Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
4 Oct 2025
Reply rate
75.9 %
Usually responds within 10 days
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Details
Description
I work from home, so I rely on some days being completely office days, and other days I don't have to touch my computer at all. I love all things outdoor, but my greatest passion is hunting and dogs (obviously haha). I like creative projects inside, cooking, baking, music and I consider my self social but also in need of alone time to decompress.
The dogs are an all-absorbing lifestyle with care taking and training. I have 15 dogs that are all different personalities, and two of them are retirees at age 10 and 9. The dogs are only for my own recreation and is not used for tours or any business activities.
I would like to host someone I can vibe with, that will take pride in the dogs and the home we will share. I consider my self fairly clean and tidy despite having lots of dogs. So a fair amount of vacuuming is done here haha..
Important to note also is that I will only host people who are comfortable staying alone at my place for a few days at a time - from time to time. More about this further down.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Videography
Pets
Music
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Gardening
Photography
Drawing & painting
Animals
Camping
Fitness
Nature
Winter sports
Mountain
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
This experience is about living in a pretty wild place with immediate access to Alaskas wildest nature outside the front door. You will learn about gardening, harvesting, fish processing, meat processing, cooking from scratch and Alaskas backcountry. You will definitely learn lots about dog care, sled dogs and how to train them.
Help
I live in Healy - a small town 2 hours south of Fairbanks. Located in Denali, in the heart of Alaska Range. I live on a gravel road a ways out of town, only 10 minute drive, but I am here with my kennel of 15 dogs in a gorgeous location. This is a wild place with mountains, lakes and rivers outside the door step. The winters are much harsher with winds, but summer is an absolute bliss. Temperatures winter time ranges from 0 to -40 celcius, so be prepared for high winds with warmer days as well as really cold, crisp days with no wind.
The stay here involves some regular chores on a daily basis around care for the dogs.
Feeding, water, and scooping dog poop is a daily chore I do.
Walking the retirees loose with pups is also something I like to do every day, to keep their joints moving. I don't ask for much with the dogs but the bare necessities, and if you feel good and comfortable to take more dogs on a walk or a hike - this is very welcome!
The main idea is having someone to help with projects as they come and go, summer time is good mix of everything! I also make sure you are comfortable and feel confident about staying behind if I have to go away for a few hours. Sometimes I travel for appointments or meetings that are a ways away.
FROM A WORKAWAYS PERSPECTIVE I HAVE NOTICED THIS:
The busiest months to be here is June, July, August and September with lots more to do work wise since summer is short and sweet.
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, December and into January.
**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
- Can be left alone for days to take care of dogs / home and be ok with that
- 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
- Clean and tidy person since we share living space
- Cooking skills (I cook a lot but I appreciate people who can also cook so we can take turns)
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, LARGE 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 I try to do for you in exchange of your help:
- Small adventures (hiking mountain day trips, canoeing, typical day outdoors adventures).
- Cook good quality food and eat together
- A few trips to town (Fairbanks)
- Introduce you to my community of friends such as hikes, bars, bonfires
Winters hare harder to go adventure, so expect more inside time when we are not training dogs on the trails. We can tops get away for 1 overnight trip with a hot tent in the winter due to remainder of kennel left behind. Day hikes are still possible, and skiing etc..
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Norwegian: Fluent
Russian: Beginner
Accommodation
Your summer set up is a pretty big yurt where you will have a bed, a couch, a sink and room for your clothes / gear. You have the shower, laundry / dryer, kitchen, fridge and all normal things in my house.
The winter set up is my guest room in my house, we share the living space. It's a cozy loft with a full bed and space to put your clothing and items.
I usually become very good friends with my workaway's as a host as we are tight knit working together all day and living in each others space. We cook together, eat together and become pretty close - quickly. I am usually around all the time with the exception of occasional travel, but this is something I clear with you in advance. I do think of hosting as a part of sharing your space and so I am not shy of sharing my house with anyone.
What else ...
Off time I would most definitely explore Denali national park, since I live right at the entrance of it. It is a short drive away. I do have gear to borrow out for camping, fishing, skiing and you name it! You WILL be seeing lots of wildlife here... no doubt.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Starlink internet, with super fast upload and download.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Kennel Fluffybutts (4 years)
Kennel Fluffybutts is a kennel of 17 Alaskan Malamutes!
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (15)
I dived into the Alaskan lifestyle as soon as she picked me up. From running errands , to meeting friends and taking care of the dogs - Tonje made sure that I was part of it. I learned a lot about hunting, just from listening to her and her friends talking about their passion. And she trusted… read more
I had the opportunity to learn a lot about the Malamute sled dog breed. You can feel that they really like and need humans if you work with them. Under each other you'll get the chance to observe their Wolf characteristics. Really interesting, funny and intelligent characters. Sometimes a bit lazy,… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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I dived into the Alaskan lifestyle as soon as she picked me up. From running errands , to meeting friends and taking care of the dogs - Tonje made sure that I was part of it. I learned a lot about hunting, just from listening to her and her friends talking about their passion. And she trusted… read more
I had the opportunity to learn a lot about the Malamute sled dog breed. You can feel that they really like and need humans if you work with them. Under each other you'll get the chance to observe their Wolf characteristics. Really interesting, funny and intelligent characters. Sometimes a bit lazy,… read more
We were there when it was still too hot to train the dogs but we did learn a lot about Mushing. There is… read more
Be prepared for lots of sweet, sassy, furry friends around you 24/7, Scandinavian humour (I’m a Dane, so it was perfect), Tonje’s music will be a big part of your life all of a sudden (which is great!), interesting… read more
Egil and Tonje are great hosts, you will enjoy this place and be appreciated as long as you are motivated and willing to learn. This is not only about hard working. They ll share their time to show you the surroundings and how is the Alaska off grid life working. Good food, good talks, humor. You feel quickly… read more
