Do not simply get on a sled. Learn to drive it.
A sleddog experience is not a simple ride on the snow: it is a guided activity, carefully prepared around the participants, the dogs and the conditions of the day.
A real driving experience on snow
In Cervinia, every participant who meets the requirements to drive leads their own team of Siberian Huskies along a route of about 4 kilometres on the snow.
Before departure, we explain how to use the sled, maintain the correct position, handle climbs, turns and descents, and respect the safety rules. Then we prepare each team, choosing how many and which dogs to assign to each participant and the order in which the sleds will start.
The full Standard’expérience lasts about 55 minutes: 15 minutes of briefing and about 40 minutes of driving. The instructor opens the group, while each participant follows with their own sled.
No previous experience is required. What is needed is to listen, follow the instructions and let yourself be carried by the rhythm of the dogs.
Every departure is different, because the people, the temperature, the trail conditions, the quality and quantity of the snow, and also the dogs’ energy at that moment all change. Our job is to find the right balance each time.
How the experience takes place
When participants arrive, we welcome them, introduce ourselves and ask whether this is their first sleddog experience. It is an important moment to help them feel at ease and understand whether they have doubts or concerns before the briefing.
The briefing is held in Italian, English or Spanish. We explain the main parts of the sled: the handlebar, the two brakes and the runners. We show the correct position, how to handle climbs, turns and descents, and the rules to follow along the route: keeping distance, not overtaking and never losing or abandoning the sled. Before moving to the starting area, we leave the necessary time for questions.
While one staff member gives the briefing, the others prepare the teams. We do not rely only on the number of participants. We choose how many and which dogs to assign to each person and the starting order by considering the confidence shown during the briefing, the trail conditions, and the dogs’ energy and condition on that day. When possible, people who appear less confident are assigned calmer teams.
Children aged 3 to 8 are transported on the instructor’s sled. When possible, we place one parent on the sled immediately behind, so they can stay close to the child during the excursion.
Before every departure, we check the sled and the participant’s position. The driver keeps the main brake pressed while the staff removes the snowhook, the anchor that keeps the team still. The instructor starts first and the participants follow one by one, in the established order.
The staff remains connected by radio throughout the route. After about 40 minutes, the group returns to the starting area. Each sled is stopped and anchored safely. Participants can pet the dogs, thank their team, talk about the experience and ask questions.
We do not simply assign a sled. We prepare every departure by looking for the right balance between the participant, the dog team and the conditions of that day.
Who can participate
No previous sleddog experience is required. Before departure, we explain everything needed to drive the sled and we follow the group throughout the route.
Children aged 3 to 8 do not drive: they are transported on the instructor’s sled. When possible, we place one parent on the sled immediately behind, so they can stay close to the child during the excursion.
From the age of 9, participants up to and including 40 kg can drive their own sled with a team made up of one or two dogs.
Participants over 40 kg drive with a team made up of three or four dogs, assigned according to their weight. The maximum allowed weight is 100 kg.
Driving the sled requires attention, balance and the ability to use the brakes correctly. To participate, you must be in good health and have no physical limitations, health problems or recent injuries that could make driving difficult or unsafe. Anyone with one of these conditions should not make a booking. In case of doubt, it is necessary to ask your doctor for advice before booking.
We do not ask for experience. We ask for attention, respect for the rules and willingness to collaborate with the dogs.
Safety during the activity
Safety begins before departure. During the briefing, we explain how to use the sled, maintain the correct position, handle climbs, turns and descents, and use the two brakes correctly.
Each participant must keep distance from the sled ahead, not overtake and never abandon their sled. Before removing the snowhook, the anchor that keeps the team still, we check the driver’s position and make sure the brake is pressed correctly.
The instructor opens the group and the staff remains connected by radio throughout the route.
The trail is about 1.40 metres wide. This width helps the sled keep its line and, in the event of a fall, normally brings the participant into the fresh snow at the sides. In most cases, the participant gets up and continues.
However, two different situations may occur:
- a participant falls, gets frightened and decides they do not want to continue;
- a participant is unable to control the sled correctly and the instructor decides, for safety reasons, not to let them continue driving.
In both cases, the dogs are released from the sled and continue running with the group. The participant is transported in the bag of the instructor’s sled, when available and when there are no children being transported, or is recovered by snowmobile after radio communication.
