mushing The magazine of dog-powered adventure
Annual Sled Dog Tour & Adventure Issue Snowy Owl, Tolovana Roadhouse, Scandinavia
ANNUAL DIRECTORY OF SLED DOG
Kevin Cook Interview Manley to Nome by Dogteam Canoe Sledding Off The Trail Beginner Basics
ADVENTURE
September/October 2012 #148 $4.95 U.S.
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2012-2013 Sled Dog Tour Directory 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
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. 38
September/October 2012
Snowy Owl Dog Tour teams taking a break on Goat Pond near Canmore, British Columbia, Canada. Taking a break on this lake allows guests to swap drivers, take more photos and take more time to pet their new 4-legged friends. Photo by Hiro Shinozaki.
Alaska Excursions 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! PO Box 440 Skagway, Alaska 99840 Tel: 907-983-4444 Email: office@alaskaexcurions.com Web: alaskaexcurions.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 Tel: 867-668-2922 Email: alayuk@gmail.com Web: alayuk.com S/D/W/I/Y
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 Tel: 413-296-0187 or Toll Free: 888-853-0548 Email: hwa@marlabb.com Web: hilltownwildernessadventures.com H/D/S/I/Y
Barking Brook Sled Dog Adventures, LLC Come with us for a dog sled tour and experience a whole new adventure! Dogsledding is the perfect way to explore and enjoy the White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Our dogs are all Siberian Huskies: kid friendly, beautiful and hard working. Tel: 603-968-6874 Email: whatleigh@gmail.com Web: barking-brook.com H/D/I/O
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
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2012-2013 Sled Dog Tour Directory 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
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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 7A4 CANADA Tel: 867-668-3647 Toll Free: 866-968-3647 Fax: 867-633-4200 Email: info@muktuk.com Web: muktuk.com D/W/I/Y Paws For Adventure Enjoy exceptional Dogsled rides and Mushing School at our local Fairbanks kennel. Or join one of our guided Multi-day Expeditions to the historic Tolovana Roadhouse – the first stop in the original Serum Run. Leslie Goodwin Tel: 907-378-3630 Email: pawsforadventure@gmail.com Web: pawsforadventure.com H/D/W/I/O
Paws’n’Paddles Wilderness Tours Rugged wilderness, happy huskies, expert guides and beautiful Northern Saskatchewan scenery promise an unforgettable adventure. Drive your own sled, travel off the beaten path, camp out in a heated wall tent and meet Miriam Koerner – one of Mushing Magazine’s regular contributors. Box 652, Air Ronge, Saskatchewan, Canada S0J 3G0 Tel: 306-425-3111 Email: pawsandpaddles@sasktel.net Web: pawsandpaddles.com D/W/I/Y Sirius Sled Dogs Run with the big dogs under the Northern Lights or in the light of day! Midnight dog sled rides under the aurora with dinner afterwards in our cozy cabin. Day tours offer expansive views and exciting trails right from our home northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. Email: siriussleddogs.net@gmail.com Web:www.siriussleddogs.net H/D/S/I/Y
Anders Lundgren navigates a challenging descent in deep, unbroken snow. For more information on Anders’ Scandinavian hut to hut trip in northern Scandinavia, see page 22. 40
September/October 2012
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
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). Tel: 218-244-1265 Web: sleddogmn.com D/H
Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours 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 Tel: 1-888-311-6874 or 403-678-4369 Email: leaddog@snowyowltours.com Web: snowyowltours.com H/D/S/I/Y
Timberland Dog Sled Tours Meet your guide, 40 year racing veteran Denis Rozon. Then, enjoy your ride at our year round tour facility, 45 minutes from OttawaGatineau. Summer tours and fall dryland training/lessons are also available on site at the Bristol Dryland Race Course. Tel: 819-647-3185 Email: info@timberlandtours.ca Web: timberlandtours.ca Facebook.com/timberlanddogsledtours D/S/I/Y
Valley Snow Dogz Sled Dog Excursions and education with Valley Snow Dogz! Waterville Valley Region NH including Waterville Valley and Loon Mountain resorts. Creating memories for Individuals, Families, Groups and Special Events. A family of mushers and their lovable dogs! Tel: 603-340-2390 Email: ValleySnowDogz@gmail.com Web: ValleySnowDogz.com Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge Featured as “Best in the Business” by National Geographic, we’ve offered dogsledding vacations, dogsled camping trips and Arctic dogsled expeditions for over 30 years. For all ages, no skills needed. Rental parkas and boots provided. French-chef, top-ranked lodging. Paul & Susan Schurke 1101 Ring Rock Road, Ely, MN 55731 Tel: 218-365-6022 or Toll Free: 877-sledfun Email: info@dogsledding.com Web: dogsledding.com D/W/Y 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 2.5 and 4-hour trips with discounted weekdays and group rates. Always snowing! Tel: 800-681-9746 or 715-779-5561 Web: wolfsongadventures.com D/W/I/Y
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