When you think of dog sledding, you probably think of the Idatarod in Alaska. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a competitive dog sledding participant in order to enjoy this exhilarating experience. Dog sledding was originally used as a mode of transportation before it became competitive. Anywhere from 8 to 16 dogs will pull your sleigh. New Hampshire dog sledding outfits provide regular daily tours, but others offer more in-depth experiences – promising to take you for the best multi-day sled ride of your life. Here are a few of our favorite places to visit.
1. Dog Sled Adventures, Montana
Dog Sled Adventures located in Olney, Montana is famous for their two-hour dog sledding trips through Stillwater State Forest. Their most popular trail, known as “Eskimo Roller Coaster,” will take you through 12 miles of scenic wonderland. Your group of dogs will pull your sled as quickly as 30 miles per hour. Don’t be surprised if you feel your sled lift into the air.
The owner, Jeff Ulsamer, usually takes groups of two or three people per sled. Be prepared to travel with strangers if you are touring on your own. While the sleds are equipped with blankets, you’ll still feel a chill, so be sure to dress in as many layers as possible to ensure your comfort during your ride.
2. Alaska Dog Sledding School, Alaska
Alaska Dog Sledding School is located in Anchorage, Alaska. Where better to learn about dog sledding than at the source? For a mere $2,750 per person (and up) you will enjoy a 3-day tour of over 200 miles of Alaskan wilderness. You will spend some time on parts of the Idatarod trail and will also have the opportunity to learn a little bit about how to take care of and instruct the sled dogs.
3. Winterdance Dogsled Tours, Ontario
Winterdance Dogsled Tours are based out of Haliburton, Ontario. Most of the trips at Winterdance are either two-hours or a full day. Multi-day trips are not as common, but can be arranged. All of the trips take place on Winderdance’s privately owned 5,000-acre property. You’ll find yourself whisked around by a group of dogs from their pack of 100 Siberian huskies. The landscape is completely undeveloped, providing a scenic tour you won’t forget.
4. Sun Valley Sled Dog Adventures, Idaho
Sun Valley Sled Dog Adventures is located in Hailey, Idaho. If you’ve never been dog sledding, this company offers a variety of options sure to make any family happy. They offer 1.5 hour, 4 hour, full day, or overnight trips customized to the guests involved. They encourage children to visit for the shorter trips and serve either snacks or lunch depending on the length of your tour. There is only one catch, slightly unusual for a tourist attraction. Sun Valley Sled Dog Adventures does not accept credit cards, so be sure you do your research and come prepared with enough cash for the adventure of your choosing.
5. Mountain Musher, Colorado
Mountain Musher is based out of Cordillera, Colorado and the staff is happy to provide breathtaking tours of the Vail Valley. They only run two trips per day, lasting two hours each, with a break mid-trip for a hot beverage and time to interact with the dogs. The trips are conducted on private property, so the stillness is never interrupted by the aggravating sounds of snowmobiles or other winter machinery. After the trip, visitors are welcome to pet and brush the dogs and might even have the opportunity to help feed their furry hosts. Cordillera is a small resort town, so don’t plan on spending the night unless you have an open budget.
More information about dog sledding can be found at the following websites:
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