Safety does not depend only on the trail and equipment, but also on preparation, respect for the rules and the staff’s ability to intervene when someone needs help.
How to prepare
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the booked time. Each outing is organised to guarantee the dogs 20 minutes of rest between one excursion and the next.
If a departure starts late, we do not reduce the approximately 40 minutes planned on the trail: the excursion therefore returns later and the dogs’ recovery time before the next departure is reduced.
Being punctual means respecting the group, but above all the dogs’ rest. Anyone who arrives late will not be able to participate and will not be entitled to a refund.
We recommend dressing as you would for a day on the snow: warm clothing suitable for the mountains, winter gloves, sunglasses or ski goggles, and warm, comfortable footwear with a good sole.
Ski boots are not allowed, because they do not allow you to use the brakes correctly, keep your balance on the sled runners or maintain an adequate position.
Driving requires standing, keeping your balance and using the brakes correctly. To participate, you must be in good health and have no physical limitations, health problems or recent injuries that could make driving difficult or unsafe. Anyone with one of these conditions should not make a booking. In case of doubt, it is necessary to ask your doctor for advice before booking.
Pregnant women cannot participate.
For CSEN membership and insurance coverage, all participants aged 9 and over must hold a valid non-competitive medical certificate for amateur sports activity.
Weather conditions
Sleddog is a winter sport and our trail is located at about 2,000 metres above sea level. Snow, cold and moderate wind are part of normal mountain conditions: for this reason, excursions are not cancelled simply because there is no sun.
Activities also take place during snowfall or in typical winter conditions, as long as the safety of participants, staff and dogs can be guaranteed.
We may decide to suspend or cancel excursions in case of:
- rain;
- very strong wind;
- avalanche danger.
Winter weather does not automatically mean cancellation. We stop only when conditions do not allow the activity to take place safely.
When Siberiana cancels an activity because the conditions do not allow it to take place safely, the participant can choose between a full refund, a change of date or a voucher.
Standard excursion
- •Total duration: about 55 minutes
- •Briefing: about 15 minutes
- •Driving on the trail: about 40 minutes
- •Route: about 4 km
- •Times: 10:00–16:00
Participation rules
- •Children aged 3–8: transported on the instructor’s sled
- •From 9 years old up to and including 40 kg: sled with one or two dogs
- •Over 40 kg: sled with three or four dogs
- •Maximum allowed weight: 100 kg
Experience
The Standard excursion is the most complete way to discover sleddog for the first time. After the briefing, every participant who meets the requirements to drive leads their own sled along a route of about 4 kilometres, following the instructor and respecting the established starting order.
Teams and dogs
Before departure, we assign each participant the most suitable team, choosing how many and which dogs to use according to weight, confidence shown during the briefing, trail conditions and the dogs’ energy at that moment.
Not a simple ride
It is not a simple ride on the snow: you are the ones who drive, brake and collaborate with the dogs throughout the route.
Premium excursion
- •Total duration: about 1 hour and 20 minutes
- •Route: about 5 km
- •Private group from 2 to 6 participants
- •All participants drive
- •Break with a hot drink
Premium rules
- •Minimum age: 16 years
- •Maximum allowed weight: 100 kg
- •Full online payment
- •Standard vouchers cannot be used for Premium
Atmosphere
The Premium excursion is designed for those who want to experience sleddog in a more intimate and immersive way. It takes place with a private group, at a time of day when the trail is quieter and the atmosphere changes completely.
Sunset and longer route
At sunset, and then in the dark, everything feels farther from civilisation. You hear the dogs’ breathing, the sound of the runners on the snow and the movement of the team along the route more clearly. The headlamps add a sense of adventure that makes this experience very different from the daytime one.
Break with the musher
During the break with a hot drink, there is also more time to talk with the musher, ask questions and learn more about our work, the dogs and the world of sleddog.
Main difference
Premium does not change only because of duration or route: it changes above all because of atmosphere, silence and the feeling of being truly inside the experience.
Price: €180 per person
Would you like to understand better how sleddog works?
We have prepared a complete guide about the team, the roles of the dogs, sled driving and year-round management.
Read the complete sleddog guide