Editor Pick
Northern Sky Kennel & Lodge
- March 22, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
MilwVon from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Northern Sky Lodge is a very nice B&B approximately 30 miles from Fairbanks. I found Pascale's homey location last year in looking for a place to learn to mush my own team of sled dogs. When Cathy said that she and Jon would like to give it a try, I immediately thought of Pascale again.
Northern Sky Kennel is on the same property as her B&B. She has 22 dogs that she uses for sledding adventures of her guests and other visitors. You do not have to be staying with her to come out to mush the trail driving your own sled team.
She gives all guests a brief overview of the sledding process as well as safety information. On this particular day, the trail was especially icy which was reason for concern. In order to keep the sled speed down, she only used three dogs for each sled team.
She leads the dogs out on the trail, driving her snow mobile. They are trained to follow her. Once out on the trail, she gets out far enough that she will use your camera to take photos and/or video. I still fondly view my video from last year's Vonook of the North sledding adventure at Northern Sky Lodge.
Both Cathy and Jon got the hang of it rather easily. Not to be outdone by me last year, however, they both took a spill. I think it comes with the experience. Pascale told me that just about everyone wipes out their first time mushing their own dog team.
If you are going to go to Alaska in the winter, I would highly recommend the experience of driving a dog team. Do not over-estimate your ability or stamina, however. At first, a five or six mile trail ride of about 45 minutes will seem whimpy. Trust me when I say that it will require muscles that you may not typically use. Perhaps more importantly, the frigid wind blowing through you will create a cold that you may never have experienced before.
You will need to dress warmly, in layers and protecting yourself so as to avoid having exposed skin. It does not take much to cause frostbite, even when the temperatures are above zero.
The 45 minute mushing experience is very modestly priced at just $50 per person. Many other kennels and tour operators offer "sled rides" where someone else mushes the team of dogs and you ride in the basket up front. For me, you really need to drive the sled to fully appreciate and enjoy the experience.
Northern Sky Lodge has a web site where you can obtain additional information including how to contact Pascale: www.northernskylodge.com .
P.S. While a bit out of town for a B&B, her lodge is very nice and features an outstanding aurora viewing area facing to the northern skies.
From journal Back to Nature - Fairbanks, AK