Chase Alaska’s Iditarod by Helicopter

Can’t make it to Alaska this summer to heli-fish? Don’t worry! Talaheim’s Alaska fishing lodge is expanding into the winter months by providing a brand new offering: Heli-Fly Alaska’s Iditarod.

“This trip was one of my top two life experiences. We can say, before we hooked up with Mark and heli-flew the Iditarod with him, we had not talked with anyone that ever got to have such an amazing experience. Since then, we still haven’t spoken with anyone that has had this experience.”

~ Brian and Judy Jorgensen

 

History of Alaska’s Iditarod

 

It started in 1973 and is an annual long-distance sled dog race beginning in Anchorage and finishing in Nome. The mushers, along with their 21 dogs (six of which must be on the towline at the finish line) cover approximately 1,000 miles in 9 to 15 days. The current fastest winning time record was set just this year by Dallas Seavey, who came in with a time of 8 days, 11 hours, 20 minutes, and 16 seconds. As of 2012, Dallas Seavey was also the youngest musher to win the race at the age of 25, while as of 2013, at the age of 53, Dallas’ father Mitch Seavey was the oldest person to ever win.

Perhaps it goes without saying that the Iditarod is a very important Alaskan sporting event with a worldly reach that extends far past The Last Frontier. And now, Talaheim is offering you a first row seat to this legendary event.

 

Heli-Fly Alaska’s Iditarod

 

 

All trips are uniquely created depending on guest preferences, but for those interested, here’s the basic layout.

Day One: Travel to Anchorage

• Arrive in Anchorage at least one day prior to the start of the race. (Races vary each year but typically start on a Saturday morning in February or March.)

Day Two: Celebrate the Mushers in Anchorage

• First you’ll start in Anchorage’s downtown where the race kicks off with a big celebration that spotlights mushers and their dogs.

• The first two nights will be spent in a hotel in Anchorage. We suggest staying at the Captain Cook due to its proximity to the start of the race.

Day Three: Follow the Mushers to Willow

• The official start of the race occurs in Willow, a short two-hour drive from Anchorage by rental car.

• Willow is also known as a historic community that got its start when miners discovered gold on Willow Creek in 1897. Many of the mushers are based in this small town, which adds to the town’s celebration.

Day Four: Fly Out to Talaheim

• The next morning we’ll fly out to Talaheim, a forty-five minute bush plane ride from Anchorage.

• After settling into Talaheim, we’ll take a forty-minute flight by helicopter to Finger Lake, which is the race’s third major checkpoint.

• After cheering the mushers on, we’ll travel another thirty minutes to Rainy Pass Lodge.

• That night, we’ll return to Talaheim for an Alaskan home cooked dinner.

Day Five: Fly the Alaskan Range

• We’ll finish the trip with a helicopter ride through Rainy Pass & into the Alaska Range and, weather permitting, follow the mushers to Rhone.

• Our final night will be spent at Talaheim.

Day Six: Fly Back to Anchorage

• Depending on guest’s travel arrangements, we can travel to Anchorage early morning, or in the afternoon.

Total Cost: $3,000 per person with a minimum of two people

* Does not include travel to Anchorage, or the cost of staying in Anchorage or Willow

“From watching the honorary start of Alaska’s Iditarod in Anchorage, to the official start in Willow, and going to checkpoints and talking with mushers, vets, and sponsors of the race, this was an experience unlike any other. The beauty of this wilderness in the winter and the love the racers have for their dogs will forever be in our minds. The wild game seen from the air is also another highlight.”

~ Brian and Judy Jorgensen, a heartfelt “Thanks Mark” for sharing this with us!”