What are other names for Northern Lights?
The other names for Northern Lights are: Polar lights and Aurora Borealis. In fact, Galileo Galilei named the latter one which is the scientific name.
What are the Northern Lights?
It is a natural light phenomenon. It takes place when the interaction between the solar winds and Earth’s magnetic fields occurs.
What kind of food do sled dogs eat?
Besides having a special diet, they have a huge appetite due to their physical effort. While a normal dog might get by on 1,500 calories a day, sled dogs can easily consume up to 10,000 calories per day on the trail! Therefore, their diet is simply made up of a mixture of meat and dry food.
In the winter, it is important to monitor their water to avoid them eating snow since that can dehydrate them as they spend too much energy warming up again. Their special formula is a warm soup with a meaty base.
In the summer, the portion sizes are far smaller as they are burning less calories (500-1000 calories per day). The water also needs to be changed at least once per day to avoid stagnant water.
They are used to eat at least two hours before they run and get an additional soup afterwards. In hot days, it is common to give blood ice cubes to help reduce the core body temperature.
What should I know about Huskies?
There are two distinct types of Huskies: The Siberian Husky which is the pure breed and the Alaskan Husky which has been mixed with house dogs and hound dogs for improving their speed. The latter is smaller therefore faster. He is the most used dog in dog sled racing. He can also have blue eyes like the Siberian Husky.
Both are strong (low temperature resistant), athletic, friendly, and playful. They require a lot of exercise to be happy and healthy. They also live in packs.
What are the sled dogs doing in summer?
Besides enjoying their holidays, they go on a trip to keep exercising up at their own speed and without pulling. They will only start pulling carts when the temperature drops.
How does a sled dog team work together?
Each dog pulling a sled has a special role to play to maintain the team operating as one.
The lead dogs (in the 1st position) apply the musher’s commands, set the pace, and ensure correct direction. The swing dogs (in the 2nd position) ensure the team follows turns. The team dogs (in the 3rd position) pull the sled and help maintain speed. The wheel dogs (in the last position) pull the most weight of the sled and therefore, tend to be the strongest within the team.
How should I get dressed for the dog sledding tour?
We provide winter overalls, boots, and gloves. However, we recommend bringing warm clothing.
Can I dog sled while pregnant?
We do not recommend it due to bumps.
How to dog sled?
There are two possibilities, either you sit on the sled steered by a guide, or you drive your own dog team. The groups are usually small, ranging from 5 to 8 people.
By driving your own dog team, your dog team will automatically follow the guide sled dog team.
A glimpse of dog sledding history
Although dog sledding may have existed before, the oldest archaeological evidence has been dated to around 1,000 A.D. As far as we know, the native and Inuit people in the northern areas invented dog sledding. Dog-sled teams were much smaller than they are today, and mainly used as a mode of transportation. This practice was also appealing to polar adventurers in quest of the poles.
Dog sledding has a sports aspect too. The most well-known race takes place in Nome, Alaska. This route is famous due to the 1925 Serum Run, also known as the Great Race of Mercy, when Leonhard Seppala, a Norwegian native, delivered diphtheria medicine to the struggling town.
Guest reviews
Nature’s Best
