Dashing Through the Snow

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, but you probably won’t recall Rufus and Paco and Hopi and Mookie.

Mammoth Lake’s Dog Sled Adventures ([760] 934-6270) is one of the few commercial dog-sled kennels in California. The company, which operates out of Mammoth Mountain Inn, leads sled rides across snow-covered trails and through mountain forests, with malamutes, Siberians and huskies leading the pack.

An experienced musher (the person on the back of the sled who operates the foot brake and who maintains the sled’s balance) leads the rides and provides narration.

If you’re taking a trip to Colorado, the Lucky Cat Dog Farm ([970] 641-1636), in Gunnison, offers long and short rides, some of which include a picnic in the snow. Home to elk and bighorn sheep, this route is a real winter wonderland. Guests can even try their hand at mushing.