Our Story
Cowboys at heart. Wild about Alaska.
The Cowboys
Steve and Dallas grew up in Preston, Idaho — childhood best friends who spent their lives hunting, fishing, camping, riding horses, and four-wheeling. They're cowboys at heart, and that outdoor spirit shaped everything about how they approach guiding.
Dallas fell in love with Alaska and saw an opportunity to help more people experience its backcountry in comfort. He envisioned fully enclosed UTV tours that could open the adventure to families and guests who might not want the typical exposed, highly physical off-road experience. Gold Buckle grew from that vision. The name comes from their cowboy roots and the rodeo tradition of champions: gold buckles are earned, not given. Steve and Dallas built the company around a simple principle: we say what we do and we do what we say. Steve brings 18 years of mine operator and leadership experience, including remote emergency management. Dallas has 20+ years owning and operating a construction business and is the son of a world-class hunting guide.
The Heart Behind Gold Buckle
Valerie keeps Gold Buckle moving behind the scenes, bringing more than 20 years of customer service and office administration experience to the business. She handles scheduling, email, phone, social media, guest support, and the countless day-to-day details that help everything run smoothly. From answering questions and helping guests prepare for their adventure to making sure they feel welcomed and taken care of along the way, Valerie brings the personal touch that helps make a Gold Buckle tour more than just a ride.
The Mascot, Trail Guide, & Professional Greeter
Kodi is Gold Buckle's four-legged mascot, expert trail guide, official greeter, and Employee of the Month every month. She'll likely be one of the first to welcome you when you arrive, and she's always happy to join your group photos.
When she's not greeting guests, Kodi takes her trail-guide duties seriously and loves heading into the Alaska backcountry with the crew. Her preferred compensation is pets and treats, and she accepts both generously.
Bringing Your Adventure Buddy? We're dog friendly! Guests are welcome to bring their own dog along for the adventure. Just let us know at least one day before your tour so we can have a seat protector installed in your UTV and everything ready when you arrive.
How we operate
Only champions wear Gold Buckles
The name isn't decoration. It's a standard. We hold ourselves to it on every tour.
We say what we do and we do what we say
Straightforward, dependable, and true to our word. We want guests to know what to expect and feel taken care of from booking through the ride.
Our Fleet
We operate six Kawasaki Ridge Crew Cab HVAC vehicles, each with a six-person capacity. Every machine is fully enclosed with heat, air conditioning, windshields, and wipers — built for all-weather Alaska adventures. Seat belts are required on all tours.