Musher Biographies
General Management
Dan Turner
Owner
In 1994 Dan accompanied a Japanese extreme skiing team to the Juneau Icefield. Sixteen sled dogs from his Yukon Quest team went along to provide the skiers support in hauling supplies. This was the first time sled dogs ventured to the Juneau Icefield.
The dogs loved being on snow in the middle of the summer and the scenery was incredible. Upon his return to civilization he decided that this experience must be shared. One of Southeast Alaska’s main industries is tourism. Mushers are always looking for ways a dog team can earn their groceries. The idea of glacier dogsledding for guests to Alaska was conceived.
This was a new venture in 1995. We began the lengthy process of securing a USFS permit to operate on the Juneau Icefield which is in the Tongass National Forest; securing a helicopter company to work with and promoting the product. Finally, in 1999 our first camp went up on the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska. The dream of sharing this incredibly beautiful area with visitors to Alaska and providing a summer home for sled dogs became a reality. Today, Alaska Icefield Expeditions, Inc. has a glacier camp on the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau and the Denver Glacier in Skagway. To meet the visitors desire for more sled dogs we expanded to Gold Rush Dog Tours, LLC which provides an educational cart tour in Juneau and a sled dog demonstration at the Klondike Gold Fields in Skagway.
The company has received numerous awards for providing an excellent visitor experience.
Dan and Christine Turner are pleased to be part of this once in a life time experience for so many visitors to Alaska.
Chris Turner
Owner/Secretary
Chris Turner, 50, lives and works out of the AIE home base in Haines Alaska. Chris moved to Alaska in 1967 and has spent the majority of her life in SE Alaska.
In 1988 a small team of Siberian Husky sled dogs made their home with us. My husband, Dan and our two children Matt and Sarah have been involved with sled dogs ever since.
The team of 4 quickly grew to 8 and then to 30. We spent many miles on the back of a sled on recreational excursions and training for racing. In 1994 we started Chilkoot Sled Dog Adventures providing sled dog demonstrations to visitors to SE Alaska and winter tours. That business grew into Alaska Icefield Expeditions.
Since 1998 I have been involved in the development of Alaska Ice field (AIE) and its daily operations. As the company grew we expanded operations to include a glacier dog sledding camp in Juneau on the Mendenhall Glacier, in Skagway on the Denver Glacier and our most recent camp is the Summer Camp in the Sheep Creek Valley in Juneau.
Matt Hayashida
General Manager
Matt "Hayo" came from Pennslyvannia and moved to Wyoming to guide river trips in the summers. Dog sledding naturally followed in step a few seasons later. He first came to Alaska in 1996 (the year of the Big Lake fire) to work with Martin Buser (Iditarod champion). His first Iditarod was in 1998 and has run 6 others since and always improving. He and his wife, Sarah, race and breed in their kennel just outside of Willow, AK. They have two lovely daughters, Lily and Gracie.
Click here for Matt's website.
Mike Gaede
Facilities Manager
For many years now Mike has lived at mile 25 of the Haines Highway, just a hop across the inlet from Juneau. This is Mike's 3rd year with AIE, the previous two years he has been the Snow Cat driver in the Skagway Dog Camp and is now the Facilities Manager for AIE. His general contracting business in Wenatchee, WA occupies his time and mind in the winters making him prepared for the duality of AIE Facilities Manager. Mike enjoys biking, fishing and history. His son Cole visits the glacier annually to hand puppies to the tourists and engage in epic snow ball duels.
Matt Turner
Base Manager, Skagway
Matt Turner was born and raised in Haines Alaska. He began working with sled dogs at the age of 6 when his parents brought home a small team of Siberian Huskies. In 1999 his parents, Dan and Chris Turner, embarked on an ambitious idea to bring dog sledding to cruise ship passengers. Matt began as a handler that first year with Alaska Icefield Expeditions in Juneau and has worked for the company off and on over the last eleven years.
Joel Turner
Website /Social Media
Joel was born and raised in Laramie, Wyoming and graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2005 with a degree in Graphic Design. He started with AIE in the summer of 1999. Since then he has worked 7 seasons on the glaciers in many different capacities. Joel helps with setting up the camps in the spring and taking them down in the fall. He now lives in Colorado for most of the year while he works on keeping the world updated with the fun stuff that the company does.
Click here for Joel's website.
"The goal of each of us is to offer you the most unforgettable Alaskan experience of a lifetime."
