West Coast Dryland Mushing Events, Fall 2013

Fall dryland season is finally here!
Here are some of the events scheduled in the western US:

Oct 26/27: Pacific Northwest Dryland Championship - Cle Elum WA - More Info
Nov 2:       IDidaRace - Park City UT - More Info
Nov 9/10:  La Pine Mushing Weekend - La Pine OR - More Info
Nov 9/10:  South Park Dryland Challenge - Hartsell CO - More Info
Nov 16/17: Dirt Rondy - Spokane WA - More Info
Nov 16/17: Adventure Unlimited - Buena Vista CO - More Info

We're going to be at two or three of the above listed events.

Speaking of dryland events: our recent "Wild & Free Weekend" was a huge success!
Thanks to Brent Sass for making his way down to the lower 48 and spending some time with us "Americans", as well as all those teams that showed up from near and far to run dogs, talk dogs and just enjoy great food and company. We had 12 teams from 4 states with about 150 dogs show up and explore our local trails. Here are some pictures.

Last, not least: after Brent got back to the real world in Alaska's interior, he hopped right back on his 4-wheel cart to continue his training for this season's upcoming races. So far, all his training miles have been on our carts, not atv's as in previous years. We'll keep our fingers crossed for a successful season!

Fall training season is here!

Summer is finally coming to an end, and training season gets underway.
For us, this means crunch time to get orders finished and carts delivered to our customers. Most of our carts are going to Alaska this fall, with a few more staying close in Washington and Colorado. Thanks again to all our customer who trust our products!

For teams getting ready for this season's long distance races, it means getting the dogs out and everyone back into running mode, figuring out who will make the "A-Team" and then getting that team ready for "showtime".

We're proud to support three teams this season that will take on Iditarod and Yukon Quest in 2014:

Wild & Free Mushing, Eureka, Alaska

Brent Sass has been good friends with us for a few years now and a big believer in Arctis training carts. He has put our 3-wheeler to the test like no one else and was the first to run the all new 4-wheeler.
Wild & Free will go for another Yukon Quest and Iditarod this year!

Please visit their website and facebook page for more about Brent and the team as well as sponsorship opportunities.

North Wapiti Kennels, Perryvale, Alberta

Karen Ramstead was one of the first Iditarod mushers we met many years ago. She came to visit our group in southern California on several occasions, came to our new location in Oregon and also invited us for a few days at her kennel back in 2010. Famous for her "Pretty Curly Tails" all Siberian Husky sled dog team, Karen will run Iditarod in 2014 for the last time.

To support Karen and her team, and for more information about the kennel, including the entire cast of characters, please see their blog and facebook page, as well as their fundraising page.

Team Tsuga Siberians, Fairbanks, Alaska

We met Mike Ellis at the New England Trade Fair a couple of years ago, and he was really interested in the concept of training his team with a cart vs an atv. One of the requirements was, however, that it would be a heavy 4-wheel cart to possibly train a full team. So, this year we finally finished that project and Mike will be one of the first mushers to train with the new cart. He also was kind enough to visit us here in Oregon and give a presentation about his dogs, races and life in Alaska, that got fantastic reviews by all who attended.

Mike and Sue also run an all Siberian Husky team.

Team Tsuga will be back at the Yukon Quest this season, after their rookie Iditarod in 2013.

Please see their website and facebook page for information and yes, plenty of pictures of their beautiful team, that has always room for another sponsor for a bag of kibble. 

Good luck and happy trails to all of "our" teams, our customers and friends and everyone else who shares the same passion for this wonderful sport.

Wild & Free Weekend!

Come join us for a weekend of running dogs, camping, bbq and good company from October 4^th - 6^th in central Oregon.

Why “wild & free”?
Yukon Quest and Iditarod veteran Brent Sass of Wild & FreeMushing will join the fun and is ready to answer your questions and give pointers about raising, training and running dogs, his racing experiences and the wild & free life in Alaska's wilderness.

