Underdog NZ - Dog Sled Tours Cardrona 2020

winter tours with traditional arctic sled dogs

in some of New Zealand’s premier 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 – 18 months.
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.

Underdog NZ – Night Run Dog Sled (Self Drive)

Price: $455 per person
Departs: 4:00 pm – Various dates in July & August
Duration: 4 Hours

Seasonal Tour – This tour generally runs during July and August only.

This tour offers a little bit of everything for the adventurous. If you thought running a dog team by day was an experience then you will love running the Southern Alps trails by night with just the moon and your headlamp lighting the way as your team cuts through the night, only the sound of feet, your sled runners and the breath of your dogs in your headlamp. This coupled with a buffet meal in the Snow Farm lodge is an unforgettable way to finish off your day.

Starting late afternoon the tour begins with an introduction to the dogs and then straight into some instruction so you can take the reins of your own dog team for a daylight training run. After the training run concludes we discuss how things went while we wait for the sun to set. It is then time to get everything ready to go again as we hit the trails by night. It is an experience you will never forget. When we get back in it is time to get the dogs fed and settled after which we enjoy a buffet meal in the Snow Farm lodge and have the opportunity to relax and talk about the world of Sled Dogs.

Duration – Tour starts between 1515 – 1545 and concludes at 2000 after dinner.

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

Meals – dinner is provided. Specific dietary requirements can be catered for on request.

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 – Overnight Dog Sled Tour (Self Drive)

Price: $780 per person
Departs: 2:45 pm
Duration: 20 Hours

Experience the world of sled dogs during an overnight trip staying in a backcountry hut in the Pisa Range. Your ride is a team of Huskies and with the guidance of our experienced mushers you will learn all you need to know about how to drive and take care of your own team.

This is your chance to immerse yourself and experience the world of sled dogs. With time on our side we have the ability to really learn about the gear and dogs. Starting with an introduction to the dogs and some instruction on how to drive a dog team you will very quickly progress to where you get to drive you own team, which will be your ride to our nights accommodation. A picturesque set backcountry hut is our accommodation for the night, where we will feed the dogs and bed them down. After the dogs are settled we will enjoy a meal in the comfort of our hut, there is the option to either go for a night run or sit in the comfort of the hut and talk and learn more about sled dogs.

After a good night sleep for you and the dogs our first priority will be tending to the dogs followed by breakfast. It is then time to pack up and get back behind our teams for another run which will conclude back at the Snow Farm Lodge.

Duration – tour starts between 1430 – 1500 and finishes between1100 – 1200 the next morning.

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

Accommodation – accommodation is a back country hut. No power or running water, the toilet is an outhouse. The accommodation is shared with other hut users and is communal living. Please enquire about booking the hut exclusively.

Meals – dinner and breakfast is provided. Specific dietary requirements can be catered for on request. Alcohol may be consumed in the evening after the night run, however guests will not be allowed to drive a team after consuming alcohol.

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.