Sled dog racing builds an unbreakable bond with your four-legged best friend. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

A flurry of frenzied dog barks cuts through the hush of winter’s chill in the woods. The clinking sounds of metal ring out with each restless jump and spin as the clouds of condensation emanating from their snouts grow bigger. A few seconds pass, then comes the call: “Hike!” The pack takes off together in perfect sync, aligned in rows of two, and they dash across the frozen terrain. 

It may seem like a scene from the movie “Iron Will,” or the starting line at Alaska’s iconic Iditarod race, but not so fast. This pack of dogs isn’t a bunch of huskies; there’s golden retrievers, hounds and Great Danes. And that frozen terrain? It’s not the Arctic Circle. It’s the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. 

Sled dog racing is full of misconceptions — something the Jersey Sands Sled Dog Racing Association (JSSDRA) has been battling to grow the sport’s visibility since its founding in the late ’60s and early ’70s. It’s been tough sledding for the association to gain traction with the masses given its unexpected nature in New Jersey, but President Bryan Freeman emphasized just how easy it is for residents to participate in the joys of the cold-weather sport. 

“The Jersey Sands Sled Dog Association is about training, having fun and running your dog,” said Freeman, who has been racing sled dogs for over 30 years. “We get people involved in the sport, and however far they want to take the knowledge that we do give them is up to them to pursue in the future. Our involvement is to introduce them to the sport. We’re a fun club.” 

The Jersey Sands Sled Dog Racing Association trains in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, located in the Pine Barrens. Photo courtesy of Jersey Sands Sled Dog Racing Association

Involvement in the club is every bit as entertaining as it is educational. The group trains on weekends for two to three hours in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, and all equipment is provided. (Just bring a leash and a water bowl.) You’ll learn everything from harnessing to sled setup to voice commands. If you’re comfortable and confident, you’ll get to ride with the dogs and experience a real, Iditarod-esque adrenaline rush. Don’t have a dog? That’s OK, but if you do bring one, make sure it falls under the working-class category (think: golden retrievers, Rottweilers, hounds, Great Danes). 

The notion that sled dog racing is strictly for huskies is a big-time stereotype — and the same goes for snow. Freeman explained that the white, fluffy stuff isn’t necessary for training, so long as the temperature is 50°F or below and the ground is relatively dry. That’s because the club uses three-wheeled bicycles, carts and scooters as rigs, so they can successfully run on dirt trails in the woods. If it does snow, a foot of packed powder is the minimum requirement to run traditional sleds. 

No matter the conditions, one thing always remains the same: Sled dog racing builds an unbreakable bond with your four-legged best friend. 

“It’s something you look forward to each week and it helps you get stress relief because you’re doing something that you enjoy, and getting to do it with your animals, seeing them have fun, it brings out the best in you and keeps you going in life,” said Amanda Thorpe, a member of the club since 2015. “You earn their trust, and they earn your trust.” 

Thorpe first found out about the club through one of its fundraisers for rescue dogs. Seeing the sled dog team left a lasting impression — so much so that the gymnast coach drives two hours each way from her home in Totowa to take part in this special sport. 

“My dogs and I look forward to the time we spend together doing something that brings both of us happiness.” Thorpe said. “(The drive) makes for long days, but I wouldn’t change it because it’s something that makes my life better by being a part of this sport and all it has taught me.” 

Most assume sled dog racing is confined to extremely cold locales, but the sport is alive and well in other places, like New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

She credited the incredible support system through mentors, like Freeman, as well as the greater community, which helped her learn the nuances of the sport through sanctioned races and just-for-fun contests. While these events more regularly occur in Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire and the rest of the upper Northeast, New Jersey does get in on the action at times. (You can check the Jersey Sands Sled Dog Association’s Facebook page or website, jssdra.com, for upcoming events in 2022-23.) Thorpe explained that while they provide the platform for growth, the mindset is key for consistent progress. 

“It’s about the willpower to learn, observe, ask questions and volunteer for a bit of time. That way you ease into understanding more about the sport before going all in and getting a dog and equipment right away. There is so much to learn and get confident with. Small steps lead to success.” 

The association hosts sanctioned races on occasion, allowing club members the chance to show off their mushing skills. Photo courtesy of Jersey Sands Sled Dog Racing Association

Joining the JSSDRA requires paying an annual fee of $25, but you’re free to come try it out a couple times before you commit. The season runs, on average, from December to February. Visit jssdra.com or email Bryan Freeman to learn more: bryanfreeman4423@gmail.com. 

When you take part in this unexpected adventure, don’t forget you can only find it … Just in Jersey. 

Hunter Hulbert is the Just in Jersey features writer for Jersey’s Best magazine. Have a suggestion for a story? Contact him at hhulbert@njadvancemedia.com. To read more stories like this, click here.

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2022 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.

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