Fodor's Expert Review Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Billed as "The Last Great Race," the Iditarod pulls in spectators and mushers from around the world to participate as racers, volunteers, and fans in this massive feat of endurance for mushers and their dogs. Many visitors watch the dog teams take off from the ceremonial start in Anchorage and then travel to the finish line in Nome to celebrate as teams come in. The race starts on the first weekend of March and covers about 1,049 snowy, icy, backcountry miles from its official start in Willow, 90 miles north of Anchorage, to Nome.