Here's some info that you may find helpful before registering:
The registration process (by phone, fax or email) takes only 10 minutes. It involves a $100/person deposit payable by check or credit card with balance due 2 months before your trip. Discounts and refund policies are outlined below. You'll be asked the following items, in addition to your address and phone info, payment preference and trip choice:
--We'll ask if you have any dietary restrictions or preferences that we can accommodate for you (such as low fat, diabetic, allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten &/or lactose free, etc.)
--We'll ask your age, height and weight. You can 'guesstimate" this info for other members of your group but our dogs will be upset if guess too low on weights because we use those figures to budget dog power for your teams. (Persons over 250 pounds may find it difficult to balance on the sleds unless they’re quite fit.)
--For your safety, we'll ask you about any physical or medical restrictions you may have. All such information is strictly confidential. Please note that health conditions or disabilities do not necessarily prevent anyone from participating on our trips. Persons with the following conditions have enjoyed our trips: diabetes (type 1 & 2), amputations, prosthetic arms, legs, hips & knees, back and knee braces, catheters & colostomies, dog allergies, arthritis, asthma, limited hearing and sight.
--For your comfort, we'll ask about your fitness. One of the great things about dogsledding is that it accommodates persons of virtually any fitness level. However, if you are seriously out-of-shape (for example, if you find walking a mile to be exhausting), then a Wintergreen experience may be too challenging. If you have basic fitness (that is, if you could walk 2-3 miles without much difficulty), then you’d enjoy any of our lodge-to-lodge trips. If you’re moderately fit or better (and could handle, for example, a 5-mile walk), then our camping trips would be a fit for you as well. If you have concerns about your fitness, please feel free to discuss them with us. (See more fitness info below.)
--If you’re traveling as a pair or group, we'll ask your preference regarding double or single beds. If you’re traveling as a single, we’ll ask if you require a private room (which is generally available for a $25/night surcharge) or if you’re willing to share a double room with another single of the same gender (no charge).
--We'll ask you to sign an Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver form (sent by mail) indicating that you assume full responsibility for your participation and that you have health and accident insurance. While our safety record is superb, these requirements are standard protocol for all outdoor programs.
We'll respond to your reservation with a confirmation letter. Then a few months before your trip, you’ll receive our “Trip Kit” packet which includes info for preparing for your trip, suggested clothing checklist, rental clothing options, a Wintergreen clothing catalog and 20% discount coupon, brochure and free pass to Ely’s International Wolf Center, Travelex trip insurance brochure and our risk & liability form and travel plans & final payment form with send-back envelope. Finally, a few weeks before your trip, you’ll receive an update letter with final details about the itinerary for your trip, your guides and the other guests in your group.
Welcome aboard! We look forward to sharing a Wintergreen experience with you!
Paul Schurke & the Wintergreen team To view our registration form CLICK HERE. We're happy to fill it out for you by phone but if you prefer, feel free to download it, fill in the blanks & email it back to us. Or print it & fax (218-365-3088) or mail it back to us.
TRIP FEES INCLUDE: all meals, lodging, guides, equipment, taxes and permit fees. The only additional expenses our guests generally incur are transport and clothing rental, if needed. About half of our guests opt to rent some clothing items from Wintergreen. Last year these guests spent an average of $65 in rental costs for boots, anoraks, snow pants, etc.
IF YOU'RE PAYING BY CREDIT CARD: Unless you request otherwise, we'll automatically debit any balance due on this same card 2 months before your trip. Email registrations are accessed only by Wintergreen's registrar and are deleted immediately after we've processed them. But if you prefer, you can provide your credit card number to us by phone. Or you can pay by mailed check -- please be sure we receive your deposit within 5 days of registering and your final payment within 2 months of your trip.
RATES, DISCOUNTS & REFUNDS: Our “Early Sign-Up” discount requires payment in full and provides $150 off/adult registering before June 15, $75 off/adult before Sept. 15. Returning guests get $100 on any trips, anytime. Rates are per adult, in double rooms. Rates for singles requiring private rooms (on standard trips) are $25/night more. Rates for kids 5-16 are $100-$300 less (depending upon trip). Discounts are not cumulative. All payments are fully refundable until October 1. Payments minus a $100 deposit are refundable after Oct 1 and until 2 months before your trip. Within 2 months of your trip, payments are nonrefundable but are transferable to another trip pending availability.
