Steamboat Springs, CO

Dog sledding in Steam Boat Springs

What a wonderful experience this was. Not only was this my first trip to Colorado but we actually were able to run our own dog sledding team.  What a thrilling activity I definitely recommend for everyone to experience.

Day 1

I left Atlanta and flew to Denver where I met up with Ronnie, he was working in Arizona at the time. From there we flew into Yampa Valley Regional Airport and took a shuttle 24 miles to our Hotel the Nordic Lodge in downtown steamboat.

Town of Steamboat

After checking in we explored the quaint town and picked up a few groceries. No need for a car while in Steamboat they have a free Bus service that will take you anywhere you want to go. What a beautiful little town. With the altitude here you might find yourself in need of a little extra oxygen. Don’t worry they sell it in a convenient can everywhere.

Day 2

We were picked up at our hotel for an adventure of a lifetime “mush our own Dog Team” Once you arrive our guide made sure we had warm enough clothes. They will supply you with boots gloves and scarfs if needed. Then it’s off to meet your team of Alaskan Husky’s and learn a little about them. They are strong energetic dogs and can live in sub-zero temperatures due to their thick fur. These dogs are truly born to mush, it’s in their blood.

Then it’s time to get moving on the twelve-mile trail. There are two people per sled with one person as the musher and the other as the passenger. Halfway around the trail you can stop and switch. Ronnie started out driving while I was the passenger. It is really a different perspective from being the passenger as opposed to the driver. You must experience both aspects of travel.

Day 3

Today we rode to the top of the mountain on the Gondolin. What a spectacular view you get from the air of the mountainside. We even got to meet a St Bernard with a whiskey barrel around his neck. Or so that is what is believed. Legend has it that Saint Bernard of Menthona created a monastery and a hospice around 1049 A.D. in the only thoroughfare known as the Great Saint Bernard Pass between Italy and Switzerland in the Alps. In the 17th century, these dogs became companions to the resident monks. The dogs accompanied the monks on search patrols through the pass. The dogs could ably detect avalanches in advance, had a terrific sense of smell and succeeded at finding people buried in snow. Over the years their role turned to one of search and rescue, and dogs were often sent in groups to search the pass when the weather was too inclement for the monks.

Olympic Celebration

Each Olympic year Steamboat hosts a community-wide Olympian celebration They welcome back past Olympic medalists and give a warm send-off to those joining this elite group for the first time as they head off to PyeongChang, South Korea for the 2018 Olympics. With fireworks, a flag parade, music and the lighting of the 20-foot Community Cauldron, it’s a spectacular show. So glad we were there at this particular time to be a part of it. What a wonderful way to finish off our amazing trip to Steamboat Springs. If you get the chance it is well worth seeing this beautiful town.