2,318 race miles through 27+ communities across Alaska
The Iron Dog Board of Directors has officially finalized the race route for the 2026 Iron Dog. The 2026 course will span a total of 2,318 race miles and travel through 27+ communities across Alaska, once again challenging racers across the state's remote backcountry.
2026 Pro Class distance
- Communities
- 27
- Checkpoints
- 26
- Pro teams
- 31
Overview & Schedule at a glance
Race week 2026
Thursday, February 12th, 2026
Expedition and Ambassador Teams will depart Big Lake.
▲ Green flag
Saturday, February 14th, 2026
The World's Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race is scheduled to start with the Pro Class departing from Big Lake.
Tuesday and Wednesday, February 17th to 18th, 2026
Pro and Expedition Class Racers will arrive in Nome, the official halfway point of the race. Racers will "wrench" on their machines, and are invited to the Nome Halfway Banquet on Wednesday night.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Pro Class will depart from Nome bound for Fairbanks, Alaska around 10am.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Pro Class racers will finish in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The route
The 2026 course
The Iron Dog Board of Directors has officially finalized the race route for the 2026 Iron Dog. The 2026 course will span a total of 2,318 race miles and travel through 27+ communities across Alaska, once again challenging racers across the state's remote backcountry.
New for 2026, Expedition Class participants may choose between two route options: Big Lake to Nome or Big Lake to Kotzebue. Ambassador Team riders will also depart from Big Lake, with a finish in Nome.
Checkpoints
26 checkpoints, 24 legs
| Checkpoint | Route mile | Next | Leg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | — | — | — |
| Skwentna | 76.4 | Shell Lake | 16.6 |
| Shell Lake | 93.0 | Whiskey Bravo | 40.4 |
| Whiskey Bravo | 133.4 | Tatina | 79.4 |
| Tatina | 212.8 | Nikolai Airport | 75.5 |
| Nikolai Airport | 288.3 | McGrath Airport | 51.0 |
| McGrath Airport | 339.2 | Ophir | 38.3 |
| Ophir | 377.5 | Poorman | 95.2 |
| Poorman | 472.8 | Ruby | 60.7 |
| Ruby | 533.5 | Galena | 54.4 |
| Galena | 587.9 | Kaltag | 88.0 |
| Kaltag | 675.9 | Unalakleet | 81.9 |
| Unalakleet | 757.8 | Shaktoolik | 40.3 |
| Shaktoolik | 798.1 | Koyuk | 50.6 |
| Koyuk↩ Revisited | 848.7 | Buckland | 86.2 |
| Buckland↩ Revisited | 934.9 | Selawik | 63.8 |
| Selawik | 998.7 | Kiana | 32.9 |
| Kiana | 1031.6 | Noorvik | 24.6 |
| Noorvik | 1056.2 | Kotzebue | 57.9 |
| Kotzebue | 1114.1 | Buckland | 105.8 |
| White Mtn↩ Revisited | 1397.0 | Nome Halfway | 71.9 |
| Nome Halfway | 1468.9 | White Mtn | 71.9 |
| Tanana | 2068.4 | Manley | 75.0 |
| Manley | 2143.4 | Nenana | 101.8 |
| Nenana | 2245.2 | Fairbanks Finish | 56.2 |
| Fairbanks Finish | 2301.3 | Finish | — |
Classes
Pro, Expedition and Ambassador
Pro races the clock. Expedition and Ambassador ride the same trail without one.
- Pro Class2,318 MI
31 Teams, 5 Past Champions, 2 Father Son Teams, 1 Father Daughter Team.
Riders on Polaris, Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat, and Lynx. Riders from 5 Checkpoints: Nome, Kotzebue, Noorvik, Kaltag, McGrath.
The World's Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race departed from Big Lake on February 14, 2026.
Route
Big Lake to Fairbanks.
- Expedition Class
New for 2026, Expedition Class participants may choose between two route options: Big Lake to Nome or Big Lake to Kotzebue.
Expedition Class riders departed on February 12, 2026, from Big Lake, three days ahead of the Pro Class field.
Route
Big Lake to Nome, or Big Lake to Kotzebue.
- Ambassador Class
In 2026, eight riders make up the Ambassador Team.
These ambassadors bring decades of combined riding, racing, engineering, and industry experience to the trail, including two Polaris employees who add a behind-the-scenes perspective on snowmachine design and durability.
Route
Big Lake to Nome, departing 12 February 2026.
How to follow the race
Leaderboard, tracking, stream and news
- LeaderboardLive standings and release times, checkpoint by checkpoint.
- GPS TrackingEvery tracker on the course, on the map.
- Live StreamStart, wrench day, Nome arrival and the finish.
- Latest NewsRace headquarters updates and stories from the trail.
- Field & RosterWho is entered, on what, and out of where.
- Schedule of EventsTimes, venues and what is open to the public.
- Course MapThe route and the checkpoints along it.
- Race GuideRacer bios and stories from the trail.
Commonly asked questions
Who grooms the trail?
Eight of the questions Iron Dog gets asked most.
What is the most frequently asked question?
It is without a doubt, "who grooms the trail?" This shows the common lack of understanding. Only the entrance to the race is groomed. Sometimes there is no trail. Sometimes the race course has been changed to avoid open water on some of the warmer years.
What is the coldest temperature racers face?
Some racers have recorded temps as low as -57 degrees Fahrenheit. Although most racers claim it can get much colder in the river basins and valleys. The wind chill factor at the speeds the racers travel are often in the subzero triple digit range. Sled seats can even become brittle at these temperatures.
What are the most common break downs?
By far the most common are suspension problems. The extreme cold makes everything brittle; combine that with such excessive abuse and additional gear weight over an extended period, and parts begin to fail. Next to that may be good old-fashioned running out of fuel. Most riders carry an additional 3 to 6 gallons beyond the OEM fuel load.
What services are available at the checkpoints?
Fuel. Everything else varies. Some checkpoints have been no more than a tent.
What type of racing fuel is used?
Racing fuel is not used. It is automotive fuel that is flown in and air dropped at the several locations. In some remote locations, the fuel sits for months before being used. It can become water contaminated or lose most of its octane. The fuel is provided to the racers by Iron Dog but at a great expense often times more than $10 a gallon.
What is the difference between a Rookie and a Veteran?
Unlike many other sports and races, the Iron Dog maintains a long-standing tradition of giving "Rookie" status to all racers who have never FINISHED the Pro Class race. Veteran status is only given to a person who has successfully completed the Pro Class race by crossing the finish line.
What are the more challenging parts of the trail?
Racers will encounter a very diverse geography, wildly varying snow conditions and extreme temperatures. There are large open plains with little or no snow requiring racers to be careful not to overheat the sled and melt the hifax. There is a 5-mile stretch known as the "Tunnel," where the trees are so close that a racer might only be able to see 10 feet ahead at any given time. The trick is to keep both skis on the same side of every tree.
Has an all-women's team ever finished the race?
Yes. In February, 2001, the first women's team, Jackie Page and Missy McClurg finished the Pro-Class race placing 15th in 60 hours and 23 minutes (1,971 miles). In 2023, the second all-women team finished the Pro-Class race, PLUS the inclusion of the Red Dog Loop. Hillarie Gossett and Ashley Wood placed 14th in 85 hours and 7 minutes (2,503 miles).