As a huge dog lover, I had been wanting to go dog sledding for as long as I could remember. Dashing through the snow on a sled pulled by a team of adorable pups sounded like heaven!
While I was planning a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado, I learned dog sledding was one of the best winter activities in the area… so I decided to give it a go and see if it lived up to my expectations.
Here’s everything you need to know about dog sledding in Breckenridge, Colorado!
Planning a Dog Sledding Tour in Breckenridge
A couple of weeks before arriving in Breckenridge, I booked a guided dog sledding tour for our group of 6 through Good Times Adventures. I wanted to make sure we didn’t book too late and miss our opportunity to dog sled in Breck!
Good Times Adventures is one of the top dog sledding tour operators in the area. The picturesque 6-mile tour goes along the snowy trails of the beautiful Swan River Valley. Sounds dreamy, right?!
To book a tour, you must make a reservation with payment in advance via the Good Times Adventures website. The tour costs around $140 per person and is suitable for children ages 4 and up! Dog sledding tours can be booked for up to six people and run through the winter season of November through April (they usually open booking in early November so you can plan early for your trip to Breckenridge!).
Located about 20 minutes from downtown Breckenridge, the best way to get to there is by car. If you don’t have a car, don’t fret — Good Times Adventures also offers shuttle bus transportation from downtown Breckenridge for an added fee to your booking.
What to Expect on Dog Sledding Tour
As we drove through the gorgeous Swan River Valley, the anticipation of our dog sled tour was building… To say I was excited was an understatement!
Once we arrived at the Good Times Adventures office, we signed some liability paperwork, then met our tour guide for the dog sledding adventure and were on our way.
Once outside, we met our team of 8 adorable Siberian huskies who were just as excited to meet us as we were them… it was total cuteness overload!
The tour runs as a relay with two people riding in the dog sled while the other four are riding in a passenger sleigh pulled by the instructor via snowmobile. The group takes turns in the dog sled switching off two people at a time.
I was first up to ride in the dog sled and I chose to ride in the sled while my partner stood behind and did the mushing! Our dog sledding guide gave us detailed instructions on how to properly mush which turned out to be quite easy.
Once we took off, I was immediately impressed with how fast the dogs went! They were just as excited to go on an adventure as we were. While sledding, we went through a picturesque forest down winding trails lined with snowcapped trees… it was definitely one of the most magical days of my life!
When we stopped to switch up the dog sledding riders, the dogs were also given a nice break to cool down and get some rest if they wanted it. Turns out they really just wanted some attention though so we all got in the snow to pet and love on them!
Switching over to the sleigh, our guide filled us in on all things dog sledding. From how the dogs are trained and taken care of to the history of the tour company to opportunities to adopt the huskies, our guide was so incredibly knowledgeable and you could tell he cared deeply for the dogs.
After everyone had taken turns in the dog sled and we had enjoyed time with each of the dogs, our 6-mile tour was over — one of the best 1.5 hours of my life!
Tips for Dog Sledding in Breckenridge
- As one of the most popular winter activities in Breckenridge, dog sledding can get booked up quickly. Try to make your reservations as early as possible! And note that cancellations for Good Times Adventures must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
- Allow enough time to drive to the dog sledding lodge, find parking and arrive early. Arriving 30 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time is recommended for Good Times Adventures tours.
- Dog sledding through the snowy trails of Breckenridge can be quite cold! Make sure you dress very warmly with lots of layers including a ski jacket, winter boots, gloves, hats and neck warmers. Hand warmers would be a good idea to have on hand, as well as sunglasses or goggles for eye protection! These are my favorite oversized aviators for winter trips.
- While your tour is prepaid in advance at the time of booking, make sure to bring cash to tip your guide. The guides work hard to make sure everyone has an unforgettable experience!
- Bring your camera! The dogs are so incredibly cute that you’ll want to capture every moment of this adventure. (This is my favorite pocket size camera that takes incredible photos and is great for travel blogging.)
Yesterday my husband and I went to Breckenridge for our first dog sledding adventure at Good times. It was magical and excellent experience. Alexa was our guide and she was fantastic.
I’m so glad to hear that! We had an absolute blast with them as well… and the dogs are too cute!
Love this!
The dogs are just too cute, right?!