Ask Winter Sunset IIInear Headwaters State Park, MT someone to describe winter in Montana and they'll most likely say "cold and snowy".  Well, we've had plenty of that this year.  We've enjoyed some unseasonably warm days as well.  Those are the days when I grab my camera and head out to alleviate my "cabin fever".  Winter offers up some unique opportunities for those brave enough to face the elements.  Morning landscapes are overwhelmingly white from frost and evenings offer up sunsets with an amazing palette of color.

While snow is commonly associated with the drudgery of shoveling sidewalks it can also be associated with leisure and transportation like snowmobiling, skiing, (my personal favorite) snowshoeing, and dog sledding.

From an outsider's perspective the sport of dog sled racing can seem a bit chaotic.  The starting line is crowded with spectators, trucks equipped with an array of supplies, mushers and handlers running around to prep the sleds, and, of course, the dogs.  At times the dogs can be barking so loudly that its hard to hear yourself think.  But they're just excited.  They know that, at any moment, they'll be put into a harness, hooked up to the sled, and will set off down the trail.

Some critics of the sport claim that its cruel to "force" the dogs to run.  They couldn't be more wrong.  These dogs love to run.  These dogs want to run.  My first experience with dog sledding was as a volunteer at a race in Alaska.  It was my job to "catch" the sleds as they came into a checkpoint.  My first reaction was something along the lines of "you want me to do what?"  How on earth are you supposed to catch 12 dogs and an 800 pound sled?!?  Well, its easier than it sounds.  The musher does most of the work commanding the dogs to stop.  I just had to make sure they stayed put by holding onto the harnesses of the lead dogs.  All the while they are looking up at me with big, puppy eyes saying "Please let me go, I want to run!"

From that day on I was hooked.  I love dog sledding.  And dog sled fans are the most dedicated fans that you will find anywhere.  We drive out into the wilderness and get to see the mushers and dog sled teams for a matter of seconds as they rush past.  Then we are left with nothing to do but check for updates online for hours, days, weeks.  The real fans are the people who will wait at the finish line and cheer the mushers on...even if that means standing out in the cold at three in the morning.

Race to the SkyA dogsled team rushes past at the start of the 2014 Race to the Sky.