Although this article talks about dog sledding tours in Colorado, the Dog Sled Rides site has tours listed in Europe and all over North America, including Alaska.
Colorado companies cater to dog-sled neophytes
Colorado companies cater to tourists who want to yell, ‘Mush!’
Sunday, November 11, 2007
By LINDA DuVAL / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning NewsThere’s at least one way you can have a blast of snowy fun without even standing up. That’s sitting behind a team of churning, happy huskies.
Several dog-sledding companies make the easy riding possible in Colorado.
One of the oldest and most famous dog-sledding operations in the state is Krabloonik Kennels in Snowmass, near Aspen. The 30-year-old company has more than 200 dogs. Most rides are two hours, and sleds can handle up to two adults and a child as passengers.
Afterward, you can chow on gourmet food at Krabloonik (www.krabloonik.com). On the menu are game dishes trout, pheasant, wild boar and other treats.
“There have been a couple of movies that have made people curious” about dog sledding, says Nick Miller, kennel manager at Krabloonik. “And the thing is, it’s a lot of fun. It’s also a great activity for those who don’t ski or who want a break from skiing.”
Because Krabloonik uses freight sleds and navigates technical courses, passengers usually don’t drive.
Don’t worry that the sport is hard on the dogs.
“They love it,” Mr. Miller says. “As soon as they realize they’re going out, they get excited, even if they’ve already been out that day.”
Nova Guides of Beaver Creek, near Vail, also offers dog-sled rides, including one to Camp Hale, where the historic 10th Mountain Division trained. A silent trip through the Pando Valley will remind you of how tough this terrain can be. Nova allows guests to try their hand at driving the sled.
In Vail, Mountain Musher’s friendly dogs will haul you through 10,000 acres of private land for a view of the Rocky Mountains in winter.
Check out some of Colorado’s best ghost towns by dog sled if you ride with Good Times Adventures in Breckenridge. You can be the musher along the Swan River. The tour, a little more than an hour, can accommodate up to six passengers on the dog sled and the passenger sleigh.
