Experience a dog sledding adventure into the deep wilderness at Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail this winter. Dog sled trips into the BWCA wilderness will be offered on weekends and most week days in 2010.  Reservations ahead of time are recommended.   Tours allow the participants the opportunity to ride the runners, an exciting way to experience what it is like to drive the sled and dog team (usually 8-10 dogs).

Short tours, half day trips and full day trips are available.  Each trip involves interactive time getting to know the dogs and the musher. 

1 - 1/2 hour trip, 3-6 miles 
Receive an introduction to mushing, then travel eastward towards the BWCA.  This is a longer trip than Erik's shortest trip last year, since most people really wanted to stay out on the sled for more time. Actual distance covered will depend on snow conditions, but the experience will last about an hour and a half.

• $95/person, rate based on 2 people or more taking the trip.
• $60/child 12 and under
• $110/person for single rider taking the trip without additional riders
• Children 4 and under ride for free with an adult.

BWCA Wilderness 1/2 Day Tours,  about 3 hours, 8-10 miles
Receive an introduction to mushing, then travel eastward into the BWCA.  Actual distance covered will depend on snow conditions, but the experience will last about half a day.  Tours are scheduled for a block of time in the morning at about 9 AM, or in the afteroon at about 1 PM.  

• $190/person, rate based on 2 or more people taking the trip
• $120/child 12 and under
• $218/ person for single rider taking the trip without additional riders

BWCA Wilderness Day Tours, about 5-6 hours,16 - 20 miles, includes a trail lunch 
Receive an introduction to mushing, then travel eastward into the BWCA.  Actual distance covered will depend on snow conditions, but the experience will last for most of the day.

• $295/person, rate based on 2 or more people taking the trip
• $180/ child 12 and under
• $339/person for single rider taking the trip without additional riders

Want to learn to be a musher?
Erik Simula will offer a focused mushing skills training course covering the technical aspects of
mushing:  how to properly fit harnesses, booties, hitching in the team,
considerations for training lead dogs, discussion of anchoring systems, sled
designs, tethering systems, verbal commands, training techniques, feeding
and watering, breeding programs, racing, skijoring, winter camping with dogs
and much more.  Depth of coverage for each topic will depend on the amount of time reserved.

1 1/2 hour mushing skills class

3 hour mushing skills class

Full day mushing skills class

• $295/ person, rate based on 2 people or more taking the class
• $180/ child 12 and under
• $339/ person, for one individual taking the class