Do you dream of racing through snowy forests behind a strong team of sled dogs? Many people come to Alaska in winter to see snow-covered mountains, bright stars, and the famous northern lights. But Alaska’s winter is no joke. The cold can be hard, and the wind can make you feel frozen in minutes. This is why packing the right clothes and gear is so important.
In this guide, you will learn exactly what to bring. You will learn why each item matters and how it keeps you warm. You will also see smart tips to help you feel ready for any winter sled tour.
Why Alaska Is So Cold
Alaska is far north. In winter, days are short, and the sun is low. Some places have only a few hours of daylight each day. When the sun goes down, it can get colder very fast.
Winter in Alaska also brings strong winds. When the wind blows across your skin, it takes heat away even faster. This is called wind chill. Wind chill can make a cold day feel much colder. For example, if the air is 0°F but the wind is strong, it can feel like -20°F or colder.
This is why good winter gear is not just for comfort — it keeps you safe.
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Where You’ll Be
Most dog sled tours happen far from big towns. Some tours cross frozen lakes, snow trails, or forest paths. If you get wet or cold, you may not have a warm place to rest right away. So, it is up to you to pack right and dress smart. It’s better to have more layers than too few!
The Rule of Three: Layers
Smart mushers and winter guides always say: Three layers are better than one big coat. Layers trap heat and let you adjust for different weather.
Here’s how it works:
- Base Layer: keeps sweat off your skin
- Mid Layer: keeps warm air inside
- Outer Layer: blocks wind, snow, and rain
Want to try it for real? Book our Winter Dog Sled Tours for the full experience.
Base Layer: The Sweat Stopper
The base layer sits right on your skin. Its job is to keep you dry. When you move — walking, riding, pushing the sled — you sweat. If sweat stays on your skin, it cools you down fast.
What works best?
- Merino wool: soft and warm, doesn’t stink
- Synthetic fabrics: made from plastic, they dry fast
- Thermal tops and bottoms: long-sleeved shirts and long pants
What to avoid? Cotton. Cotton holds water. Wet cotton feels cold and dries slowly.
How many to pack? Bring at least two sets. If one gets wet, you have a dry backup. Roll them tight in your bag.
Mid Layer: The Heat Holder
Your mid layer traps warm air. Think of this layer as a warm blanket you wear.
Good choices:
- Fleece pullovers or zip jackets
- Down or synthetic puff jackets
- Wool sweaters
- Lightweight insulated vests
Why bring more than one? You can mix and match. For milder days, one fleece may be enough. For cold days, wear fleece and a down jacket together.
Pro Tip: Pick mid layers that pack small. A puffer jacket squishes down to save space.
Outer Layer: The Shield
The outer layer keeps wind, snow, and rain off your warm inner layers.
Look for:
- A waterproof snow jacket (parka) with a hood
- Snow pants or bibs (pants with straps) to keep snow out
- Strong zippers that you can open with gloves
- Underarm vents so you don’t get sweaty inside
- Pockets with flaps or zippers
Hood matters! A big, snug hood keeps snow off your face and neck. Look for a hood with a pull string so it stays tight when the wind blows.
How to Wear Layers
Always wear the base layer first, then the mid layer, then the outer layer. If you feel hot, unzip or remove your mid layer. If you stop moving or the wind picks up, zip it up tight.
Good Pants Matter Too
Don’t forget your legs! Wear thermal leggings under waterproof snow pants. Snow pants keep snow and wind off your legs. Some have zippers at the ankles so you can fit them over big boots.
Keep Your Feet Warm
When your feet get cold or wet, it is hard to warm them back up. Good boots and socks are must-haves.
Choose the Right Boots
Winter boots should:
- Be waterproof inside and out
- Reach above your ankles to block snow
- Have thick soles with strong grip for ice
- Be roomy enough for thick socks
Many mushers use boots with removable liners. Each night, they pull the liners out to dry. Dry liners mean warm toes the next day!
Good examples: Sorel, Baffin, Columbia winter boots.
Pack Lots of Warm Socks
One pair is not enough. You need fresh, dry socks every day.
Why wool?
- Wool keeps feet warm even when wet.
- Wool dries faster than cotton.
- Wool socks come in different weights: light, medium, heavy.
