The Iditarod is Back! The Ins & Outs of Alaska’s Favorite Dog Sled Race
Spring may be around the corner, but Alaska’s winter sports are still in full swing. After a successful Fur Rondy (congratulations again to winner Roxy Wright!) it’s time for the 2017 Iditarod to take center stage. This annual event is a favorite among our Alaska winter SUV rental clients, and for good reason! The Iditarod is a thrilling attestation to the love of winter sport in Alaska.
Never heard of the Iditarod? Or maybe you’re out of touch with the information and schedule for this year’s race? Either way, we’ve got the details you need. All you need to worry about is booking your Alaska winter SUV rental before it’s too late! In the meantime, read on to find out about the 2017 Iditarod.
What is the Iditarod?
There’s no point knowing the wheres and whens of the 2017 Iditarod if you don’t know what it is! The Iditarod is a great dog sled race that is held annually in Alaska. Mushers come from, not only all over Alaska, but often from all over the world for this great race. After all, it’s on its 45th year – it must be quite the spectacle!
Each year the race alternates between 3 different routes: the Northern Route; the Southern Route; the Fairbanks Route. All three routes begin in Anchorage and finish off in the safety and quiet of Nome. Each one is nearly 1000 miles long.
This year, 2017, the mushers will be traveling the Fairbanks Route. This route spans roughly 979 miles. Quite the distance! As you can see, the mushers who take part have the highest levels of intensity, passion, adrenaline, stamina, and determination of any mushers in the world.
When does the Iditarod begin and end?
The Iditarod 2017 race begins on Saturday, March 4 at 10am. You can see the start for yourself at 4th and D in downtown Anchorage. Make sure to arrive early in your Alaska winter SUV rental in order to find parking. There’s a restart that takes place in Fairbanks on Monday, March 6 at 11am. That means you’ve got plenty of time to relax and tour around before getting to Fairbanks to meet the mushers.
The Iditarod ends in Nome on Sunday, March 19. The awards banquet is held that day at 3pm. Mushers may be pouring into Nome in the 24 hours prior. Be ready to see tired mushers and their dogs as you drive your Alaska winter SUV rental into town!
Events in the meantime
The Iditarod is a marathon in every sense of the word. Events surrounding the race began on January 10 and stretch until the race ends, as well as meetings for those involved in organization.
The end of February sees the Jr. Iditarod Race and awards. This is where the young and up-and-coming mushers get to practice for their future Iditarod, and gain recognition for their own hard training.
If you want to meet the pros, head on to the IditaRider Meet & Greet and Pizza Lunch on Thursday, March 2 at 12 noon at the Lakefront Anchorage Hotel. Here you may get the chance to ask questions and speak to the mushers.
A full list of the events surrounding the Iditarod can be found here.
Booking accommodations and your Alaska winter SUV rental
The Iditarod is an important, and therefore busy, time of the year for Alaska. If you plan on tracking the race at all you’ll want to book your accommodations now – if you haven’t already.
There are a variety of options, and it’s tough for us to say which is best for you. All our Alaska winter SUV rental clients are looking for something different. This late in the game, you may just want to find the one with availability. Here are the top accommodations around Nome as ranked by TripAdvisor reviewers.
Anchorage may be a little easier. It’s a larger city, and therefore has a wider variety of lodging options. Here are TripAdvisor’s top hotels in Anchorage with pictures and reviews to help you find the best one for you.
Only one thing left to do – book your Alaska winter SUV rental! Reserve from Avis today.