Pike’s Waterfront Lodge is no stranger to the Iron Dog. The race has ended there for years, and even has hosted a start before. This longtime Fairbanks favorite destination is the perfect location for the race ending with convenient lodging just a stone’s throw from the finish, as well as a tasty restaurant offering the best of Interior Alaska cuisine. 

Iron Dog is proud to have Pike’s as a longtime sponsor and thanks them for their involvement and cooperation over the years. This year’s race, celebrating Fairbanks as the new official starting point, is going to be one to remember. 

Q. Tell us about your business and what services you provide.  

A. Here at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge we are a 180-room lodge with cabins on the Chena River — just a short walk to our on-site restaurant, Fairbanks local favorite: Pike’s Landing Restaurant. We are experts in creating special and mindful moments for our guests with our unique seasonal amenities. Enjoy possible small wildlife sightings, roast marshmallows at our fire pits, or just relax and appreciate our Forget-Me-Not Gardens under the midnight sun. This winter, we are unveiling our new aurora viewing bonuses for our guests to include our Riverfront Aurora Viewing Deck, the newly constructed Aurora Conservatory, as well as our theater, featuring the film “Aurora Hunter” (just in case the weather does not cooperate). We are minutes from downtown Fairbanks and your base camp for Denali or the Arctic! Experience true homegrown Alaskan charm, and see our website for specials and packages: Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, 1800 Hoselton Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 (907-456-4500 front desk, 877-774-2400, reservations)

Q. How long have you been an Iron Dog Sponsor?

A. We have been a sponsor of the Iron Dog, on and off, for the past 10 years.

Q. Why did you decide to become and Iron Dog Sponsor, and why do you think supporting the race is a valuable use of your annual giving?

A. As a homegrown, independently owned hotel property we are very proud to support uniquely Alaskan sporting events that reflect our culture and history. Jay Ramras, owner of Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, as well as much of the management team and staff, grew up right here in Fairbanks, and we are proud of our hometown and Alaskan lifestyle! We find that sponsoring Iron Dog, as well as other events that are special to Interior and Northern Alaska, is important because we are doing our part to keep that culture and history alive.

Q. How do you think the community benefits from the existence of Iron Dog?

A. The Iron Dog Race contributes to our local community in Fairbanks (as well as our larger community as a state of Alaska) through the worldwide attention that it brings us. Visitors come to Alaska from all over the world to be a part of something mysterious, grand, and wild! Certainly, the Iron Dog encompasses those evocative emotions. Not only is the Iron Dog a great coming-together of those who have been there since the beginning, but it graciously invites newcomers and visitors to join the fun and excitement as well. As those visitors and newcomers imagine the thrill of the harsh conditions and the many miles that the Iron Dog racers face, they share that excitement with their loved ones when they return home—thrills that only Alaska and events such as the Iron Dog can create.

Q. What do you think of the revamped race this year, with the additional miles near Kotzebue and the Fairbanks start?

 A. We are VERY excited about the revamped race this year, as we are always thrilled to showcase our hometown! We have a history with the Iron Dog race here at Pike’s and we are happy to host the start once more. The additional miles near Kotzebue add the to the grandness and wild nature of Alaska that draws locals and visitors alike to the race. Overall, we are very happy with the improved racecourse this year, and we hope that we can assist racers, sponsors, and attendees here at the start of the 2020 start of the Iron Dog Race.