Quote Originally Posted by Flatcoatluver
Probably a dumb question but in the summer do you still have snow? Do the dogs pretty much keep in shape themselves, or do you take slow trips and take longer and longer every time? Sorry I am just so interested in sledding!
We'll have enough snow til mid-late April to run the team. It does melt eventually! Ice is usually off the lakes by late May, early June. The dogs get May and June off to just hang out. No pulling, but lots of walks and playing. In July, they start to pull the ATV occasionally, usually when it's raining or cool. We don't go far, just a 5km loop, a couple times a week. Mileage increases slowly over the next couple months, depending on the weather. Don't want them to overheat. At first, the ATV does most of the work. As it gets cooler they get less help from the machine. By mid-November, we are usually back on the sled. Our most frequently used loop is about 15 miles.