Meet Chase’s huskies in a real kennel.

This summer mushing cart ride and kennel tour near Fairbanks brings you up close with Alaskan huskies and a hands-on explanation of how a team works, all inside a Mongolian yurt setting with stories from musher-owner Chase. I especially like the personal-feeling dog time and the way you learn what each dog does in harness, not just that they pull.

One thing to plan for: the cart ride is only a short portion of the full experience.

Still, you get a solid kennel visit, a presentation on huskies and mushing history, and enough trail time to understand why people fall for this sport in the first place.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Small group, max 10: you’ll get more attention as Chase works through team roles and dog behavior.
• Meet the team in a Mongolian yurt: it’s a distinctive, weather-friendly start before you head out.
• A real mushing presentation: you’ll hear how huskies are trained for a team and why racing matters.
• Summer runs, not snowy sledding: you still see the drive and teamwork, just in warmer-season conditions.
• Cart ride plus trail transport: you’ll do a cart ride down rugged trails and also use a UTV for movement on-site.
• Bring your own weather gear: bottled water is included, but rain gear and boots are not.

Meeting Chase at the Last Frontier Mushing Co-op Kennel

This is a straightforward, one-stop tour: you drive to 265 Gettinger Rd in Fairbanks, meet your guide at Last Frontier Mushing Co-op, and the experience runs right from there. The whole visit is designed to feel like you’re visiting a musher’s working home, not lining up for a theme-park show.

The welcome happens in a Mongolian yurt, a great choice in Alaska summers when conditions can swing fast. You’ll get your bearings, then the kennel portion begins with introductions to the dogs and how the team is managed. The group size matters here. With a maximum of 10 people, you’re not lost in a crowd while someone tries to explain husky behavior over engines and wind.

Chase is the guiding force of the tour. Several parts of the experience revolve around his voice and his dogs: he introduces the team, explains capabilities and roles, and shares what it’s like to raise and train huskies for mushing. If you care about animal care and real-world routine, this kind of owner-led setup is exactly what you’re looking for.

Practical timing note: the tour runs about 1 hour to 1.5 hours, so you’ll likely be back at the meeting point the same way you started. That compact format is helpful if you’re juggling other Fairbanks stops.

The Kennel Tour: What You Learn Before Anyone Hits the Trail

The core of the morning (or afternoon) is the kennel visit. You’ll be led through the dogs’ space, and you’ll get a guided introduction to the team. This matters because mushing isn’t just a cute animal moment. It’s communication, routine, and teamwork.

What I like about this part is that the focus stays on how huskies function as a team. You’ll learn how they’re trained to be part of a mushing team, not just entertained in a pen. Chase also tends to explain each dog’s personality and role, which helps you see the team as individuals working together. That changes the experience when you’re later on the cart or watching them harness up.

There’s also a “you’re here in the workings of it” feel. The property is set up for a working musher, and the tour flow reflects that: meet the dogs, listen to the talk, then head out. People who love dogs usually leave thinking they didn’t just see huskies, they understood them a bit.

One small but real consideration: you’re outside for parts of the experience. You don’t need a winter expedition, but you should still dress for Alaska weather and keep a close eye on the forecast.

The Presentation on Huskies and Mushing History (Yes, It’s Useful)

After the kennel intro, you’ll get a presentation about Alaskan huskies and mushing. This isn’t just trivia. It gives you a framework for what you’re about to see—how a team is built and why different kinds of training matter.

Chase shares history and context, including major race references like the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest. Several details in the tour experience point to the fact that this isn’t theory from a brochure. The dogs have been involved with racing, and the stories make it clear that the sport has a long, practical evolution in Alaska.

Here’s the value for you: once you know what the musher is listening for—team behavior, response to commands, and how different roles fit—you’ll watch the dogs differently on the cart ride. Instead of thinking, wow, big strong dogs, you start thinking, okay, this dog is built for X, that one for Y, and the team is a system.

You’ll also hear about how Chase got involved with mushing. One of the recurring themes is that his background and life story come through, including that he wasn’t originally from Alaska. That personal angle helps the presentation feel grounded and human, not like a scripted lecture.

The Summer Cart Ride: Rugged Trails and Real Teamwork

Now for the part most people picture: the cart ride. In summer, you won’t get a snow-sled scene, but you can still experience the heart of mushing—power, coordination, and the dogs’ excitement to work.

