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Adults

Boundary Waters – Dog Sled & Cross Country Ski

Dogsled, ski, and snowshoe over pristine lakes and snowy forests with a team of expert Instructors and hard-working sled dogs that thrive in the deep freeze of the magical Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

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Boundary Waters, MN

CB20 Course Overview

About This Course

Activity

  • The image shows a stylized, possibly hand-drawn, representation of a pair of skis crossed in an 'X' shape, with a single ski pole standing vertically to the right. The skis and pole are depicted in blue against a solid black background. The style is simple and somewhat abstract, giving the impression of a logo or icon. Cross Country Skiing
  • The image shows a blue, stylized drawing of a dog against a black background. The dog is in a standing position, depicted with simple lines that outline its body, head, and tail. The style is reminiscent of a sketch or an icon, with a minimalist approach to detail. The dog's posture is alert, with its tail slightly raised, suggesting a sense of watchfulness or readiness. Dog Sledding
  • The image shows a blue line drawing of a tent, possibly indicating a campsite. The tent is surrounded by stylized trees, suggesting an outdoor or wilderness setting. The drawing is set against a black background, which makes the blue lines stand out. The style is simple and illustrative, resembling a logo or icon. Winter Camping

Setting & Location

  • The image shows a simple, hand-drawn style illustration of three evergreen trees, possibly pine or fir trees. They are depicted in a solid blue color against a white background. The trees are stylized with jagged edges to represent the needles and branches, giving them a whimsical and slightly abstract appearance. The trunks are simple vertical lines. Forest
  • The image shows a blue silhouette of a landscape against a black background. The landscape includes trees, mountains, and water, possibly a lake or river. The style is simple and graphic, resembling a logo or emblem. The scene evokes a sense of nature and tranquility, with the dark background emphasizing the blue elements of the natural landscape. Lake
  • airplane Course Start Location: Duluth, MN
  • airplane Course End Location: Duluth, MN

Students Can Earn

  • College Credit

Session Details

8 sessions are available for this course

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What You'll Learn

There’s so much to discover in the silence between footsteps; the quiet between paddle strokes; the space between stars. Circle up with your crew and recapture the joy of trying something new – whether that’s an activity, a location, or a perspective.

What You'll Do

Come travel the frozen north country with a team of human and furry friends. Learn to survive and thrive in the winter wilderness. Sleep outside, ski, build fires and take care of your crew. Explore new terrain– inside, and out.

Where You'll Be

Blazing sunsets, borealis nights, bracing cold, warm embers, soul-filling silence. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a winter wonderland. With more water than land, snow and ice transform the BWCAW into a land of clarifying extremes– perfect for adventure.

Why It Matters

So often, we find ourselves moving at the pace of the world around us. Reconnect with the world within you and rediscover your strengths, what inspires you, and set some new goals. Outward Bound courses for adults are an investment in yourself: a time to reset your bearings and look ahead with fresh perspective.

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CB11 Scrolling Bullets

Classic for Adults

What if the hardest part is your favorite part?

Educational Approach

Connection.

Disconnect to reconnect – with your environment, your crew, and yourself. Return home with a renewed sense of possibility.

Leave your comfort zone.

With a supportive crew, you’ll meet challenges that help you unlock confidence, curiosity, and energy to thrive with purpose.

Get ready for growth.

Meeting new people and trying new things together builds confidence and community. At any experience level, everyone has the opportunity to discover something new.

CB39 Table Feature

Sample Itinerary

Here’s an example of what your course itinerary might look like. The actual plan will depend on permits, weather, group skills, and instructor evaluation.

Swipe on table below to view more.

8-Day Course

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Day 1 Course start, meet group, organize gear, camp under the stars.
Day 2-4 Travel days: dog sled, ski, camp in the Boundary Waters
Day 5 Solo
Day 6 Travel day: dog sled, ski, camp in the Boundary Waters
Day 7 Arrive at base camp, course end ceremonies
Day 8 Depart for the airport and travel home.
CB27 Pull Quotes

This course helped me break out of my everyday life as wife and mother and see that it’s not too late to be someone different for a while. To go back home feeling more empowered and recharged after accomplishing something this difficult is an amazing feeling.

Cassie

I have grown and challenged myself during this course and I am more focused on things I can do to challenge myself in life. I will carry this experience with me as a positive reminder on the lessons of life and the importance of challenging myself.

Zach

Ski-joring across a frozen lake with a beautiful dog under a sunset was straight from a movie and might be the most magical thing I have ever done in my life! This course has given more to me than I ever thought I’d get out of an outdoor expedition.

Mac

CB17 FAQs

FAQs

Is prior experience necessary?

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No prior experience is necessary to participate on an Outward Bound expedition! Our talented instructing staff will start the course by going over the basic skills needed for backcountry travel. All we ask is that students come prepared for and open to new experiences. We’ll handle the rest!

How can I be physically prepared to attend the course?

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Students do not need to be in peak physical condition to complete the course successfully. However, it’s always a good idea to physically prepare for the course ahead of time to increase comfort, especially at the start of your journey. Check out how to physically prepare for course through our Preparing for Course page.

How will I know what to bring?

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Outward Bound will provide the activity-specific and camping equipment for the course, including tents, tarps, backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and cookware etc. You will receive a packing list of items to bring, consisting mainly of clothing*, footwear, personal items, and toiletries, after applying. If you’d like to see a packing list for a specific expedition ahead of time, reach out to our Customer Success Team at 866-467-7651 or [email protected]. A Customer Success Specialist will be happy to provide this information!

*Pro tip: Not everything on your pack list needs to be brand new! See what items you can thrift or find at a second-hand gear store

CB31 Media Gallery

Life on Course

With a team of expert Instructors and lovable sled dogs, students develop skills in dog mushing, cross-country skiing, ice reading, winter camping, and sled dog care.

Students learn to navigate over frozen lakes and the overland portage trails between them. Group members take turns mushing the dogsleds and skiing throughout the course. Take part in a beautiful winter choreography as skiers serve as advanced “scouts”—navigating, checking for safe ice conditions, and tracking out a trail while mushers work with the dogs to help guide the dog sleds to follow. Once at camp, Instructors teach students techniques for harvesting water from beneath the ice, collecting firewood, cooking over an open fire, and setting up shelters and cozy winter sleeping systems. Develop leadership skills, tenacity, and compassion during this epic adventure into the winter wilderness.

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THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE.
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