Iditarod Finish Line, Nome, Alaska
This winter had a great ending to it with Hank and our raceteam crossing the finish line in Nome on March 17th, just in time to join the St. Patrick’s Day parade taking place. :) Had we known when we started dreaming of the Iditarod that it would take over 10 years to complete that goal not sure we would have set it but having now finished it, it is quite a sense of accomplishment but also leaves us pondering now what??? I asked Hank the next day if a major sponsor was found if he would run it again (or the Yukon Quest) to which he without hesitation announced absolutely!!!!
Hank & team mushing into Unalakleet, Alaska. Iditarod 2012
The dogs that finished on the team were Maverick, Zeus, Charlie, Aster, Hosta, Scully, Jester, Howler, Viper, Jed. What these dogs are capable of leaves us in complete awe, indeed they are our hero’s. They looked so good coming into Nome and across the finish line, as I heard many people in the crowd say, “you would never guess those dogs had run 1000 miles!!!”.
For now the slower pace of spring is being enjoyed by both dogs and humans, with “love” in the air in the kennel. We are not sure what races we will be entering next year, alot will depend on finding sponsors. So if you happen to know of a corporation or individual who would like to sponsor a Purebred Siberian Husky long distance team we’d sure love to hear from you 
To read more information on our Iditarod, see photos & videos visit our facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/winderdance?ref=tn_tnmn.
The team running down Front Stree, Nome to the finish line
If we haven’t quite convinced you to jump on the runners and give dogsledding a try first hand, there are more passive ways to still enjoy the world of sleddogs!
Kid & Mutt races are a fan favourite!
Ontario is host to about a dozen dogsled races in January & February. The races vary in length from short 100 meter runs for little children on miniature dogsleds with their favourite husky, to 4, 6 & 8 dog sprint races less than 10 mile, up to 120 mile races for big 12 dog distance teams. All are amazing to watch!
Most races will run both Saturday & Sundays and many have other winter festival type activities to enjoy in the host town. This weekend be sure to visit www.marmorasnofest.ca for a great slate of winter fun, and February 10 & 11th Kearney, Ontario (www.kearneydogsled.com) is the place to be, hosting the longest distance race in Ontario at 120 miles and drawing teams from as far away as Alaska, in addition to lots of shorter races. In between races be sure to visit the dog yard, where most mushers love introducing you to their 4 legged team mates!
If going to a race in person won’t fit in your schedule this winter, facebook has created a new kind of “mushing fan” the last several years. The largest & most famous sleddog races in the world, Alaska’s Iditarod & the Yukon Quest take mushers and their teams of 14 & 16 huskies on 1000 mile endurance runs through some of the most remote, rugged & harsh climate & landscapes North America has to offer.
With facebook, races & teams are now able to update fans around the clock to where teams are and the drama’s unfolding out on the trail. It allows a window into a lifestyle that these mushers embrace that few people will ever experience in todays world. From surviving -50 F temperatures, to battling up mountain summits in blinding blizzards, to running through overflowing rivers many fans find themselves swept up in the adventure, becoming addicted to watching their favourite teams GPS marker along the trail. People tell stories of taking washroom breaks at work or in meetings to sprint to their computer to check on their teams progress, or staying up all hours of the night to make sure a team reaches the next checkpoint safely! The Yukon Quest starts February 4th and they do an amazing job of getting their fans involved, visit www.yukonquest.com and look for their facebook link. This year a team from our kennel will be running the Iditarod and I know Hank & the dogs would love your online support!
Winterdance's Hank Debruin & team starting Iditarod 2010 (Lily & Max in lead)
For great Ontario Outdoor Adventures, please visit www.ontariotravel.net/outdoor
]]>Some of you may be asking “what makes dogsledding so popular?” The answer is simple and it has nothing to do with the landscape, the trails, the guides, the sleds you drive or the temperature 
. The magic of dogsledding comes down to one thing and that is the DOGS!!!! While there are several different breeds of huskies that you will find pulling sleds on your tour, the large Malamute husky, the smaller Siberian Husky and most common today the mixed breed called the Alaskan Husky, they all have the same amazing desire to run and explore. To see what great adventure awaits around the next bend in the trail. The heart, spirit & passion of the husky is truly astounding, there is no greater athlete on the planet!
For anyone who is a dog lover how can you not be won over by a team of 3-8 huskies begging for your attention? Just waiting to lean in for a pat & hug or to give you a kiss, almost all huskies are big loveable teddy bears who adore attention!
Before you try your hand at dogsledding there are some Hollywood myths that should be dispelled:
- “Mush”, as neat as it sounds to say, you only hear this in movies. If you dogsled you are a musher, but usually the command to start a team is “hike” or a special word or whistle that mushers use.
- You won’t go “flying” down the trail, most tours and huskies after the initial excitement of the start of the run settle down to a gentle trot that they can maintain all day.
- The term to stop a team of dogs is “whoa”, however on its own with most dogteams you can holler whoa on the back of the sled all day and the dogs will grin at you as they keep going. Huskies love going, not stopping so you will need the brake on your sled in addition to your voice to get them to stop!
For great Ontario Outdoor Adventures, please visit www.ontariotravel.net/outdoor
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Dogsledding is one of Ontario’s best kept winter secrets. Most folks we meet think they have to travel to the Yukon or Alaska to experience one of the worlds most amazing adventures, but only 2-4 hours from most of Ontario’s major urban centres there is a place where folks can hop on the runners and learn first hand how to drive a team of huskies!
So what is the fuss about, why would you want to try dogsledding?
- playing & working with 3-8 of man’s best friend, huskies are one of the most incredible beings on the planet for their physical ability, exuberant, loving attitude and sheer thirst for adventure
- exploring some of the most beautiful, rugged, untouched wilderness areas in Ontario
- moving silently through a winter wilderness with your dog team
- the opportunity for quality uninterupted memories with your loved ones or friends
Some folks when they call to book a reservation will ask if the sport is fair for the dogs. We have 2 simple answers 1) come watch the dogs get ready to run, if after that you have ANY doubt that they don’t LOVE what they do, we will happily give you your money back. After 12 years and thousands of guests not one person has ever asked for their money back. 2) you can’t push a rope, the dogs are only connected to the sled by a rope there is no physical tool to make them pull that sled, they do it by sheer desire, otherwise the sled & dogs would simply not move.
Huskies run because they live to run, just like labs jump in water, and shephards guard and collies herd, it is what these dogs are born to do and nothing makes them happier.
As an example I would like to introduce “Scrappy”, one of our 7 year old Siberian Huskies who was diagnosed with cancer 4 years ago. Scrappy has a zest and love for life, people and adventures unlike anyone else in our kennel, when it is time for his days off, he sulks that he isn’t out running the trails and meeting new folks.
We invite to you come experience dogsledding this winter, the only warning? It can be VERY addicting!!
For great Ontario Outdoor Adventures, please visit www.ontariotravel.net/outdoor
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