Dog sledding is a popular winter activity that involves using a sled pulled by a team of dogs to travel over snow and ice. One popular destination for dog sledding is Keystone, Colorado, which offers several options for those looking to experience this exciting and unique form of transportation.
There are several dog sledding companies operating in Keystone, each offering a variety of tours and experiences. Some offer guided tours through the beautiful landscape of the Rocky Mountains, while others allow you to take the reins and drive your own team of dogs. No matter which option you choose, you can expect a thrilling and unforgettable adventure. You can learn more about it from this Keystone dog sledding experience guide.
What are the best Keystone dog sledding tours?
One popular dog sledding tour in Keystone is the Dog Sled and Snowcat Tour, which combines the excitement of dog sledding with a ride on a snowcat – a large, tracked vehicle designed for traveling over snow. This tour takes you through the breathtaking wilderness of the Rocky Mountains, offering stunning views and the opportunity to see wildlife such as elk, moose, and coyotes.
Another option for dog sledding in Keystone is the Full Day Dog Sled Adventure, which allows you to spend an entire day exploring the snowy landscape by sled. This tour includes a stop for lunch and the opportunity to learn more about the history and traditions of dog sledding.
For those looking for a more hands-on experience, several companies in Keystone offer the opportunity to drive your own team of dogs. These tours give you the chance to learn how to work with the dogs and navigate the sled, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience.
Why should you visit Keystone for dog sledding?
Visitors may experience a genuinely unique winter wonderland in Keystone. The wide, snow-covered areas undoubtedly provide some of the most breathtaking panoramas you will ever see, but Colorado Mountain Activities goes a step further to assist you in organizing your next trip or business event. In the Keystone region, we have the most dependable outfitters that will enable you to enjoy this heart-pounding sport if you’ve never attempted dog sledding before.
Due to the chance, it provides visitors to experience the finest of the mountains in tranquil circumstances, dog sledding in the Keystone region is renowned across the globe. When you are traveling through the mountains, the lovely huskies provide very entertaining company. They include sledding with a whole new component. You may enjoy pulling your own dog sled team through the picturesque valleys of the Keystone High County region with the help of our outfitters. We are glad to declare that we have only the top outfitters for you to pick from after carefully considering their price, general customer service, and value for the money they provide.
At Colorado Mountain Activities, they always work to ensure that guests have a better holiday experience. And because Keystone has so many varied activities available, why not take full advantage of it? Our outfitters provide you the option to reserve a dog sledding excursion in Keystone, Colorado online, making your holiday trip or business occasion much more memorable. Utilize as many of the enjoyable activities as possible to make the most of your mountain getaway today!
Sledge Setup
Depending on the activity, the venue where the event is held, and individual preferences, the number of dogs used to pull a sled may range from 2-3 to a large pack of over 20.
In locations where dog sledding is often practiced, it is not uncommon to have a neighbor with hundreds of barking dogs in an outside dog enclosure. To people who did not grow up in or around the mushing culture, this may appear crazy. You just need one dog for skijoring, which involves your dog pulling you along on skis. You can often get by with one or two dogs when using the upright and lightweight Kicks led. In competitions, teams of four, six, eight, or ten dogs may race (there is also a class permitting unlimited dog teams); in long-distance races, teams of six, ten, twelve, or sixteen dogs may participate (there is also a class where you may enter any number of dogs on your team).
All of the dogs stand in pairs with their harnesses neatly fastened to the towline, often referred to as a gang line, in various places. Here are the many jobs in a properly set-up dog sledding team since it’s always great to know a few things before you consider the prospect of getting on a sled and exploring the wilderness with dogs:
- Leading dogs
The lead dogs are maintained in the front and are the ones that will obey the musher’s directions; “haw” is often used to indicate a left turn and “gee” to indicate a right turn, but the musher may teach the dog or dogs to obey other signals of his or her choosing. This will direct both the musher and the other dogs, keeping them in line.
It is up to them to ensure that the team doesn’t get lost as they follow the route using their senses of touch and smell. Their sensitive paw pads allow them to feel the real path even when snow has accumulated on top of it.
Most sledding teams include one or two lead dogs, and it’s important to choose a dog with the correct temperament and skill set for this kind of duty. It is an honor for a dog to be chosen to lead the squad; they must be very clever, receptive to training, brave, and vigilant.
- Swing dogs
The dogs that ensure that the sled successfully navigates bends and turns come next after the lead dog or dogs. Dogs following a leading dog could otherwise instinctively leap in that dog’s general direction whenever the leading dog makes a turn. The swing dogs are designed to stop this from happening; instead, they should lead the rest of the dogs in a broad arc, which is what keeps the sled from toppling over.
