mushing mushing.com
The Magazine of Dog-Powered Adventure
Mushing Magazine •
• September/October 2011
September/October 2011 #142, $4.95 U.S.
l a u n An d dog e g l s urin y to ctor e r di
Miriam Osredkar pilots a group of guests around a magical 1-mile course in Skagway, Alaska for Alaska Excursions. Photo by Jacob Boden.
mushing magazine 2011-2012 Sled Dog Tour Directory
The following are questions that you might want to ask before booking a dogsled trip. The list should be modified to include your own interests and concerns. • How long have you been in the sled dog tour business? • Who actually conducts the trips? What are their qualifications and experience? What medical training have they had? • How many teams will be going on this trip? How many dogs per team? How many people per sled? How many guides? • How much are guests involved in handling, harnessing and mushing the dogs? • What kind of dogs do you use for these trips (freighting, racing)? • Are the dogs well socialized to people? Children as well? Do you have dog fights often? • What equipment is provided? • What isn’t provided? (If parkas, boots and mitts are not provided, are they available for rent?) • Do you provide a recommended gear list? • Do you have sleeping bags or comforters for guests who ride in the sled? • What kinds of meals are provided? • What kinds of accommodations will be used (tents, cabins, etc.)? • Is the trip self-supported, or will a snowmachine transport some of the gear and supplies? • How much of the trip time is used for transportation, preparation, orientation and training vs time spent on the trail? • How many miles do you cover in a day? Is experience required? What level of physical ability is needed? • Will there be pre-trip training or information available? • Is everything available that is advertised in the brochure? • Do you have liability insurance? Have you ever had an accident in which a guest was injured? • Do you have all the permits necessary from the land owner or manager to operate commercial trips in the area? • What are cancellation policies? • Ask for references. Listings Codes: H-hourly rides, D-day/half day trips, W-wilderness/overnight trips, S-summer demos/rides, I-instruction available, L-leased teams, Y-drive your own team
Mushing Magazine •
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• September/October 2011
Alaska Icefield Expeditions
Bush Alaska Expeditions
Go glacier dog sledding this summer. Helicopter flight-seeing over the Juneau Icefield combined with a glacier landing and dog sledding is the ultimate in Alaska tours. Departing from Juneau or Skagway. Juneau Musher’s Summer Camp Meet Iditarod mushers, learn about Alaskan sled dogs and go for a cart ride. Interpretive display, musher talks, spend time with the dogs and puppies. Goldrushdogs.com. Skagway Gold Rush Sled Dog Demo at Klondike Gold Fields. Reservations and information: 907-983-2886 Email: chris@akdogtour.com Web: akdogtour.com and goldrushdogs.com H/S/L/I
Wilderness Adventure! Run your own team of Alaska Huskies into the remote, primeval wilderness of interior Alaska. Travel across mountain passes, through boreal forests and navigate the ice of the Yukon River. Clothing, camping, and survival gear included. Custom-design your own run. Email: bush_alaska_expeditions@hotmail.com Web: bushalaskaexpeditions.com
Alaska Excursons Skagway & Juneau, Alaska Complete your Alaskan adventure by experiencing Alaska’s state sport! Take an exhilarating sled ride pulled by a team of powerful Alaskan Huskies, learn about this adventurous sport from mushers, and cuddle up with adorable husky puppies at our authentic dog sledding summer training camp. Each summer our camp is home to many mushers who bring their dogs to train for various winter activities. In fact, all of the dogs at our camp are owned by year round mushers, some of whom have competed in world-renowned races like the Iditarod and Yukon Quest! Alaska Excursions 907-983-4444 PO BOX 440, Skagway, Alaska 99840 Web: www.alaskaexcursions.com Email: office@alaskaexcursions.com H/D/S
Alayuk Adventures The authentic experience. We offer dog sledding adventures from beginners to experts, from half-day initiation to several weeks expedition. Professional guides, friendly huskies, beautiful scenery in Yukon. Marcelle Fressineau & Gilles Proteau Box 10206, Whitehorse, YT, Canada Y1A 7A1 001-867-668-2922 Email: alayuk@gmail.com Web: alayuk.com S/D/W/I/Y
Arctic Odysseys Dog Sled in traditional style w/native guides. Baffin/Ellesmere Islands, Northwest Territories, Scandinavia, Greenland, Kamchatka. Aurora Borealis, wildlife, ice fishing, igloo building. Also, Siberian Reindeer Sledding. 3409 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98112 800-574-3021, 206-325-1977, fax: 206-726-8488 Email: arctic4u@aol.com Web: arcticodysseys.com H/D/W/I/Y
Blue Kennels and Dog Sled Trips Dog Sled Tours since 1997 with 2009 Yukon Quest Champion Sebastian Schnuelle. 5 to 15 day trips in the Alaska Range along the beautiful Denali Highway. Nov 1st to April 30th. Comfortable log cabins with private bath. Summer helicopter supported Dog Sled Rides in Juneau, Alaska, the highlight of your cruise. Box 33423, Juneau, AK 99803 867-633-2219 Email: info@bluekennels.de and lisa@coastalhelicopters.com Web: bluekennels.de and coastalhelicopters.com D/W/S/I/Y
