Experience our lifestyle and help with the sled dogs in Alaska, USA

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are two Norwegians living in Alaska off the grid in gorgeous log cabins.
    On the property there is 15 dogs (Alaskan malamutes) that needs love, training and feeding.
    We have so many projects and maintenance to do with this kind of lifestyle and are looking for people who want to come help us out and experience Alaska with us - all year round.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Here's your chance to live like an Alaskan living off the grid, but still close enough to town for beers and social life. You're going to love the neighborhood which is the forest and wild animals. You can learn how to run a home that's on solar, generator, hauled water, propane and heating oil. It is an entire operation that you won't be having the main responsibility for, but can definitely learn and might need to step in at times.

    Learn how to train freight sled dogs that are three times the size of racing alaskan huskies. We train very differently and we also spend a decent amount of time with dogs in the house for social purposes.

    See the list of what adventures we try to offer in return for you help here :)

  • Help

    Help

    JUNE 2023 UPDATE: Looking for someone in July (1st till Aug 8th is open).

    Spring / Summer projects this year
    - Building a green house
    - Build a small shed in the dog yard
    - Big garden projects and harvesting (fresh salad every day from July :)
    - Making a huge potato, carrot and onion field
    - Preparing wood for winter
    - Expanding dog yard
    - Processing fish (salmon and halibut)
    - Berry picking and jam making

    Dog chores are minimal in the summer due to the warm weather interior in Alaska.
    No training them, but a walk for a dog in the morning is very good for them. That way you also bond with them.
    Feeding, watering and scooping poop is of course still every day chores.
    Taking a dog or two to the creeks / lakes too is fun!
    Sometimes hiking with a dog in the high country is possible if it's not scorching hot outside.


    Fall/Winter looks like
    - Lots of hunting august and September for me and Egil to fill the freezer
    - Days and days of meat processing making sausages, ground meat and what not
    - Berry picking for the last ones to mature
    - Dog training every day with ATV where we hook up a team and start to get them back in shape
    - By October I run 15 miles a day with one team
    - Winters are very dog oriented and lots running teams on trails around and elsewhere

    FROM A WORKAWAYS PERSPECTIVE I HAVE NOTICED THIS:
    The most physical months to be here is June, July and August with hard work.
    The coldest months are December, January and February. Expect 40 below.
    The mentally hardest months due to darkness for someone who isn't used to it is November and December.
    The most "boring" months are October and November due to "in between" seasons. We get creative to have fun!

    **Must be at least 21 years old and have a drivers license**

    Good qualities to have here:
    - Athletic (a lot of this is hard work and dogs are big and strong)
    - Reliable and self-starter
    - Motivated to get shit done and take pride in finishing a project
    - Love dogs (obviously) and take pride in dog care
    - Confidant in your self and your skills as you learn
    - Initiative

    GEAR LISTS
    Winter:
    - Wool base layers + wool socks
    - Mid layers thick like fleece or wool
    - Fleece pants or thick sweat pants
    - Down jacket / Parka
    - Insulated pants or bibs
    - Beanies, mittens, gloves, neck warmer
    - Winter boots for the sled. Must be 1-2 size too big to fit extra socks / liners.
    - Any work clothes that can be afforded to dog work and handle scratches etc.
    ** I HAVE SOME CLOTHING FOR BOTH SEASONS FOR MEN SIZE MEDIUM AND FOR WOMEN SIZE XS AND S.


    Spring/Summer/Fall:
    - Waterproof rain gear
    - Baselayers and wool socks + beanie and gloves (for mountain hikes and fall dog training)
    - Thick mid layers such as fleece and wool
    - Working pants or bibs such as carhartts or other sturdy fabric
    - Rubber boots
    - Hiking clothes and hiking boots
    - Clothes than can tear and be dirty
    - Swim wear
    - Sandals, running shoes and other summer clothing
    - Something casual for bar nights... just remember it's Alaska..
    ** I HAVE SOME CLOTHING FOR BOTH SEASONS FOR MEN SIZE MEDIUM AND FOR WOMEN SIZE XS AND S.


    What we try to do for you in exchange of your help:
    - Small adventures (book cabins, hiking overnighters, canoeing, typical outdoors adventures)
    - Take you with us hunting for caribou
    - Fishing summertime
    - Cook good food and eat together
    - Board game nights and social life
    - Eat out sometimes and see the town as well as a good amount of beers consumed at local breweries
    - Introduce you to our community of friends
    - Hotsprings, baby!

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Norwegian: Fluent
    Russian: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Your cabin is a dry cabin 100 yards behind the main house. It is equipped with a kitchen, living room, an outhouse and a bedroom loft. It has no running water, but water jugs where we get water in town and a bucket underneath the sink. It's the classic Fairbanks way of living :) Wood stove is the only heating source and wood is supplied.

    The main house is a 2400 sqft log home with running water including a shower, washer and fully equipped kitchen. The bathroom will be available for showers and washer.

    We all socialize a good amount and from time to time eat together at the main cabin. This depends on the guests, what they want and if they're alone or a couple. It also depends on what time of the year it is depending on work and how busy we are. You can be a hermit if you want to in your own cabin.. haha.

    There is big outdoor sauna building, which is awesome all times of the year!

    We live 35 minutes outside of Fairbanks town.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Stuff to see and do while in Fairbanks is Chena hotsprings, Hutlinana hot springs, Tolovana hot springs, all sorts of different hiking and ski trails as well as local bars.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 754546991494

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