Join us for an exhilarating sled dog adventure on Dunckley Pass, just south of Steamboat Springs. We offer two types of experiences: Learn-to-mush (drive your own sled after an orientation and have a guide along on the trip as a coach) OR Fully-Guided (the guide drives either part or all of the excursion for the guests and stays on the sled with the guests).
From harnessing the dogs to caring for them on trail, you’ll be part of the experience. Midway, we’ll stop at a cozy wall tent in the Routt National Forest, where you can warm up with homemade snacks, hot drinks, and breathtaking views. After photos and a rest, the dogs are ready to power you back to the trailhead.
Drive your own dog team with guidance from our expert mushers, or sit
back and enjoy a fully guided ride.
Drive Your Own Sled – Adults ride in pairs with one driving and one riding, then switch halfway through.
Perfect for small groups seeking more than a half-day. Learn to drive the sled and care for the dogs on an unforgettable full-day journey.
A guided ride for two to our rustic camp in the Little Flat Tops, featuring a gourmet dinner catered by Drunken Onion and served by your guides.
Before You Go
Glide through wintery forests and meadows, deep in Routt National Forest. Keep your eyes open for forest wildlife, panoramic views, and still-quiet moments among the snow.
Our dogs are family, and when it’s time for them to retire from the trail, we make sure they find loving forever homes. These incredible athletes have spent their lives working hard, exploring the backcountry, and building strong bonds with people. Now, they’re ready for a new chapter, one filled with couches, cuddles, and plenty of belly rubs.
By adopting a retired sled dog, you’re not just gaining a loyal companion, you’re giving back to the dogs who’ve given us so much. We carefully match each dog with the right family to ensure a smooth transition from the trail to the home.
The newest addition to the Snow Buddy family, Olivia Avocado could have had a very different fate. A week before Christmas, 2023, a middle schooler down in Yampa found her in a box with an old cat under the bridge in town. After some back and forth with Santa, she landed here just in time to be the cutest Christmas gift a pair of boys could ever receive!
FruitLoops is one of the greatest new additions to Snow Buddy perhaps ever. This dog couldn't be more lovable from her sweet face to her even sweeter personality. She is young and very agreeable and she works really hard! What more could you ask? We love you LoOpS!
TrankyDoo! What a sweet boy! Born on the Norris glacier from the Dances litter - He is also retired from Linwood's kennel, 7 years old now, and will do a lot for us here as Snow Buddy. He's a happy boy, great with kids and loves extra petting. Like Elvis, he's an eternal puppy!
Titan is soooooo handsome and pulls soooooo hard and we love him sooooooo much. He was born in Seward, AK and he's not even 3 years old. We can't wait to see what he grows up to do here. Lark and Von love to play "Titan" when they pretend to be sled dogs. He's tough and handsome and no nonsense. A good role model for a boy :).
Tazzy and his sisters, Elmer, Merlin and Daffy will make you laugh, but Tazzy especially with his big goofy ears, his long legs and his sweet heart. He often runs in lead with Ruthie because her big bark doesn't scare him. Look out, he's a licker!
Caribou is Orca's brother and a very excited young male. You can hear him from miles away at feeding time or when it's time to run! He's very sweet and has a tendency to overwork himself
Spike and his brother Yoshi (Land Before Time/Dinos litter from Monarch, CO) are really handsome and very hardworking, though still new to our program. Spike is pretty intense and doesn't like Yoshi, but we hope to change that once they settle in here. Still young, we're hopeful they will grow up here and have an awesome life together at Snow Buddy!
Yoshi gets along with more dogs here than his brother but he still has an intensity we mind carefully. He loves to run around at the cookie tent and has already developed a serious love of marshmallows. What a sweet and hard-working boy you are Yoshi!
Elivs and his brother Elton were on the icefield in Juneau, too, as pups. Elvis didn't show a lot of promise as a pup, but he was a late bloomer and is still going strong. He ran many Iditarods with Linwood Fiedler and at 12 years old has not lost a bit of his drive. He's just gorgeous too and has a puppy face!
This guy! He may look like a goofy black lab and act like one too, but he is perhaps the hardest working dog in the kennel. He eats like he is, that's for sure. He came here from Seward, AK, and adjusted to life here quickly. Watch out for Routty, he opens gates and climbs fences.
We’re proud to be recognized by Tripadvisor with awards that celebrate the unforgettable experiences we create. Thanks to our amazing guests — and our incredible sled dogs, we’ve earned top ratings for adventure, hospitality, and authenticity.
Smiles, Stories & Sled Rides
Riding with SnowBuddy was the highlight of our trip. The dogs are clearly loved and well cared for, and the guides made the whole adventure feel personal and special.
We came for the adventure, but left inspired by the refuge. Knowing that our visit helps give these dogs a safe and happy home made the day even more meaningful.
The passion and care from the team shines through. From start to finish, we felt welcomed and connected—not just to the guides, but to every dog we met.
My son and I had an amazing adventure dog sledding with this wonderful family owned business. The whole experience from start to finish was friendly, professional and most importantly FUN!!
Wonderful day sledding through the national forest with lovely dogs,very friendly people and even delicious snacks!
Please see GETTING HERE for more detailed information and fair weather friends, please book the shuttle!
Please visit the GEAR LIST page to know how to prepare and what to wear. We provide very warm and comfortable Baffin pac boots for every guest!
December through mid-February can be quite cold, but the weather in the mountains in Colorado is extremely variable. You can count on morning trips being colder and it warming up significantly by midday. This is a bit of a catch 22 because dogs run best around zero Fahrenheit, and humans not so much! Dressing properly is the key! See the GEAR LIST for suggestions.
Yes you can but you cannot take pictures or video while driving the dog teams. All camera equipment must be either in the hands of a passenger in the dog sled or it must be handsfree. You may bring cellphones but they must be in airplane mode once you arrive at the trail. We will remind all guests of this rule and we enforce it strictly. There is space in the sleds for a backpack with personal items. We offer a very affordable picture package you may add at checkout!
At SnowBuddy, we don’t just run sled dog tours—we provide a safe and loving refuge for retired and rescued sled dogs. Many of our dogs have been given a second chance here, where they can live out their days with care, comfort, and companionship.
By choosing an adventure with us, you’re directly supporting their well-being—helping with food, shelter, veterinary care, and a life filled with dignity and joy.
