City Slickers Go Dog Sledding for Thrills
A S H L A N D, N.H., Dec. 18 -- Like many identical twins, Kim and KellyBerg of Ashland do almost everything together, even mushing.
Three to five afternoons a week, after work, they hook up their12 Siberian huskies to a sled and join the increasing number ofpeople enjoying recreational or competitive dog sledding.
"It's exciting. It's an adrenaline rush, for sure," said Kim,23, who's been dog sledding with her sister since they were 14. "Alot of young people are getting into it; there are a ton of us outthere."
But you don't have to have your own team of dogs to enjoy dogsledding. There are sled-dog kennels in at least 21 states,offering everything from races, training and three-week adventuresfor dedicated mushers, to a pleasant half-hour ride for families orbeginners looking for something to do on a wintry weekend besidesskiing or snowmobiling.
Dog sledding always has been a popular activity in Alaska, homeof the world famous Iditarod sled-dog race, but more and morepeople are trying it in places such as Colorado, the upper Midwestand New England.
"The whole sport, for some reason, seems to be catching on,"said Brian Kolowich of Ouray, Colo., who organizes races.
Not Just in Alaska
He said there is renewed interest in the Iditarod because ofanimal rights activists, and in the last few years there have beentwo sled-dog movies, Snow Dogs and Iron Will.
"People realized you don't have to be in Alaska to do sled-dogracing," he said.
As recreation, "it's an alternative to motorized sports" and away to enjoy the winter countryside without the noise and fumes ofsnowmobiles. "And the dogs are your pets, your friends, not amachine you put away for the year," he added.
For beginners, there are many places in the snowbelt that offerrides, a chance to try it out before making any investment in asled and dogs. Rides range from one hour to a half-day, full-day toovernight trips, and rates vary.
Related Stories
ABC News Live