CANCELLATION INSURANCE: If you're concerned that your trip plans may be subject to change, we strongly recommend you purchase trip cancellation insurance from Travelex Company. It will reimburse you for any non-refundable trip or transport expenses you've incurred in the event an incident or illness (involving you, a family member, business partner or traveling companion) requires you to cancel your trip. It's reasonably inexpensive (about 10% of your trip cost), kids 16 & under are free and it provides some medical expense coverage. If purchased within 21 days of registering for your trip, it covers cancellations arising from pre-existing health conditions. Call Travelex at 800-228-9792, ask for their Travel Assure coverage and refer to Wintergreen account number 23-5019. We highly recommend your protect your travel investment. You can enroll directly by email at www.travelex-insurance.com/online/texinagency.asp?LOCATION=23-5019 . Click "Get a Quote," select "TraveLite" option.
TRAVEL OPTIONS--DRIVING: Our guests who live in the Midwest region (MI,WI,OH,IN,IL,ND,SD,NE,KS,MO) generally choose to drive. Ely is served by good all weather highway systems (all but the last 50 miles is divided4-lane) and in our 25 years of trips none of our guests have had their trip delayed by road closures. Allow for 4.5 hours drive time from Minneapolis/St. Paul, 12 hours from Chicago, 13 hours from Kansas City.
TRAVEL OPTIONS--FLYING: Northwest Airlines (www.nwa.com , 800-225-2525) provides service via its Minneapolis/St.Paul hub to our regional airports at DULUTH (7 flights to/from each day) and HIBBING (2 flights to/from a day) through Mesaba Airlink. Afternoon arrival and departure times work best for our trips but we’re happy to accommodate early morning or late night arrivals/departures if that works best for you. Ground shuttle service to your lodge by Ely Cab (218-349-1383) or Yellow Cab (218-365-6006) is available for a flat rate for up to 4 passengers (depending upon luggage) from Hibbing (70 miles) or from Duluth (110 miles). This one-way flat rate (about $90 Hibbing/$140 Duluth) can often be divvied up among other guests arriving on the same flights. Be sure to call & book a pick up in advance because Ely & Yellow Cab often get very busy. Other options (more expensive) are Hibbing Taxi (218-263-5065) and Allied Taxi Duluth (218-722-3311).
Some of our guests opt to fly into Minneapolis, Duluth or Hibbing and rent a car to drive to Ely. This option is especially appealing for those who choose to extend their stay in Minnesota before or after their Wintergreen trip. The Mpls/St.Paul & Duluth airports have all major rental brands. Hibbing options are Avis (218-966-7366) and locally-owned ACAR (218-348-7446). ACAR rates run from $45 daily to $245 weekly. Ely does not have Greyhound service -- the nearest depot is Duluth. Various Ely area lodges offer discounts for Wintergreen guests who want to spend additional time in our area. For example, Grand Ely Lodge (near town, has restaurant, lounge, pool, ski/snowshoe trails & gear) offers a "Wintergreen rate" of $95/room weekdays (reg. $120) and $120 weekends (reg. $150). $165 whirlpool rooms (reg. $205). Or you can get a "Wintergreen" discount on a cabin at Timber Trail Lodge (218-365-4879) or suite at Blue Heron Inn (218-365-4720), the lodges where many of our Wintergreen trips begin or end.
A FINAL WORD ON FITNESS: The more fit you are, the more fun you’ll have on our trips. To enhance your enjoyment, we encourage you to use the anticipation of your trip as an incentive to improve your fitness. Strength is not a crucial factor. What counts is stamina and endurance -- good cardiovascular fitness. This can be achieved at any age. Even persons in "POOR" condition can achieve adequate fitness if (with their doctor’s advice) they engage in 30 minutes of daily exercise for 3 months prior to their trip. Brisk walking, jogging, jump roping, swimming, biking or skiing are all good options. Consider this trip a reason to “get fit for life!” and it will be an investment that will pay off for years.
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