Sophia C.
Yelp
This is a long review, so here are the highlights:
- adorable, friendly dogs, many of whom have actually run the Iditarod
- friendly, knowledgeable guides
- opportunity to drive the sled yourself
- FULL DAY TOUR ONLY - time to relax in the hot springs, and a hot, hearty lunch; don't forget your swimsuit!!
This was an experience not to be missed. I called to book directly with JH Iditarod Sled Dog Tours and the entire process went very smoothly (so I can't speak to the previous reviewer's complaint). I called about 10 days in advance and the full day tours were already sold out! :( However, the woman I spoke to (Glenna?) was very sweet and said she could waitlist me, so I booked the half day tour (it was made very clear to me that the half day tour wouldn't go to the springs) and waitlisted me for the full day. They took half of the cost on a credit card over the phone as a deposit and had me send them the address where I was staying so that they could arrange transportation.
Transportation arrived on time with a large van driven by a very courteous man who pointed out wildlife, avalanche paths, and random points of interest along the way. When we arrived, I found out to my delight that the other people in my group were a family with 3 small children, so they were able to go with one guide (normally they only take 4 to a sled) and I got a guide all to myself - which meant that we were able to do basically whatever I wanted, including taking the full day tour to the hot springs! AWESOME.
Due to airline shenanigans, a lot of my gear didn't make it to Jackson with me, but JH Sled Dogs had plenty for me to borrow - hats, gloves, snow pants, boots, goggles, the works - you name it, they had it. I suited up and headed out with my guide, May, who was absolutely fantastic. She knew her dogs so well and once we got going, she was able to answer all my questions. You could lay in the basket or stand on the back with your guide, so of course I stood on the back the whole time :)
The ride out to the hot springs was gorgeous, and the hot springs were not to be missed. The full day tour was significantly more expensive than the half day tour, but I absolutely recommend it, as the hot springs are worth it.
For the ladies - don't forget to bring a swimsuit! The hot springs are run by someone else and they had swimsuits for rent, but they basically rent (after washing!) what people leave there. Which apparently means a lot of men's swim trunks and no ladies' swimsuits. I went in wearing a shirt and rented swim trunks, because I was not about to sit that one out.
While I enjoyed the springs, the guides prepared a hot lunch, which we ate outside under some trees while the snow fell. It was rustic and wonderful, and the food was excellent too. They started us off with hot brie, crackers, and apple slices, and then lunch was a very hearty beef stew in bread bowls, with plenty to go around for seconds. They also brought hot drinks - hot chocolate, cider, and I think coffee and maybe tea. For dessert, they had huckleberry-filled chocolates, which were decadent.
Once we were stuffed (and had stuffed some chocolates in our pockets), they hooked up the dogs and we headed back. May made sure that we stopped along the way in a good spot to take some pictures, and she answered the rest of my questions as we went.
As we neared the end of the trip, Mother Nature had one more trick up her sleeve which made my day particularly exciting. Since it was just the two of us on the sled and we had 10 dogs pulling, we were moving pretty fast and were in front of everyone else. It snowed all day and the path along the sidehill leading back to the lodge had been covered over in snow, making it impassable for the dogs. I was tasked to stand on the brakes while May enlisted the help of some snowmobilers to clear enough of the path that the dogs could pass. It was a bit of an adventure and made me feel like I'd really had an authentic experience! :)
Once we got back I had a chance to play with the dogs and take a few more pictures. They offered us more hot drinks as we shucked off our snowy clothes, and after we tipped our guides very generously (!!HINT HINT!!) the same shuttle returned us safely to our points of origin.
I can't recommend this tour enough - yes, it's expensive, but it was worth every penny and then some. The dogs were wonderful, the guides were super knowledgeable and friendly, lunch was hot and delicious, and the hot springs were a lovely destination.