Husky Dog Sledding

Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego

Learn to Drive the Huskys

Racing along forest trails with the cold wind whipping against your face and the yelping of excited Husky dogs still ringing in your ears is truly something special. Canines don't come much cuddlier than a Husky. With their long hairy coats and big glassy eyes, they are delightful looking dogs.

Closely related to the wolf they don't share his fierce tempers. Being naturally gentle they live very comfortably as pack animals. The Husky has been used for many generations in wild parts of the world to pull sledges as a means of transporting both people and goods. Imagine the thrill of experiencing these dogs in action?

dog sledding with the grandchildren

Now is your chance to have a go! At the tip of Argentina near Ushuaia lives a man who brought in Siberian and Alaskan Huskies and created the chance for you to have a taste of running a dog-sled. At Altos del Valle, in the Valle de los Huskies, they train their dogs for competition, make sleds and give visitors a unique introduction to Husky Dog Sledding. If you prefer something gentler, the centre also offers langlauf skiing and snow shoeing through the forests.

Fun on a dog sled

ALTOS DEL VALLE - Sled Dog Training School. Situated in the beautiful Valle de los Huskies in the forest, Altos del Valle is home to an impressive pack of Siberian and Alaskan Husky Dogs and the patriarch of the pack, Eco, a big and powerful Alaskan snow-wolf. The dogs live together and when not being exercised or worked, spend their days chained to their "kennels", which are large metal barrels. They are contented, healthy and well cared for dogs despite their simple accommodation. Please follow the links for further information about the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Husky.

Visitors to the school can either be taken during the day on a fast track through the forest on a sled handled by an experienced driver, or given the chance to handle their own sled on a 12 mile trip, once they have learnt the basic commands. Alternatively be taken for an evening torchlight trip over the open snows driven by a handler culminating in a traditional meal back at Altos del Valle.

Working with the dogs

Children can join in as well, either being driven on a sled or they can enrol in one of the fortnightly courses in handling and running the dogs. During the course which is approximately 2 hours a day, the children first of all get to know the dog by caring for it and handling it. They then learn about harnessing and hitching up the dog and the voice commands needed to run a sled-dog. By the end of two weeks they can run a dog by themselves on a short circuit. The courses are run for children between 6 and 14 and run between June and October (winter in the Southern Hemisphere) and are dependent on availability and weather conditions.

Client comments:
"Hugely exciting. I have no idea how fast we were going through the trees, but it felt very fast, and my driver was amazing at negotiating us through the trees. I would definitely have another go if I had the chance, and would like to learn how drive my own team"

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