Ride a Dogsled Through the Backcountry Terrain of Montana

Dogsledding in Montana: What to Book and What to Expect

Dogsledding in Montana is a winter activity available roughly from December through March, weather and snowpack dependent. The dogs are typically Alaskan Huskies or Canadian Inuit Dogs - working sled dogs, not Siberian Huskies bred for appearance. A well-conditioned sled team of 8-12 dogs covers flat terrain at 10-15 mph and can run for hours without tiring. The experience of being towed through open backcountry by animals that clearly want to run is unlike anything else.

Montana’s most established dogsledding operations concentrate around three areas: Whitefish in the northwest (near Glacier National Park), West Yellowstone in the southwest, and the Bozeman area in the south-central part of the state.

Choosing an operator

Spirit of Montana Sled Dog Expeditions near Bozeman offers both half-day tours (USD 125-150 per person) and multi-day backcountry trips where guests camp or stay in remote cabins. The multi-day trips require advance booking of several months for winter weekends. Dog Creek Lodge operates near West Yellowstone and runs tours through terrain that borders the park’s north boundary. Montana Dogsledding Adventures runs out of Whitefish and customises routes based on conditions and group size.

Most operations offer a “learn to mush” component where participants take the handlebar and run the team on a supervised section of trail. This is the better experience compared to sitting in the sled basket for the full duration.

What to wear

Temperature during a Montana dogsled run can range from 10 degrees Fahrenheit to mild above-freezing conditions. Layers are essential: moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer, windproof outer shell. The person in the sled basket is largely stationary and gets considerably colder than the musher at the back. Most operators provide insulated overalls (bibs) and hand warmers; confirm what’s included when booking. Waterproof boots rated to at least -20 degrees Fahrenheit are advisable.

Bring ski goggles if you have them. Flying snow from the trail and wind at speed makes bare eyes uncomfortable on faster sections.

When to go

January and February have the most reliable snowpack and the coldest temperatures. Early December can be unpredictable; late March brings risk of thaw conditions. The Whitefish area typically holds snow longer into spring than Bozeman, due to higher elevation and proximity to the Continental Divide.

Beyond dogsledding

The Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly Big Mountain) has 3,000 acres of skiable terrain and is a legitimate destination in its own right. Glacier National Park, while much of it inaccessible in winter by road, has cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails from the Apgar and Lake McDonald visitor areas on the west side.

In Whitefish town, the Tupelo Grille on Central Avenue is consistently the best restaurant option - Montana-raised beef and regional trout preparations, mains around USD 28-40. In Bozeman, the Blackbird Kitchen on West Main Street does wood-fired cooking with local sourcing.

Nearest airports are Glacier Park International (Kalispell) for the Whitefish area and Bozeman Yellowstone International for the central and southwest operations. Both have direct connections to major West Coast and Midwest hubs in winter.