Dogsledding Adventures for women: Dogsledding in the Northwoods

"The group that I went with was wonderful and we worked well as a team and laughed a lot (I don't think I have ever had so much fun before). The accommodations were good, the food was excellent!!!!! " KS, Keedysville, MD

Highlights:

Experiencing the exhilaration of mushing a team of sled dogs through pristine winter wilderness
Learning how to care for and harness the dogs and drive (mush) a dog sled
Getting to know the quirky and charming personalities of the dogs on your team
Sleeping one night in a yurt, which is much warmer than winter camping and yet still provides the solitude and beauty of camping in wilderness
Enjoying hearty meals and relaxing in cozy, well-heated lodging
Soothing your tired muscles in the sauna

Traveling through winter wilderness on the back of a sled pulled by dogs who love what they are doing is one of the most exhilarating things you'll ever try. The silence of the snow-filled ancient boreal forest is broken only by the steady trotting of the dogs and the sound of the sled runners. If you want to immerse yourself in this sport for three days - learning how to care for and harness the dogs and drive (mush) a dog sled - then this is the trip for you. And after a day of activity, you can enjoy eating hearty meals and reading and relaxing in cozy, well-heated lodging.

This trip is for any woman who wants to learn to dogsled. Mushing is more active than you may think (contrary to popular notions you do not just stand on the end of the sled and yell "Mush!"). Fortunately, though, you'll be sharing a sled with someone and you can switch between the very vigorous activity of driving the sled and a more relaxing time of sitting cozily bundled in the sled and watching the spectacular winter scenery go by. No experience in any of this is needed- we'll teach you everything you need to know for a safe and fun time.

Accommodations:

Three nights at the Timber Wolf Lodge, about two miles outside of Ely. We’ll stay in the Snowshoe cabin and you can be sure we'll have plenty of hot water and access to the sauna. Situated on the edge of a lake, the Lodge is known for the beauty of its surroundings and its Northwoods hospitality.
On our third night we will stay in a yurt, an insulated Mongolian tent-like shelter with a wooden frame and a canvas skin. A yurt, with its indoor heater and cots with warm sleeping bags for the night, is a big step above winter camping, yet still provides solitude and beauty.

Maximum group size: 7

Trip price: $1251 - 1340 There is a $50 deduction for registration prior to 11/14/08 and 3% of the trip fee if the balance is paid by check. $300 deposit.

Trip price includes:

guide services and instruction
four nights lodging
meals from dinner on Saturday thru breakfast on Wednesday
three full days of dogsledding
entry to the International Wolf Center
Transport from Duluth to Ely and during the trip is available on a cost-share basis or you can provide your own. If you choose to provide your own, you will also need to use your vehicle for your transport during the trip.

Trip starts: at 10:30 am in Duluth, Minnesota (DLH) or at 2 pm at our lodging on March 14

Trip ends: anytime the morning of March 18 or at 2:00 pm at the airport in Duluth

More information-this has not been updated yet for 2009, please check back for the final version a summary of all this information, packing list, notes on packing list, and general information (must have Adobe Acrobat Reader)

For pictures from previous trips, click here

To learn more about Ely, visit the web site of the Ely Chamber of Commerce. You might also want to visit the web site of the International Wolf Center

Register for this trip or Contact us for more information

Itinerary

March 14: The trip begins at 2 p.m. at our lodge in Ely, Minnesota. If you're flying in, we provide transportation on a cost-share basis or you can rent a car. If you choose the first option, we'll meet you at 10:30 am at the airport in Duluth, Minnesota. After driving to Ely, we’ll settle into our cabin and then go into town. Ely, although a small town, has many interesting shops and is a fun place to wander around for a bit before visiting the International Wolf Center. Saturday evening is feeding time and there is no better place to learn all about wolves.

March 15: Today is our "training" day. We'll learn how to hook dogs up to the sled, drive the sled across lakes and through the woods, and learn how to assist the dogs by "poling." We will experiment with shifting our weight on the runners to help the sled turn and jump on and off the runners when we're going up hill. After an active morning we'll all need a break, so we'll stop for a hot lunch, either making a fire or sipping hot soup from a thermos. Best of all we will become acquainted with the quirky personalities and the likes and dislikes of the dogs on our team. We'll return to our cozy lodging for the evening where, after a hearty and replenishing dinner, we might choose to take a sauna, go for a walk in the quiet snow-filled woods, or just read and relax in the living room.

March 16: Today we'll drive our sleds to our yurt on a secluded lake in the National Forest. Our yurt is so remote that we are almost certain to be the only people enjoying this quiet and beautiful place. This is the perfect spot for snowshoeing, stargazing, or just contemplating the beauty of winter wilderness. We also have the opportunity to learn how to care for our dogs on an expedition, including feeding them and staking them out.

March 17: Today we mush back to civilization and bid farewell to our furry, funny companions that have served us so well. At the Lodge we can enjoy the sauna and luxuriate in a hot shower. We share our final farewell dinner, go for a last quiet walk through the woods, and drink in the peace and beauty of the Northwoods.

March 18: You are free to leave anytime after breakfast. We highly suggest another visit to Ely to get those last minute souvenirs and buy the mukluks that you have probably decided you need. If you are taking advantage of the shared transportation, you will leave Ely about 11 a.m. You can plan to be back in Duluth not later than 2:00 pm.