Dogsled Day Trips

Wintergreen dogsled day trips are "hands-on" experiences on which you'll be driving your own dogsled powered by a team of our friendly, handsome Canadian Inuit dogs. Our guides will accompany you on skis to provide complete training, help out as needed, point out signs of wildlife and sights of scenic interest and share northwoods lore.  No experience is needed. Persons ages 5-75 have enjoyed these trips. Half-day morning (9-1) and afternoon (1-5) options are available along with full day trips (9-5) that include lunch.  Full day trips also include the option of exploring more adventurous trail options in the afternoon if you choose.

DATES: Wintergreen's dogteams and guides are fully booked most Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays December to March with our overnight vacation packages so day trips options are limited. For 2010, they include the following:

n Most Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays January through March and the following weekend/holiday dates:

n Sun Jan 17, Mon Jan 18 (MLK Day), Sun Jan 24, Sat Jan 30, Sun Jan 31

n Sun Feb 7, Mon Feb 15 (Pres. Hol.), Sun Feb 21, Sun Feb 28

n Sun Mar 7, Sun Mar 14, Sun Mar 21, Mon Mar 22

RATES: Half day trips (a.m. 9-1 or p.m. 1-5) are $125/adult, $100/youth ages 12-17, $75/child ages 5-11.  Full day trips (9-5), which include a trail lunch, are $200/adult, $150/youth ages 12-17, $100/child ages 5-11. These rates are per person with 2 guests per sled on our extra wide sleds. On these specially designed sleds (a Wintergreen exclusive) 2 guests stand side-by-side and drive the sled together (or one can sit in the basket while the other drives).  For a one-person “solo” sled, the rates are 50% more. Maximum group size is 12, minimum is 2. Our day trips typically involve 6-8 guests traveling in a caravan of 3-4 sleds accompanied by 2-3 guides. (No special fitness or experience is needed, but please note that persons over 250 pounds may find it difficult to balance on the sleds and kids 5 & under sometimes prefer a short ride rather than a half day or more of sledding.)

ITINERARY: These trips all begin at Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge, 8 miles east of Ely on White Iron Lake near Ely, where our guides will make sure your clothing & boots are adequate, provide you with trail beverages & snacks as needed and take you through our “Dogsledding 101” orientation.  Then you’ll head to the kennel to meet all the dogs and to help—if you’d like—in harnessing your own team.  The big moment arrives as the guide helps you launch your sled and off you go, driving your own dogteam on wilderness trail. Along the way, the guide (on skis) will point out wildlife signs and sites of scenic interest for photos, provide rest stops, bathroom & beverage breaks as needed and (on full day trips) they cook a trailside campfire lunch or stop back at the lodge for an indoor lunch.  Our trail system includes a variety of scenic options—hilly woodland terrain, sheltered bogs, frozen lakes & ponds—and trails that are both easy and challenging so be sure to let your guide know your preferences. When you arrive back at the kennel you’re welcome to help feed and water your dogs and to stop up at the lodge for a hot beverage before departing. . 

CLOTHING: Suitable clothing includes: thermalwear (top & bottom), sweater or fleece top, parka & snow pants, warm hat & mitts,  neck gaitor or scarf, sunglasses, warm socks and insulated snowboots.  The key items—parka, snow pants & insulated snowboots--can be rented separately or as a package at the Wintergreen store in Ely (i.e., full package rental rates $35/adult, $20/kids) but be sure to call the store to reserve these items in advance and be sure to pick them up at the store before coming out to the lodge. A more extensive description of suitable clothing options & rental rates can be provided upon request.  Click here to view or print our Dogsled Day Trip Rental Gear Order Form.  You're welcome to bring your own water bottle, thermos and snack food; or we can provide those at no charge upon request. Video, digital and film cameras work quite well on our trips.

RESERVATIONS involve submitting our registration form which can be sent to you by fax, mail or email.  We’ll respond with a confirmation letter that reviews details about your trip and outlines rental clothing/boot options.  No deposit is required – payment can be made by cash, credit card or check following your trip.  Price does not include a guide gratuity, so if your Wintergreen experience proves to be exceptional, our guides will appreciate recognition of a job well done. Please be advised that you will be engaged in an adventure activity and traveling on remote wilderness trails where there is an element of risk.  While Wintergreen day trip participants have never sustained significant injuries, we do as a matter of protocol ask all participants to sign a liability release upon arriving at Wintergreen.  Email or phone us regarding your date options (based upon the list above), we’ll alert you to availability and provide a registration form. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 877-753-3386.

WEEKEND VACATION IDEA: Since Sundays often work best for our day trips, many of our guests come up on a Saturday and stay at the Grand Ely Lodge, which offers a substantial discount for Wintergreen guests (www.grandelylodge.com, 218-365-6565, 877-472-6335). A downtown option is “A Stay Inn Ely” (new, very nice, very personalized, great rates PLUS a 10% discount for Wintergreen guests),  www.stayinnely.com, 888-360-6010. Our daytrip guests often choose to visit Ely's International Wolf Center (www.wolf.org) and North American Bear Center (www.bear.org)  on Saturday afternoon (winter hours for both are Fri/Sat 10-5), and then come out to Wintergreen on Sunday for a half or full day dogsled trip.  Other near-town lodging options that offer discounts to Wintergreen dogsledders: Timber Trail Lodge (log cabins & motel units with kitchens, just a few miles from Wintergreen snack bar) 800-777-7348, www.timbertrail.com;  Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast (intimate & exquisite, has small restaurant) 218-365-4720, www.BlueHeronBnB.com. 

Happy Trails from the Wintergreen Team: Betty, Prada, Gucci, Kirsch, Odin, Romeo, Goose*, Otok, Chris*, Franky, George, Ricky, Lisa*, Charlotte, Jack, Lucy, Juno, Mittens, Isis, Ramona, Larry, Mo, & Curly, Calvin & Hobbs, Steve, Darla, Bernard*, Gracy, Lynn Anne*, Covy, Lewis & Clark, Gus, Belle, Don*, Achota, Ellwood, Hardy, Spaz, Thor, Suma, Scoop, Snarf, Heinsy, Patches, Barnum, Dave*, Slobber, Lufa, Orion, Copper, Zinc, Moki, Amy*, Tamarack, Knud, Bubba, Jason*, Scooter, Jens, Ellen*, Prairie, Goofy, Thule, Buster, Boomerang, Bria*, Sheila, Sampson, Lightning, Moon, Paul*, Fudgie, Shelby, Baloo, Martha, Matilda, Dozer, Sweet Pea, Zinger*, Daisy, Fennel, Sue*, Saylix, Thistle, Taskas, Kiana, Domino & Jupiter       * 2-legged staff