Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Nancy Brown wearing Steger Mitts and Arctic Mukluks for a travel gear review in Fairbanks, Alaska

 Iditarod sled dogs wear lightweight boots to protect their paws over 1,049 miles of Alaska’s wilderness. I wear Steger Arctic Mukluk snow boots while I watch the Iditarod sled dogs run in Alaska’s Last Great Race.

As this was my first time to Anchorage, Alaska in the winter, I didn’t own proper snow boots or mitts. In fact, packing for a winter trip to Alaska required more planning than I had anticipated.

Thanks to my tweet on Twitter, a micro-blogging platform, I was able to learn what type of boots and mitts were needed for a winter trip to Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska resident Nancy DeWitt suggested I try a pair of Steger Mukluks.

Steger Mukluks are perfect for standing around in the cold while watching dog races or viewing ice sculptures. Plus, you can go from -40 to a restaurant in them and your feet won’t get hot. They don’t slip on ice, either. I practically live in mine all winter. Well worth the money,” adds DeWitt.

Steger Arctic Mukluk Trave Gear Review

I had no idea what Mukluks were until my Arctic Mukluks arrived compliments of Patti Steger, owner of Steger Mukluks.

After I had sprayed my Steger Mukluk snow boots to make them water repellent, I wore them around the house to break them in. The Steger Arctic Mukluks are very lightweight and comfortable to wear all day long. Fortunately for me, Steger Arctic Mukluks come in wide sizes for my wide feet.

Mukluks are a common site in Alaska. In fact,  the mukluk snow boot plays an important part in the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Each Iditarod Sled Dog Musher writes his name on a slip of paper and drops it in the ceremonial mukluk. As the musher names are drawn from the ceremonial mukluk, the musher announces the order he has drawn and his bib number for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

Ceremonial Mukluk - Steger Mukluk Travel Gear Review

It wasn’t until I arrived in Anchorage, Alaska at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race that I realized I was not alone in my preference for Steger Mukluk snow boots. I also spotted the snow boots in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Made in Ely, Minessota and retailing for $179.95 (with the decorative ribbon on top) Steger Arctic Mukluks were the perfect lightweight snow boot for my Alaska adventure.

IF YOU GO:

Steger Mukluks (218) 365-3322

33 East Sheridan St. Ely, MN 55731

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What to Pack for an Alaska Winter Vacation

Sled Dog Ride in Fairbanks, Alaska

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Nancy Brown wearing Apocalypse Design's Alpine Parka for a Travel Apparel Review

When the box arrived from Fairbanks, Alaska-based Apocalypse Design, the red, puffy alpine parka almost stood on its own. I was so excited for my upcoming winter trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska, that I immediately changed into the fleece pants and snow bibs that Apocalypse Design had sent for me to review.

I was Alaska-bound for the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race that was to begin in Anchorage on March 6. While I was very happy to have the proper outdoor apparel for my Alaska winter vacation, the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka was clearly over kill for the relatively mild Anchorage, Alaska temperatures.

I was, however, very happy to be outfitted in Steger Mukluks as I tramped around in the Alaska snow.

Alpine Parka Mandatory Apparel in Fairbanks, Alaska

It wasn’t until I landed in Fairbanks, Alaska to view the ice sculptures in 20 degree below zero temperatures (with the wind chill factor) at the World Ice Art Championships that I became appreciative of my Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka. Yet it was midnight on top of a hill, as I was viewing the Northern Lights at the Chena Hot Springs Resort that I realized my love affair with Apocalypse Design’s Alpine Parka.

The outer shell of the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka is made of Avalite, a waterproof and breathable fabric. The full hood on the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka was a life saver in Fairbanks, as was the fleece lined chin guard and fleece lined, deep pockets. I didn’t appreciate Apocalypse Design’s attention to detail until the cold set in.

How To Dress For an Alaska Winter Vacation

Nancy D. Brown in Girdwood, Alaska with Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka for a Travel Apparel ReviewI pitied the poorly dressed tourists who were sitting in their cotton jeans and inadequate boots trying to warm themselves at the portable heaters in the Chena Hot Springs yurts.

While I was outside taking in the Aurora Borealis and watching shooting stars, warm and toasty in my Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka, ($412) fleece pants ($99), snow bibs ($330) and Steger Mukluks and Steger mitts, I reminded myself how important it is to dress appropriately for an Alaska winter vacation.

As Karen Lundquist, Vice President of Marketing, Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau puts it, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, it’s bad gear.”

Thanks to Apocalypse Design for loaning me the alpine parka, snow bibs and fleece pants for review during my winter vacation to Alaska. The quality and design of your travel apparel were very much appreciated.

IF YOU GO:

Apocalypse Design (907) 451-7555

201 Minnie Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

Related Post:

How to pack for Alaska winter vacation

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Chena Hot Springs Sled Dog in Fairbanks, Alaska

 You can hear the sled dogs barking before you reach the kennel. The sled dogs run circles frantically around their dog houses; some bark, while others wait patiently with eager anticipation.

“Pick me! Pick me!” the sled dogs say with their piercing blue eyes, bushy wagging tails and excited sled dog howls.

Once the sled dog selection process has been made, the sled dogs of Chena Hot Springs kennel are clipped into their harnesses and ready to go to work.

Typically, Iditarod sled dogs are not the furry white pure bred Siberian huskies that Disney has marketed to us in movies. In fact, the best athletic sled dog is a mixed bag of energy and stamina, has a thick fur coat and a desire to race.

While the sled dog ride at Chena Hot Springs Resort is only 15-20 minutes in total ($60), the excitement and energy from the sled dogs is contagious as soon as we slide into the sled. The Chena Hot Springs sled holds four people and a sled dog musher. Once the sled dog musher gives the command, the sled dogs are off and running. Our ride is a scenic loop around the property, crossing alongside a beaver den.

There are many places to go for sled dog rides in Alaska.

Chena Hot Springs Sled Dog Ride in Fairbanks, Alaska

Iditarod Sled Dog Racer Dallas Seavey and the Seavey family run Ididaride Sled Dog Tours in Seward.

Four-time Iditarod Champion Jeff King offers a chance to hold sled dog puppies during a Husky Homestead Tour at his Goose Lake Kennel in Denali Park.

In Fairbanks, the Riverboat Discovery stops at Trailbreaker Kennels, home to Dave Monson and the late four-time Iditarod Sled Dog Champion Susan Butcher.

If you have a chance to take a sled dog ride in Alaska, make sure you read “How to Pack for an Alaska Winter Vacation.” On my March 2010 visit to the Chena Hot Springs Resort, it was 20 degrees below zero. If I hadn’t been wearing an Apocalypse Design Parka, Icebreaker murino wool socks or Steger mitts and mukluks, I wouldn’t have been dressed properly for the cold weather conditions.

Have you been on a sled dog ride? What are your favorite things to do in Fairbanks, Alaska?

Chena dog sled photo by Nancy D. Brown