Dog sledding

Being pulled through the snow by a team of Alaskan huskies is something I have wanted to experience for almost my whole life. It just seems like a fun ride. During our frequent snowboarding trips to Mt. Bachelor, we have seen the sled dogs and their rowdy chorus calls to us… come play!

We arrived for our ride on a gray, snowy day. The dogs had just finished licking their bowls clean and were anxious to get back on the trail. They welcomed our petting and ear scratching, and greeted us with excited whimpers and yips. Soon enough, our musher began selecting dogs and assembling the team in front of the sled. With wide smiles, we climbed in and snuggled up in a wool blanket.

Ten pairs of ears pointed back at us, waiting for the signal… ready… alright! In one collective tug we were off! The dogs pulled us through a forest of mountain hemlock, their paws softly thumping in the snow and their heavy breaths condensing in the cold air. It was an exhilarating feeling to be gliding so peacefully behind ten incredibly powerful animals. Led by Mandy and Boris, the team included 9-year-old Simone; Ned the picky eater, who didn’t make it to the Ididarod because he wouldn’t eat enough food to run those distances; Katie, who looked back at us every time our musher said her name; Joker, with the floppy ears; and four others whose names escape me.

At the half-way point, the trail widened and looped through a meadow. The sun came out briefly, and we were able to enjoy some beautiful scenery. Most of the ride back was uphill. Our musher stopped several times to give the dogs a breather. She also ran along side the sled (to relieve some weight) on the steep hills, while the dogs lowered their bodies and dug their toes into the snow as they climbed. Upon our return to the trailhead, we were greeted by the rest of the dogs, waiting their turns. The chorus started up once more. It was as if they were all celebrating the successful trip. We thanked each dog and watched as they were loaded into their kennels for the ride back home. They had all had at least two runs that morning and were done for the day.

We hung around for a few minutes, meeting some of the other dogs and waiting for our friends to return from their ride, before heading into the lodge for hot drinks. This adventure was a thrill I will never forget, and hopefully I will have a chance to do it again. If dog sledding isn’t on your list of things to do in your lifetime, it should be.

See more photos here.