Fly to the Iditarod: Rainy Pass Checkpoint Tour from Talkeetna
Most Iditarod fans follow the race from a screen, while others brave the cold to watch the official start in Willow. Far fewer get to witness a remote checkpoint in the Alaska Range while a team of incredible athletes comes barreling in from the trail. With our Talkeetna based Chase the Race Rainy Pass tour, you’ll get a front row view of the action! It’s a single day event, about seven hours, and it includes you standing a few feet from the race in the hustle and bustle of this once a year bucket list adventure.
Why Rainy Pass is worth the trip
There are no roads leading to Rainy Pass Lodge, making snowmachines and airplanes the only ways to reach this remote destination. We prefer to fly in for what we like to call “trailgating”, Alaskan style, with aircraft and sled dogs instead of tailgates and football games. After leaving the Susitna Valley behind and heading into the Alaska Range, mushers reach Rainy Pass, the fourth checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail. Here, you can watch teams check in with race officials before resting or continuing down the trail. During their stop, dogs are fed, examined, and settled onto beds of straw while mushers organize their gear and prepare for the next leg of the race. It’s an authentic, up close look at the realities of the Iditarod, removed from the pageantry of the ceremonial start.
What the day looks like
You leave Talkeetna in the morning and fly over the Susitna Valley and into the majestic Alaska Range. The flight is all part of the adventure as you meander through mountain passes and follow the Iditarod trail below. You may even be able to see teams from the air! In March, the landscape is frozen rivers, forests of spruce, and expansive white ground surrounded by Alaska’s iconic mountain views, perfect for photography.
At Rainy Pass Lodge, you’ll spend the day on the ground, watching mushers and their dog teams arrive and check in, seeing firsthand how mushers and handlers care for the dogs between legs of the race. Enjoy trailside snacks and a full lunch at the lodge while soaking up the atmosphere, sharing stories with fellow race fans, and connecting with pilots, volunteers, and longtime Iditarod participants who bring years of experience and insight to this unforgettable event.
Who this trip is designed for
This trip is ideal for Iditarod fans who want to experience the race in person without mushing a team themselves, as well as photographers drawn to dog teams, winter light, and dramatic mountain scenery. It’s also a great option for first time Alaska visitors looking for something beyond a traditional flightseeing tour, or anyone who loves the backcountry and wants to experience Alaska’s winter wilderness up close.
What to wear and bring
March in Rainy Pass can be cold, and you’ll spend most of the day outdoors, so dressing warmly is essential. Wear layers, insulated boots, warm gloves, and a hat to stay comfortable while watching the race. Bring a camera with a zoom lens to capture the action, along with a spare battery since cold temperatures can drain batteries quickly. Bring an extra power bank if using your phone. When you need a break from the cold, warm up stations are near and food is available inside the lodge.
Seats on Iditarod trips fill early, and there aren’t many of them. If you’re thinking about it, call (907) 733-2291.
Book Your Iditarod Rainy Pass Tour Today
When: Monday, March 8
Cost: $750 per person + 3% transportation tax
Trip Time: 7 hours
Activity Level: Medium while walking on ice, snow, and uneven terrain.