join our team, become a volunteer!

Volunteering is a great way to get up close to the action and see the dogs and their mushers do what they do best. Sometimes volunteering can involve being outdoors for long periods of time, but it can also involve gorgeous northern lights, making new friends, and getting goosebumps watching a team of sled dogs rip-roaring to go down the trail! We love and cherish your time and dedication to the sport and the dogs - please be transparent when applying with what you can and cannot do. Do you get cold easily? Can you stand for hours at a time? We are more than happy to accommodate your needs, just let us know! In exchange we request volunteers be at their assigned locations on time and ready for their tasks.

After applying our volunteer coordinator will contact you to get to know you better and make sure you are setup for a position that is a good fit for you. We want you to have a rewarding experience and be fully informed as to what to expect! For nearly ALL volunteer positions, please be dressed for the cold! The entirety of the race takes place outdoors in January in Alaska and temps as low as -30s and -40s are not unusual. Every effort will be made to provide volunteers with places to warm up, other volunteers to trade off with to take breaks, and sleeping accommodations when applicable.

If you think you might be interested, please fill out the form below and our volunteer coordinator will be in touch! Volunteers are the heart of this sport, thank you again for supporting mushing and the sled dog community.

Descriptions of potential volunteer positions:

Musher meeting/Starting Line - before the musher meeting we will need help setting up chairs/tables, handing out paperwork and bibs to mushers, and organizing paperwork. Before the meeting we will also need help setting up the staging area for the starting line and after the meeting will need volunteers help coordinate the timing of getting dog teams to the starting line. Very exciting stuff!

Trail Crew - can’t have a race if we don’t have a trail! The trail crew goes out on snowmachine and clears and packs a trail for the dog teams to travel safely upon. This can include building bridges, cutting back trees/branches, re-routing for overflow, etc. If you have a snowmachine and are confident on off-trail riding, please contact sudog300@gmail.com or complete the form below for more info!

Checkpoints - This is the role that requires the most volunteers, but is also quite rewarding as you get to see mushers and dogs throughout the race. Checkpoints open before the first musher arrives and close after the last musher leaves and are open 24 hrs a day in between. Working a checkpoint could mean working late night/early morning hours. Volunteer coordinators will split you into shifts so you have opportunities to sleep! Checkpoint volunteers will coordinate with their checkpoint manager for more instructions on their specific role. There are multiple checkpoints along the race route and essentially act as a re-supply point for mushers. Every checkpoint is different with some providing mushers with hot water for mixing up hot meals for the dogs, some provide sleeping areas, free food etc. Volunteers help check in mushers on official race paperwork, guide the dog teams to their assigned parking space, provide sleepy mushers with information on what is available at the checkpoint and where to find their supplies. At checkpoints off the road system (where mushers will not have a handler present), volunteers also assist in raking up straw left behind when a dog team departs. These checkpoints will provide instructions on where to dispose of spent straw. If your schedule allows, you have the option to work multiple checkpoints and “leapfrog” ahead of dog teams to see them again at checkpoints further down the trail.

Closing Ceremonies - the closing ceremonies will need assistance setting up tables/chairs/food serving stations. Additionally cleanup after the event to return the venue in a respectful state will need volunteer help.

Behind the Scenes - there is SO much that goes into organizing a sled dog race. If you’re interested in helping be apart of the Su Dog team, we would LOVE to have you. We are very passionate about the sport, the Upper Su Valley, and sled dogs in general. If you share that passion and want to help in the race before January we would love to hear from you! Please email sudog300@gmail.com or fill our the form below :)