Dog sledding in Andorra: our experience and review of this magical activity

Hello everyone, I’m keeping the momentum going with a new activity: dog sledding in Andorra. I was really looking forward to this moment because I had never done it before. And it’s true that when you think of winter, it’s one of those activities that feels the most dreamy. Suffice it to say, I consider dog sledding an must-do winter activity in Andorra. Of course, it’s not the only one! Overall, I was pretty surprised by all the things to do in Andorra, such a small country. Between the mountain scenery, ski resorts, and outdoor activities, there’s truly enough to keep you busy for several days without getting bored.

The goal of this article is to share my dog sledding experience: how it works in practice, what to expect, and most importantly whether it’s worth it. I think it’s an activity that fits perfectly into a mountain getaway. It’s a change from skiing and lets you experience something totally different. And on top of that, it works just as well as a couple, with friends, or as a family (well… not all in the same sled). On my end, I tried this activity in Grau Roig, a ski area in the Grandvalira domain. And I can already tell you one thing: it’s a pretty unique experience…

After snowmobiling in Grau Roig in the morning, we stayed at the resort and ate there. There’s a cafeteria with a large terrace overlooking the slopes. The weather was amazing! It allowed us to enjoy ourselves before our dog sledding outing in the early afternoon. Around 2:00 p.m., we’re welcomed inside the provider’s chalet, where they show us the way to get to our sled. We just have to walk down for a few minutes in the snow, and we’re there.

There, we meet our musher, who invites us to pet the dogs and explains that they’re all friendly. They tell us their names, which lets us meet them before heading out with them. He then invites us to take our seats in the sled. It’s a sled for two people, and we’re comfortably settled in. But before leaving, our guide explains that he’s going to replace one of the female dogs at the front, because the two leaders on this sled don’t get along. In fact, one of the two is his dog, whom he decided to adopt because he had a special connection with her. It’s nice to know a bit more about his bond with the dogs. Also, there are 12 in total, which is quite a long team. I was expecting only half that, or 8 at most.

As soon as we set off, it’s a great feeling to glide over the snow and let the dogs carry you along. Plus, we start with a downhill section, which makes it even more impressive. What’s surprising is that you glide quietly over the snow; there’s just a slight sliding sound. You feel good and you’re ready to enjoy it. Along the way, the musher explains the relationships among the dogs in the pack, which ones get along best, etc. By the way, the females are mostly at the front (4), and the males are at the back (8). The female leaders at the front are the guides; they’re the ones leading the way. In the middle, there are two that organize and coordinate the sled, while at the back you find the most powerful dogs.

After a while, we come across a dog that’s rather old and isn’t part of the team. Even so, he runs alongside the sled as if he were part of it. That’s when he explains that it’s a retired dog, but one that won’t accept not working anymore. It’s pretty wild, but it’s like some humans, in the end! The musher also explains that they have to let him run alongside the different sleds from time to time until he accepts that he’s retired. Otherwise, he would self-harm, chewing on his paws, etc. It’s a touching story, and it’s true that we saw how invested he was when he joined us.

We also enjoy the landscapes passing before our eyes. The advantage is that we have time to observe them while moving straight on to others. It’s like a movie set in a magical backdrop. We also had a brief moment with some bumps when we least expected it, which added a little adventure vibe. It’s an area where there was quite a bit of snow, even though temperatures had been milder for several days. We were also very lucky, because if we had come a few days later, there would have been more snow, but less visibility of the mountains and valleys all around. In any case, we move along at a good pace, the dogs sometimes take breaks, and I think it’s great that the musher really respects those moments.

Before leaving the sled, we stop. The musher offers to take photos and videos to capture this beautiful moment. It’s a thoughtful touch that gives us tangible souvenirs too, and helps us remember all the names of the dogs we shared this outing with: Lisa, Kasol, Ramón, Luka, Lio, Tor, etc. In any case, they’re all cute and friendly when we approached them at the beginning and at the end.

On our side, we were passengers, and I think for a first time, it was better that way. In any case, I really want to do it again. For me, it was like an introduction to discover this experience. I’ll admit that for the next one, I still wouldn’t feel ready to take the reins of the sled. But as a passenger, it’s already a great experience. I didn’t see the time go by because it was a 2 km route. Suffice it to say, twelve dogs at full speed is fast, and that’s only normal.

