Underdog NZ - Dog Sled Tours Cardrona 2020

Winter tours with traditional dog sled

in some of New Zealand’s South Island landscapes

Dog Sled Tours A Northern Tradition in the Southern Alps

Dog sledding is one of those things that a lot of people assume you can only experience in the Arctic. BUT! You can experience the thrill of a sled dog team running through the high trails of the Southern Alps here in New Zealand. Underdog NZ provides tours that range from short experiences to overnight tours and cater for ages 18 months and up with options to Drive Your Own Team or ride in the Basket with an experienced musher at the helm. UnderDog New Zealand has been practising the northern tradition in the Southern Alps since 2013. Our touring dogs are a mixture of Alaskan Huskies, Siberian Huskies and a couple of Alaskan Malamutes. Our tours are run through the stunning trails provided by the Snow Farm, Cardrona, 75 minutes out of Queenstown or 40 minutes from Wanaka.
Just you, a dog team and trails to explore.

Underdog NZ – Dog Sled Tour Options

Underdog NZ – Drive Your Own Dog Sled Team (Self Drive)

Price: $255 per person – One guest per sled
Departs: 9:00 am & 10:45 am
Duration: 75 minutes ( approximately 1 hour for the complete experience)

Seasonal Tour – This tour generally runs from July to late September. We will operate outside of these dates if weather allows.

Your “Drive Your Own Team” tour starts with an introduction to the world of sled dogs, the equipment and of course the dogs themselves. Learn how to set up your own team and interact with the dogs while you learn the ropes from one of our instructors. Then it is your turn to take the team for a spin, taking command of your own team of Huskies and driving them along the beautiful trails provided by the Snow Farm. Nothing but the silence of the mountains and the sound of the dogs feet, their breath and your runners gliding through the snow.

Duration – allow 75 minutes, the tour itself takes approximately 1 hour for the complete experience which includes an introduction to the dogs and a 30 minute run in control of your own dog team.

Numbers – one guest per sled. Guests are not able to sit in the basket of a sled driven by another guest for safety reasons.

Mixing tours for groups – this tour can also be run concurrently with a Basket Ride option should your friends want a different experience. Please refer to the Basket Ride tour for specifics.

Tour Details:

Maximum weight – 100kg / 220lbs (please enquire about exceptions to this).
Minimum age of children riding – 10 years old, however there are exceptions so please call and ask.
A basic level of fitness is required (the ability to walk up a hill), however guides can assist in difficult sections.

Underdog NZ – Sled Basket Ride

Price: $265 per person
Departs: 9:00 am & 10:45 am
Duration: 75 minutes

Seasonal Tour – This tour generally runs from July to late September. We will operate outside of these dates if weather allows.

Take an hour to learn about these phenomenal animals, feel the thrill first hand of what it is like to ride in the basket of the sled through the beautiful alpine trails of the Southern Alps.
Your tour starts with an introduction to the world of sled dogs, the equipment and of course the dogs themselves. Learn how to set up your own team and interact with the dogs as they prepare to take you on an unforgettable ride guided by one of our experienced mushers. There are plenty of chances to stop along the trail and have your photo taken with the dogs and some stunning NZ high country scenery as the backdrop.

Duration – allow 75 minutes, the tour itself takes approximately 1 hour for the complete experience which includes an introduction to the dogs and a 30 minute run in the Basket of a sled.

Mixing tours for groups – this tour can also be run concurrently with a Drive Your Own Team tour should your friends want a different experience. Please refer to the Drive Your Own Team tour for specifics.

Location – this tour is operated out of the Snow Farm

Tour Details:

Maximum combined passenger weight – 110kg / 242lbs, one child (up 10years old) and one adult.
Minimum age of children with adults – 2 years.
Minimum age of children riding solo with a guide – 5 years old.
We can cater for disabilities, this activity is suitable for any fitness level.
Maximum of two basket sleds on trail at once unless by special arrangement.