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Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta group
Final up to date on November 2, 2024
Rising up in Northern Alberta, we had Husky and German Shepherd canines that might drag us round city on our toboggan and had a lot enjoyable. Little did we all know that it might foreshadow how a lot we might love precise dogsledding. We’ve carried out it in quite a few locations world wide, 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 group of canines pulls you on a sled. It’s the rationale canine sledding in Canmore is such a preferred winter exercise in Alberta, and that is how you are able to do it.
All the things You Have to Find out about Canmore Canine Sledding
High Suggestions for Planning Your Canine Sledding Journey
There are just a few essential issues to contemplate earlier than reserving a canine sledding tour in Canmore! Firstly, it’s essential to contemplate 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 also be one thing to contemplate (some firms cost extra for weekend bookings, for instance).
Subsequent, you’ll need to analysis the completely different tour firms and choices accessible (extra on a few of these firms under). Ensure that to examine the tour firm’s necessities, equivalent to age and weight restrictions, in addition to what sorts of excursions they provide and accessible refund/cancellation insurance policies.
Some firms supply quick journeys – a two-hour tour, for instance – whereas some journeys take up a complete day. YOu must also think about the variety of folks in your group and the burden restrict of the sled. Lastly, learn critiques of earlier prospects to make sure you’re getting a good and protected expertise.
When you’ve chosen your tour operator, we suggest reserving as far prematurely as potential! Canine sledding in Canmore is an unbelievable expertise, which implies it’s highly regarded. Reserving forward of time is an effective way to make sure you be a part of the tour of your alternative.
Canine Sledding Operations in Canmore
These are just some of the respected canine sledding excursions beneficial in Canmore and the encompassing space.
Howling Canine Excursions
Location: Unit 105, 712 Bow Valley Path, Canmore
Howling Canine Excursions is without doubt one of the most well-known canine sledding firms in Canmore, they usually have an incredible repute with previous prospects. With 27 years within the enterprise, they prioritize the protection of their prospects and their sled canines, and they’re devoted to enhancing the care and remedy of sled canines of their conventional and fashionable makes use of. Additionally they present pickup in Canmore or Banff.
As for his or her canine sledding excursions, you’ll be able to select from Unleash the Musher, a two-hour tour, or Canine Day Afternoon, a half-day tour that permits for extra personalised time together with your canine group and information. All of their excursions include the assure of “sled exclusivity” – which 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 sizzling beverage, and the Canine Day Afternoon tour contains the choice for lunch (for an extra charge). If you happen to’re canine sledding with young children, the Unleash the Musher tour is offered for youngsters aged 2 and up, making it an incredible family-friendly expertise.
Howling Canine Excursions gives a canine sledding expertise that’s not solely protected and comfy however a lot enjoyable! We extremely suggest them in the case of canine sledding in Canmore.
Snowy Owl Sled Canine Excursions
Location: 829 10 St, Canmore
Snowy Owl Sled Canine Excursions is without doubt 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 offer a customized and unforgettable journey for friends, all of the whereas advocating for the humane remedy of sled canines. We extremely suggest their excursions.
Snowy Owl Excursions affords 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 time excursions accessible that embody canine carting, kennel excursions, and extra.
One factor that makes Snowy Owl Excursions stand out is its sled choices. You’ll be able to select from driving your personal sled or go for an instructor-driven sled. All of it is determined by what sort of expertise you need to have! Both approach, you’ll take pleasure in 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. If you happen to’re on the lookout for thrilling white water rafting adventures within the Bow Valley backcountry, make certain to examine them out!
Canine Sledding Operations Close to Canmore
Kingmik Canine Sled Excursions
Location: 101 Village Rd, Lake Louise
If you happen to’re within the Lake Louise space, Kingmik Canine Sled Excursions is one other canine sledding possibility. The one canine sledding firm in Banff Nationwide Park, it’s a unbelievable approach to expertise the exercise deep within the Rocky Mountains.
Whereas they normally have just a few tour choices each winter, the one accessible 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 way in which.
Getting ready for Your Canine Sledding Tour
If you happen to’ve by no means been on a canine sled earlier than, you’re in for such an incredible time! Ensuring that you just’re correctly ready with every part you’ll want is an effective way to be sure you really feel protected and comfy.
First issues first, you’ll want to decorate warmly! Whereas the sleds can have blankets, it’s essential that you just put on layers of heat clothes equivalent to wool, fleece, or flannel. You’ll additionally want a heat winter jacket, snow pants, winter boots, and winter equipment equivalent to a hat, scarf, neck tube, and mittens. We suggest investing in high-quality winter gear, as a result of spending hours outdoors within the Canadian winter isn’t any joke. One other tip? Convey further wool socks and winter equipment simply in case one thing will get misplaced on the path! You may also deliver warming packets to your fingers or toes.
Alongside together with your further clothes, make certain to deliver just a few snacks, some water, and, in fact, your cellphone/digicam… belief us, you’ll need to take numerous pictures alongside the way in which!
What to Count on on Your Canine Sled Tour in Canmore
Canine sledding in Canmore is extraordinarily thrilling! If you happen to’ve by no means taken a canine sled tour, the expertise is usually a bit intimidating, nevertheless it’s positive to be a memorable and enjoyable day. It’s an extremely distinctive approach 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 more than likely meet at their head workplace in downtown Canmore after which take a shuttle van into the mountains to satisfy the sled canines and start your musher tour.
Usually, you’ll begin your tour by studying in regards to the sled canines, their coaching, and the historical past of canine sledding in Canmore. You’ll additionally get to work together with the canines, however solely accomplish that 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 comfy on the tour. Your sled can have heat blankets and maybe a sleeping bag or sled bag, so get good and comfortable to organize to your tour by the Canadian wilderness.
Now it’s time for the actual enjoyable! Sled on pristine mountain trails by the Canadian Rockies as you chill out, take within the sights, and expertise this one-of-a-kind exercise. You’ll additionally get to work together with the canines on breaks or after the tour, which is commonly the spotlight of any canine lovers journey! Prepare for an incredible 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 canines.
Firstly, think about the bodily calls for of canine sledding and any well being restrictions you will have. Canine sledding shouldn’t be beneficial for folks with severe well being points or pregnant folks. In case you are terrified of canines, you don’t should work together with them; nevertheless, the canines do get very energetic and excited earlier than sledding, which implies numerous noise. If you happen to get overstimulated by loud sounds, chances are you’ll need to deliver earplugs.
And once more: costume warmly! This is step one in making certain a profitable and enjoyable day. Most tour firms don’t run their canines in climate colder than -25°C (-13°F).
As soon as your day of canine sledding begins, make certain to comply with all directions from the tour guides and mushers. They’re there to be sure you have enjoyable, but in addition to maintain you protected.
Sled Canine Ethics
It’s essential to contemplate the ethics of any exercise that includes 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 an incredible overview of their sled canine ethics, whereas Snowy Owl Excursions brazenly discusses their dedication to their sled canines’ welfare.
Exploring Canmore and the Surrounding Space
There are tons of issues to do in Canmore! It’s a captivating city that could be a good 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 Street 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 and marketing, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card sport, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.