long the ride was; it wasn't too long. Ten minutes, maybe? Fifteen tops.
The ride to the camp was about a half-hour, taken in a small van. We transferred to the sleds, took off with the winds in our faces :) , then had a stop while the dogs got some water. Then off again back to home base.
After that was the talk by the musher (I was able to divert his dog's attention with the dog biscuits I brought with me ;) ). Then we had plenty of time wandering through the dog pens (saved some of those biscuits :) ) and petting the dogs. And then it was time to play with the new puppies! :D (They were too young for biscuits.)

The entire tour was probably 3 1/2 hours, and we opted to end in town.

[Marianne]

I think all of your posts have convinced me to opt for the dogs. The Yukon trip goes over two passes and the elevation might be a problem for DH. Thanks for helping me decide.
Marianne

[Marianne]

Thanks for the comments. Your posts have convinced me to go to/for the dogs. The Yukon trip goes over two passes and the elevation might be a problem for DH. Besides we both like puppies too.
Marian

[Marianne]

Thanks for the comments. Your posts have convinced me to go to/for the dogs. The Yukon trip goes over two passes and the elevation might be a problem for DH. Besides we both like puppies too.
Marian

[duck tune]

Agree 100% with RuthC. It was a great excursion and we did get off the tour van at a stop in Skagway too. There was a sign in the tour van about gratuities being shared with the mushers and that they were appreciated. DH and I did give a tip but have noticed that many times that does not happen. I think that cruisers get used to not having to use cash on board and may not realize that tipping is additional for excursions.

[RustaRoo]

Here are some pictures from my trip (in Skagway). GREAT time!
http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/43460/2262499590086199872S500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/42489/2816102450086199872S500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/42309/2094789880086199872S500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/21304/2350554210086199872S500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/28896/2513722140086199872S500x500Q85.jpg