The event draws sled dog teams from throughout the country, and they will congregate 1500m up on the Pisa Range, for the annual competition.
Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, samoyeds, pointers and the "family favourite' -' the Labrador - are among the breeds entered, Southern Regions Sled Dog Club president Jon Pinney said.
Nine husband-and-wife teams have entered the competition this year, and they are set to take on overall winner for the past three consecutive years Darren Watson, of Christchurch, and his husky crosses.
Mr Pinney picked Todd Hessey, of Lake Hawea, to bring some local flavour to the competition results by the end of the festival.
Mr Pinney said the inclusion of ski-jouring, a combination of skiing and dog sledding, will make this year's sled dog festival New Zealand's biggest.
The festival, sponsored by Pro Plan, was growing in popularity and offered competitors the option of running two, three, four and six-dog teams.
