Dog Sledding Holidays: What To Expect

If youve ever dreamed of exploring the Arctic, dog sledding holidays provide a fantastic way to do so. There are few experiences as exhilarating as being drawn across the snow on a sled pulled by a team of huskies, and few landscapes as pristine and enchanting as the ones youll traverse while doing so. To help you get in the right frame of mind for such a trip, read on.

What Youll See

The details of your surroundings will, of course, depend on where you choose to go for your dog sledding holidays, but all the potential destinations share an incredible natural beauty. There are the soaring mountains and gleaming lakes of the Yukon, where bears, moose and caribou roam, and pike and trout dart through the waters while hawks, bald eagles and golden eagles soar overhead. North America also offers a plethora of other great locations, from stunning forest scenery in Prince Albert National Park to the sweeping beauty of Algonquin Park. In Europe, the icy wonders and ancient traditions of Lapland await, as well as the icebergs and remote settlements of Greenland.

What Youll Learn

Learning new things is one of the joys of travel, and this is especially true in this case. While the sights that surround you as you make your way across the snow on dog sledding holidays are enough of a magical new experience in themselves, there is also wonder and new knowledge to be gained from the activity itself. Youll learn more about the abilities, personalities and needs of the dogs, which are in many cases Siberian Huskies, although other breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute and the Mahikan are used in some places; each breed will have its own unique but equally interesting characteristics. You might also learn about the history of dog sledding, which predates our era by thousands of years, and about the principles of mushing which comes from the French order traditionally given to the dogs to start moving: Marche!

How to Prepare

While those who have previously embarked on dog sledding holidays will likely agree that they are a fantastic experience from start to finish, it can not be denied that some preparation is necessary to meet the conditions that you will be experiencing. The destinations for such holidays are some of the worlds coldest, so knowing how to protect yourself from the elements is important. When packing, be sure to include plenty of warm clothes, as well as a weatherproof outer layer and good boots. Synthetic fabrics are better than cotton, which retains moisture and can make the wearer cold. Specialist equipment and advice will usually be provided by your holiday operator, but dont forget the smaller essentials such as sunglasses and sunscreen, as the snow can reflect a considerable amount of sunlight.

Philippa Westwood is Marketing Manager at Windows on the Wild, a specialist of wildlife watching tours and dog sledding holidays. Destinations include Canada, Lapland and Sweden where dog sledding holidays can take you on adventurous experiences across the world.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/-Dog-Sledding-Holidays--What-To-Expect/4455003

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