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GO MUSHING

Maine averages 200 inches of snow in winter, and skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are popular activities, but if you’re looking for something different—try dogsledding.

Mushing isn’t for everyone, but if you want the experience of riding behind a team of eager, well-trained dogs through a snowy forest or across a frozen lake, you can find it in Maine.

Kennels in western Maine and areas around Baxter, Bethel, and beyond offer dogsledding adventures that range from a one-hour ride to several days of back-country sledding (not for the faint of heart). Some offer night rides and some specialize in speed.

If you decide to go, check carefully the list of clothing and accessories you will need to ensure a safe, frostbite-free experience. You will learn the commands that tell the dogs where to turn and when to stop or go. You may not finish ready to take on the Iditerod, but you might be ready to take on the old TV role of Sgt. Preston of the Yukon.