This will be an informal, free flowing weekend with a small group (~10-12 teams) and there will be plenty of time to run the dogs, get some one-on-one time with Brent, and have a group of like minded folks to share experiences and our love for the sport. Brent will be glad to share his expertise and experiences, and yes, he'll bring plenty of pictures to share, too.

This weekend will be open to anyone interested in running dogs, no matter what size team you have, be it a full team of 16, a “sled pet” and a scooter, or no dogs and are just interested in the experience.

We can accommodate 10-12 trucks/trailers on the property. Final number will depend on the size of each team vehicle. We are located in central Oregon's vast pine forest, near the city of La Pine, and have direct trail access to public land (BLM, National Forest) with literally 100s of miles of forest trails. There is room for tents or campers, plus we have a separate guest space that could be shared by those that prefer more solid surroundings. Guest space also includes bathroom/shower and full kitchen with stove, microwave and fridge. There are several water sources for your dogs, a fire pit as well as a hot tub. We also have decent cell phone reception and wifi, if you need to be connected to the world.

Trails on the property can accommodate teams of all sizes. Large teams with carts and atv have a wide enough trail to access public lands right from the campsite. There's a fun, single track trail system right on the property for small teams with scooters, too.

This will be a rain or shine event. In case of wet conditions, we can dry out gear and equipment in our heated shop. Temperatures at that time of year average between 20s (overnight low) and 50s (daytime high).

All available spaces have been filled. Thanks to all who signed up!

Spots will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

If you have any questions in regards to this event, please contact me at henning@arctis-carts.com or 949-280-7019

Mike Ellis of Team Tsuga Siberians in Portland OR

Please join us for a live audio and video presentation by Mike Ellis on Sunday August 11th in Portland OR. 

Mike and his "Team Tsuga Siberian Huskies" are multiple Yukon Quest finishers and Iditarod rookies in 2013 and they are preparing for another Quest and possibly Iditarod in 2014.

Picture courtesy of Akphotograph.com

Mike's presentation will include a slideshow and videos of his journey from the early days to finishing the two 1000-mile races. Questions are always welcome along the way and there will be time for pictures and autographs as well.

100% of the proceeds will go to Mike's kennel.

The presentation will be held at the Norse Hall - 111 NE 11th Ave - Portland OR (map)

near the I-5 & I-84 interchange

Sunday August 11th at 2pm.

Tickets are $25 (per person) at the door.

Any questions? Please call (949) 280-7019

Arctis 4-Wheel Heavy Training Cart

It is finally here!
After many requests and several delays, we have finally finished our heavy 4-wheel training cart and made it available for sale. We took our experience from building the smaller 3-wheeler (click here for 3-wheel cart  and mid-size 4-wheel cart product overview) for several years, customers' feedback and requests and put it all together in this cart. It was designed with one goal in mind: to run a large team as safe and controlled as possible. We believe we have met that goal... and then some!

Specs & Features:
Overall length: 94" (238cm)
Width at its widest point (front bumper / brush bow): 55" (140cm)
Height at the handlebars: 46" (117cm)
Weight: 220 lbs (100kg)
Heavy duty frame made from 1" steel tubing (11ga & 16ga).
Sandrail style design for energy absorbtion and stability
Reinforced joints in load bearing locations
Double-reinforced heavy duty bumper / brush bow
Powdercoated finish in any desired color (Please note, that some colors will incur additional cost. Please check with us for details.)
4-wheel independent and adjustable suspension
4-wheel hydraulic atv disc brakes
Custom made 2-circuit brake system for safety
Oversized digger / earth brake with replaceable tips
3.50-12 off-road tires for ultimate traction
4-wheel fenders
36" x 30" cargo area
Solid 5/8" axles
High strength and stainless hardware all around

As always, the cart is designed and handcrafted in the U.S.A.

Please contact us for 2015 pricing.
Shipping additional. In-person pick-up available.

To order, a 50% down payment is required, with the remaining amount due upon completion.

