When you’re going away on a skiing holiday, there are many other activities on the ski resort that you can take part in that don’t involve skiing and one of the most popular is husky dog sledding, also known as mushing. This is the activity where one or more dogs, almost always huskies, pull a customised sled.
This history of dog mushing goes way back, so this guide will look at how did dog sledding start, who invented the sled, modern day mushing huskies and how to go dog sledding in Andorra. So, let’s take a look.
History of dog sledding: Why is dog sledding called mushing? Who invented the sled?
Let’s first take a look back at the history of the sled, which goes way back. It is believed that the history of dog sledding goes back a full 8,000 years, all the way to 6000 BC, as this was a convenient way for transporting people and materials across wintery landscapes.
As for how did dog sledding start to become known as mushing, this goes back to the French prospectors and ‘voyageurs’ who explored the lands of Canada in the 18th and 19th century. The term mushing became the common word in English because of the French word ‘marcher’, meaning to walk. Over time, this led to the creation of the word mushing for referring to dog sledding in the English language.
In modern times, the desire to participate in responsible tourism has opened up a debate over whether dog sledding is considered cruel, but the truth is that mushing is not cruel on the dogs so long as they are properly looked after, as they indeed are at most modern resorts. It’s husky mushing, rather than mushing with other breeds, precisely because huskies are more than capable of carrying out the type of light mushing associated with dog sledding holidays, especially when the load is spread across several dogs. In the 21st century, mushing sled dogs is safer than ever for everyone involved.
Dog sledding Andorra: Where is the best place to go dog sledding?
The history of mushing is closely associated with North America, but you might be wondering ‘Where is there dog sledding near me?’. And, the truth is that there are dog sledding holidays all over the world, including dog sledding in Andorra.
If planning a mushing Andorra experience, you’ll be able to experience this fun activity while taking in the break taking scenery of the Pyrenees, known locally as a mushing Pirineus Andorra experience. At Grandvalira, for example, there is a mushing Andorra Grau Roig route that is simply spectacular and will make your holiday unforgettable.
Mushing FAQs: Do you need any previous experience to go mushing? How much does it cost to go husky dog sledding? What’s the best time of year for dog sledding?
Let’s finish up by looking at a few of the other most common questions regarding dog sledding holidays. The first concerns the skills and the experience required for mushing sled dogs, and the answer is that you don’t need previous experience to go mushing if you’re doing it under the supervision of an instructor.
As for the price of dog sledding in Andorra, at Grandvalira mushing prices start from as little as €44 in 2023. Plus, it is free of charge for children under three years of age.
Then, finally, there’s the matter of what is the best time of year for dog sledding, to which the answer is simple. The best time of year for mushing is when there’s the most snow, which in Andorra is early January to late March.