A Sled Dog Lover’s Guide to the World

It was my turn to drive the dog sled, so I climbed out of the passenger seat and took my spot beside the experienced musher holding down the brake. She told me the most important thing was not letting go and showed me how to brake and control the sled. Then she climbed into the sled as the passenger, and we were off. It was still fall, so we were dryland mushing at Holmen Husky Lodge in Alta, Norway, but in a few days, when the snow started to fall, the tours would transform into the classic experience of dog sledding on snow. My six-dog team included Bubbles, who was a lead dog in training, and five other gorgeous canines, including a couple young ones who were just learning the ropes. I safely guided us the rest of the way, enjoying the views and the pups, before returning to the yard where I spent some time with older dogs as well as small puppies.

During my trip to Northern Norway, I visit ed Tromsø’s Villmarkssenter for puppy training, which involves playing games with puppies up to seven months old to help them learn. The other visitors and I broke up into teams, with each group sharing a waist pack with treats, and we played games with the dogs, calling for them and rewarding them with treats and praise as they dashed between groups. Back at the center, we were able to spend some time exploring the dog yard, seeing the adult dogs as well as some young puppies. After spending time with the dogs, we went inside to enjoy a delicious meal of bacalao fish stew, bread, cake, and hot drinks. While I didn’t stay the night, I learned the facility offers overnight accommodations, including unique sleeping huts that include a small attached room for a sled dog or two, separated by glass, so you can see them at night. 

While Norway is an incredible place to interact with sled dogs, canine lovers can find places all around the world to enjoy sled dogs and this historic mode of transportation. Appreciate these amazing animals by watching famous sled dog races, going for an overnight excursion, seeing Denali’s canine rangers in action, or just meeting the pups. Here are a few ways to enjoy sled dogs around the world.

Watch Alaska’s Famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race

The Iditarod is perhaps the best known dog sled race in the world, and each March, dog-and-musher teams compete in this epic competition through the wild landscape of Alaska. The route changes a bit from year to year (with variations for odd and even years as well), and it covers approximately 1,000 miles between Anchorage and Nome. The race begins in Anchorage, and spectators can get great views of the dog-and-musher teams as they head through the streets of town, before heading out on the journey to Nome.

Meet Denali National Park’s Canine Rangers in Alaska

For more than 100 years, Alaska’s Denali National Park has been patrolled by rangers with sled dog teams. The park’s kennel, established in 1922, is the only one like it in the National Park Service. From mid-May to mid-September, the park hosts sled dog demonstrations where visitors can see the dog-and-musher teams in action, and people can visit the kennels to meet some of the canine rangers. While rangers patrol in winter with sled dogs, visitors are also welcome to explore the park’s vast landscape with their own sled dog teams, though a trip requires planning and preparation—in addition to permits for overnight trips. If you don’t have your own team of dogs, sign up for a guided trip in the park with Denali Sled Dog Expeditions. 

Try Dog Sledding at One of Alaska’s Many Kennels

Throughout Alaska, you can find opportunities to meet sled dogs and even try out a ride. In Fairbanks, numerous kennels offer visitors the chance to meet dogs, go for a winter sled ride, or a cart ride in the summer. Trail Breaker Kennel was founded by the late Susan Butcher, who won the Iditarod four times. The kennel offers 2 and 4-mile rides, as well as opportunities to meet the dogs. A number of other guided sled dog options are also available in the Fairbanks area, as well as Anchorage, Big Lake, and beyond. Seward’s Turning Heads Kennel includes options like taking a helicopter to go for a dog sled ride on a glacier, among other tours.

Watch a Race in Wyoming and Idaho

The Pedigree® Stage Stop Race begins with a festive ceremonial start in Jackson, Wyoming, and takes place in seven stages, each around 30-35 miles long, over nine days. The race is scheduled for late January and early February 2024, and most of the stages are in Wyoming, with one stage in nearby Driggs, Idaho. Sled dog lovers in the area can also sign up for a tour with one of the local outfitters, like Call of The WYld, which offers private dog sled tours and meet and greet opportunities with the dogs. 

See Maine’s Dog Sled Races or Try Out the Trail

Maine is home to sled dog races like the Moosehead Lake Area’s Wilderness Sled Dog Race, and the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races. The Can-Am Crown includes race options up to 250 miles long, and a spectator’s guide provides information on the best spots to watch, including Fort Kent’s Main Street (the best spot to watch the race’s kick off), in addition to snowmobile-accessible spots along the trail. To try out dog sledding for yourself, sign up with a Maine outfitter like Mahoosuc Guide Service which offers everything from day trips to four-day-long expeditions. 

Immerse Yourself in Dog Sledding in Banff and Lake Louise, Canada

Banff National Park has a rich history of dog sledding, and Lake Minnewanka was once home to annual dog sled races. The Strongheart Dog Derby was a historic race that used to occur in the area. Today, take a dog sledding adventure with Kingmik Dog Sled Tours, which is authorized to operate in Banff National Park. The company has a few different options, including a half-hour introductory tour and a longer Great Divide Tour, which both showcase the area’s spectacular scenery. The outfitter also offers retired sled dogs for adoption. In nearby Canmore, Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours offers dog sled tours in winter (including an overnight option) and cart and kennel tours in summer. If the dogs look just a little bit familiar, you might have seen them on the big screen or TV, since the kennel’s sled dogs have appeared everywhere from the Disney film TOGO, to a Hallmark film, and even a Super Bowl Commercial. They also have a program for adopting retired dogs.

Go for a Husky Safari in Finland

In Finland, enjoy dog sledding in the forests and hills, where quiet nature awaits and you can enjoy a peaceful dog sled ride. Sign up for a husky safari with McAhon Safarit to enjoy a ride on the dog sled, time with the dogs, and warming up inside a Kota or Lapp Hut while enjoying tasty treats. Kievari Rantapirtti, around 30 miles away, also offers a number of husky safari options, along with the opportunity to relax in a sauna after a day on the trail. At Salla Wilderness Park, learn how to drive a team on a two-hour husky safari, and in Rovaniemi, Bearhill Husky Tours offers a variety of experiences in winter and summer. 

Source: https://outdoors.com/sled-dog-lovers-guide-to-the-world/