Activities
Dog Sledding and Snowmobiling in Vail Valley
By Richard Fisher

One of the biggest misconceptions that many visitors have about the Vail Valley is that there is nothing to do here in the winter other than ski.  But as many local home owners will tell you, Vail and Beaver Creek have a lot to offer besides skiing.  2 such activities that get people away from the ski resort are dog sledding, and snowmobiling.

One such company that offers both services is Alpine snowmobiles and dog sledding.  The company initially started out with 40 snowmobiles and 24 dogs.  But finding that people flocked to the dog sled rides, the business has since downsized to 22 snowmobiles and become the home to over 80 dogs.

“I always get a few more dogs and say, ‘Oh, I think this many will be my limit,’ and then I get a few more…but I think 100 will be my limit,” said Stacy Petty, owner.  Many of the pups in Petty’s teams are veteran sled dogs, having run races like the Iditarod, and Race to the Sky.  “You can snowmobile anywhere,” Petty said. “To have an experience with the dogs is more unique.

Dog sledding is becoming more popular every year, but there are still more companies offering snowmobile rides.  White Mountain Snowmobile Tours offers guided tours for every age and ability, and unlike the dog sleds, you are in charge, where the machine goes.

Starting at 11,300 feet, White Mountain Snowmobile Tours winds up and over the continental divide up to 12,500 feet and stops at a century-old log cabin for a hot drink.  White Mountains 125 state-of0the-art snowmobiles offer heated hand and foot warmers to keep you comfortable on the ride, but the views will do their part to take your breath away, Gilman said.  Guides will point out the scenic spots and make sure you don’t get lost along the way, but if group activities aren’t your preference, several companies offer individual rentals. 

Whether on a dog sled, or a snowmobile, you will sacrifice speed for simple peace.  The dogs and the noise of the snowmobile engines scare off woodland animals one would normally see if they were snowshoeing.  No matter for most, as this is a way for them to see a part of the state that they would not be able to on their own.