Cold is subjective and perceived by each person differently! When you’re cold it is not only about your physical state but also your mental perception. Therefore, a positive attitude is half the battle won. Looking forward to the little things brought on by low temperatures will bring you far, like the cracking noise of footsteps in snow or beautiful ice crystals hanging from the tree on a January morning…
Increased activity and blood circulation play a key role for how the body behaves in the cold. Active, moving muscles need to be supplied with larger quantities of (warm) blood. Therefore, someone who is regularly physically active will have an easier time than someone with a more sedentary lifestyle. Furthermore, those who always experience the same temperature range will face more difficulty in keeping warm. Nonetheless, you will be surprised how quickly and easily you will get used to the cold. With the correct clothing and plenty of exercise you are well protected.
This means to stay warm in extreme cold it is important to pick the right clothing!
Wool! It has many advantages. Wool is a great insulator, even when it is damp or even completely wet! Many shy away from woolen underwear, because they worry it might be itchy. We can assure you that modern functional underwear made from wool does not itch and is well worth its price! Wool is also self-cleaning and can be aired out easily.
The “onion principle”! It Is better to have many thin layers of clothing rather than only wearing a sweater and down jacket. Wearing multiple layers has the advantage that more air is trapped between layers, which will help in keeping you warm; and you can just take a layer off if you start to sweat.
Sweating in low temperatures should be avoided! Dry cold is much less problematic than moisture.
Here it is important to consider certain patterns! For example, you only put on your down jacket after harnessing the dogs, just before the tour is started….
Whether fit or well-dressed only exercise keeps the body warm! Here we also have a tip for you: help the dogs! Don’t just be drawn but push the sled on. This will help you and the dogs.
You don’t have to be an athlete to participate in a dog sledding tour!
If you practice an active lifestyle, for example do a bicycle tour in the mountains or go on skiing holidays, you’re fit enough for a tour with us.
However, it won’t hurt to prepare yourself physically for the adventure ahead!
Of course there are many ways this can be done: from professional fitness regimes to simply training at home. We recommend jogging or walking multiple times a week to improve your stamina, because some endurance is very important. After all you have to harness the dogs in deep snow, fetch water in the evenings, melt snow, cater for the dogs and of course ride a sled.
Anyone who wants to experience nature its solitude and self-reliance can shy away to pitch in, because a tour is a team effort!
A healthy sense of humour and community, responsibility, willingness to help and being able to read the characters and thus performance of the dogs and your team mates.
The participants need endurance, just as for a bicycle tour with luggage in the highlands.
Prior knowledge of mushing is not required. The first days of the tour are designed so that any uncertainties for newcomers can be overcome. Newcomers usually overcome their first hurdles very quickly and are soon laughing over the difficulties they face the first couple of days.
Mushing is a demanding activity! If you think you can stand on the runners whilst the dogs do all the work, think again. The musher needs a good balance to steer the sled. You will rarely stand quiet, which is also helpful against the cold!
But not to worry: who can ski or ride can also go dog sledding!
Our dogs are exceptionally people friendly. As puppies they are already continuously in contact with strangers. Polar dogs are not watch dogs, so they have nothing to defend! They greet everyone with wagging tails, and the only thing that counts is being petted and cuddling! You will not meet people friendlier dogs.
What joy it is to get to know the five, six, seven or even eight huskies in front of the sled. To truly internalize the different characters of the dogs and subsequently being able to approach the needs of each individual dog. Only when you’ve gotten close to each dog – and each dog with its make-up – will you be a true team.
This is when the real fun of a huskytour begins!
Taking photos on the tours is often difficult due to the low temperature and its variations. But with a few tips this can work too.
Compact cameras are very handy. They can be kept warm in a pocket close to the body and only be taken out when snapping a picture. Even in extreme cold this is often enough for a photo. Of course, you can always bring your SLR-camera.
The low temperatures can quickly defeat an electronic camera. At – 25 ° C most displays of modern cameras give up. Also, the temperature variation between in and outdoors can make it difficult to take beautiful pictures. Outside, the camera should be packed well and stored on the sled, and only be taken out to take photos. Should you want to take photos inside the cabins the camera first needs to
acclimatize. They are best packed in sealed plastic bag, after some time its adjusted to the temperature
Generally, only lithium batteries work in cold weather! Purchasing these more expensive batteries is well worth it. You should also bring some spares with you!
But: just have a look at all the photos on our website. They were all shot on tour during every possible condition. So even you will be able to take great photos of your dog sledding tour.
