How it all began - The birth of Husky events
Anja Nehrenheim
How it all began - The birth of Husky events
Or: When friends ask "Can I have a lift?"
Of friends, children & essays
The idea for our husky events was not born on the drawing board, but... through curiosity. Friends kept coming round and casually asking:
"You, can I have a lift?"
"Can I stroke one of these huskies?"
"My daughter wants to write an essay about huskies - can she spend a day with you?"
Whether on a walk in Zurich or over coffee and cake - somehow everything ended up revolving around our huskies.
And quite honestly, if so many people are interested, why not make something of it?
Catering, birthdays & carriages
Wednesday & Thursday: 200-250 ml/m² of precipitation was forecast in 30 hours. After the events in June 2023 (debris flows, flooded roads, pure chaos) it was clear: be better prepared. So: food checked - enough for 3-4 days. Circling the garden - everything secured. Animals looked after - check. Nature? Still quiet - I've been in the catering business for ages. Weddings, company parties, birthday parties - all organised. I also have good contacts here in the Saas Valley, thanks to my work at the mountain hut. But: Husky events? That's in a completely different league. It's not confetti that flies around your ears, but snow - from huskies at full speed.
Event location at 2000 metres altitude with guests
The huskies wait for their turn in the fog and snow
The trail - more than just a beautiful path
What you need first: a good trail.
And by good, I mean good:
- Safe (no rodeo on U-turns)
- Resilient (the sled is no lightweight - and guests should not be thrown off)
- Suitable for laps (like interval training with four paws)
A trail that has ascents and descents not only challenges the guests, but above all the dogs. And for the whole thing to run smoothly, we need at least 8 huskies - ideally 10.
They pull the sled including the passenger - and get a well-deserved break after each lap while changing.
Weather, madness & miracles
Husky tours are not a wellness programme.
This is outdoor sport - in its purest form. 🌨️
We are completely dependent on the weather, and to be honest: climate change is not exactly our best friend.
Sometimes there is too little snow, sometimes too much, sometimes too warm, sometimes stormy.
Sounds stressful? It is. But also incredibly beautiful.
Because when everything fits, it's magical:
- The huskies pull like in a frenzy
- The guests grin like children at Christmas
- And I think: Yes, that's exactly why we're doing this.
Not only running - also smelling, barking & bucking
Anyone who thinks huskies are just "cute sled pullers" has never worked with 16 personalities.
Because, yes - our huskies have character:
- One is deeply relaxed, the other as jittery as a teenager with Red Bull in his blood.
- Some run lap after lap - others realise after two laps: "That's the end of the day!"
- And when it comes to harnessing? Some show their own personal style:
Sitting strikes, rolling around, spinning tops - we've seen it all before.
And me? Smile, snort, motivate - and love them anyway (okay, most of the time 😅).
Good trail at an evening event in Zermeiggern
Dennis, Phil's son, is also waiting for the next guests, a little fresh-faced 🙂
Trekking tours - surprise included
Our trekking tours are also always a surprise.
Many guests think:
"Oh, a bit of hiking with a husky - easy."
Then they feel the power when 23 kilos of energy pulls on the leash.
And suddenly it becomes clear: these dogs are not cuddly toys with prick ears - they are the power of nature.
And yet - they allow themselves to be guided, they treat people with respect, enthusiasm and their very own magic.
This is an encounter - genuine & unforgettable.
And the MS? Yes, it's there. But it's not holding the line.
Of course I had concerns after the diagnosis.
Can I still manage it all?
The set-up, the realisation, the tidying up, the planning, the chaos?
But you know what?
I probably had MS for a long time - I just didn't have an official stamp yet.
So:
With or without a stamp - it goes on.
I can't predict the future. But I do know:
I love what I do. I love my huskies.
And that's enough motivation to go through every snowstorm - with my head held high and a barking pack at my side.
🎯 Conclusion:
Husky events are not a job. They are a passion.
Sometimes chaotic, sometimes demanding - but always full of heart.
And when a guest gets off the sleigh at the end with shining eyes or says:
"That was the best thing I've ever done" -
then I know:
Everything done right.
Husky stories
Existing contributions
Anja Nehrenehim
Anja is the founder of Wild Swiss Adventure and lives with 16 huskies in Eisten in Valais.
