Get closer to the action with our Alaska iditarod tours, guided adventures that let you snowmobile the historic trail used by mushers during Alaska’s most iconic race. Whether you want to ride alongside the 1,000-mile event in real time or explore the trail under the Northern Lights, we offer iditarod tours for every type of traveler. Each trip is guided, includes gear, and takes off from our base in Willow—just over an hour from Anchorage.
From short evening rides to multi-day expeditions that include dog sledding & Ice Fishing, these tours follow real sections of the Iditarod Trail and visit official race checkpoints. With some tours also offering dog sledding, ice fishing, and backcountry lodge stays, each adventure gives you a different way to experience Alaska in winter—built around the trail that defines it.
The iditarod 2025 start is scheduled for Willow on March 1st. Each year, the race draws global attention as mushers and sled dogs take on 1,000 miles of extreme Alaskan terrain. Our iditarod tours run during race week and throughout the broader season. It’s a rare chance to ride the same trail that challenges world-class mushers and sled dog teams each year. These guided trips let you experience the historic iditarod trail by snowmobile—fast, remote, and unlike anything else in Alaska. These routes visit real checkpoints, offer chances to see mushers in action, and follow sections of the trail used during the race. With long stretches of remote terrain, it’s one of the best locations for a winter adventure in Alaska.
Ride straight into the excitement of race day with our Iditarod Snowmobile Adventure. Available on March 2nd, 2025, this full-day ride puts you on the historic Iditarod trail, following the same route the mushers take from Willow to the first checkpoint at Yentna Station Roadhouse. You’ll cover roughly 80 miles roundtrip by snowmobile, stopping along the way to watch teams push through the first stretch of the race.
This is one of the only iditarod race tours where you can snowmobile a real section of the trail during the live event. The experience includes winter riding gear, dinner at a local lodge, and expert guides leading the way. Whether you ride solo or as a passenger, you’ll get views of Denali, a feel for backcountry travel, and an unforgettable day riding alongside Alaska’s most iconic event.
The Iditarod Ultimate Adventure is a 3-day, 2-night trip built for travelers who want to experience the race up close. It kicks off in Willow with a hands-on dog sledding ride through snowy backcountry, followed by a snowmobile run to our lodge in Hatcher Pass. After a warm dinner, settle into your private cabin and watch for the northern lights.
Day two brings you to the official race restart, where you’ll see mushers launch down the trail before riding 70 miles by snowmobile to Skwentna Roadhouse—an active checkpoint deep in the wilderness. You’ll eat, sleep, and watch teams come through late into the night, just like the real trail crew.
This is one of the most complete Iditarod tours we offer. It combines snowmobiling, dog sledding, northern lights viewing, and remote lodge stays into one trip. For anyone curious about the history of iditarod race traditions or looking for a serious winter adventure, this is the real deal.
Join us for a five-day ride along the historic iditarod trail on one of the most complete and immersive winter experiences we offer. The Iditarod Trail Snowmobile Expedition is a guided adventure that combines speed, distance, and wilderness, starting from Willow and reaching deep into the Alaska Range. You’ll snowmobile over 190 miles, explore key race checkpoints, and travel terrain used by mushers during the race.
Along the way, you’ll stay in remote lodges like Skwentna Roadhouse and Rainy Pass Lodge, enjoy hearty Alaskan meals, and try your hand at dog sledding, ice fishing, and even a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Nights bring opportunities to see the Northern Lights from some of the darkest skies in the state. With expert guides leading the way, you’ll gain real insight into what it’s like to travel the same trails used during the Iditarod.
Whether you’re watching teams pass through on their way to victory or tracing the route of past iditarod winners, this trip is packed with backcountry excitement. It’s a great fit for both beginner and experienced snowmachine riders, with all gear included. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience Alaska in March, this is the one.
Explore the Alaskan wilderness by night on one of our most accessible iditarod tours. The Northern Lights Snowmobile Adventure runs from November to April and takes you along the historic iditarod trail in search of aurora activity. This guided trip starts in Willow and includes a 3-hour ride through backcountry trails with views of Denali and the Chugach Mountains. It’s beginner-friendly, includes all gear, and offers a real chance to see the northern lights away from city light pollution.
The route follows scenic sections of trail used in past races, making it a great fit for those looking to combine adventure with Alaskan tradition. You’ll stop along the way to enjoy snacks, take photos, and watch the sky. Whether you’re riding solo or sharing a machine, this nighttime tour delivers a mix of fun, views, and the possibility of a truly unforgettable aurora display.
Experience the history of the Iditarod Trail by traveling sections of the same frozen route used by mushers during Alaska’s most iconic race. This legendary trail stretches over 1,000 miles from Willow to Nome, crossing mountain passes, icy rivers, and deep wilderness. On our guided adventures, you’ll explore key locations that shaped the race, from remote roadhouses to historic supply routes once used during the gold rush.
Whether you’re joining us for a single-day ride or one of our longer Iditarod tours, these trips connect you with the people, places, and legacy behind the trail. Our routes follow real checkpoints and classic backcountry segments used in modern races, offering a hands-on way to experience Alaska’s winter past and present.
Follow in the tracks of Iditarod winners as you ride the same snow-packed routes used by championship dog teams. Our snowmobile adventures take you along key sections of the race trail, where mushers push toward victory in one of the toughest winter competitions on Earth. From snowy forests to wide-open tundra, you’ll travel the terrain that tested endurance, skill, and determination in every race.
