An invention of the peoples of the North
Although it has not been officially proven, it would appear that the indigenous peoples of the North were already using dog teams to travel around 6,000 B.C. One only has to imagine the extreme conditions of the northern regions, with their thick layers of snow, sometimes hardened by the cold, and the absence of roads or tracks, to grasp the vital importance of this means of transport. The first European explorers and trappers also adopted the dog sled, a highly efficient means of transporting people, food and goods over long distances in a wilderness entirely covered by powder snow and frozen lakes and rivers. Dog sleds are still used for professional purposes today, and have proved useful on many occasions throughout history, such as in late 19th-century Canada. When the gold rush was in full swing in the Klondike region of north-western Canada, gold seekers used dogs to transport their belongings, furniture and supplies. Today, the dog sled as a means of transport has largely been replaced by the snowmobile, but it remains indispensable for some mushers living in remote and inaccessible areas, as it is much more reliable in extreme conditions.
Breeds of dogs and composition of the team
Bred by the indigenous peoples of the North, sled dogs are descendants of wolves domesticated for transportation and hunting. One of the oldest sled dog breeds is the Alaskan Malamute, which is still very popular today. These powerful dogs are renowned for their strength and endurance. With the advent of dog sled racing in the 20th century, a new selection criterion came into play: speed. Today, there are several recognized sled dog breeds, including the Siberian Husky, the Samoyed, the Greenlander, the Canadian Eskimo and the Yakutian Laika.
The composition of the team is just as important as the selection of the dogs, and is divided into four categories. There are always one or two lead dogs, positioned at the very front, who direct and guide the team. Next come the point dogs, who essentially serve to encourage the lead dogs. Dogs in this position are very often future lead dogs in training. The pair just in front of the sled are the most powerful, whose job it is to keep the sled on the track: these are the steering dogs. All the other dogs positioned between the lead and helm dogs are the center dogs. If some pairs work better than others, it's sometimes a good idea to get the dogs used to other racing companions to socialize them.
The lead dogs are led by voice by the handler, known as the musher. Depending on the route and weather conditions, he may be at the rear of the sled, walking in front of the team or running at the back. When the snow is fresh, for example, it's just as hard for the dogs to run uphill as it is for us. The musher helps his dogs by running behind the sled. He must also ensure the sled's stability by counterbalancing it according to the slope of the terrain. As you can see, steering a sled is far from relaxing!
Dog sled races
Now a hugely popular winter pastime, dog sledding has achieved the status of a sporting discipline. It is practiced in many countries outside Lapland, including North America, Greenland, Russia and France. While some races are more for fun, others are part of a professional circuit where winners pocket various prizes and accumulate ranking points. These competitions can take the form of sprints, i.e. races over short distances, or outright endurance events over several days, during which the mushers, local stars and international competitors, cover hundreds of kilometers every day. For a well-earned, if not compulsory, rest, the endurance race circuit is punctuated by the famous "checkpoints", places where everyone, dogs and humans alike, is checked for good health, and where advice and race stories are exchanged. The most famous race in Lapland is the Finnmarksløpet, which takes place in Norway. Just over 1,000 km long, this race through Finnmark is the most northerly in the world, and also one of the longest! Internationally, there's also the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, the Yukon Quest between Alaska and Canada, and La Grande Odyssée in France and Switzerland, among many others.
Ski joering is a form of cross-country skiing, pulled by a dog, which is widely practiced in Nordic countries. Bikejoring, which involves being pulled on a bicycle, and canicross, which is similar to trail running, are practised out of season, partly to continue training the dogs. Increasingly popular, these activities are now practiced in competition.
The hardest part is choosing!
Now it's time to get practical. For this purpose, Lapland offers a wide range of possibilities, from an hour's or two's walk to a multi-day expedition with overnight stays in a tipi, tent, refuge or chalet. Whichever option you choose, a visit to the kennel is usually included, and you can lend a hand in harnessing the dogs or helping to serve their meals during breaks. While some opt for the relaxed comfort of the sled, others prefer to get hands-on and drive their own team, the preferred option for a full dog-sledding experience. And don't forget to bundle up from head to toe. If you don't have the perfect winter adventurer's gear, don't worry: accessories and warm clothing can be rented or even lent on site. However, check whether this is possible at the time of booking, so as not to be caught unprepared when the time comes.
Dog sledding is available throughout Lapland. In the Lofoten or Vesterålen Islands, which are not part of Lapland but very close by, mushers can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The terrain in this part of Norway is very steep, and the often rainy climate replaces snow with ice. While this is a real sight for sore eyes, it makes dog sledding almost impossible. To make sure you don't miss out on this typically Nordic experience, take advantage of your time inland to make sure you have plenty of choice!