Wear a thin liner sock under a thick wool sock for best warmth.
Foot Warmers
If you get cold toes easily, pack foot warmers. These small heat packs go inside your boots. They make heat for up to 8 hours.
Keep Hands Warm
Your hands touch cold gear, hold the sled handle, and help steer the dogs. They must stay warm.
Gloves or Mittens?
Use both!
- Gloves: Good when you need fingers free. Look for waterproof gloves with insulation.
- Mittens: Warmer for very cold days. They keep fingers together so they share heat.
Add glove liners for extra warmth. Liners are thin gloves you wear under bigger gloves.
Cover Your Head and Neck
You lose a lot of heat through your head. Always wear a warm hat.
- Wool or fleece beanies are great.
- Ear flaps help on windy days.
- A hood over your hat keeps in more heat.
Neck gaiters or buffs wrap around your neck. Pull them up over your nose when it’s windy. A balaclava covers your head, nose, and mouth all at once.
Keep Eyes Safe
Snow reflects sunlight. Bright sun on white snow can hurt your eyes.
Wear:
- UV-protected sunglasses when it’s sunny
- Goggles when it’s snowing or windy
Snow goggles fit over hats and balaclavas and block cold air.
Bring a Backpack
Where will you put your extra gloves, water, or snacks? In a good backpack!
- 25–35 liters is a good day pack size
- Waterproof or water-resistant is best
- Zippers should be strong
- Use side pockets for water bottles
Inside, use dry bags to keep phones, maps, and food dry.
Use Packing Cubes
Packing cubes help you find your layers fast. Label each cube:
- Base layers
- Mid layers
- Outer layers
- Socks and hats
- Gloves and mittens
This saves time when you dress in the cold.
Trekking Poles and Snowshoes
Some trails get icy or deep with snow. Trekking poles help you stay balanced. Snowshoes help you walk on deep snow without sinking.
Check with your tour company. They may have them for you, but bring your own if you want.
Try It All Before You Go
Before you pack up, test your clothes at home. Put on all your layers. Walk around the yard. Sit in the snow. Make sure boots, socks, and jackets all fit together.
If something feels tight or uncomfortable, fix it now — not when you are out on the trail!
Mid-Section Reminder
Want an easy checklist? Check our sledding gear checklist to be sure you’re not forgetting anything.
Bring the Right Tools and Tech for Alaska’s Wild Winter
Good clothes protect your body. Smart tools protect your safety. When you travel deep into snowy forests or across wide frozen rivers, you can’t just rely on your phone signal. Winter weather drains batteries. Trails can look the same in all directions. So, you need smart tools to help you stay safe, warm, and found.
Why Batteries Die Fast in the Cold
Did you know? Your phone’s battery works by moving tiny parts inside. When it gets very cold, these parts move slower. This means your battery drains faster than normal. If your phone battery dies, you lose maps, messages, and photos.
So, you must plan ahead.
How to Keep Batteries Alive
Best tricks:
- Store your phone in an inside pocket, close to your body heat.
- Keep your power bank warm too.
- Turn off your phone when you don’t need it.
- Put your phone on airplane mode to save power.
When you stop for lunch, check your battery and plug it into your power bank if needed.
Pick the Best Power Bank
Not all power banks work well in the cold. Some cheap ones lose charge fast. Pick a strong power bank made for outdoor use.
Tips for choosing:
- 10,000–20,000 mAh size is good for a few phone charges.
- A rubber or metal shell is stronger than cheap plastic.
- Bring a short charging cable so you don’t lose it in your pack.
When you get to your cabin or lodge, plug it in overnight so it’s ready the next day.
GPS: Know Where You Are
Many Alaskan sled tours go through remote land. No signs. No lights. If you get separated, a GPS can help you find your way.
A simple handheld GPS shows you trails, rivers, and your path home. Some GPS tools also send your location to your family or your guide.
Examples:
- Garmin eTrex: simple, strong, easy to use.
- Garmin InReach Mini: small, can send messages by satellite.
Offline Apps: If you don’t have a handheld GPS, you can use your phone — but you must download offline maps first.
- Gaia GPS
- AllTrails Pro
- Topo Maps
Practice using your GPS at home before your trip.
