Blog | Alaska Icefield Expeditions

Susan Butcher: Sled Dog Racing Legend

By suzanne turner | Published: September 22, 2011

1985 was both a tragic and triumphant year for women mushers- it was the year Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the great race- but in that same year, long-time racing hopeful Susan Butcher was forced to withdraw from the race when several of her dogs were attacked and injured by a pregnant moose and two were killed. Despite that tragedy, Susan and her team bounced back in a big way- she would win the very next year! Indeed after Libby broke the barrier to become the first female to win the Iditarod, the flood gates were flung wide open and for the next three years Susan Butcher would cross the finish in first place! Proving the ladies’ reign was anything but a fluke, Susan continued to place in the top 10 the next 6 years after that! Susan Butcher won the Iditarod a total of 4 times and took home over $370,000 in prize money. Read More »

Posted in Dog Sledding, Iditarod | Tagged Alaska, dog sled races, iditarod, Iditarod Champion, musher, mushing women | Leave a comment

Alaska Reading List

By suzanne turner | Published: September 19, 2011

Before my first trip to Alaska I definitely hit the bookstore for some extra excitement and information and I still love to savor the spirit and lore of the North. Whether you’ve experienced Alaska before, are planning a trip for next summer or have it on your bucket list far off in the future, we think you’ll really enjoy these reads. They will also give you a deeper appreciation and understanding of all the amazing people, places and animals that make up Alaska’s past and present. Read More »

Posted in Alaska Travel | Tagged Alaska, books, education, reading | Leave a comment

Libby Riddles: First Woman to Win the Iditarod

By suzanne turner | Published: September 15, 2011

Libby RIddles Photo via LibbyRiddlesDotCom

Libby Riddles grew up around a lot of animals and always planned on having a lot of her own when she got older. When she moved to Alaska she naturally took an interest in sled dogs and began buying dogs though she never intended to race them. She trained and ran the dogs for fun, and after a rough couple first years of trial and error as an introduction to mushing, a friend talked her into entering a 5 dog race in 1978- she took first place. Maybe there was something to this racing thing…. Fast forward several years later and she is pulling into the second-to-last Iditarod checkpoint five hours ahead of the nearest competition! A woman running the Iditarod always surprises people in the first place, but a woman winning the Iditarod? Read More »

Posted in Dog Sledding, Iditarod | Tagged Alaska, dog sled races, dog sledding, famous mushers, history of the Iditarod, iditarod, Libby Riddles, musher, women in the Iditarod | 1 Comment

2011 Princess Tour Guides of the Year

By Joel Turner | Published: September 3, 2011

Three AIE Guides Receive Prestigious Recognition in 2011.

The Princess Cruises Adventures Ashore C.R.U.I.S.E. Program was designed to recognize and reward

Outstanding Customer Service.

The word C.R. U.LS.E. is an acronym for Courtesy, Respect; Unfailing In Service Excellence, and is the foundation for the company’s strong customer service ethic.

2011 Tour Guide of the Season for Juneau and Skagway, Alaska - Princess Cruises.

Matt Hall from the Skagway Sled Dog Glacier Camp, Matt Hayashida from the Skagway Dog Sled Demonstration, and Joe Pawelek from our Juneau Gold Rush Dog Cart Tour have all been named tour guides of the season. Congratulations to these mushers and their Alaskan huskies. A big thank you to Alaskan visitors who made Alaska Icefield Expeditions and Gold Rush Dog Tours part of their summer vacation! Read More »

Posted in Awards | Tagged 2011, awards, excursion, princess cruises, tour guide | Leave a comment

10 Tips for a Healthy Cruise Vacation

By suzanne turner | Published: August 20, 2011

You’ve planned this for months and with a little know-how and preparation, you can be sure that you will have the time of your life without worrying about a thing! Here’s how to avoid spending your vacation in the ship’s infirmary or stuck in your cabin by knowing all the defenses you can use to keep your family safe from sickness. We have even recommended some highly-rated items here for easy shopping as you prepare and pack. Read More »

Posted in Alaska Travel | Leave a comment

Tour Guides of the Month – Princess Cruises July 2011

By Joel Turner | Published: August 14, 2011

Congratulations to the July Princess Cruises Tour Guides of the Month! Thank you to all the guests who have turned in comment cards and helping our guides achieve this honor.
Read More »

Posted in Awards | Tagged 2011, awards, excursion, princess cruises, tour guide | Leave a comment

Dog Sled Camp and Puppy Bieber

By Joel Turner | Published: July 18, 2011

Dog sledding on a glacier is such a unique bucket list adventure. Not too many people can say they got in a helicopter, flew around amazing, endless scenery and landed on a slow flowing glacier. Just one of these things would be amazing to do. Then dog sledding on the vast glacier is thrown on top! It’s almost overwhelming and surreal to imagine the intense sensory overload. Luckily our friendly crew will help you stay somewhat grounded.

Posted in Cruise News | Tagged 2011, excursion, Mendenhall Glacier | 3 Comments

Princess Cruises Guides of the Month

By Joel Turner | Published: July 15, 2011

The June 2011 C.R.U.I.S.E. Tour Guide Recognition report has just been released and Alaska Icefield Expeditions and Gold Rush Sled Dog Tours have done very well. Thank you to everyone that has helped recognize these folks!
Read More »

Posted in Awards | Tagged 2011, awards, princess cruises, tour guide | 4 Comments

Skagway Rhubarb History

By Joel Turner | Published: July 1, 2011

The July 2011 National Geographic magazine has a nice little blurb on the last page about the history of Henry Clark and his rhubarb in Alaska and the Klondike. The article mentions how well rhubarb grows in Alaska because of the amazing amount of sunlight in the growing season. Our friends over at Jewell Gardens in Skagway have a piece of Henry Clarks’ garden. Skagway is still famous for it’s rhubarb and it all started with Henry Clark.

Posted in News | 6 Comments

Moving a Glacier Dog Sled Camp

By Joel Turner | Published: June 24, 2011

One of the inevitable things about living on a snowy glacier in the summer is that the snow melts. Since we run out of snow to run on, we have to move our camp up higher on the glacier, meaning more chances of foggy weather. Luckily, this year was nice weather during the move. A little bit of grit and muscle was all we needed to have a quick and successful move.