Our Honest Review of Susitna Sled Dog Adventures, Talkeetna

It was a gray, rainy day in Talkeetna, Alaska, and after the low-ceiling flightseeing tour the day before, we were feeling a bit deflated. I wanted to find something uplifting to turn things around.

Then it hit me! I remembered there were Alaskan husky kennels nearby. A quick Google search led me to Susitna Sled Dog Adventures, and my spirits lifted.

The promise of goofy, energetic huskies and a hands-on visit sounded like the perfect pick-me-up.

I called the owner, Alyssa Buser, to set everything up for the next morning, and we packed our rainpants and raincoats. We couldn’t wait to soak up some furry husky love!

In this post, I’m sharing our full review of Susitna Sled Dog Adventures, including what made it so special, what to expect if you go, and whether it’s worth booking for your Alaskan adventure.

Disclaimer: This post was written to share our personal experience at Susitna Sled Dog Adventures. Susitna Sled Dog Adventures did not pay or compensate us to write this review. All opinions and experiences are entirely our own.

Why We Chose Susitna Sled Dog Adventures

I researched several kennels in the area, and what stood out to me about Susitna Sled Dog Adventures was their focus on connecting visitors with the dogs through their husky walks and small group adventures.

I wanted something more personal and hands-on for my kids, especially since we’re total dog people. We’ve owned two Alaskan huskies and were excited to get in there and snuggle with these amazing dogs!

Plus, we were REALLY missing our animals at home after a couple of weeks of travel in Alaska and needed a good dog fix!

Spoiler alert: After five weeks in Alaska, camping and hiking in Denali, flying in bush planes, seeing Denali from the air, and backcountry camping in Wrangell-St. Elias, my kids both named this husky experience as their favorite moment of the entire trip.

A Morning of Talkeetna Sled Dog Adventures

All geared up for the onslaught of muddy husky paws and wet fur, we left Talkeetna and drove 30 minutes until we reached Dog Sled Drive which led us to Montana Creek Rd, full of excitement.

Alyssa greeted us as soon as we arrived, introducing us to a sweet dog female husky, who instantly won us over.

After getting to know us (and a feel for my kids’ personalities, ages 11 and 14), Alyssa picked the huskies that would join us for the walk.

If you’ve never been to a dog yard before, it’s a chaotic, thrilling, and noisy adventure! The huskies are so eager to get off the chain and run.

Watching them gleefully zoom around, some heading straight for the puppy pen to taunt them, was pretty amusing. Huskies just want to go, go, go!

Once Alyssa got everyone rounded up, we headed off on a fun walk with the dogs, laughing nonstop at their antics while Alyssa shared tidbits about each husky’s personality.

Highlights from Our Walk

• Husky Shenanigans: The dogs’ playful, mischievous nature had us in stitches, especially the ones sneaking off to get into trouble.

• Tent Break: Despite the rain, we enjoyed hanging out under a tent Alyssa had set up, where the dogs jumped on and off tables, vying for our attention.

• Demonstration: Alyssa showed us the sled setup and the mechanics, sharing fascinating insights into dog sledding, races, and trail life. Fiddler, a husky and my son’s favorite that day, even demonstrated wearing a harness and booties.

• Mushing History: We learned about Alyssa’s husband, Rohn, a second-generation Iditarod musher, and his father, four-time champion Martin Buser.

Meeting the Puppies

The highlight of the day? PUPPIES!

We lucked out with ten adorable 8-week-old pups waiting to meet us. We spent time in their pen, petting them and getting puppy kisses. It was absolute bliss.

Alyssa doesn’t advertise when they have puppies, since they don’t always have litters. We just happened to visit at the perfect time.

We were able to pick up any interested puppy, enjoying snuggles, puppy licks, and their adorable grunts and squirms. It was so heartwarming. Honestly, I don’t know if there’s anything more uplifting than a bundle of puppies.

We eventually had to pull ourselves away, even though I could have easily spent the entire day in that pen!

How to Book a Sled Dog Adventure

Susitna Sled Dog Adventures has both winter and summer hours.

Winter – 10am to 4pm
Summer – 10am to 6pm

In the summer, they offer kennel tours, walks with huskies, and dryland sled tours. In the winter, you can book a classic sled dog tour or a night sled dog tour.

All tours are about 2 hours long and have a minimum age requirement of 2 years old. A small amount of physical fitness is required. More details can be found on their site.

Remember to dress appropriately for the weather, whether it is cold or wet, having the right gear will make or break your experience!

❄️ Looking for a Winter Dog Sledding Tour? Check out my list!

Is Susitna Sled Dog Adventures a Must-Do?

Yes! Our time at Susitna Sled Dog Adventures was everything we hoped for and more. From the playful huskies to the hands-on experience, it was the perfect way to connect with Alaska’s sled dog culture in a personal, meaningful way.

My kids loved every minute of it, and let’s be honest, I was right there with them soaking up the furry fun.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity, a chance to learn more about mushing, or simply a way to enjoy time with some incredible dogs, this experience checks all the boxes.

We walked away with big smiles, muddy clothes, and memories that will stick with us long after our Alaskan adventure. If you’re in the Talkeetna area, don’t miss the chance to spend time with these amazing dogs, book a tour!