Paper Maps and Compass: Old but Gold
Batteries die. Phones break. But paper maps do not fail. Bring a map in a zip bag to keep it dry.
Also pack a simple compass. Even if you don’t use it, your guide might. Learning to read a compass is a good skill for all explorers!
Headlamp: Light Up the Dark
Winter in Alaska means dark mornings and early nights. Some days you only get four or five hours of light.
A headlamp is better than a flashlight. Why? You can wear it on your hat or helmet. Your hands stay free for holding the sled or fixing gear.
Pick a headlamp that:
- Has 200 lumens or more (the higher the number, the brighter the light).
- Runs on lithium batteries (better in the cold).
- Has a strap you can adjust over your hat.
Always pack spare batteries. Put them in a small zip bag inside your coat so they stay warm.
Keep Your Tech Dry
Snow melts on warm gear. That means water. And water + electronics = bad news.
Use dry bags inside your backpack for:
- Your phone
- Power bank
- Extra batteries
- Paper map
Some people even keep their snacks in dry bags to stop crumbs from spilling all over.
Food: Stay Fed, Stay Strong
Did you know? Your body burns more calories in the cold. Walking on snow, staying warm, and riding the sled all use energy. So you need fuel.
Best Snacks for Cold Weather
Pick snacks that:
- Don’t freeze rock hard.
- Are easy to eat with gloves on.
- Give you lots of calories for energy.
Good ideas:
- Trail mix with nuts and chocolate.
- Peanut butter sandwiches in wax paper.
- Beef jerky or turkey sticks.
- Protein or granola bars. Pick ones that stay soft.
Pro tip: Keep your snack bar in your inside pocket. Your body heat keeps it soft.
Warm Drinks Matter
Hot drinks warm you from the inside. Bring a small thermos filled with tea, hot cocoa, or soup.
If your tour is long, some mushers pack a camp stove to boil water for soup or instant noodles. Ask your guide if they offer this.
Hydration: Don’t Forget Water
You may not feel thirsty, but your body still needs water. Dry winter air makes you lose water fast.
How to keep water from freezing:
- Use an insulated bottle.
- Fill it with hot water before you leave your lodge.
- Wrap the bottle in a thick sock in your backpack.
- Keep the bottle upside down — ice forms at the top, so the lid won’t freeze shut!
Add electrolytes if you sweat a lot. Brands like Nuun or Liquid I.V. work well.
Stay Safe: Emergency Kit
Accidents happen — a slip, a cold wind, a cut finger. A simple first aid kit can help a small problem stay small.
Build a Smart Cold-Weather First Aid Kit
Must-haves:
- Bandages for small cuts.
- Gauze and tape.
- Pain pills like ibuprofen.
- Burn cream and ointment for frostbite.
- Antihistamine pills in case of a rash or bite.
- Thermal blanket — shiny, folds small, holds heat.
Hand and Foot Warmers
Buy extra hand warmers and foot warmers. They cost little but feel amazing when your fingers get cold waiting for the sled team to rest.
Where to keep them:
- Pockets
- Boots
- Gloves
Emergency Contact Card
Write down:
- Your name and any health needs.
- A phone number for family.
- Your guide or tour company name and number.
Keep this card in your coat pocket in a small zip bag.
Personal Locator Beacon (Optional)
A locator beacon sends an emergency signal if you press it. If you go far into the backcountry, this can save your life. Some tours carry one for the group — ask first!
Pack Neatly, Pack Smart
Good gear is only useful if you can find it fast.
Packing Cubes
Use different colored packing cubes for:
- Clothes
- Snacks
- Tech tools
- Safety gear
Label them with tape or tags.
Compression Sacks
Compression sacks squeeze big jackets or sleeping bags down small. Roll them tight, push out the air, and cinch the straps.
Roll Your Clothes
Rolling takes up less space than folding. You’ll also find what you need faster.
