Anchorage to Nome, Alaska, United States
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
About a thousand miles of Alaska wilderness by dog team, from a street party in Anchorage to a burled arch in Nome.
The straight answer
The Iditarod starts on the first Saturday of March in Anchorage, and the leading teams usually reach Nome eight to ten days later.
The Iditarod starts on the first Saturday of March with a ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage, and the race proper restarts the next day north of the city, traditionally in Willow. The trail runs roughly a thousand miles across mountain ranges, frozen rivers, and the Bering Sea coast to Nome, and the fastest teams finish in about eight to ten days, with the last finishers arriving days later.
First run in 1973, the race honors the Iditarod Trail's history as a supply and mail route, and it is often linked to the 1925 serum run, when dog teams relayed diphtheria antitoxin to Nome. Today it is Alaska's most famous sporting event, with mushers and their teams of dogs treated as celebrities.
For travelers, the Iditarod is two places: the festive start in Anchorage, easy to reach, and the finish in Nome, remote and far harder to reach. March is also a fine time to be in Alaska: longer days, winter sports, and a good chance of northern lights on clear nights.
The event, explained
The ceremonial start in Anchorage sends teams down Fourth Avenue and through city trails, with crowds lining the snow-packed streets and a festival atmosphere. It is not timed. The restart the next day is the real start of the race, with teams leaving at intervals.
The route alternates between a northern route and a southern route in different years, with around two dozen checkpoints in villages and remote camps. Fans follow the race online with GPS tracking of each team.
In Nome, teams finish under the famous burled arch on Front Street, and the town turns out at any hour of the day or night when a siren announces an approaching musher. The last musher receives the Red Lantern award.
How to play it right
- 01Book Anchorage lodging a few months ahead for start weekend; the Fur Rendezvous winter festival, known as Fur Rondy, often overlaps in late February and early March.
- 02Get to the ceremonial start early for a spot along Fourth Avenue, where teams are staged and you can see the dogs up close before they leave.
- 03In low-snow years, the restart has been moved north to Fairbanks; check the current start plan before booking extra days.
- 04For Nome, book flights and lodging early; there is no road connection to the rest of Alaska, and rooms are limited. Timing is uncertain, so keep plans flexible.
- 05Dress for real cold. Anchorage in early March often sees highs near 35F (2C) and colder nights; Nome and the trail can be well below zero F. Insulated boots, layers, and hand warmers are essential.
With kids in tow
- The Anchorage ceremonial start is a great family event: free, festive, and easy to reach, with dogs to see up close.
- Dress kids warmly in layers and plan for short outings, since standing in the cold along the route can be tough for small children.
- Pair it with Fur Rondy events in Anchorage, or the Alaska Native Heritage Center and winter sports for a full family trip.
Book your stay for Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
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- Hotels for March
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Iditarod Trail Sled Dog RaceOpens a hotel search for Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Iditarod Trail Sled Dog RaceWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Iditarod Trail Sled Dog RaceTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, quick answers
When does the Iditarod start?
On the first Saturday of March with the ceremonial start in Anchorage. The official restart is the next day, traditionally in Willow.
How long does the Iditarod take?
The fastest teams reach Nome in about eight to ten days. Others take longer, and the last finishers can arrive several days after the winner.
Can you watch the Iditarod finish in Nome?
Yes, but Nome is reachable only by air, lodging is limited, and finish times are unpredictable. Book early and keep plans flexible.
How far is the Iditarod?
Roughly a thousand miles, depending on the route used that year. The race alternates between northern and southern routes.
What is the weather like during the Iditarod?
Cold. Anchorage in early March often sees highs near 35F (2C), while the interior and the coast can drop far below zero F.
Make a trip of it: Alaska
The best time to visit Alaska
Best: Jun to Aug
The best time to visit Alaska is June through August, with mid June to mid July the sweet spot for long daylight and open trails; most cruises, lodges, and tours only operate from about May to September, and much of tourist Alaska effectively closes from October to April.
Also in March
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Roughly December to April, with the peak from January to March
Holi in India
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Late February or March, on the full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna; the date moves with the lunar calendar
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
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The week before Ash Wednesday, usually in February and sometimes early March; the dates move with Easter
Mardi Gras in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
Fat Tuesday falls in February or early March, moving with Easter; the parade season builds for weeks before, peaking in the final two weekends
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