Sports and leisure activities Alaska

Budget & Tips

Alaska is a very expensive destination, especially the activities. For example, dog sledding costs a minimum of 100 US$, but the activity can go up to 200 or 300 US$ depending on the number of hours if you learn to steer the sled, etc. The same goes for a kayak excursion, renting the equipment is not enough, you need a guide to get close to the icebergs and the smallest boat excursion costs around 70 US$ for a few hours. Skiing at the Alyeska Resort is obviously expensive, from the ski pass to the equipment rental, you need to count at least 100 US$ per day during the average season. A cruise to meet whales, orcas, sea lions, in the fjords where you can also contemplate the glaciers, it is necessary to count in the 150 US$ for the 6 hours excursions. To take a small plane to observe the bears or to take a helicopter to hike on a glacier costs at least US$ 600 and the prices can climb to US$ 1,000 per excursion, for example to go to Brooks Falls where dozens of bears fish in the rapids. It will be necessary to do slow tourism by boat, to camp and to take local guides (for example by going to Kodiak by its own means) to save on the excursions but the nights and the meals are also expensive and it is necessary to arrive with material to be a minimum autonomous.

What's very local

People in Alaska enjoy dog sledding, a popular national sport. Those who live in the most remote areas or simply on the edge of town know how to handle snow scooters (snowmobiles). A race is also organized in the state, the hardest and longest in the world, the Iron Dog.

Your documents please

For non Alaskan residents, Americans or foreigners, you must pay for a fishing license. In general, the agencies that rent the equipment or organize the boat trips take care of all the formalities for you. Prices: 1 day 15 US$, 3 days 30 US$, 7 days 45 US$, 14 days 75 US$, one year 100 US$.

To be booked

Chilkoot Trail. It is strongly recommended to book a permit for the Chilkoot Trail, this famous 4 to 5 day hike in the footsteps of the gold diggers in the Klondike between Southeast Alaska (Skagway) and the Canadian Yukon. Nevertheless, as the weather can be capricious, it is sometimes wise to book at the last moment to be sure to have sunshine, as cancellations are accepted only 3 weeks before the date... It all depends on when you go, high season or low season. In high season, booking in advance is a must. The permit fee is 27 US$ on the US side and 35 US$ on the Canadian side, the reservation fee is 12 US$. During the Covid-19 period, it is currently not possible to cross the border through this passage, but simply do one side or the other... Reservation number +1 800 661 0486 or +1 867 667 3910 or www.nps.gov/klgo/planyourvisit/permits.htm. You will have to prepare your itinerary and in which camps you want to sleep.

Bear watching. You will need to book your flight to go bear watching in high season - in summer. The number of seats is relatively high but always lower than the demand. Another possibility: fill the planes in which there is only one place left... at the last moment it is always possible!

Main events

Sled dogs. The Iditarod is the biggest dog sled race in the world and it takes place in Alaska. It's an important event not to be missed. The start is in Anchorage at the beginning of March. It is necessary to think about making a reservation. The Yukon Quest, which starts in Fairbanks, is the second largest dog sled race in the world after the Iditarod and also attracts large crowds.

Snowmobiling. A popular event to book is the Alcan 200, a snowmobile race that starts in Haines, so there are few accommodations. But the most important snowmobile race is the Iron Dog Snow Machine, the world's longest 3,000-kilometer race, which starts in Anchorage in mid-February and draws a lot of people.

Marathons. The Mount Marathon Race starts in Seward on July 4, the national holiday, and is as popular as the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon held in Anchorage in June.