Dog Program

OKPIK MUSHER CAMP provides participants with an introduction to dog sledding. Crews spend their entire weekend with the dogs: going on runs of up to 10 miles every morning and afternoon, providing other Okpik participants with information about dogsledding, feeding the dogs breakfast and dinner, sleeping in a rustic cabin adjacent to the dog yard and cooking meals in the winter. Trip length: 3 nights, arriving Friday and leaving Monday. Minimum age is 14 or 13 and in 8th grade by the time of arrival at base. Maximum group size is 7 and minimum group size is 6. Participants will receive the Okpik Cold Weather Camper Award and may purchase the Okpik Musher Camp Award.

OKPIK REMOTE MUSHER CAMP provides participants with an introduction to dog sledding. You will be shuttled to a Dogsled Kennel and setup a basecamp using snow shelters or tents. You will learn and take part in daily chores around the dog yard. You will work with experienced mushers who are excited to teach you all about these amazing animals. Along with daily chores and taking the dogs for runs, you will also have a chance to ski/snowshoe in your downtime. This program provides a great balance of winter camping and the dog program. Trip length: 3 nights (including one spent on base) arriving Friday and leaving Monday. Minimum age is 14 or 13 and in 8th grade by the time of arrival at base. Maximum group size is 7 and minimum group size is 6. Participants will receive the Okpik Cold Weather Camper Award and may purchase the Okpik Musher Camp Award.

OKPIK DOGSLED TREK – A step up from the Musher Camp, the Dogsled Trek is intended for those who have some dog sledding or winter camping experience. It involves taking 18 Alaskan Huskies out on the ice for two nights! After setting up a base camp, crews will explore the pristine and remote Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness on morning and afternoon runs of up to 10 miles. Participants should be prepared to run, hike or snowshoe several miles in addition to dogsledding. Trip Length: 3 nights (including one spent on base) arriving Friday and leaving Monday. Minimum age 14 or 13 and in 8th grade by the time of arrival at base; maximum crew size is 7. Participants will receive the Okpik Cold Weather Camper Award and may purchase the Okpik Dog Trek Award if at least 2 nights are spent out on the ice.

OKPIK REMOTE DOGSLED TREK -A step up from our Basic Dog Sledding programs, the Remote Dog Sled Trek is intended for those that have previous dog sledding or winter camping experience.  This program will travel more significant distances from the Northern Tier Base, sometimes even departing from or returning to another location all together.  Crews will get a more robust winter experience, in more extreme conditions.  This program is better suited towards those with previous winter camping experience. Trip Length: 3 nights (including one spent on base) arriving Friday and leaving Monday. Minimum age 14 or 13 and in 8th grade by the time of arrival at base; maximum crew size is 7. Participants will receive the Okpik Cold Weather Camper Award and may purchase the Okpik Dog Trek Award if at least 2 nights are spent out on the ice.

All Dog Crews must fill out the Crew Liability for Dog Sledding Form prior to arrival

Okpik Musher Camp
  • Season: Winter
  • Age: Must be at least 14 or enrolled in the 8th grade
  • Group Size: 6-7 participants (majority youth)
  • Leadership: Each crew must meet all Youth Protection Standards
  • Dates: Varies
Okpik Dogsled Trek
  • Season: Winter
  • Age: Must be at least 14 or enrolled in the 8th grade
  • Group Size: 6-7 participants (majority youth)
  • Leadership: Each crew must meet all Youth Protection Standards
  • Dates: Varies