Sample 5-Day Winter Dog Sled Packing Plan
Here’s a bigger plan for longer tours.
| Item | How Many |
| Base layer tops | 3–4 |
| Base layer bottoms | 3–4 |
| Fleece mid layer | 1–2 |
| Down puffer jacket | 1 |
| Waterproof shell jacket | 1 |
| Snow pants | 1 pair |
| Warm hat | 2 |
| Neck gaiter or balaclava | 1–2 |
| Gloves | 1 pair |
| Mittens | 1 pair |
| Glove liners | 1–2 pairs |
| Wool socks | 6 pairs |
| Insulated boots | 1 pair |
| Foot warmers | Enough for 5 days |
| Backpack | 1 |
| Dry bags | 3–4 |
| Power bank | 1 |
| Headlamp | 1 (plus spare batteries) |
| Paper map and compass | 1 set |
| Snacks | Enough for 5 days |
| Insulated water bottle | 1–2 |
| First aid kit | 1 small |
| Locator beacon | Optional |
Before You Go: Test and Check
At home:
- Put on all layers.
- Walk around in boots and socks.
- Try the backpack fully loaded.
- Test your headlamp in the dark.
- Make sure your power bank charges your phone.
Stay Safe: Watch for Frostbite and Hypothermia
Alaska’s cold can be beautiful but dangerous if you’re not ready. Knowing the warning signs of frostbite and hypothermia can help you act fast.
What is Frostbite?
Frostbite happens when skin and the tissue under it freeze. Fingers, toes, ears, and your nose are at the highest risk.
Signs:
- Skin turns white or grayish-yellow.
- Skin feels very cold or numb.
- The area may feel hard or waxy.
How to Prevent Frostbite
- Cover all skin with layers.
- Wear dry gloves, mittens, and hats.
- Change wet clothes right away.
- Use hand and foot warmers.
- If you feel numbness, go inside or get near heat.
What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia happens when your body loses heat faster than it can make it. It can be life-threatening if ignored.
Early signs:
- Shivering that won’t stop.
- Slurred speech.
- Clumsiness or stumbling.
- Feeling very tired or confused.
How to Prevent Hypothermia
- Dress in layers that you can adjust.
- Eat enough high-energy snacks.
- Stay dry — wet clothes lose heat fast.
- Take breaks in warm spots if possible.
Plan for Changing Weather
Alaska’s weather can switch fast. A sunny morning can turn into wind, snow, or sleet by afternoon. Good packing means you’re ready for surprises.
Smart Weather Tips
- Check the weather each morning before your tour.
- Pack an extra pair of gloves and socks in your daypack.
- Bring extra snacks and water in case you’re out longer than planned.
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
Your tour guide should have an emergency plan too — don’t be shy to ask!
Feeling ready to mush? Drive a Dog Sled and learn real trail skills.”
Use Checklists for Peace of Mind
Before you pack your final bag, lay out all your gear. Use a checklist to double-check each piece.
Key things people often forget:
- Extra batteries.
- Extra socks.
- Neck gaiter or scarf.
- A whistle to signal if you get separated.
- Small cash tips for your guides — always appreciated!
Want an easy checklist? Check our sledding gear checklist to be sure you’re not forgetting anything.
Sample Quick-Check: Last Minute
Right before you zip up your pack, ask:
- Do I have enough dry base layers?
- Do my boots fit with thick socks?
- Did I pack foot warmers and hand warmers?
- Is my headlamp working? Are extra batteries packed?
- Is my GPS or map downloaded and easy to reach?
Helpful Final Packing Hack
When you arrive at your lodge or base camp:
- Dry your gear overnight near a safe heat source.
- Take boot liners out to dry fully.
- Keep gloves open to air out.
- Charge your power bank and devices while you sleep.
A dry start each morning is the best way to stay warm all day!
When to Book: Get Ahead
Many sled dog tours in Alaska fill up fast — especially in peak months (December–March). To get the best guide and the best trails, book early. Want to try it for real? Explore our Winter Dog Sledding Guide for the full experience and get ready for your trail ride step-by-step.
Why Choose a Guided Tour?
- Local guides know the safest trails.
- They check the weather and know when to cancel for safety.
- They provide extra gear like snowshoes, trekking poles, or blankets.
- They share stories about the dogs, the history, and the land.
Want More? See the Dogs!
If you love dogs (and who doesn’t?), some tours let you meet the sled dog team before or after your ride. These dogs are trained, loved, and ready to run.
If you’re curious about how we care for our dogs, read how we train and care for our sled dogs to see how we treat them like family.
Northern Lights
Winter sled rides sometimes come with a bonus — clear skies full of northern lights. This amazing show can turn your night tour into a memory for life.