About Alaska Wild Guides
Alaska Wild Guides is a family-owned adventure tour company based in Girdwood, operating under special use permits in the Chugach National Forest and Glacier Ranger District. Founded by Derek Ruckel, who has been guiding backcountry trips in Alaska since 2000, the company specialises in small-group snowmobile, jet ski, and dog sledding experiences that take guests deep into genuine Alaskan wilderness.
Winter operations centre on guided snowmobile tours through the Chugach Mountains surrounding Girdwood and Talkeetna, with routes that access pristine alpine bowls and old-growth forest unreachable by road. Summer brings jet ski and personal watercraft tours departing from Whittier into Prince William Sound, where guests explore glacier-carved fjords, tidewater glaciers, and marine wildlife. Dog sledding experiences are available year-round, offering an authentic taste of Iditarod culture with working sled dogs.
What distinguishes Alaska Wild Guides from larger tour operators in the Anchorage area is their commitment to small group sizes — typically four to six guests — ensuring personalised attention and maximum wilderness immersion. The guides are born and raised Alaskans who bring intimate knowledge of the terrain, wildlife habits, and local history to every trip.