- Dog teams
The dogs that carry the bulk of the load and maintain excellent pace are supported by these men, who make up the team’s backbone. Sled dog teams often pull a combined weight of 300–500 lbs., which includes the musher, the sled, and all of the equipment they took with them. The team dogs are the ones hauling the greatest weight, even if they all share it, so they must be powerful and in top condition.
- Added wheel dogs
The two furry runners that are closest to the sled are the wheel dogs, who are last in line but off-leash. Because they will be carrying the whole weight of the sled when you first start and during climbs, many mushers choose the largest dogs in the pack for these two places. As the sled is constantly being pushed from behind, these dogs must have a high tolerance for distractions and be able to resist the urge to go ahead of the team. In general, a dog with good temperament works best in a wheel position.
In certain teams, the musher may opt to rotate the dogs throughout a race or expedition and sometimes let the dog in the lead to rest. If a dog needs a break during a race, the team can become smaller. Additionally, dog fights or disputes may cause one dog to be moved from one place to another.
Skiing Advice
When going sledding for the first time, beginners often don’t have to worry too much since practically all first-time sledding experiences are done in the presence of a professional musher. A musher, who is an expert in dog sledding, will go over all the fundamentals with you before you start. If you are a bit anxious before your first try, see below for some advice that will put you on the correct path and help you get the most out of the experience.
- Appropriate attire
Many Scandinavian nations (where mushing is a prominent hobby) have a saying that goes, “There is no such thing as terrible weather, simply poor selections of clothing.” This makes excellent sense if you’re going dog sledding and need to dress appropriately. Wear a cap to shield your ears from brisk winds (unless you want to return home with an ear infection), gloves to keep your hands warm, a windproof winter jacket that can handle the weather where you want to go dog sledding, practical boots, and ideally a scarf.
- Learn about the canines
It is usually a good idea to ask the musher or the dog’s owner if you may go and meet them beforehand if you are feeling anxious. Due to the thrill of sledding, they might seem a bit scary. It is also common for sled dogs to howl loudly and wildly while in their outside kennel and when standing with their harnesses hocked to the sled. You get the opportunity to get to know them without feeling rushed when you meet them before the sledding adventure.
But keep in mind that sled dogs aren’t usually like the house pets you may be accustomed to, and they’re sometimes far more independent than your Golden Retriever at home. They also could seem more primitive.
- Let loose
Try not to be too rigid when riding the sled! Instead, try to imagine it as a bike ride, a motorbike trip, or a snowmobile ride – you want to follow the sled in its motions and allow the weight of your body assist lead it in the appropriate direction. Being stiff will hinder you from really enjoying the experience.
Sledding Dog Breeds
- The Siberian Husky
The stunning Siberian Husky, which resembles a wolf, is the breed of dog most often connected with dog sledding.
The Huskies are exceptionally clever, trainable, independent, loyal, strong-willed, and obstinate. They also have thick hair that keeps them warm even in extremely cold weather. They like the outdoors, are highly pack-oriented, and don’t back down from a task.
A group of Siberian Huskies working together is a powerful sight, and the way they cooperate and meld with the environment will make you realize how closely related the domestic dog is to the wolf. Their movements have a certain grace, and their innate sense of direction keeps them on the route even in inclement weather and at night. Do you own one of these lovely breeds? You’re lucky! See our article about Huskies-specific dog food.
- Alaskan Malamute
Another breed linked to sledding is the somewhat bigger Alaskan Malamute, which may be identified by its greater size, brown eyes, slightly smaller ears placed apart, and thicker and fluffier coat (while Siberian Huskies will often have blue eyes or one blue and one brown eye).
One of the first breeds to be utilized for sledding is the Alaskan Malamute, which serves as the state dog of Alaska.
- Arctic Husky
The Alaskan Husky is another canine that is often seen pulling sleds but is not yet an accepted breed. Many people think that the Alaskan Husky, a cross between a Siberian Husky and an Alaskan Malamute, combines the grace and agility of the Siberian Husky with the extra strength and size of the Alaskan Malamute.
Many have shown that any dog can learn to be a successful sled dog as long as it has long enough legs and is in sufficient physical condition. Some mushers even choose to utilize different breeds that are not often associated with dog sledding.
Final words
No matter which dog sledding experience you choose in Keystone, you can expect an exciting and memorable adventure. The combination of the stunning natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the thrill of being pulled through the snow by a team of energetic dogs makes dog sledding a must-do activity for anyone visiting Keystone in the winter.
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