Dogsled Day Trips

While Wintergreen's dogteams and guides are busy most days with our overnight trips, we do offer half or full day trips as time allows. Sunday afternoons through Wednesday mornings (mid-Dec to late March) work best but we sometimes have teams & guides available on other days as well. Our day trips are "hands-on" experiences in which you'll be driving your own dogsled while accompanied by a guide on skis. No experience is needed. Persons ages 5-75 have enjoyed these trips. Wintergreen sleds are specially designed to accommodate two guests who stand side-by-side on a platform on the back of the sled to drive the sled together.

RATES: Half day trips (9-1 or 1-5) are $100/person if you're sharing the sled with a companion, or $150 if you're traveling alone. Full day trips (9-5), which include a trail lunch, are $175/person on shared sleds, $250 on solo sleds. Children ages 5-16 are half price (on sleds shared with an adult).

CURRENT OPENINGS: SORRY, WE"RE FULL FOR THIS SEASON BUT EMAIL US IF YOU"D LIKE TO BE WAIT-LISTED FOR ANY OPENINGS THAT MAY DEVELOP.

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. 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 if you choose 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 at the Wintergreen store in Ely 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 can be provided upon request. You're welcome to bring your own water bottle, thermos and snack food; or we can provide those at no charge. Video, digital and film cameras all work quite well on our trips despite the winter conditions.

RESERVATIONS must be made and confirmed in advance. Email us or call us toll-free 877-753-3386 (877-SLED FUN). A $50 non-refundable deposit by credit card is required. Balance of payment can be made at the end of your trip by cash, check or credit card (and gratuities are appreciated by the guides for 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.

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). They visit Ely's International Wolf Center on Saturday afternoon (its winter hours are Sat/Sun 10-4) and then come out to Wintergreen on Sunday for a half or full day dogsled trip.