For your information, if you’d like, there are longer outings: 3 km or 5 km. At the end, we got to say goodbye to the dogs; we could even pet them. I had an amazing time and I truly recommend experiencing this at least once. After that, I think that, like me, you’ll want to do it again! Small note: a sled can accommodate two adults or one adult and two children. If you’re more people, you’ll be in different sleds.

You’ve probably gathered that it’s an experience I really loved. It felt like a Christmas movie! I think it’s just as great to do as a couple as it is as a family. For kids, it must be an amazing memory. For now, I don’t have any haha, but I tell myself that if I do, it’ll be on the list of things to introduce them to. What I also liked was seeing the relationship between the musher and the dogs, who, as I told you, adopted one of the female dogs. He also told us that another one of the female dogs (Lisa) belonged to one of his colleagues. So it goes beyond work; real bonds have formed.

The only small point is that the musher spoke to us in Spanish. For us, it wasn’t an issue. I think he also spoke English. But I don’t think he speaks French. If you have questions, I think you can always make yourself understood and vice versa. Our musher was very nice, and I think it’s a real plus to have the musher’s explanations. I think it makes the experience even more interesting.

As I was saying, it’s an activity that goes by very quickly and, because it’s unique, you want it to last longer. The two kilometers went by fast, and that’s normal when you’re enjoying yourself and having a good time. I’m repeating this point a bit to let you know that if you want a longer outing, it’s possible; you just need to plan for it.

I did this outing with RocRoi, which has been well established in Andorra for about twenty years. They offer all kinds of outdoor excursions, in summer as well as in winter. They’re also present in Spain, still in the Pyrenees. The advantage is that they offer activities for families, groups, and beginners. Everyone can find something they’ll enjoy and share a well-supervised, organized moment in complete safety.

As for dog sledding (mushing), RocRoi offers this activity mainly in Grau Roig (Grandvalira). The mushers are professionals and the scenery is simply breathtaking. As mentioned above, there are several options available, ranging from short rides to longer or nighttime excursions. It’s true that at night, it must be just as incredible. It’s even possible to drive the team yourself or enjoy the route as a passenger. As I told you, for now, I wouldn’t feel completely comfortable driving. Even though, of course, there are explanations beforehand. Plus, there’s the anecdote and educational side, which for me is a real plus.

If you know Andorra, you won’t be surprised that Grandvalira is the main place to go dog sledding. It’s the largest ski area in the entire Principality of Andorra. As for me, I did it in Grau Roig. To give you an idea, it’s the resort between Pas de la Case and Soldeu. I’ve been there several times and the setting is just perfect. When I went, there weren’t too many people and the dog sledding routes were well separated from the ski areas, snowmobiles, snowshoeing, etc. And then, you’re surrounded by mountains, far from roads and noise.

You can imagine it: I really recommend Grau Roig. It’s accessible, well organized, and above all, the scenery truly makes the difference. I simply recommend booking in advance, especially during vacation periods or on weekends.

To get off the beaten path, I recommend going to the Vallnord – Pal Arinsal resort. It’s the second most well-known resort in Andorra. It’s much smaller than Grandvalira. If you come in high season or during school holidays, you’ll have a quieter time at this ski resort.

Here too, it’s possible to go dog sledding, with guided outings in an exceptional setting. The scenery is always there, with snow, forest, and mountains all around. In my opinion, it’s a good option if you want to avoid the busiest areas while still enjoying this unique activity. Even though I haven’t personally tried it here, it can be a good choice if you’re staying in this area or if you’re looking for something a bit quieter. In any case, whether in Grandvalira or in Pal Arinsal, all the conditions are in place to enjoy this experience!

To learn more about dog sledding, I invite you to read all our practical tips below. You’ll have all the answers to your questions!

Yes, clearly, and I truly recommend it. Dog sledding is a popular activity in Andorra, especially during school holidays. Time slots fill up quickly and the areas where you can do it are very specific. In general, the most in-demand times are late morning or early afternoon.

