Welcome to Hardscrabble Mountain

Welcome to Hardscrabble Mountain! We offer dogsledding and snowshoeing experiences in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, a region renowned for its wildness and rugged beauty. With the pristine landscape of the northern forest as a backdrop, your dogsledding adventure will be an exhilarating escape from the mundane. Wandering the northern forest on snowshoes, you are likely to see evidence of moose, black bear, bobcat or a multitude of other unique & wonderful plant and animal species. Gliding behind the dog-team on a blanket of freshly fallen snow, you may find the forest’s quiet beauty both peaceful and invigorating. We invite you to join us and our team for an experience like none other! Mush!

We offer the following tours and packages, both weekdays and weekends during the winter and spring months, as long as weather allows.

· Basic Dogsled Tour: If you are an armchair adventurer, don’t have a lot of time, or have children under 18 this is the dogsled experience for you. The Basic Tour includes an introduction to the dogs and a short ride through the woods by dog-team. Each run lasts 20-25 minutes including harnessing and hook-up time. After the run we’ll snack the dogs, then head back to the cabin to warm up in front of the fire and sip on a steaming mug of hot chocolate. $25 per person*

· Mushing and Snowshoeing Package: This is our Basic Dogsled Tour combined with a guided snowshoe hike. Whether you are a beginner or an avid snowshoer, we can tailor our program based on your interests and abilities. We’ll start out with dogsled rides, then head back to the cabin to warm up and grab some hot chocolate. After that we’ll go over some snowshoeing basics, gear up and head out into the woods to explore the forest on foot. The northern forest is home to moose, bobcat, snowshoe hare, coyote, fox & fisher as well as many other animal species. Both Keith and Leila are seasoned naturalists, happy to share their knowledge and love of the natural world with you. If the weather is right, there may be the opportunity to get some distant views of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. Snowshoes will be provided. Approximate length, 1 ½ to 2 hours. $50 per person*

· Musher’s Package: This is a real hands-on dogsledding experience! After a quick introduction to the dogs, we’ll head to the cabin to familiarize you with the equipment that we’ll be using. Then its back out to the dog yard, where you’ll participate in harnessing the dogs up and hooking them to the gangline. Each person will start out riding to get the feel of the sled and an idea of how the dogs will respond. Later, there will be driving instruction and a chance to try your hand at driving a dog team solo. An experience like none other! This package includes a hot snack along with your cocoa. Musher’s Package for two lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours and is appropriate for folks 18 and up. $90 per person

· Northwoods Package: The ultimate northwoods experience. This is our Musher’s Package combined with a guided snowshoe hike to look for signs of wildlife. We start the day off with a full dogsledding program that culminates in a solo driving experience for each participant. Afterwards we’ll retire to the cabin to warm up by a roaring fire, have a hot lunch and a steamy cup of cocoa. With our bellies full and our toes warm, its time to head out to discover the wonders of the northern forest on foot. We will explore on trail and off, do some basic track identification and enjoy the pristine beauty of a world blanketed in winter white. This experience will last between 4 and 5 hours for two people and costs $150 per person 18 and older. Snowshoes will be provided.

· Guided Backcountry Snowshoe Excursions: Experience Vermont’s winter wildlands with us. We offer winter and spring snowshoe excursions into a variety of backcountry locations including state parks and forests, ecological preserves, wildlife management areas, and even our own backyard! Learn winter ecology, try your hand at track identification, hone your survival skills, explore unique habitats or just enjoy the serenity and quiet beauty of the Northern Forest. We customize our snowshoe experiences based on your interests and abilities. Inquire for price.

*Actual price of tours is per ride. In some instances, we are able to accommodate an adult & a small child, or two children riding together on a single run. In these instances there will be no charge for the extra person, as long as the total amount of rides remains the same.

Equipment List: Northern New England winters can sometimes be harsh & unpredictable. Please come prepared with appropriate clothing. Suggested clothing includes:

Appropriate cold weather fabrics include wool, polypropylene, or other warm synthetic material.

Please Note: Musher’s Package & Northwoods Package may take place in challenging weather conditions and may be physically strenuous. These experiences require appropriate winter dress and a moderate level of physical fitness. Please give us a call if you have any questions or concerns.

***We’re sorry but we are unable to accept credit or debit cards. We are happy to accept cash, money orders or personal checks***

We share our home and our days with eight spirited and energetic sled dogs ranging in age from 1 to 13 years. Our dogs are Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamute/Husky crosses, both traditional freighting breeds evolved in the far north. The predecessors of these dogs were some of the most ancient, dating back to the evolutionary split between dog and wolf on the canine family tree. Sled dogs played an important role in the lives of early northern peoples, who relied on dog teams as a form of transportation. Today, we rely on our team for recreation & comradery.

Husband and wife team, Keith Ballek and Leila LaRosa make up the two-legged staff of Hardscrabble Mountain Sled Dog Tours.

Keith is a veteran musher and naturalist, with 17 years of on-sled experience and 12 years of touring experience with passengers. He is also an alumnus of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, completing the Winter Wilderness Survival course in 1985. In the off-season Keith enjoys hiking in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom and New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and working the land sustainably.

Leila holds a degree in environmental biology, and is a dedicated naturalist. In addition to her work with Hardscrabble Tours, she has worked as a naturalist & outdoor educator for both the State of Vermont and the Northwoods Stewardship Center. Leila’s deep and abiding love for wilderness has taken her to many spectacular backcountry locations throughout the US & Canada. In her spare time Leila enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, organic gardening, and spending time with her five cats.

Hardscrabble Mountain Sled Dog Tours is a green business, and operates completely off of the power-grid, running instead on solar and wind. We operate from a beautiful backcountry location on the west-facing slope of Hardscrabble Mountain. As a courtesy, we shuttle all guests in the last mile, up a rough 4-wheel drive path to where our cabin is located.

- Keith, you're a man who knows how to live! Love your dogs, your home & setting, and your hospitality. Thanks.

- This is the best winter vacation we've had yet! The dogs are beautiful and well-behaved, the food is great and so are the people! Thank you very much for sharing your home and knowledge. Oh...the ride was awesome!

The dogsledding was wonderful, and I'm so glad I braved the cold to experience it! The dogs are beautiful and friendly, but most of all your hospitality & Leila's delicious meal was a memory that will be cherished. Thanks

- Thank you so much for an enjoyable and informative tour. The kids learned so much and we all enjoyed your company. Truly an unforgettable experience - we will remember it for a long time and will be sure to recommend you to everyone we know.

- I really liked going down the hills! Keep up the great work!

- The dogs are really cool! My favorite is Cheena.

- It was awesome! Timber is cool and so is Blizzard and I hope Cheena feels better.