🐾 Why Are Mushing Tours Expensive? A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Costs
If you’ve ever wondered why dog mushing tours come at a premium, we’re glad you asked! Offering authentic, responsible sled dog experiences in Alaska requires significant year-round investment—especially when the heart of our operation is a team of elite, four-legged athletes.
Below, we’re pulling back the curtain to show you where your tour dollars go and why your support matters.
🥩 1. Nutrition: Feeding the Team
Alaskan Huskies are not your average house pets. These high-energy, working dogs burn thousands of calories each day, especially during peak mushing season. To keep them healthy, happy, and fueled, mushers purchase food by the ton—literally.
Depending on kennel size, mushers go through 2 to 6 tons of food per year.
Annual cost per dog: ~$800
Annual cost per kennel: ~$19,000–$38,000
This food isn’t just about quantity—it’s top-quality, high-protein, nutrient-dense fuel designed for endurance athletes.
🐶 2. Veterinary Care: Health Comes First
Just like any athlete, sled dogs need exceptional health care. That includes routine vaccinations, deworming, dental checkups, and preventative care. Many mushers also invest in advanced treatments like chiropractic adjustments and cold laser therapy to keep their teams feeling their best.
Annual vet care per dog: ~$500
Annual vet care per kennel: ~$12,000–$24,000
This ensures dogs remain not just able to run—but eager, pain-free, and thriving on the trail.
❄️ 3. Short Operating Season, Year-Round Care
Our huskies are northern-breed dogs, perfectly built for winter temperatures—but not summer heat. In Fairbanks, it can reach over 90°F in the summer, which means our dogs cannot safely work during that time.
As a result, most mushing income is earned during the cold season, even though dogs require food, medical care, and daily attention year-round.
🏔 4. Total Annual Kennel Costs: The Big Picture
Running a kennel is a full-time, year-round commitment. Below are estimates of annual costs for kennels of various sizes. These figures reflect just the essentials—food and veterinary care—and don’t include the additional costs of:
Dog yard maintenance
Harnesses
Mushers’ gear
Booties & dog gear
Supplements
Sled Maintenance & Hardware
Dog Truck Maintenance
Annual Cost Estimate
24 Dogs (Recreational)~$31,000
36 Dogs (Small Racing)~$46,000
48 Dogs (Large Racing)~$62,000
💙 Supporting Ethical Mushing
When you book a tour with us, you’re not just buying a ride—you’re supporting the lifelong care and ethical treatment of sled dogs who love what they do. Your support helps us continue offering small-group, personalized experiences that keep the welfare of the dogs front and center.
Curious to learn more? We invite you to visit, ask questions, and see the joy on our dogs’ faces for yourself. They’re not just part of the tour—they’re the soul of it.