About

The setting:

Grizzle-T Dog & Sled Works can be found in Milner, Colorado, about 20 minutes outside of Steamboat Springs. Over 100 sled dogs call this kennel home. Each dog has a shelter, a couple of friends nearby and all the exercise they can ask for. They all have individual names and personalities and there is no better place on earth to be!

The cast:

Kris Hoffman: Owner & superhero. Knows every detail about every dog, every weather condition and pretty much everything. He’s the man you want if you need to be saved.

Sara Ross: Kris’ finace. Volunteers her time to help us pick up poop, hook up dogs and train. She books our reservations, makes sure we have a full tour and makes the best cookies and brownies on earth (guests may experience said brownies after a tour)

Stubird: Stu has been working at the kennel for six years. He’s tough and seen it all. He can be found jumping from his snowmobile onto a sled that’s tipped over, righting the sled before the blink of an eye.

E-bear: E-bear started working at Grizzle-T last year. He always has a witty comment and a keen observation. Has total confidence that nothing will go wrong and if it does, we can fix it. His dogs Floyd and Quincy are Alma Rose’s companions at the kennel although Floyd would rather be on the couch.

B-bear: B-bear spent the last season living in a trailer on the property. At the end of last year he swore he never wanted to hear another dog bark. This year he’s back. It’s the curse of Grizzle-T and the Yampa Valley. Once you’ve had a taste of it, it’s hard to leave. B-bear brings kindness to the kennel.

Beagle (Bill Eagle): Joined us November 2009. He has a generous spirit and a softspoken manner. More to be posted as we head into sledding season.

Mike Warren: Mike, a friend of Kris’ is an all-around good guy. I always feel confident on tours with him because he not only anticipates other’s needs, he’s always there to help with a hand, or a couple of knees, like last year when he helped me stop a sled about to head down a steep heel, with me on and a hand on the brake and his two knees depressing the metal bar.

Me: This will be my third season at Grizzle-T. I started as a shy girl, terrified of f-ing everything up. I have and I do, I’m just not as scared. I’ve thought about leaving, but don’t know what I’d do without the companionship of the dogs. Am often teased about the amount of time I spend petting each dog, but too bad, they all deserve it.

Alma Rose: The world’s best puppy. So far has alerted her owner to her car being broken into in the middle of the night, saved her from a charging moose and is a great hiking companion.

About: I found my way into dog sledding by answering an ad in the paper. Kris Hoffman with Grizzle-T Dog & Sled Works was kind enough to take a chance on me. Throughout the past two years (now entering my third season) I have experienced the power, drive and determination of these dogs.

While dog sledding may seem basic – you stand on the sled and let the dogs pull – there are thousands of factors that play into a successful trip. Every day snow conditions are determined. If there’s a lot of powder, it will be harder to stop the sled. An icy day and the sled will slide around corners and will be more prone to sliding off the trail if the brakes aren’t used properly. If the sun is shining, the dogs need to run at a slower pace in order to conserve energy (For sled dogs, a sunny 40 degree day can feel like 90 degrees to us). Each dog is evaluated every day to ensure top health, whether they are in heat or not, -which affects who they can be paired up with- and their place on the line.

One important thing to remember when working with the dogs is to feel comfortable. Dogs feed off human energy. They can tell if the driver is anxious, happy or sad and that mood affects them as well. Sled dogs are completely aware of their surroundings and the energy around them. I have walked into the kennel after some emotional times and those are the days the dogs give me extra licks, tail wags and hugs. I have cried in their fur, laughed at their quirks and spunk and been uplifted by their beauty.

Dog sledding is a unique experience and a gateway into a forgotten way of life when dogs were relied upon to pull supplies, help hunt and transport sick humans. Feeling the silence on the trail with only the sound of dogs panting and nature surrounding is an unforgettable experience. These are work dogs and they live to run. Dog sledding gives them and me a purpose.