Last year I went dog sledding in Montana.
I'll admit I was apprehensive about it at first — I was worried about the dogs and the cold, and it just didn't seem like my kind of thing — but it proved to be one of the most exhilarating and memorable experiences of my life.
Dog sledding allows you to explore untouched backcountry terrain that would otherwise be inaccessible, since snowmobiles are not allowed, the snow is too deep, and the distance too far to walk.
There are five outfitters in Montana devoted exclusively to dog sledding. I went with Absaroka Dogsled Treks, based at the Chico Hot Springs resort in Pray, Montana. They offer 6-, 10-, and 18-mile treks through snowy mountain passes in the Absaroka Mountain Range. I went on the 10-mile Yukon Trek, which followed Mill Creek through the snowy Gallatin Forest and took about six hours.
It's not cheap — prices range from $120 to $320 per person — but it's a unique experience that's totally worth it.
We picked up the dogs at Chico Hot Springs, a 113-year-old resort in Pray, Montana.
Named after the natural hot springs, Chico has catered to cowboys, prospectors, and adventurers who came to soak in the warm and soothing waters.
We then drove for about an hour through windy mountainous roads to reach the trail head, which traverses the Gallatin National Forest. It was chilly, but I was bundled up in ski gear.
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