Durango Dog Ranch Drive your own sled or ride along. See the mountains as very few have ever seen them on picturesque mountain trails. Warmth and safety are of the utmost importance. Hot drinks, fresh snacks, and a camaraderie between human and canine are just some of the highlights. Join us for the adventure of a lifetime. Tours are by reservation only. Transportation available. 970-759-1741, 970-259-0694 Web: durangodogranch.com
Hilltown Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures Outdoor adventures in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts! Mushing, Skijoring, Skiing, Sled Dog School, Skijor Clinics, Dryland Rig Rides, Summer Camps & Overnights in our new “Eco-Cabin”. Contact Marla BB 413-296-0187 Toll Free: 888-853-0548 Email: hwa@marlabb.com Web: marlabb.com/hwa H/D/S/I/Y
Mahoosuc Guide Service Mushing adventures in Maine & Eastern Arctic. 1 day to 1 week trips in Maine’s north woods. Northern Native cultural trips with Cree and Inuit guides. We have been breeding, training and traveling with our intelligent and devoted breed of Yukon huskies for over 25 years. All trips are owner guided. Polly Mahoney & Kevin Slater, Master Maine Guides. 1513 Bear River Road, Newry, ME 04261 tel: 207-824-2073, fax: 207-824-3784 Email: info@mahoosuc.com Web: mahoosuc.com D/W/I/Y
Muktuk Adventures Ltd. Extraordinary adventures with Frank Turner, former Yukon Quest champion and record-holder. At Muktuk you will find the friendliest huskies anywhere, superb trails, delightful homestead accommodations, and excellent cuisine. Expert, licensed guides provide wilderness sledding for beginners and experienced mushers. Box 20716 Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 7A2 CANADA 867-668-3647 Toll Free: 866-968-3647 Fax: 867-633-4200 Email: info@muktuk.com Web: muktuk.com D/W/I/Y
Paws’n’Paddles Wilderness Tours Embark on an expedition-style adventure, travel off the beaten path, learn to ride your own team, camp out in a heated wall tent. Rugged wilderness, happy huskies, expert guides and beautiful Northern Saskatchewan scenery promise an unforgettable experience. Custom-made tours for beginners and experienced mushers. 1-2 guests per adventure trip only! Box 652, Air Ronge, Saskatchewan, Canada S0J 3G0 306-425-3111 Email: pawsandpaddles@sasktel.net Web: pawsandpaddles.com D/W/I/Y
Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours
Susitna Sled and Kayak
Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge
Dog sled tours from 2 hours to 2 days with an over night and even moonlight! Exclusive, signature packages available! 104-602 Bow Valley Trail Canmore, AB T1W 1N9, Canada 1-888-311-6874, 403-678-4369 Email: leaddog@snowyowltours.com Web: snowyowltours.com D/S/I/Y/O
Located in the dog mushing capital of the world, Willow, Alaska. Susitna Sled and Kayak offers customized tours tailored to your group size, abilities and schedule. Give us a call and take a ride with the fastest Siberians in North America. Reservations recommended. 907-495-1505 Email: debradap@hotmail.com Web: susitnasledandkayak.com D/I/Y
Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge, cited as “best in the business” by National Geographic Adventure, offers lodge-to-lodge dogsledding vacations and dogsled camping adventures. For all ages. No experience needed. Clothing/ boots provided. 1101 Ring Rock Road, Ely, MN 55731 218-365-6022 or Toll Free: 877-sledfun Email: info@dogsledding.com Web: dogsledding.com D/W/Y
Suomi Hills Kennel Suomi Hills Kennel, located in north central Minnesota, offers professional and experienced dog sledding. We offer one-hour tours, day trips and large group events (such as corporate retreats, civic celebrations and birthday parties). 218-244-1265 Web: sleddogmn.com D/H
Sled Dog Adventures Premier sleddog tours, including rides, mushing school, overnights and beyond, in the Interior of Alaska. Long-time Alaskans guiding with our amazing, furry partners since 1985. October-April. Arctic gear provided. Email: dogmushing@mosquitonet.com Web: sleddogadventures.com H/D/W/I/Y
Teekona Kennels Drive your own team of sled dogs on the coast of Western Alaska along the scenic Norton Sound. We offer week-long adventures with friendly huskies and professional guides. Inquire about our annual Iditarod trips, which includes watching the finish and attending the mushers’ banquet. Contact Louie and Jerrine Ambrose. Toll free: 1-877-923-2419 Email: jaustin79@aol.com Web: alaskaadventures.net I/Y/O
Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing Bayfield, Wisconsin. Small group sizes, great trails, and friendly, happy Siberian Huskies are Wolfsong’s secret to an experience few others can offer. This year Wolfsong is offering 2 and 5 hour trips with discounted weekdays and group rates. Always snowing! 800-681-9746 or 715-779-5561 Web: wolfsongadventures.com D/W/I/Y
Guests at Paws ‘n Paddles, drive their own dog teams in formation. Image by Miriam Körner
Listings Codes: H-hourly rides D-day/half day trips W-wilderness/overnight trips S-summer demos/rides I-instruction available L-leased teams Y-drive your own team
Mushing Magazine •
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• September/October 2011