With freezing, snowy conditions through the winter months, Montana is the perfect destination to experience real dog sledding. This sport has a rich history in the state, and you can watch professional dog sledders at official events in addition to trying out some mushing for yourself.
In this article, we will take a look at dog sledding in Montana, including some background on the sport and our recommendations for events.
Guide to Dog Sledding in Montana
How Can you Experience Dog Sledding in Montana?
The best way to experience dog sledding in Montana for yourself is to sign up for a guided sled with an official tour company or outfitter.
There are several that operate across the state, so you should be able to fit some sledding into your itinerary, no matter where in Montana you plan to visit.
The History of Dog Sledding in Montana
As Distinctly Montana explains, the sport of dog sledding is thousands of years old. Native American tribes used dogs to help pull travois full of supplies, as did colonial settlers. In particular, dog sledding was used for transportation during the Yukon gold rush in the 19th century.
Dog sledding has been prevalent in Montana since 1986, marked by the famous Race to the Sky event in Lincoln, Montana.
This 350-mile race starts near Rimini and ends near Elk Park, and participants from across the globe come to try their chances of winning the race. Those who qualify can go on to participate in the prestigious Alaskan Iditarod.
The most common breed of dog used for sledding in Montana is the husky, and both Alaskan and Siberian huskies are used (the latter is slightly bigger). Dogs begin training when they’re around a year and a half old.
Nowadays, you don’t need to have experience in mushing to try it out on a tour in Montana. The guides make the experience fun and give you all the details you need to know to stay safe.
Guests can choose from both short trips (around an hour) and long trips (a day), plus everything in between. You can also take overnight mushing trips, which often include drinks and stories by the fire after hours.
How do Dog Sledding Trips Work in Montana?
Most guided dog sledding tours in Montana feature teams of 6 to 12 dogs. Many companies have tandem sleds, which allow space for a driver and an experienced instructor, and two sets of brakes.
If you are more experienced or confident in mushing, you can opt to drive a sled on your own, though an instructor will always be in a sled nearby to offer a helping hand should you need it.
Alternatively, you can sit back and take in the stunning white landscape as your professional driver steers you along the trail at an exciting but comfortable speed.
All reputable tour companies will run through the safety basics of mushing and fill you in on the need-to-know safety terms. Tours typically run from December through April.
Are There Dog Sledding Events in Montana?
If you don’t want to try out any mushing for yourself but still want to watch a sledding race, you can attend a few events in Montana that attract top mushers from all over the world.