Help with sled dogs and life off grid in a semi-remote location near Fairbanks, Alaska

United States

Favourited 183 times

Host rating
Feedback
6
Last activity
08/11/2019
Reply rate
94.7 %
Average reply time:
within 3 days
Host offers payment
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Availability

2019

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

Description
My name is Nita. I live off the grid, 25 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. We offer tours with sled dogs, and aurora viewing. There is no public transportation and we do not go to town unless it's necessary, usually 1-2 times per week. Cell phones work most of the time. Internet access is very limited. There is no TV.
There is plenty of solitude, hiking, camping, berry picking, and enjoying the outdoors.
Type of help
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Farmstay
Help in the house
Animal care
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Living in a semi remote location in Alaska is an amazing experience. The Alaskan musher lifestyle is unique. Living with sled dogs in an extreme climate with beautiful landscapes and the Aurora Borealis or the midnight sun is like nothing else.
Host offers a wage in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
15-20 sled dogs require lots of care and lots of love. Feeding, scooping poop, exercising, training, etc.

Living off grid requires learning to use solar power, conserving water and more chores in general than living on grid in a city or suburb.

Summer here means getting ready for winter. The work is physical but rewarding and in a beautiful setting.
Trail making and maintenance is hard work and safe use of a chainsaw is necessary. Firewood needs to be cut and stacked. Sled dog houses, fencing and gear need to be repaired and replaced.
Languages spoken
English
Accommodation
We live in a DRY cabin. This means we have no running water. Our toilet is an outhouse. Showers are in town once per week. We get water from town for drinking, cooking, animals, washing etc.

Day time summer temperatures are around 70 F, nights 35-50F.
Daytime winter temperatures are -20 to +40F, nights -40 to +20F.
What else ...
You must love dogs. They are the #1 priority.

We live 25 miles from town. Typically we go down several times a week but it's not guaranteed. There is no bus line, etc. You would be dependent on us for transportation.

There's lots of hiking, biking, and wilderness areas to explore.

If you love dogs, physical activity, solitude and wilderness you'll love it here.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

Feedback left by and about host (6)

14/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Charles) for host

I spent an awesome 3 weeks stay at Anita’s cabin with all the dogs and a crazy view on the Alaskan range.
So many good memories ...
I came in March which is a really good season. Not too cold but the auroras still show up at night.
Anita is surprising, and I learnt a lot talking with her.
Helping with the dogs is really enjoyable but that… read more

(Excellent )

11/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Joseph) for host

Don’t hesitate if you want to go there ! It’s an unbelievable adventure with Anita (a really really nice person) for family, lot of dogs for friends, mountains and auroras for landscapes. Anita can help you in any point, she is really simple, no mask but a smile :) . The work is not too hard, you have a lot of time to listen the silence, a perfect… read more

(Excellent )

27/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (Valérian) for host

I spent 5 weeks with Nita in her lovely dry cabin between January and February.
This experience was amazing, the place is just breathtaking during winter and I cannot wait to come back for a summer in Fairbanks.
I’ve shared the work with Shaun, there for all winter, a really nice guy from NC who after this experience became a friend!
Nita is… read more

(Excellent )

19/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Joanne) for host

I worked for Nita back in 2014 as one of my first travel experiences and it couldn't have been better.
I got there as the full autumn colours turned to white when it snowed on my second day. It is a beautiful spot and is as secluded as she describes. For me, that was a good thing.
I slept in the cabin with north facing windows which was both a… read more

(Excellent )

04/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Jen & Gregor) for host

This was an unforgettable Workaway experience, and if you are a dog person, you will be in heaven! We are so happy to have stayed with Nita and her awesome pack for three weeks this summer (we wish we had been able to stay longer). Nita is such a hospitable host, always making sure our kitchen ingredients were fully stocked and that we were… read more

(Excellent )

02/05/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Andrea & Eoin)

Andrea & Eoin are amazing! They are intelligent, talented, considerate, hard-working and a fun loving couple. I consider them as very good friends now and they have a standing invitation to visit with Sirius Sled Dogs.

(Excellent )

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