Plan your adventure

Our trips are designed to be educational and interactive; as well as being part of our training program. Every time out is an opportunity in training and there is something to learn from each adventure. We want you to be a part of our team and feel that you ran the dog team. We encourage as much participation from you that is within your comfort level. This includes preparing the dogs – harnessing – driving the team, treating and watering the dogs or just sitting back and enjoying the ride. The sled design offers you a chance to drive while the musher maintains full control of the sled and team.

The skill level required in driving a sled is: minimal balance, standing on two runners, holding onto the driver bow, and shifting your weight to assist the sled in turning. Our tour is a single sled operation, which can typically accommodate a family of 2 adults and one or two children under 12 years (400 lb limit). Additional sleds maybe available for tours booked two weeks in advance.

The Little River State Park Tour in Waterbury Vermont : Any trail around Vermont traveled by dog team is a unique, beautiful experience. We choose the trails that also highlight the public lands of Vermont . Many people have visited Vermont State Parks in the summer, but they have a completely different feel to them when the only way in and out is by a winter mode of travel. This is October Siberians Primary Tour Location and Rob's favorite trail system located in the Southeast portion of the Mount Mansfield State Forest . Little River State Park Campground is situated on the Waterbury Reservoir Click Here for a detailed Map. This tour offers option to travels through the camping area, along the Waterbury reservoir and a former homestead community last occupied about 100 years ago. This journey takes you past many rock walls, old foundations, cemeteries, orchards and beautiful vistas which foster images of days gone by. There is always possibility of wildlife encounters with deer, moose, fox, ground birds and hopefully not porcupines – that's another story. The terrain is typical Vermont hill climbs and the thrill of the downhill, but rest assure Rob's dog driving experience maintains full control of the pace of the team and the speed of the sled. This trip is 6 to 8 miles journey, with the opportunities for extended tours on the extensive trail network. Click Here for Directions to find Little River State Park. This site fits well into a day full of activities in Waterbury such as: Ben & Jerry Ice Cream factory tour, snow show and ice cream – book this activity in advance with Umiak Outfiters at http://www.umiak.com/Winter/B&JPage.html ; Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Cabot Cheese Store, Champlain Chocolates, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters to name a few. The park offer excellent cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and even ice fishing – Umiak Outfitters can provide the skies, snowshoes and sleds. See bottom of page for links to other activities.

1. The last run of the day at Little River State Park . You would think that the dogs would have had enough, but with dusk and the approaching darkness I have seen my team reenergized even after 50 miles of running. This is the full 2 hour time slot starting at 3:oopm Saturday/Sunday and 3:00pm and 5:30pm on Wednesday/(some) Thursday.

2. New this year is the 20 minute Dog Sled Rides in Stowe. This is a very affordable way to get the taste of mushing and fit it into your precious vacation time. These dog sled rides are being booked through Umiak Outfitters of Stowe, so please contact them directly at 802-523-2317, email – paddle@umiak.com or their webpage www.umiak.com for pricing and scheduling of these rides.

3. Moon Light Tours at Shelburne Farms: We are speechless on where to start in describing this Crown Jewel of Vermont. Please click here for the description of this tour. For more details on Shelburne Farms check out their website at www.shelburnefarms.org. There is limited availability of tours at this site. Please see Rates, Payment and Refund Page for pricing and availability of these tours or contact us with your questions.

You can rest assure that our Night Tours are safe. We wear reflective clothing, headlamps and flashing red lights to use as needed and for safety. Night tours work well into your busy daytime activities. After a day full of activities, you have a whole new adventure to complete your day. Our night tours fit very nicely with a dinner before or after a dog sled adventure.

Fall Training Run Tours

The cool temperatures of autumn have been letting us know of the changing season in late August. The huskies have been howling on those cool mornings and summer vacation is coming to an end. The dogs are all too eager to jump into their harnesses and the new season of dog sledding begins. Fall training is to build up strength and conditioning for the coming winter. We start out slow with shorter distances and quickly build up to longer runs. It is quite the sight as our dog powered ATV comes barreling down our driveways and we begin the journey down the back roads and trails of the neighborhood. With your participation we typically have one adult and a child or two on the ATV and additional group members following in a car to switch the riders somewhere during the run. With fall foliage the photo opportunities are fabulous. We continue this training until the trails have enough snow for the sled.