As for me, I booked two months in advance and, once there, even outside school holidays and at the end of the season, some time slots were full. Well, I’m not telling you to book two months ahead; I think a few weeks may be enough. But it all depends on the exact time of year you’re coming and when you want to do the activity. Just keep in mind that it’s a highly sought-after activity and it’s better to book in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Well, I’m not telling you anything new if I say that dog sledding is an activity that’s only done in winter. But I still recommend doing it between January and March. That way, you’ll be fairly sure snow conditions are good for this activity. I went at the end of March and, even though some time slots were full, I didn’t feel like there were crowds. It was more pleasant. Plus, there was snow, bright sunshine, and great visibility of the mountains. But you can never be sure, because a few days after my vacation, conditions had changed a lot. There were heavy snowfalls. In fact, some sessions can be canceled because you’re still dependent on the weather.

To go further, I explain everything in our article about when to go to Andorra.

The price of dog sledding mainly depends on the length of the ride and the package you choose. First of all, know that prices are per person. Here are some ranges to give you an idea of the price of this activity in Andorra:

• around €50 to €60 for a short 2 km ride
• around €70 to €80 for 3 km
• around €90 to €100 for 5 km

For longer or special packages:

• longer outings (1 hour or more): around €100 to €150
• nighttime experiences or with dinner: up to €250 or more

Most of the time, the sled is shared either between 2 adults, or with one adult and one or two children.

I’ll give you that the price may seem high for the duration of the activity. In my eyes, it’s still a unique experience with animals, a guide, and a whole lot of work behind it. As for me, I don’t regret it at all. It’s not an activity you get to do every day, and it’s truly unique. Of course, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to do it.

So, even if the activity is pretty calm since you’re sitting in the sled, it can get cold quickly. First, you’re at a certain altitude, around 2,000 meters or more, and you’re not moving during the whole ride. So you feel the cold more than when you’re skiing, for example.

I recommend wearing a ski jacket with several base layers like a T-shirt and a fleece. You can also wear ski pants, gloves, and a beanie depending on the day’s temperatures. On my end, I didn’t need it because it was mild. Also think about waterproof shoes. In this case, they’re truly essential.

Yes, and I’d even say it’s one of the highlights of this experience. Specifically, kids can sit in the sled with an adult. Plus, it’s an activity supervised by a professional musher. You just need to double-check the minimum age because it can vary depending on the provider. In general, it’s accessible from ages 3 to 5.

Honestly, it’s great for kids! It gives them wonderful memories in a snowy setting with dogs and at a reasonable speed. If we have starry eyes as adults, then for a child, just imagine. I think it’s the kind of experience that really leaves a mark on kids and that they remember for a long time. Personally, I think it’s a great gift to give and share as a family.

Yes, it’s possible… but not with every package. Most of the time, especially for a first experience, you’ll be a passenger in the sled, like I was. That’s also what I recommend if you’re discovering the activity.

But if you’re interested, there are also packages to drive the sled. In fact, some providers offer introductions where you can take the reins. Of course, you won’t just be sent out into the wilderness like that. This includes a briefing with safety rules at the beginning and some learning such as braking, steering, commands, etc. You’ll always be supervised, with the musher in front in another sled. It’s simply a more immersive experience where you’re an active participant.

However, you should know that the sessions are expensive, but longer. They also require more physical effort. And as always, they can be canceled depending on weather conditions.

In a few words, I recommend starting as a passenger. After that, if you feel up to it, you can try driving. But there’s no obligation; you can absolutely do it again as a passenger.

Yes, absolutely! It’s a unique activity to share as a couple or as a family. In both cases, it creates great memories between the snowy landscapes and the slightly timeless feel. I also think it’s a nice change from more classic outings. By the way, if you don’t ski, it’s a great way to enjoy the mountains differently.

It’s clearly an experience for everyone: no matter your level, you can simply enjoy it.

So, now you know everything about my dog sledding experience in Andorra. I’m repeating myself a bit, but I have an amazing memory of it. And above all, I came away wanting to do it again! It’s simple: everything was there: the scenery, the weather, the dogs, the musher and his explanations… In my eyes, it’s an experience to do at least once!

I also did other winter activities that are worth doing and that I recommend. It was a snowmobile tour, which was awesome and full of thrills. On a calmer note, I also did a snowshoe hike in Andorra. It was really fun to do and more physically demanding than it looks!

See you soon for more adventures in Andorra,

Written by Laura CALLES

Thanks to Mélanie and Sylvain, I had the chance to stay in Andorra, a small country in the heart of the Pyrenees, in order to share with you the best things to see and do there. In any case, it’s a destination full of surprises and well worth the visit!

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