How you can Go Canine Sledding in Canmore, Alberta

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 could foreshadow how a lot we might love precise dogsledding. We’ve performed 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 staff of canines 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 thing You Have to Find out about Canmore Canine Sledding

Prime Suggestions for Planning Your Canine Sledding Journey

There are a number of necessary 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 on your tour.

Peak canine sledding season in Alberta is from December to April when there’s a vital quantity of snow on the bottom. The worth of your tour might change relying on the day of the week/sure holidays, which can also be one thing to think about (some firms cost extra for weekend bookings, for instance).

Subsequent, you’ll wish to analysis the totally different tour firms and choices out there (extra on a few of these firms beneath). Be sure to verify the tour firm’s necessities, resembling age and weight restrictions, in addition to what sorts of excursions they provide and out there refund/cancellation insurance policies.

Some firms supply quick journeys – a two-hour tour, for instance – whereas some journeys take up a complete day. YOu also needs to contemplate 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 protected expertise.

When you’ve chosen your tour operator, we advocate reserving as far upfront as doable! Canine sledding in Canmore is an unbelievable expertise, which implies it’s very talked-about. 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 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 likely one of the most well-known canine sledding firms in Canmore, and so they have an ideal status with previous prospects. With 27 years within the enterprise, they prioritize the security 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 possibly can 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 staff 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 scorching beverage, and the Canine Day Afternoon tour consists of the choice for lunch (for an extra price). When you’re canine sledding with young children, the Unleash the Musher tour is accessible for kids aged 2 and up, making it an ideal family-friendly expertise.

Howling Canine Excursions offers a canine sledding expertise that’s not solely protected and cozy however a lot enjoyable! We extremely advocate them in terms 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 offer a personalised and unforgettable journey for visitors, all of the whereas advocating for the humane remedy of sled canines. We extremely advocate their excursions.

Snowy Owl Excursions presents 4 winter canine sled excursions. These embrace 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 out there that embrace 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 is dependent upon what sort of expertise you wish to have! Both means, 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. When you’re in search of thrilling white water rafting adventures within the Bow Valley backcountry, make certain to verify them out!

Canine Sledding Operations Close to Canmore

Kingmik Canine Sled Excursions

Location: 101 Village Rd, Lake Louise

When you’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 improbable option to expertise the exercise deep within the Rocky Mountains.

Whereas they normally have a number of tour choices each winter, the one out there 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

When 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 every thing you’ll want is a good way to be sure you really feel protected and cozy.

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 resembling wool, fleece, or flannel. You’ll additionally want a heat winter jacket, snow pants, winter boots, and winter equipment resembling 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? Deliver further wool socks and winter equipment simply in case one thing will get misplaced on the path! You can even deliver warming packets on your arms or ft.

Alongside together with your further clothes, make certain to deliver a number of snacks, some water, and, in fact, your cellphone/digicam… belief us, you’ll wish to take lots of photographs alongside the way in which!

What to Count on on Your Canine Sled Tour in Canmore

Canine sledding in Canmore is extraordinarily thrilling! When you’ve by no means taken a canine sled tour, the expertise could be a bit intimidating, however it’s certain to be a memorable and enjoyable day. It’s an extremely distinctive option 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 most probably 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 concerning 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. Be sure 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 on 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 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 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 canines.

Firstly, contemplate the bodily calls for of canine sledding and any well being restrictions you’ll have. Canine sledding just isn’t beneficial for folks with severe well being points or pregnant folks. If you’re fearful of canines, you don’t must work together with them; nevertheless, the canines do get very energetic and excited earlier than sledding, which implies plenty of noise. When you get overstimulated by loud sounds, it’s possible you’ll wish 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 necessary to think about 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 ideal overview of their sled canine ethics, whereas Snowy Owl Excursions overtly 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 an enthralling 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. Be sure to take a look at our articles on the place to remain in Canmore in addition to the greatest eating places in Canmore.

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