Visiting Colorado does not always mean skiing. There is plenty to do across Summit County that involves no lift ticket at all, and some of it comes with four-legged guides.
If you have never gone dog sledding, you are missing one of the best winter experiences in the state. Wherever you are staying, we have the right Colorado condo rental close to the adventures waiting for you.
Before You Book: What Makes a Good Operator
This is the question most people have and few guides answer. Dog sledding is only worth doing with an outfit that genuinely cares for its animals, and the good ones in Colorado are obvious once you know what to look for.
- Guides who know every dog by name and personality. This comes up again and again in reviews of the best operators, and it is the clearest sign of a well-run kennel.
- Time to meet the dogs. The good tours build in a stop halfway through, plus time at the kennel afterward.
- Retired dog adoption programmes. Several Colorado operators rehome their dogs when they stop running, which tells you a great deal.
- Honesty about conditions. In a low-snow year, reputable outfits switch to wheeled rigs or ATVs rather than running dogs on bare ground. That is the right call, and the experience is still excellent.
All of the operators below meet that bar.
Dog Sledding in Summit County
Colorado Dog Sledding
Silverthorne. The highest-rated option in Summit County.
Address: 1001 Longs Rd, Silverthorne, CO 80498
Phone: (970) 610-6680
Hours: Daily 7:30am to 9:00pm
Rating: A perfect 5.0 across more than 140 reviews
The closest operator to Keystone, Dillon and Silverthorne, and the one guests consistently rate highest. Small, personal tours with guides who know each dog individually, plus genuine time afterward to meet the pack.
The team includes dogs that have run the Iditarod, and guides will talk you through training, racing and kennel life in a way that turns a sled ride into something more interesting. In low-snow conditions they run side-by-side ATV tours rather than cancelling, and reviewers consistently say the experience holds up.
They also rehome retired sled dogs, which is worth asking about if you fall in love with one.
Closest to: our Silverthorne, Dillon and Keystone rentals.
Good Times Adventure Tours
Breckenridge. The best-known operator in the county.
Address: 6061 Tiger Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424
Phone: (970) 453-7604
Website: goodtimesadventures.com
Hours: Seasonal, by reservation
Rating: 4.7 across more than 850 reviews
A roughly six-mile tour along the winding trails of the Swan River Valley, and the operator most visitors to Breckenridge end up booking. The format is what sets it apart: your whole group takes turns running the dogs, riding in the sled, and riding the small passenger sleigh with the guide.
The tour runs about an hour and a half, stopping along the way so everyone gets a turn at the runners. You come away with photos of your group driving a sled team against a Rocky Mountain backdrop, which is not a bad souvenir.
Guides here are repeatedly singled out by name in reviews, and the dogs are visibly well cared for. They run summer kennel tours too, and they rehome retired huskies.
Two practical notes: Tiger Road is a few miles north of downtown Breckenridge, so build in drive time, and the access road is snow-covered, so bring an AWD vehicle. Good Times also runs snowmobile tours from the same base, which makes it easy to build a full day.
Closest to: our Breckenridge and Frisco rentals.
Worth the Drive
Alpine Adventures Dogsledding
Leadville. About 45 minutes from Summit County.
Address: 21767 US-24, Leadville, CO 80461
Phone: (719) 486-9899
Hours: Daily 7:00am to 5:00pm
Rating: 4.2 across nearly 300 reviews
Set on a rustic ranch surrounded by some of the tallest peaks in Colorado, which gives this one the most dramatic scenery of the three. Everyone in the group takes turns leading the team and riding the sled, and guides walk you through each dog's character along the way.
Snow bibs and boots are available for guests who need them, which is genuinely useful if you have not packed for standing around in the cold. Book in advance, since tours sell out.
Mountain Musher
Edwards, near Vail. About an hour from Summit County.
Address: 301 Bellyache Ridge Rd, Edwards, CO 81632
Phone: (970) 291-5154
Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:30am to 4:00pm
Rating: 4.8
Worth knowing about if you are combining a Summit County stay with a day in the Vail Valley. The dogs run on private, snowmobile-free trails, which makes for a quieter experience than most operations manage, and the team has appeared on national television.
The format is well organised: easy parking, a van transfer up to the trailhead, then a run with a stop halfway through for hot chocolate and pumpkin bread, plus time to pet the dogs. Guides mix genuine education about training and kennel life into the tour rather than just driving.
Reviewers with young children, some as young as four, rate it highly, and they have hosted more than one marriage proposal.
Note the location: Edwards is about 30 minutes west of Vail, so allow roughly an hour from Summit County.
What to Know Before You Go
Book Ahead
Every operator on this list runs limited tours with small groups, and holiday weeks sell out well in advance. If dog sledding is on your list, book it the same day you book lodging.
Pricing
Expect to pay per person, with rates varying by operator, tour length and season. Confirm current pricing when you book, since prices change year to year and several operators offer private and group options at different rates.
Dress Properly
You will be standing still outdoors for a good portion of the tour, which is colder than skiing.
- Insulated, waterproof snow boots
- Snow pants and a warm waterproof jacket
- Warm hat, waterproof gloves and a neck gaiter
- Sunglasses or goggles, and sunscreen
- Layers underneath, and no cotton next to the skin
Some operators provide bibs and boots. Ask when you book.
Getting There
Kennel access roads are snow-covered and often unploughed. Bring an AWD vehicle with snow tires, and remember Colorado enforces a traction law during storms. Check COtrip.org or dial 511 before you set out.
Low-Snow Years
If conditions do not allow sledding, good operators switch to wheeled rigs or ATVs rather than cancelling. Guests consistently report these are just as enjoyable, and you still get the dogs, the guides and the scenery. Ask what the plan is if you are booking early season or late spring.
More to Do Without a Lift Ticket
Dog sledding pairs well with a full non-ski day. Consider adding snowshoeing, snowmobiling, tubing at Frisco Adventure Park or Keystone's Adventure Point, ice skating on Keystone Lake, or a soak at a nearby hot spring.
See our things to do guide and local events calendar for more, plus our Summit County restaurant guide for dinner afterward.
Planning a 2026/2027 Trip
Breckenridge's projected opening day is November 7, 2026, with the season typically running into mid or late May. Keystone opens in early November. Both are on the Epic Pass, while Copper Mountain is on Ikon.
Dog sledding season generally tracks the snow, so December through March is the safest window for a true sled tour.
Respect the altitude. Summit County sits high, and standing outdoors in the cold at 9,000 feet takes more out of you than you expect. Drink water, and plan a light first day.
Post-Sledding at Summit County Mountain Retreats
After a morning outdoors in the cold, you will want to relax properly. We manage condos, townhomes, homes and duplexes throughout Summit County, for every occasion and group size.
Browse by town: Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Dillon, Silverthorne or Frisco.
Browse by what you need: rentals with hot tubs, which is exactly what cold hands want afterward; ski-in ski-out; group rentals; luxury properties; or pet-friendly rentals, since a day with sled dogs tends to make people miss their own.
By size: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6+ bedrooms.
By type: condos, homes, townhouses or duplexes. Also see our off-resort rentals and all complexes.
Check current specials, see why booking direct is better, or read our guest testimonials.
Summit County Mountain Retreats
22869 US Hwy 6, Suite 204, Keystone, CO 80435
Phone: (970) 368-4800
Email: Contact us here
Questions: Guest FAQs
We would love to be part of your next Colorado adventure. Browse all our rentals or give us a call.
Operator addresses, phone numbers and hours were verified as of publication and are subject to change. Tour availability, pricing and formats vary by season and snow conditions. Confirm directly with each operator before booking.
