Colorado winters are full of skiing and snowboarding. But one of the most unusual winter activities in Colorado is dogsledding.
Companies like Grizzle-T Dog and Sled Works and Mountain Musher offer unforgettable experiences with friendly Alaskan Huskies gliding through snow-covered landscapes, complete with scenic breaks and homemade snacks.
“You can snowmobile almost anywhere, but you can’t dogsled everywhere,” said Sara Hoffman, who operates Grizzle-T Dog and Sled Works with her husband, Kris.
The Hoffmans offer a family-friendly dogsledding experience with their team of 100 Alaskan Huskies that they breed and train themselves. The company operates its tours on private ranch land west of Steamboat Springs and draws customers who are looking for something to do on an off day from skiing.
Hoffman said customers are often surprised by how friendly the dogs are. “People don’t expect that from working dogs, but they love what they do,” she said. “They’re socialized from day one.”
Sarah Bevard owns Mountain Musher, a Vail Valley dogsled company her parents founded in the late 1980s. The company offers sledding tours on a private ranch on leased land in Vail Valley.
The company has 80 sled dogs, including Alaskan Huskies and a mix that combines German Shorthair Pointers for better adaptability in warmer conditions.
While reservations for dog sledding companies open in October, most don’t start offering tours until November or December because the service is weather-dependent. Most companies stop offering tours in April.
“There has to be flexibility,” Bevard said. “We won’t run the dogs over a certain temperature.”
Mountain Musher has 80 sled dogs, including Alaskan Huskies and a mix that combines German Shorthair Pointers for better adaptability in warmer conditions. (Mountain Musher)
Mountain Musher in Vail Valley
Offers morning and afternoon tours for two people per sled, with a guide or musher accompanying each sled. The company operates up to 6 sleds per tour. Maximum weight per sled is 400 pounds.
The tours take a short break at the halfway point for homemade pumpkin bread and hot cocoa. If trail conditions allow, passengers can try driving the sled from the break area, with kids given priority.
For information or to make a reservation, call (970) 291-5154 or visit MountainMusher.com.
Steamboat Dog Sledding
Experience a two-hour adventure on a scenic 12.5-mile private trail while learning to “mush your own team” of Alaskan Huskies with Grizzle-T Dog and Sled Works, also known as Steamboat Dog Sledding.
Each sled holds two guests who can alternate driving. If both guests weigh over 80 pounds, the sled will stop halfway to switch roles, allowing everyone a chance to drive. The teams can’t accommodate passengers who weigh more than 300 pounds. Children must be at least 2 years old to participate.
After the tour, enjoy hot cocoa, apple cider, cookies, and brownies. This is also your chance to meet and pet the dogs.
Price: $315 for 80 pounds or more, $200 for under 80 pounds, $50 per lap child (2 years old). The fee is set per person based on full sled occupancy. Peak season pricing (Dec. 20-Jan. 4) $340 for 80 pounds or more, $215 for under 80 pounds.
For information or to make a reservation, call (970) 870-1782 or visit steamboatdogsledding.com.
Alpine Adventures Dog Sledding in Leadville
Alpine Adventures offers two types of dog sledding tours.
The Tagsled Tours cover 5.5 miles and accommodate 2 to 4 people. The tour is an hour and 20 minutes. Two dog sleds are pulled by a larger group of 10-12 dogs. The guide is on the front dogsled, which can accommodate up to 2 riders.
The second dogsled will have one driver and one passenger. As you get out onto the trails, you have the opportunity to drive, ride, and control a larger team. This tour is completely dog-powered.
Group Tours cover 5.5 miles with six adult seats available. A child can join a full tour as a passenger in the sled basket, without limiting the adults’ drive time.
During the tour, two people ride on the dogsled–one drives and the other rides in the basket—while the rest travel on a sleigh pulled by a guide on a snowmobile. The tour stops periodically to allow all adults to switch between driving and riding.
Prices: $195 for kids and $285 for ages 9 and up for the Tagsled Tour, and $150 for kids and $175 for ages 9 and up.
For information or to make a reservation, call (719) 486-9899 or visit alpineadventuresdogsledding.com.
Colorado Dog Sledding in Silverthorne
Enjoy a private adventure with your family, a guide, and a pack of happy sled dogs that will transport you back to the golden age of mushing. The 75-minute tour includes 45 minutes of dedicated mushing.
Prices: $300 per person, $525 for two, $700 for three, or $825 for a group of four.
For information or to make a reservation, call (970) 610-6680 or visit coloradodogsledding.com.
The sled dogs of Good Times Adventures in Breckenridge vocalize on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, (Liz Copan/Summit Daily News via AP)
Good Times Adventures in Breckenridge
Offers a 6-mile tour through the scenic trails of the Swan River Valley. The company’s guides will teach you how to operate the sled and work with the team of Siberian Huskies.
This relay-style tour accommodates up to 6 people, allowing guests to alternate between running the dogs, riding in the sled, and traveling on a small passenger sleigh with the guide. The 90-minute adventure includes breaks to switch places.
Prices: Start at $204 per person, plus a $6 permit fee. Open to ages 5 and up.
For information or to make a reservation, call (970) 453-7604 or visit goodtimesadventures.com.
San Juan Dog Sledding
This 2-hour educational dog sled experience includes an introduction to mushing and round-trip transportation from Pagosa Springs.
Guests will enjoy hot chocolate, cider, s’mores, snacks, and a campfire. Plus, the trip includes time at base camp to pet and interact with all the dogs. Open to ages 3 and up.
Prices: $225-$250 for guests weighing 80 pounds or more, $150-$175 for guests weighing under 80 pounds.
For more information or to make a reservation, call (970) 507-0316 or visit sanjuansleddogs.com.
Sara B. Hansen is a Denver-based freelance writer.
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