Minnesota Dogsledding Adventures for women: Howling with Wolves, Running with Dogs

"I really enjoyed that fact that we could do all the work with the dogs -- harnessing them, interacting with them, I even got to drive a team solo!" KG 2007, Chicago, IL

"I can now howl roughly like a wolf!" PH 2007, Washington DC

Highlights:

Learning all about timber wolves from experts at the International Wolf Center
Mushing a team of sled dogs through pristine winter wilderness
Exploring Minnesota's Northwoods on cross country skis and snowshoes
Relaxing in a sauna at the end of an active day of being outdoors
Gazing at a sky full of brilliant stars (maybe even the Northern Lights)

Start the New Year with an active and fun-filled week of immersion in Minnesota’s Northwoods and two of its most fascinating inhabitants: timber wolves and sled dogs! No one does a better job of helping the public learn about timber wolves than the folks at the International Wolf Center. Equally fascinating is their close cousin, the sled dog. Mushing a sled through winter wilderness is exciting, exhilarating, and will take you further from your daily life than you can imagine. In addition there will be time to snowshoe and cross country ski, relax in front of the fire in our comfortable cabin, and soothe tired muscles in a traditional Finnish sauna.

This trip is for: any woman who wants to learn about wolves and go to the dogs. While a high degree of fitness is unnecessary, you will be outdoors and active most of the day. No prior experience is necessary - we teach you all the outdoor skills you want, as well as everything you need to know to stay warm in this winter paradise.

Accommodations:

six nights at Silver Rapids Lodge, about two miles outside of Ely. We’ll stay in the Retreat House. The house has 8 bedrooms (so everyone has her own room), four bathrooms, wood fireplace, two kitchens, two dining areas, and a private indoor sauna and library area with a bear skin rug. This family-run Lodge is known for its Northwoods hospitality and the beauty of its location.

Maximum group size: 8

Trip price: $1959-2070 (there is a $50 deduction for registration prior to 9/30/08 and 3% of the trip fee if the balance is paid by check). $300 deposit.

Trip price includes:

guide services and instruction
six nights lodging in private rooms
meals from dinner on Sunday thru breakfast on Saturday
skis and snowshoes
round trip transportation from Minneapolis, MN to Ely
all programs on the itinerary including the aerial flight
three full days of dogsledding with two women per sled

Trip starts: at 8:00 am in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 28

Trip ends: at 5:30 pm at the airport in Minneapolis on January 3

More information:This information has not been updated for 2009 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 the place we're staying, visit the web site of Silver Rapids Lodge. 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

December 28: The trip begins when we meet you at 8:00 am in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After driving to Ely, We’ll settle into our cabin and then either go hiking or cross country skiing on one of the nearby trails or White Iron Lake. That evening we'll visit with one of the knowledgeable staff from the International Wolf Center to learn the hows and whys of wolf communication and even try our hand at howling to a local wolf pack.

December 29:After learning about the past, present, and future of wolf research, we try our hand at locating a wild radio-collared wolf through the use of radio telemetry. We’ll first try tracking on the ground and then take to the air for a bird’s eye view of the Superior National Forest and learn how wolves are tracked from the air.

December 30: There are excellent cross country ski trails as well as endless snowshoeing options in the area and that's what we'll spend the first day of the New Year doing. It's also an excellent day for taking a little down time or spending some extra time in the sauna, but only if you choose. That evening you'll start learning about sled dogs, dog sleds, and what you can anticipate over the next three days.

December 31 - January 2: Having learned about wolves, we spend our next three days with their close cousins, the sled dog. Although wolves and sled dogs look similar, their personalities are completely different: where wolves are aloof, sled dogs love people and love to pull sleds, and their unique and quirky personalities will quickly make you fall in love with them.

These three days are full days of mushing. With two women in every sled, you have the opportunity to switch between the very vigorous activity of driving the sled (contrary to popular notions you do not just stand on the end of the sled and yell "Mush!") and a more relaxing time of sitting cozily bundled in the sled and watching the spectacular winter scenery go by. On calm days we'll head into the wilderness of the Boundary Waters, the frozen lakes and rivers serving as our highways. On windy days we'll explore the miles of beautiful birch and pine forests surrounding Ely, where we will see ample signs of wildlife and few signs of people. We'll stop for a hot lunch every day, sometimes making a fire and sometimes sipping hot soup from a thermos.

January 3: After spending time in some of the great shops in Ely, we leave there about 11 a.m. and you can plan to be back in Minneapolis at the airport not later than 5:30 pm