If you would like to place your order or have any questions about the cart or shipping, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@arctis-carts.com or (949) 280-7019


The first review is already in:

Ok, here's one more:

Karen Ramstead Presentation in Portland, OR

Tales from the Trail

A presentation by 10-time Iditarod veteran 

Karen Ramstead of North Wapiti Siberian Husky Kennels, Alberta, Canada

Saturday, June 22nd 2pm in Portland OR

At the Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave (click here for map)

(a few short blocks from I-5/ I-84 interchange)

Karen’s audio and visual slideshow will cover her experiences raising, training and racing her magnificent Huskies, as well as plenty of stories from the Iditarod trail. Her presentations are informative, engaging and a lot of fun. Questions are always welcome. 

Donations per person are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

100% of the proceeds will go to Karen’s kennel, as they prepare for Iditarod in 2014.

For questions, please e-mail henning@arctis-carts.com or call 949-280-7019

Spring Madness !

Springtime is here, and so is dryland season.
It's been busy, busy, busy in the shop. Filling orders for carts, carriers, scooter racks and at the same time working on our new cart model, which is in the final stages of completion.

Earlier, we delivered our 50th 3-wheel cart to a customer in Iowa, which is the 21st state in "Arctis Country". Our carts also found homes in 5 Canadian provinces, Mexico and now even in Asia!
No.50 should have been a golden cart, but the customer preferred an all black version:

While we're busy with new carts, an old friend, cart no.3 (also in all black), came in for a substantial upgrade. We added all features we had changed over the years, plus a new set of wheels, tires and brakes to bring it up to 2013 standards and added a passenger seat as well.
No.3 was the original "Bat Cart" and it was used for dryland racing in Washington:

Now, it'll be a training and racing cart in California:

Our long awaited new cart model is in its final stages and should be completed shortly. We will keep everyone updated on this blog and our facebook page as well.

Stay tuned for an event we're organizing for Portland OR in June!

Spring Dryland Mushing

Finally another blog update!
We've settled in to our new location in central Oregon and have started to manufacture and ship the first products "Made in Oregon"! Our friends at Alpine Outfitters were the first ones in line with an order for sled brakes and snowhook holders.
The fist carts out of the shop will go to the mid-western US as well as Asia! Yes, the first Arctis cart to leave the North American continent.

Just before our move, we received an inquiry about converting a snow sled for street use in a commercial.

A few 2x4s and casters later, the "roller sled" was ready to go.





The commercials can be seen here:


and here:




While winter is still in session, it's never too early to think "spring training".
We are currently booked through mid-April, but there is still time to get in on a new cart before summer time hits again. Feel free to contact us to check on availability and delivery schedule.

For our west coast mushers, we have two dates for dryland events:
Mush without slush on 4/6 - 4/7 in Sisters, OR
Spring Fling on 4/27 -4/28 in Cle Elum WA

Happy New Year!

Wishing all our customers, friends 

and fellow mushers 

a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013!

What a year it was! We've been busy from the first to the last day, thanks to our wonderful customers across the US and Canada and now also in Mexico. If all goes well, there will be another country on a different continent added to our list soon.
Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan in 2012. Since it was so busy, we've had to move the release of our new cart model to spring of 2013, and the move to our new location was supposed to be completed by the end of the year as well, but we're still in the middle of packing everything up at this point, and will be on our way to the new location in central Oregon soon.
We'll have a much larger production space available to work on several projects and hopefully add an "Arctisan" or two in the process.
Speaking of projects: at this point we are completely sold out for January and March and have one, possibly two spaces left for February. If you are in the market for a new cart for spring training, now would be a good time to get in touch with us.

While we were still in southern California, we finished the last cart in "Caltrans Orange". Actually, the customer preferred this color due to his running dogs in hunting areas. It'll certainly get everyone's attention, no matter what the reason for the paint job.

We also had another reporter visiting our local mushing group. This time it was the AFP who wanted to do a story about "urban mushing" in southern California. They just uploaded a short video and should soon publish an article and pictures of their experience with our group.