adventure
Beyond Skiing + Snowboarding By Courtney Holden
V
ail is almost synonymous with downhill skiing. And rightly so, given our mountain community boasts the third-largest ski resort in the U.S. with world-class facilities, plenty of other resorts close by and a wide range of accommodation and dining options to accompany all the expansive terrain. But, there are more ways to play in our annual 108 inches of snow than just shredding through the trees on a powder day or carving the corduroy when the sky’s painted blue. Read on to discover four less traditional but equally enjoyable options for taking advantage of the snow.
Experience the Iditarod with Mountain Musher Starting point: Wolcott After watching (okay, crying at) movies like Iron Will and Togo, most of us have dreamed about leading a team of steadfast huskies across a winter white landscape. Then again, tackling miles of brutal terrain in sub-zero-degree temperatures sounds a bit intimidating. A tour with the pros at Mountain Musher provides the delight of a dog sled experience in a much more palatable package. On their approachable 1.5-hour sled rides, a trained driver steers the sled behind two guests, although it’s of course the team of huskies at the helm doing the lion’s share of the work. The dogs guide the sled through aspen glades and pine forests to a mid-mush stop for homemade pumpkin bread and hot cocoa before returning to the starting point. Tours cost $225 per person with two people per sled. mountainmusher.com
36
c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m
