Seward, AK Ididaride Dog Mushing Tour Chosen as one of Alaska's top 20 attractions, a must do for all Alaska visitors.
Your Seward Dog Sled adventure begins with a two-mile dog sled ride. Feel the power, excitement, and energy of sled dogs as they are harnessed to the comfortable wheeled dog sled. Upon returning to the kennel you'll tour the Seavey's family kennel facilities, laugh as a guest is dressed up as an Iditarod musher, and cuddle adorable husky puppies. Your guides are all Iditarod racers, and offer a delightfully humorous, behind-the-scenes look at the Seavey family's training for the most demanding dog mushing race on earth, the Iditarod.
The Real Alaska Tour
Seward, Alaska
This Seward tour package features all the attractions that truly make Alaska the Greatland. First, your guide shows you the sights of Seward. Learn why Seward was known as "the Gateway to Alaska" and "Mile 0" of the Iditarod Trail. See first-hand the effects of the 1964 Earthquake. Then, head out to Exit Glacier and enjoy a short walk along the nature trail that takes you to the face of the glacial ice. Watch for mountain goats, moose and bears. A hearty lunch will be served before you travel to the Seavey homestead and experience IdidaRide's Sled Dog tour. At the end your driver will return you to your hotel, cruise ship or the Alaska Railroad depot. All local transportation and lunch are included in this package.
Petersburg, Alaska (PETERS-burg)
Recommend Activities and Tours • Lodging • Recommend Reading
Current Population: 3,129 (2006) Borough Located In: Unorganized Taxes: 6% Sales: 4% Bed
Location and Climate Petersburg is located on the northwest end of Mitkof Island, where the Wrangell Narrows meet Frederick Sound. It lies midway between Juneau and Ketchikan, about 120 miles from either community. The community lies at approximately 56.812500° North Latitude and -132.955560° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 27, T058S, R079E, Copper River Meridian.) Petersburg is located in the Petersburg Recording District. The area encompasses 43.9 sq. miles of land and 2.2 sq. miles of water. Petersburg's climate is characterized by mild winters, cool summers and year-round rainfall. Average summer temperatures range from 40 to 56; winters average from 27 to 43. Annual precipitation averages 106.3 inches, including 97 inches of snow.
History, Culture and Demographics
Tlingit Indians from Kake utilized the north end of Mitkof Island as a summer fish camp. Some reportedly began living year-round at the site, including John Lot. Petersburg was named after Peter Buschmann, a Norwegian immigrant and a pioneer in the cannery business, who arrived in the late 1890s. He built the Icy Strait Packing Company cannery, a sawmill, and a dock by 1900. His family's homesteads grew into this community, populated largely by people of Scandinavian origin. In 1910, a City was formed, and by 1920, 600 people lived in Petersburg year-round. During this time, fresh salmon and halibut were packed in glacier ice for shipment. Alaska's first shrimp processor, Alaska Glacier Seafoods, was founded in 1916. A cold storage plant was built in 1926. The cannery has operated continuously, and is now known as Petersburg Fisheries, a subsidiary of Icicle Seafoods, Inc. Across the narrows is the town of Kupreanof, which was once busy with fur farms, a boat repair yard and a sawmill. Petersburg has developed into one of Alaska's major fishing communities.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Petersburg Indian Association. The population of the community consists of 12% Alaska Native or part Native. The community maintains a mixture of Tlingit and Scandinavian history. It is known as "Little Norway" for its history and annual Little Norway Festival during May. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 1,367, and vacant housing units numbered 127. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 25. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 1,528 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 10.28 percent, although 36.44 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $49,028, per capita income was $25,827, and 4.97 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.
Economy and Transportation
Since its beginning, Petersburg's economy has been based on commercial fishing and timber harvests. Petersburg currently is one of the top-ranking ports in the U.S. for the quality and value of fish landed. 469 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Several processors operate cold storage, canneries and custom packing services. The state runs the Crystal Lake Hatchery which contributes to the local salmon resource. Residents include salmon, halibut, shrimp and crab in their diet. Petersburg is the supply and service center for many area logging camps. Independent sportsmen and tourists utilize the local charter boats and lodges, but there is no deep water dock suitable for cruise ships.
Petersburg is accessed by air and water. It is on the mainline State ferry route. The State-owned James A. Johnson Airport and Lloyd R. Roundtree Seaplane Base (on the Wrangell Narrows) allow for scheduled jet and float plane services. The runway is 6,000' long by 150' wide asphalt. Harbor facilities include three docks, two petroleum wharves, two barge terminals, three boat harbors with moorage for 700 boats, a boat launch and boat haul-out. Freight arrives by barge, ferry or cargo plane. There is no deep water dock for large ships such as cruise ships; passengers are lightered to shore.
Visitor Information and Recommend Activities and Tours
Lodging, Hotels and Bed & Breakfast
Recommend Reading
Backcountry Safaris P.O. Box 1397 • Seward, Alaska USA 99664 1-907-222-1632 or toll-free 1-877-812-2159
Backcountry Safaris is a member of the following trade and travel organizations:
Three national parks, Denali, Katmai and Kenai Fjords. Brown bears, whales, wildlife, calving tidewater glaciers, Mt. McKinley, fall colors, hot springs and much more. (more…)
Alaska- just the name conjures up visions of the wild, wonderful creatures of the North Country, brown bears… wolves… Dall sheep… caribou… moose… (more…)
Winter Adventure It's all about fun!
Drive your own snowmobile
Alaska Snowmobiling Snowmobile in the best possible place. The Chugach Mountains will surround you as you navigate your own snowmachine through trails, open fields of powder, beaver ponds, frozen waterfalls.
Alaska
Rafting
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Kongakut River – 10-day Arctic National Wildlife Refuge rafting safari.
Petersburg is located on the northwest end of Mitkof Island, where the Wrangell Narrows meet Frederick Sound. It lies midway between Juneau and Ketchikan, about 120 miles from either community. The community lies at approximately 56.812500° North Latitude and -132.955560° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 27, T058S, R079E, Copper River Meridian.) Petersburg is located in the Petersburg Recording District. The area encompasses 43.9 sq. miles of land and 2.2 sq. miles of water. Petersburg's climate is characterized by mild winters, cool summers and year-round rainfall. Average summer temperatures range from 40 to 56; winters average from 27 to 43. Annual precipitation averages 106.3 inches, including 97 inches of snow.
