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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta staff
Final up to date on November 2, 2024
Rising up in Northern Alberta, we had Husky and German Shepherd canine that may drag us round city on our toboggan and had a lot enjoyable. Little did we all know that it could foreshadow how a lot we’d love precise dogsledding. We’ve finished it in quite a few locations all over the world, however there are few spots extra lovely than in Canmore.
There’s simply one thing magical about gliding throughout a frozen lake and valley within the coronary heart of the Rocky Mountains because the chilly winter air hits your face and a staff of canine pulls you on a sled. It’s the explanation canine sledding in Canmore is such a well-liked winter exercise in Alberta, and that is how you are able to do it.
Every little thing You Must Find out about Canmore Canine Sledding
Prime Ideas for Planning Your Canine Sledding Journey
There are a couple of vital issues to think about earlier than reserving a canine sledding tour in Canmore! Firstly, it’s essential to think about the time of 12 months and the climate circumstances to your tour.
Peak canine sledding season in Alberta is from December to April when there’s a important quantity of snow on the bottom. The value of your tour might change relying on the day of the week/sure holidays, which can be one thing to think about (some firms cost extra for weekend bookings, for instance).
Subsequent, you’ll wish to analysis the completely different tour firms and choices obtainable (extra on a few of these firms beneath). Ensure that to test the tour firm’s necessities, akin to age and weight restrictions, in addition to what sorts of excursions they provide and obtainable refund/cancellation insurance policies.
Some firms provide quick journeys – a two-hour tour, for instance – whereas some journeys take up a whole day. YOu also needs to take into account the variety of folks in your group and the burden restrict of the sled. Lastly, learn evaluations of earlier prospects to make sure you’re getting a good and secure expertise.
When you’ve chosen your tour operator, we advocate reserving as far upfront as doable! Canine sledding in Canmore is an unimaginable expertise, which implies it’s very fashionable. Reserving forward of time is a good way to make sure you be a part of the tour of your alternative.
Canine Sledding Operations in Canmore
These are only a few of the respected canine sledding excursions beneficial in Canmore and the encircling space.
Howling Canine Excursions
Location: Unit 105, 712 Bow Valley Path, Canmore
Howling Canine Excursions is likely one of the most well-known canine sledding firms in Canmore, and so they have a fantastic fame with previous prospects. With 27 years within the enterprise, they prioritize the security of their prospects and their sled canine, and they’re devoted to enhancing the care and therapy of sled canine of their conventional and trendy makes use of. Additionally they present pickup in Canmore or Banff.
As for his or her canine sledding excursions, you possibly can select from Unleash the Musher, a two-hour tour, or Canine Day Afternoon, a half-day tour that enables for extra customized time together with your canine staff and information. All of their excursions include the assure of “sled exclusivity” – that means no strangers in your sled – in addition to your personal private information per sled. All excursions happen in lovely Spray Lakes Provincial Park, roughly 30 km southeast of Banff on the Smith-Dorian Freeway.
Each excursions include a snack and a scorching beverage, and the Canine Day Afternoon tour contains the choice for lunch (for a further charge). In case you’re canine sledding with babies, the Unleash the Musher tour is accessible for kids aged 2 and up, making it a fantastic family-friendly expertise.
Howling Canine Excursions offers a canine sledding expertise that’s not solely secure and comfy however a lot enjoyable! We extremely advocate them on the subject of canine sledding in Canmore.
Snowy Owl Sled Canine Excursions
Location: 829 10 St, Canmore
Snowy Owl Sled Canine Excursions is likely one of the best-known and most respected sled canine firms in Canmore. With over 40 years of canine sledding experience, Snowy Owl Excursions goals to supply a customized and unforgettable journey for visitors, all of the whereas advocating for the humane therapy of sled canine. We extremely advocate their excursions.
Snowy Owl Excursions provides 4 winter canine sled excursions. These embody Powder Hound Categorical (a two-hour introductory tour), Sunfeather Winterlude (a four-hour tour that covers 24 kilometres of Rocky Mountain trails), Spirit of the Canine Society (an eight-hour tour), or Ghost of Fortune Mountain (a bucket record journey journey that takes you throughout 80 kilometres over two days and one in a single day). There are additionally a number of summer season excursions obtainable that embody canine carting, kennel excursions, and extra.
One factor that makes Snowy Owl Excursions stand out is its sled choices. You possibly can select from driving your personal sled or go for an instructor-driven sled. All of it relies on what sort of expertise you wish to have! Both method, you’ll get pleasure from the fantastic thing about the Canadian Rockies and get to expertise the adrenaline rush of canine sledding.
Snowy Owl launched its sister firm, White Wolf Rafting, in 2019. In case you’re searching for thrilling white water rafting adventures within the Bow Valley backcountry, be certain to test them out!