Some tours may be led by AJ, our six-time Iditarod veteran, who brings firsthand experience and stories from the trail. His insights offer a rare chance to understand what it takes to compete at the highest level. Whether you’re new to snowmachining or a seasoned rider, these iditarod tours give you a close-up look at the conditions faced by past iditarod winners, blending backcountry travel with Alaska’s racing heritage.
Yes, you can watch the Iditarod on TV, but coverage depends on your location and the broadcaster. In Alaska, local channels like KTUU and Alaska Public Media often provide race updates and special coverage during the event. For viewers outside Alaska, the official Iditarod website typically offers live GPS tracking, video updates, and exclusive content through Iditarod Insider, a paid streaming service. While full live broadcasts of the entire race are rare, key moments such as the ceremonial start and finish line coverage are often available through regional news outlets or online platforms.
If you’re visiting Alaska during Iditarod 2025, you can watch the start of the race in Willow, where the official restart takes place each March. Crowds gather early to cheer on the mushers as they head out on the historic Iditarod Trail, making it a great event to experience in person. For more immersive access, some of our iditarod tours follow the trail by snowmobile to checkpoints like Yentna or Skwentna, giving you a chance to see the action unfold from the trail itself.
You pronounce Iditarod as “eye-DIT-uh-rod.” The word comes from a Deg Hit’an Athabaskan name for a village along the trail, originally pronounced Haiditirod. Over time, it evolved into Iditarod and became associated with the full trail used during the race. Today, the historic Iditarod trail is best known for the sled dog race that runs from Willow to Nome every March, but it was originally used by Alaska Native communities and gold prospectors as a vital route across the state.
The Iditarod usually takes 8 to 15 days for mushers to complete, depending on weather and race conditions. During this time, you can explore the trail by snowmobile on our iditarod tours, especially near the race start and at checkpoints like Skwentna. Some of our tours are timed to match iditarod 2025 events, letting you ride parts of the historic iditarod trail while the race is live. It’s a great way to combine adventure with real-time access to the action.
The finish line of the Iditarod is in Nome, Alaska, located on the coast of the Bering Sea. After traveling nearly 1,000 miles from Willow, mushers and their teams cross the finish line on Front Street in Nome. While most iditarod tours don’t reach Nome due to its remote location, some iditarod race tours may visit key checkpoints along the route that reflect the final stages of the race. Visitors interested in seeing the finish line up close usually travel to Nome by plane during the iditarod 2025 season.
The official Iditarod 2025 dates begin with the ceremonial start in Anchorage on Saturday, March 1st, followed by the official restart in Willow on Sunday, March 2nd. The race then continues for 8–15 days as mushers travel toward Nome. Visitors planning to join iditarod tours during this time can often catch the action near Willow or along parts of the historic iditarod trail, depending on the tour. Some of our tours follow the early section of the route or visit checkpoints used in the race.
Yes, you can visit several Iditarod checkpoints during the winter season, especially by snowmobile. Some of our iditarod tours travel to real race checkpoints like Yentna Station, Skwentna Roadhouse, and Rainy Pass Lodge. These locations play a major role during the race and offer a chance to see where mushers rest, resupply, and care for their teams. If you’re visiting Alaska during Iditarod 2025, guided tours give you safe and exciting access to these remote areas while learning about the race and life on the trail.
Dallas Seavey won the 2024 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, becoming the first musher to win the event six times. He completed the approximately 975-mile race in 9 days, 2 hours, and 16 minutes, finishing under the Burled Arch in Nome with 10 dogs in harness. Despite receiving a two-hour penalty for not properly gutting a moose he killed in self-defense during the race, Seavey maintained his lead to secure the historic victory .
The Iditarod race typically lasts 8 to 15 days, depending on trail conditions and weather. Top mushers may reach the finish line in around 8 or 9 days, while others take longer. If you’re visiting during Iditarod 2025, this gives you over a week to explore checkpoints or join our iditarod tours that follow parts of the trail. Several of our multi-day snowmobile trips overlap with this race window, offering chances to see teams in action while riding sections of the trail.
The Iditarod Trail is approximately 1,000 miles long, running from Willow to Nome through some of the most remote terrain in Alaska. The total distance can vary slightly depending on the specific year’s route. While most participants in iditarod tours won’t travel the full length, many guided snowmobile adventures follow parts of thetrail, giving visitors a chance to explore real sections of this legendary route. These tours often cover areas near key checkpoints and allow riders to experience the scale and challenge of the trail in a more accessible way.
Planning your trip around the Iditarod 2025 race? A great place to start is the official Iditarod website, where you’ll find updated race details, musher bios, and trail information. It’s also a solid resource for understanding the race’s structure and following along with the action in real time. For those interested in aurora viewing during their iditarod tours, the Geophysical Institute Aurora Forecast provides daily updates to help time your night rides for the best chance at seeing the lights.
If you want to explore more about Alaska’s trail system or get familiar with local safety guidelines, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources has useful info about the historic iditarod trail and backcountry travel. These tools can help you prepare, especially if you’re planning a multi-day trip with long trail mileage and varied terrain. When used alongside your tour itinerary, they make your experience safer, more informed, and even more rewarding.
Join us on a once in a lifetime Alaska adventure with Snowhook Adventure Guides of Alaska. We’ll take you to places most people never get to see on dog sleds, helicopters, snowmobiles or ATVs.
Join us on a once in a lifetime Alaska adventure with Snowhook Adventure Guides of Alaska. We’ll take you to places most people never get to see on dog sleds, helicopters, snowmobiles or ATVs.
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