Photo Credit: Snowhook Adventure Guides

Willow Winter Activities

Willow is a winter wonderland about 1.5 hours north of Anchorage. This is home to the start of the world-famous Iditarod Sled Dog race, and is the home of many Iditarod mushers. Some of those mushers open their homes so visitors can experience Alaska's state sport first hand! Experience the thrill of gliding across the snow being pulled by a team of dogs, and you'll see why this tradition lives on. Other activities in the area include snowmobile tours and enclosed UTV tours.

Getting to Willow in the Winter

You can rent a car and drive about an hour and a half north of Anchorage to Willow. In winter, expect snowy conditions. Many locals and visitors are more comfortable driving a vehicle with studded tires, something you can request when you reserve your vehicle. If you'd rather sit back and enjoy the scenery, you can hire a private transfer with AK Tripping.

Winter Activities

Season: Year Round $69+ 1-3.5 hrs

Sum­mer or win­ter, vis­it a fam­i­ly-run cham­pi­on ken­nel, meet friend­ly dogs and an expe­ri­enced mush­er for a ride along pri­vate trails with views of Denali. Opt to ride in the sled or mush your own. Or, for a tru­ly authen­tic adven­ture, go on a train­ing run for the Idi­tar­od! Large groups and spe­cial events wel­come when orga­nized in advance.

Season: Nov – April $225+ per person 2.5+ hrs

Join Hatch­er Pass ATV Tours in Wil­low for an unfor­get­table Alaskan win­ter adven­ture. Climb into a heat­ed UTV with snow tracks for a 2.5‑hour scenic tour through the Tal­keet­na Moun­tains, offered at sun­rise and sun­set. With options for begin­ners and sea­soned rid­ers, these guid­ed tours promise warmth, safe­ty, and the stun­ning beau­ty of Alaska’s win­ter landscape. 

Season: Winter $169+ 1.5 - 4 hours

Expe­ri­ence the excite­ment of rac­ing cham­pi­on sled dogs at the Alas­ka Mush­ing School, just 75 min­utes from Anchor­age. Get a professional’s insight into the mush­ing lifestyle as you ride behind a team of ener­getic sled dogs on trails con­nect­ed to the famous Idi­tar­od route. Bun­dle up and ride in com­fort, or brave the cold and dri­ve the team yourself!

Season: Year Round Summer: $75+ | Winter: $150+ 2+ hrs

Win­ter or sum­mer, expe­ri­ence the thrill of run­ning Idi­tar­od sled dogs and even have a chance to dri­ve! Meet the sled dogs and hear first-hand just what it’s like to run the Iditarod.

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