Canine Sledding Operations Close to Canmore
Kingmik Canine Sled Excursions
Location: 101 Village Rd, Lake Louise
In case you’re within the Lake Louise space, Kingmik Canine Sled Excursions is one other canine sledding choice. The one canine sledding firm in Banff Nationwide Park, it’s a unbelievable technique to expertise the exercise deep within the Rocky Mountains.
Whereas they normally have a couple of tour choices each winter, the one obtainable tour for winter 2024/25 is the Canadian Heritage Tour. Following within the tracks of the legendary Ike Mills and his huskies, who used to resupply backcountry lodges within the mountains greater than 100 years in the past, you’ll get to see mountains, valleys, and glaciers alongside the best way.
Getting ready for Your Canine Sledding Tour
In case you’ve by no means been on a canine sled earlier than, you’re in for such a tremendous time! Ensuring that you just’re correctly ready with the whole lot you’ll want is a good way to ensure you really feel secure and comfy.
First issues first, you’ll want to decorate warmly! Whereas the sleds could have blankets, it’s essential that you just put on layers of heat clothes akin to wool, fleece, or flannel. You’ll additionally want a heat winter jacket, snow pants, winter boots, and winter equipment akin to a hat, scarf, neck tube, and mittens. We advocate investing in high-quality winter gear, as a result of spending hours outdoors within the Canadian winter is not any joke. One other tip? Convey additional wool socks and winter equipment simply in case one thing will get misplaced on the path! You may as well carry warming packets to your palms or ft.
Alongside together with your additional clothes, be certain to carry a couple of snacks, some water, and, after all, your telephone/digital camera… belief us, you’ll wish to take a number of pictures alongside the best way!
What to Anticipate on Your Canine Sled Tour in Canmore
Canine sledding in Canmore is extraordinarily thrilling! In case you’ve by no means taken a canine sled tour, the expertise is usually a bit intimidating, however it’s positive to be a memorable and enjoyable day. It’s an extremely distinctive technique to see the scenic views of the Canadian Rockies whereas additionally having fun with a rush of adrenaline.
Relying on which tour firm you select, you’ll almost definitely meet at their head workplace in downtown Canmore after which take a shuttle van into the mountains to satisfy the sled canine and start your musher tour.
Sometimes, you’ll begin your tour by studying in regards to the sled canine, their coaching, and the historical past of canine sledding in Canmore. You’ll additionally get to work together with the canine, however solely achieve this as soon as permission is given by the guides.
Subsequent, it’s time to mush! Relying on what sort of tour you’ve chosen, you’ll head to the sleds and get oriented. Ensure that to ask any questions so that you just really feel completely snug on the tour. Your sled could have heat blankets and maybe a sleeping bag or sled bag, so get good and comfy to organize to your tour by the Canadian wilderness.
Now it’s time for the true enjoyable! Sled on pristine mountain trails by the Canadian Rockies as you loosen up, take within the sights, and expertise this one-of-a-kind exercise. You’ll additionally get to work together with the canine on breaks or after the tour, which is usually the spotlight of any canine lovers journey! Prepare for a tremendous expertise and a day you’ll always remember.
Security and Precautions
As with all adrenaline-packed expertise, canine sled excursions require particular consideration to security measures. This ensures security not just for you but in addition for the guides and the sled canine.
Firstly, take into account the bodily calls for of canine sledding and any well being restrictions you’ll have. Canine sledding just isn’t beneficial for folks with critical well being points or pregnant folks. If you’re frightened of canine, you don’t must work together with them; nevertheless, the canine do get very energetic and excited earlier than sledding, which implies plenty of noise. In case you get overstimulated by loud sounds, you might wish to carry earplugs.
And once more: gown warmly! This is step one in guaranteeing a profitable and enjoyable day. Most tour firms don’t run their canine in climate colder than -25°C (-13°F).
As soon as your day of canine sledding begins, be certain to comply with all directions from the tour guides and mushers. They’re there to ensure you have enjoyable, but in addition to maintain you secure.
Sled Canine Ethics
It’s vital to think about the ethics of any exercise that entails animal tourism. We encourage everybody to analysis the canine sledding firm of their selecting and examine their ethics earlier than reserving. Howling Canine Excursions has a fantastic overview of their sled canine ethics, whereas Snowy Owl Excursions brazenly discusses their dedication to their sled canine’ welfare.
Exploring Canmore and the Surrounding Space
There are tons of issues to do in Canmore! It’s an enthralling city that could be a excellent base for exploring close by Kananaskis Nation, Banff Nationwide Park, and extra. There’s additionally the annual Canmore Winter Carnival that may tie in properly together with your canine sledding expertise. Ensure that to take a look at our articles on the place to remain in Canmore in addition to the finest eating places in Canmore.
Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Highway Journey Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up within the Peace Nation, and has ventured to nearly each nook of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 nations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card recreation, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.
