There is something very special about travelling by dogsled. Once they start running the dogs need little care, their innate drive to pull a sled clearly evident, leaving the 'musher' free to enjoy the scenery and the silence. But don’t relax too much there are more than enough exciting moments, travelling up to 30 kilometres per hour, you'll have to learn how to take those corners.

No experience is needed to have a go at dog sledding, experienced guides teach you everything you need to know. You can learn how to harness and hook-up dogs, as well as learning skills essential to manoeuvring your sled along the trails. To actually drive your own dog sled team is fairly physically demanding and for those who are not up to driving there own team and families with small children, experience an even more exhilarating journey as an experienced musher takes you out for a spin.

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Climate

It will be cold…..wherever you go to Dog-Sled snow is a fairly important aspect of the trip. Be prepared for the weather which can drop as low as -20 °C, with a meter of snow. Bring warm clothes and enjoy the crisp winter wilderness at high speed.

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What is dog sledding

A dog sled (or dogsled) is a sled pulled by one or more sled dogs used to travel over ice and through snow. Numerous types of sleds are used, depending on their function. A basket sled has a bed raised several inches above the surface of the snow. This type of sled is used in dogsled racing. Sprint sleds are often short-bodied basket sleds. A toboggan sled has a lower carriage and uses a closed bed, allowing the sled to slide or float over deep snow. Freight sleds, which are heavier and sturdier than sprint sleds, may be toboggan or basket sleds. Both of these types of sleds have runners which stick out behind the sled, on which the musher can stand.

Older sleds relied on hooks attached to the sled with a rope, whereas modern sleds usually include drag and claw brakes built into the sled.The komatik is a traditional Inuit sled, used in Canada and Greenland, low-slung and on which the hunter or racer sits or lies down, facing forward. The runners do not stick out as in basket sleds. A pulk is a short, flat sled used in the Scandinavian sport of pulka. The dog is hitched to the sled and the sled to the skier. The pulk is used to carry supplies or equipment, but not usually a person.The expedition led by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen used dog sleds when they reached the South Pole before Robert Falcon Scott's party did
The dogs

The Alaskan is the sled dog of choice for world-class dogsled racing competition. None of the purebred northern breeds can match it for sheer racing speed. Demanding speed-racing events such as the Fairbanks (Alaska) Open North American Championship and the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous are invariably won by teams of Alaskan huskies, or of Alaskans crossed with hounds or gundogs. Hounds are valued for their toughness and endurance. Winning speeds often average more than 19 miles per hour over three days' racing at 20 to 30 miles each day. On the rare occasion when purebred teams are entered in such races, they nearly always finish last.

Alaskan huskies (at least those used for speed racing) are moderate in size, averaging perhaps 46 to 50 pounds for males and 38 to 42 pounds for females. They often resemble racing strains of the Siberian Husky breed (which is undeniably a major component of the Alaskan husky genetic mix) but are usually taller and leggier with more pronounced tuck-up.

Colour and markings are a matter of total indifference to racing drivers; hence the husky may be of any possible canine colour and any pattern of markings. Eyes may be of any colour and, as in the Siberian Husky, are often light blue. Coats are almost always short to medium in length, never long, and usually less dense than the coats of northern purebreds; coat length is governed by the need for effective heat dissipation while racing. Dogs are bred for stamina, strength, speed, and endurance. It is essential for a sled dog to want to work. And for dogs meeting many new people, the dogs must not be aggressive towards people

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What to bring?

This is an idea of what you should bring to experience the world of dog-sledding comfortably, most importantly be warm.

2 pair of long sleeves shirts (polyester)
2 long underwear (silk, polyester) (1 pair of fleece trousers)
1 fleece jumper
1 wool jumper
1 hat (wind breaker)
1 scarf
1 finger gloves
2 pair socks (wool)
2 pair of sock liners (polyester or wool)
Underwear – preferable no cotton (polyester)
1 pair of slipper (to wear in the huts in the evening)
Comfortable and warm clothes in the evening e.g. fleece trousers and jumper
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm- you will get very dry lips with the sun and wind)
Sunglasses (uv protection- the sun is very strong at certain times of the year due to the reflection in the snow)
Goggles (in case it snows this is very comfortable sunglasses works as well)
Sun cream (protection 25)
Torch
Camera, film and batteries.

NOTE: If you have a digital camera - batteries do not last for as long in cold temperatures.

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How, where and when can I go dog sledding?

There are lot of places worldwide where you can go Dog Sledding amongst them are Sweden, Lapland Iceland, Finland, Norway, North America, Alaska and Canada. This is a sport which is restricted to the inter months although the exact length of the seasons depends on your destination. Your dog sledding adventure can cost from £200 up to approx £2000 depending on length and destination.

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Visa requirements

Please check with your local embassy before travelling.

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Medical information

There are no Innoculations necessary to visit Sweden, Norway, & Finland. But as always please consult with your health care provider before traveling.
To prevent "Montezuma's Revenge," avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhoea medicine just in case.

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General information

Sweden: Normal courtesies should be observed. It is customary for the guest to refrain from drinking until the host makes a toast. The guest should also thank the host for the meal with "Tack för maten". Casual dress is acceptable for everyday occasions; smarter wear for social occasions, exclusive restaurants and clubs. Evening wear (black tie) will usually be specified when required. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in most public buildings.

Norway: Normal courtesies should be observed. It is customary for the guest to refrain from drinking until the host toasts their health. Casual dress is normal. Lunch generally takes place between 1200 and 1300 and dinner usually takes place at 1700. It is customary for an invited guest to offer gifts to the host/hostess of a meal. Punctuality is expected if invited out for dinner. Smoking is prohibited in most public buildings and on public transport (although there are often special spaces for smokers to indulge in cafes, bars and restaurants.

Finland: Handshaking is customary. Normal courtesies should be observed. It is customary for the guest to refrain from drinking until the host or hostess toasts their health with a ‘kippis’ or a ‘skol’. Casual dress is acceptable. Black tie will usually be specified when required. Finns appear sometimes to be rather reserved and visitors should not feel alarmed if there is a lack of small talk during the first half hour or so. Shoes must usually be removed when entering someone’s home.

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The making of a sled dog

Getting dog teams to pull together, takes months of training. In the off-season, some mushers rope their dog teams to wheeled carts or four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles, and let the dogs pull the chariots along dirt roads. The dogs are so strong and possess such an inherent drive to pull, that often even brakes have difficulty holding them back.

Sled Dogs especially those that run in competitive races have special abilities, and special requirements, like food. Along with their power comes a huge appetite. While a normal dog might get by on 1,500 calories a day, sled dogs can easily consume up to 10,000 calories per day. And while they're tough, huskies can have sensitive feet. To safeguard them, musher’s tie on polar-fleece booties that keep paws warm and protected. In a competitive race like the Iditarod, a single musher will use about 2,000 booties. Each usually lasts several hours and up to 100 miles.

Once trained, sled dogs can remain in top form for years. It's not unusual to see 10-year-old dogs in races. Top dogs are highly sought after by breeders to help sire champion lines. And the prospect of owning one is not to be taken lightly. A dog is for life not just for Christmas.

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How to speak Husky!

Easy: Slow down.

Gee: Turn right.

Haw: Turn left.

Hike: Get Moving.

Mush: Get Going - Hike is most commonly used.

On By: Go by another team or other distraction.

Whoa: Stop.