The sled used in sleddog tours: what it looks like and how to drive it

Discovering the sled

Taking part in a sleddog excursion with huskies at the Husky Village means, for those over 13, personally driving a sled pulled by a team of dogs through the snowy path that winds through the woods of Valdidentro, in Alta Valtellina – Lombardy.

To arrive prepared for your appointment, it is good to know the vehicle on which you are travelling: let’s find out more about the sleds that are pulled by our Nordic dogs.

Structure and characteristics of the sleds

The husky dog sled has been a means of transport since ancient times. A husky sled is designed to be strong, light and manoeuvrable. Here are the main features:

• the frame is usually made of ash wood, resistant to cold temperatures and stress, with a simple but strong structure to support the load and ensure stability. Wood is a common choice for traditional sleds, while competition models can also be constructed from lightweight, strong composite materials;
• underneath the sled are long, thin skids that allow the sled to glide over the snow. The skids are designed to reduce friction and allow the sled to move without too much resistance, making it easier for huskies to pull;
• the sled is equipped with a series of lines to which the dogs are attached, ergonomically designed to make it easy and comfortable for the dogs to pull;
• the sled is also equipped with a triple braking system – service brake, parking brake and an anchor brake to safely lock the sled and husky team in the event of a prolonged stop.

At the front of the sled is a windproof sled bag to protect the transport of people and/or materials. The musher (i.e. the driver) stands at the back of the sled, keeping his feet on the two side skids and his hands on the handlebar.

The sled must be light but strong to withstand the stresses and strains of the dogs, but at the same time it must be stable to allow the musher to guide it safely and precisely.

Driving the sled in the snow

It is the dogs who pull the sled during the sleddog excursions, and it is the musher who drives it: the animals are in fact extraordinary athletes, trained and naturally predisposed to this task, but it is the man who guides them and gives them the directions they need. How? Through simple voice commands, which the huskies are accustomed to recognising, and which are taught by the instructors to the participants during the briefing before the excursion (find out more).

Along the snowy route on the Decauville of Cancano, between Bormio and Livigno, those taking part in the experience have the opportunity to try their hand at driving a sled, discovering the discipline of dog sledding first-hand and trying to be a musher for a day: try with us!

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