How Relay-Style Dogsledding Tours Work—and Why They’re Great for All Ages!
While many families join us for dogsledding year after year, for most guests this is a first-time, bucket-list adventure — and it can be hard to imagine exactly how everything works once you’re out on the trail.
So when we say you’ll get to mush in a relay-style tour — yes, even kids as young as five — this is what we mean. Unlike many outfitters where guests only ride in the basket, our tours are designed to let everyone take a turn at the back of the sled. Here’s how it all shakes out.
What to Expect on a Relay-Style Tour
Every dogsledding tour at Good Times includes:
- 1 Guide
- 1 Dog Team (usually eight dogs)
- Up to 6 Guests
Instead of staying in one spot the whole time, your group cycles between:
- Mushing (standing on the back of the dogsled)
- Riding on the dogsled in the passenger basket (in front of the musher)
- Riding in the passenger sleigh (pulled behind the guide’s snowmobile)
This rotation helps everyone experience every role — hands-on action, riding while taking in the view, and some seriously adorable dog time.
Diagram: How It Will Look
The above is a simple visual of how your group will move through the trail as a team.
The Three Positions You’ll Experience
Mushing—Standing on the Back of the Dogsled
This is one of the most unique parts of our tours. At many dogsledding companies, guests only ride in the passenger basket while a guide does all the mushing. At Good Times Adventures, you get to do the driving.
Under your guide’s coaching, you’ll:
- Stand on the runners
- Keep the sled balanced
- Turn & use the brake
- Help the dog team navigate the trail
Most guests say this hands-on moment becomes the highlight of their entire Colorado trip.
Riding in the Passenger Basket
This low-to-the-snow vantage point is all the excitement with none of the work! While riding, you’ll be more free to take in the scenery while still feeling the trill of being pulled by our athletic huskies. If you’re feeling risky, you can even sneak out a camera for some great POV action shots.
Riding in the Passenger Sleigh
This is the least physically demanding position while still being right in the middle of the adventure. As you ride in front of the dogs, you can turn around for the best views of all the happy faces—humans and dogs alike. It’s also the only place you can get photos like this.
How Guests Rotate Through Each Role
Your guide will stop at various points along the trail throughout the tour. These stops are for:
- Changing positions;
- Adjusting gear;
- Taking photos;
- Asking questions; and, most importantly,
- Getting some well-deserved dog time!
Guests rotate through the positions more than once so you get a truly full-spectrum experience.
What Happens During Trail Breaks
Beyond rotating positions and drinking water (don’t forget to stay hydrated!)—these stops are also prime-time memory-makers. Think:
- Hugging and petting the dogs
- Taking selfies and getting group photos
- Hearing fun facts and stories about the pups
- Watching the pups roll around in the snow
- Giving—and getting—lots of love!
And when we say photo ops, we mean it!
Why Relay-Style Touring Works So Well
Relay-style dogsledding gives everyone — guests and dogs — a chance to experience the tour in the best possible way. As you rotate between mushing, riding in the basket, and relaxing in the passenger sleigh, you naturally build in moments to rest, take photos, and soak in the quiet beauty of the Swan River Valley. And while our dogs adore running, six miles on snowy mountain trails is still real work — these pauses give them well-earned breaks, plenty of praise, and time to reset before the next stretch. The result is a safe, dynamic, hands-on adventure that’s comfortable for all ages and keeps every member of the team — two-legged and four-legged — feeling their best. Instead of watching from the sidelines, you’re truly part of the experience from start to finish.
How Booking Works and Who You’ll Ride With
Each dogsledding team accommodates up to six guests, led by one guide. That group of six might be your entire party, or you may be paired with another small group—something that often turns into one of the most fun surprises of the day. (It’s not unusual for strangers to end the tour swapping photos and cheering each other on.)
When you book online, you’ll see a 2×6 seat grid:
Here’s what it actually means:
- The six dots represent the six guest spots on a single dog team.
- It doesn’t matter which specific dots you click—any open spot places you on that sled.
- The only thing that matters is that everyone in your group selects seats on the same SLED (Sled 1, Sled 2, or Sled 3).
If availability is limited and your group needs to be split between two or more sleds, don’t worry! All three sleds at the same tour time will depart from and return to base at the same time. You’ll each cover a unique route through the trails and meet up afterward to warm up with hot chocolate, share photos, and swap mushing stories.
The Full Experience: Hands-On, Scenic, and Family-Friendly
Relay-style touring gives you a little bit of everything:
- High-energy, action-packed mushing
- Hands-free, energetic passenger experiences
- Scenic views
- Husky interaction
- Photo and video opportunities from every angle
- A shared, memorable adventure for all ages!
Most guests finish the tour saying: “I didn’t expect to love every part — but I did!” Straight from Trip Advisor this past February:
“I absolutely loved dog sledding with this company! The dogs were so friendly, lovable and energetic. Our guide made the whole experience fantastic! We took turns guiding the sled through a scenic, snowy and treed 6 mile course. Great photo ops throughout the unforgettable experience.”
Get Ready for a Dogsledding Adventure!
Winter tours begin December 17th and are booking now! The holidays are almost sold out and other dates are filling fast. Snag your spots today.
And, as always, you can follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at @goodtimesbreck for more mountain shenanigans!