The tour includes a cart ride down rugged trails. And there’s also on-site transport using a UTV for getting you where you need to be. The rhythm usually goes like this: you meet the dogs, learn the roles, then head out for the run. Reviews consistently point out that the ride portion is short, but it’s the kind of short that feels intentional, because you’re getting the full context first.

What to expect on the cart ride:

• You’ll feel the momentum of a working team, even on a summer course.
• The dogs’ energy is obvious. They’re not “performing” for a crowd so much as doing their job.
• The earlier dog introductions help you identify what’s happening, which makes the ride more than a quick photo stop.

Is this the longest ride you can buy in Alaska? Probably not. But the trade-off is that you get the teaching and the up-close time. If your goal is a true feel for mushing culture, the structure makes sense. You’re not rushed through the important parts.

And if you’re thinking about snow later: the summer run can act like a teaser. People often leave hoping to see these teams in winter conditions, because you can tell the dogs are built for the long haul.

Price and Value: Why $135 Can Feel Fair for This Format

At $135 per person, this tour sits in the “not cheap, but not outrageous” zone for Fairbanks dog experiences. The question is: what are you really paying for?

You’re paying for three things that matter:

1. Owner-led access to a kennel where the musher explains training and team roles.
2. A guided dog introduction that isn’t just a brief wave from a platform.
3. A cart ride with a working team, plus a small-group setup.

The maximum of 10 travelers helps justify the price. You’re not getting a mass event where the guide has to keep moving. Instead, you get attention, and you can ask questions as the team story unfolds.

Also, the duration is compact: around 1 to 1.5 hours. That means you can fit it into a day without losing half your plans to transfers or long waiting.

What isn’t included is also part of the value math. Bottled water is included, which is a nice touch. But rain gear and boots aren’t provided, so you’ll want to plan your outfit. If you show up in basic sneakers on a wet day, you may feel like you got charged for something you could have bundled yourself.

Overall: for dog lovers who want education plus a real ride, the price-to-experience ratio feels solid.

What to Bring (and What You Can Skip)

This tour provides bottled water. Everything else is on you, especially for weather.

Bring:

• Shoes or boots with grip you feel good in on forest trails
• A light rain layer or waterproof shell if rain is even a possibility
• A dry layer for after, since Alaska weather loves to change its mind

You might also want:

• Sunglasses and sunscreen if the day is bright
• A small towel or wipes for post-ride cleanup

The tour is weather-dependent. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. So check the forecast close to departure, not two days ago.

A fun little practical note: the property has an on-site outhouse, and people mention it as clean and easy to use. That’s one less worry when you’re out in the woods.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Wait for Winter)

This is a great match if you want a real dog team experience, not just a quick photo moment. It’s especially good for:

• Dog lovers who care about how huskies are trained and managed
• Families, because the experience is short, engaging, and interactive
• Travelers who like hearing the sport context, including major races like the Iditarod and Yukon Quest
• Anyone who appreciates small groups and a guide who can focus on individuals

You might think about skipping (or adjusting expectations) if:

• Your main goal is a long cart ride. The ride is a portion of the tour, not the entire event.
• You hate being outdoors. You’ll spend time in the kennel area and then on trails, so you need weather-tolerant clothing.

If you’re planning a full Fairbanks itinerary and want one highlight that feels personal, this is a strong pick.

Final Thoughts: Should You Book the Summer Mushing Cart Ride?

I’d book this if you want the most honest version of a summer mushing experience: meet a working husky team, hear the story from Chase, learn how team roles work, then take a cart ride on rugged trails. The small-group feel and the attention on training and history make it more meaningful than a quick encounter.

I’d think twice if your top priority is maximum time in the cart. You get plenty of value from the kennel time and presentation, but the ride itself is intentionally brief.

If you’re deciding between this and a more generic dog attraction, pick the one with the teaching and the working-team access. This tour is built for that.

FAQ

How long is the Summer Mushing Cart Ride & Kennel Tour?

The tour runs about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where do I meet the guide?

You’ll meet at 265 Gettinger Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA.

What does the tour cost?

It costs $135.00 per person.

What’s included in the price?

Bottled water is included, and admission for the experience is part of the tour.

Is the cart ride part of the experience, or is it just a kennel visit?

It includes time in the kennel plus a mushing cart ride down the trails.

Do I need to bring rain gear or boots?

Yes. No rain gear or boots are provided.

What group size should I expect?

This activity has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.