by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 5:00 AM ET, Wed January 7, 2015
Photo courtesy of Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge.
So the weather outside is frightful and you just are sick and tired of doing the same old, same old year in and out. Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing are so last year. You know what you should do this year? Dog sledding! Maybe you aren't ready for the Iditarod, but you coujld have the chance to jump behind a pack of dogs and yell "MUSH!" Here is where you go:
Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge - Ely, Minnesota
Ely, Minnesota is the sled dog capitol of the U.S. (who knew?) and home to the Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge. Founder Paul Schurke and his experienced staff offer trips from as little as three days, all the way up to an Arctic Exploration trip that leaves from Norway and is eight days long. If you are in it just for the dogs then you are in luck.
They offer a "complete "hands-on" experience where you'll not only get to drive your own team of dogs, but you can harness, feed and care for them as much as you'd like (you just can't take them home with you!). The site also provides a very detailed, "think abou thtis before you go" section and FAQ.
Good Times Adventures - Breckenridge, Colorado
If you are looking for something with a little less commitment, head on out to the Rockies for a day trip with Good times Adventures. They run a gorgeous six mile trail through the Swan River Valley as a relay between the six guests.
You vary between riding the sled, running the sled and being pulled behind a snowmobile in a passenger sleigh. Everyone gets a turn and the trip lasts a little bit more than an hour. You get all of this and great photos to boot for only $75.
Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel - Jefferson, New Hampshire
Photo courtesy of Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel.
So you like the idea of dog sledding, but you hate the cold and wet winters. No problem! Muddy Paw Dog Kennel is the place for you. They do spring, summer and fall rides with rolling dog sleds! Guests are "given the opportunity to meet and greet the sled dogs, help harness and hitch the team and even help drive (at musher discretion for dog and guest safety of course)!" Trips will run you $55 for adults and $44 for children under 12.They don't just go out when there isn't snow; they have real sleds, too. You can sled anywhere from two to fifty miles. If you do the full day ride, it will run you about $750 per sled and you have a 340 pound weight limit.
Paws for Adventure - Fairbanks, Alaska
If you are looking for an adventure in the true north, Head to Paws for Adventure in Fairbanks Alaska. They offer basic half hour and hour tours with an experienced musher onboard for the folks who just want to get their feet wet. Then they go one step further with Mushing School. The guest gets a three-hour experience of learning how to mush, then practicing with a professional aboard, and then taking your own team of dogs out solo for a 8-10 mile fun run. You even get a Mushing School Certificate and PAWS patch.
If you want to take it up a notch, they offer three day tours where you learn on day one, set out driving your own dog team 20-30 miles on day two, camp and drive them home on day three. Awesome. They even offer tours up to seven days for those who really want to get into it.
So cross that one off your bucket list this year. Take advantage of the cold and snowy weather and mush your way across the frozen tundra!
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