Outbound Heli Adventures partners with Iditarod musher Nic Petit for sled dog fun
Meet Iditarod Musher Nic Petit,
Your Alaska Dog Sled Tour Guide
Nicolas Petit grew up in Normandy, France, and always loved animals, but primarily made the move to Alaska because he loved snow. With a sense of adventure and a desire to combine two of the most Alaska-ish characteristics (dogs and snow), Nic adopted a gorgeous Alaskan husky named ‘Ugly’ and began working him under harness. Both learned the skill of mushing, one instinctually, one via research and tutelage from other sled dog drivers.
Working for fellow musher Jim Lanier in Chugiak, a small community not far from Anchorage, Nic became a dog handler; feeding, training, and eventually racing teams through the spruce and birch forests of Southcentral Alaska.
From the Iditarod Trail to Leading an Alaska Dog Sled Tour
In 2011, Lanier’s hip gave him trouble, so Nic took Jim’s famous team of “Northern Whites” to Nome in his first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, finishing 28th with a time of 10 days, 15 hours, 43 minutes, and one second. Nic’s successful completion of this storied race inspired him to run nearly every year after that, with a second-place finish in 2018.
Nic also lived in Girdwood, working with the late Dario Daniels, whose calm, measured training techniques live on through Nic’s thoughtful approach and mushing demeanor. With his own kennel, Nic and the “furry kids” operated a day tour business high in the hills above Girdwood in the Glacier Valley, welcoming visitors eager to truly understand the mechanics of sled dog care, training, and running.
The Dogstead: Dog Sledding Near Anchorage in Big Lake, Alaska
During the summer months, Nic and the dogs train via four-wheelers (ATVs) and welcome guests aboard a wheeled cart that allows for several people to experience the thrill of mushing at one time. In the winter, the kennel switches to sleds for a more traditional sled dog experience. No matter the season, though, the sport’s history and culture shine through, especially when the dogs start their yips and yowls during the harness stage, then streak through the forest, silently doing what they do best.
What It’s Like on an Alaska Dog Sled Tour
Heli-hiking is a favorite among Outbound Heli guests. This highly customizable adventure allows you to experience the stunning beauty of Alaska, with incredible glacier views from above and the chance to spot wildlife (especially during berry season). And, the experience can be as easy or difficult as you like. Let our pilot take care of the elevation gain, and our skilled alpine guides take care of the route! This summer-only adventure begins with a flight over stunning mountain peaks and above braided river valleys and glaciers before landing in one of three stunning locations: Hatcher Pass, the Chugach Mountain range, or Pioneer Peak ridge.
One of the best things about heli-hiking (besides the obvious advantage of skipping the up and down-hill parts) is the opportunity to explore Alaska’s wilderness habitats. We’ll look for moose during the flights, and bears, Dall sheep, bald eagles, and a host of wildflowers blanketing the mountain slopes.
Choose from a half-day experience at around four hours or a full-day adventure lasting six hours, and we mean it when we say all ages are welcome! This adventure is a great way to introduce youngsters to the joy of alpine hiking among the pristine environments of Alaska. Boxed lunches are also available with an additional fee if you’d like to picnic.
Fly from Palmer for a Unique Alaska Dog Sled Tour Experience
Outbound Heli Adventures is proud to be a partner with The Dogstead, combining scenic flights from our base in Palmer to the kennel, capturing stunning mountain scenery on the way to and from Big Lake. On the Alaska Dog Sled Tour, guests will have the opportunity to meet Nic’s team, help harness the dogs, and take a beautiful ride through spruce and birch forests, a total of 2.5 hours. The adventure can even be combined with a flight and glacier adventure, then a flight to The Dogstead, making it a full four-hour experience.
Who Can Join This Alaska Dog Sled Tour?
Who can participate in the tour? Anyone! From young to young-at-heart, the Alaska Dog Sled Tour adventure is perfect for multi-generational families, friends, and those looking for an unforgettable, quintessential Alaska experience.
What to Expect on an Alaska Dog Sled Tour
The details:
- Fly past towering Pioneer Peak on the way to Big Lake
- Give sled dogs pets and learn about the history of dog mushing, Alaska’s state sport
- Help professional musher Nic Petit harness the team
- Go for a thrilling ride behind these four-legged athletes. In the summer and fall, your ride will be on a cart with wheels. In the winter, you will mush on a traditional dogsled
- Look for wildlife on your flight to and from Big Lake
- Add a glacier landing to your dog sled adventure for extra fun
Tour Add-On Options
Options for:
- Adding a glacier landing adventure to the sled dog experience
- Spending a night at The Dogstead
What to Bring on an Alaska Dog Sled Tour
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket or heavy winter jacket
- Hats and loves
- Sunglasses
- Closed-toe, sturdy shoes
- Camera
- Extra camera batteries
- Empty memory cards (you’re going to take a lot of pictures!)
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- An adventurous attitude!
- Small personal backpack
Get ready to make some unforgettable Alaska memories! Book today!