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

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. They spend a fair amount on the couch now, but they still like to get out and about for exercise.
  
  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
• 

  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

  2025 UPDATE:
  
  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.
  
  Looking for help especially spring / summer and fall because I need to have the ability to leave and spend some time away from the dogs. I am very tied down with the dogs and the work that goes into them in winter and late fall, so the summer season is where I get to go and be more than a "musher" again. But rest assured I am not gone gone all the time, I still have a lot to do in this short season, as well as local exploration!
  More detailed information over messages about your typical day :)
  
  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 the solitude
  - 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. 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. I do have another cabin on the property, but because it is sometimes rented out winter time, it'd be hard to live there full time, in case we need to have it ready for guests.
  
  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. Even though I might not always be around 24/7, 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

Website Safety

Feedback (12)