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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta workforce
Final up to date on January 6, 2025
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 around the globe, 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 workforce 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.
The whole lot You Must Find out about Canmore Canine Sledding
Prime Ideas for Planning Your Canine Sledding Journey
There are a number 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 yr and the climate circumstances in 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 corporations cost extra for weekend bookings, for instance).
Subsequent, you’ll need to analysis the totally different tour corporations and choices accessible (extra on a few of these corporations under). Make certain to examine the tour firm’s necessities, reminiscent of age and weight restrictions, in addition to what sorts of excursions they provide and accessible refund/cancellation insurance policies.
Some corporations supply brief 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 load 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 suggest reserving as far prematurely as doable! Canine sledding in Canmore is an unbelievable expertise, which implies it’s highly regarded. Reserving forward of time is a good way to make sure you be a part of the tour of your selection.
Canine Sledding Operations in Canmore
These are just some of the respected canine sledding excursions advisable 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 corporations in Canmore, and so they have an important status 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 therapy of sled canines of their conventional and fashionable makes use of. In addition they present pickup in Canmore or Banff.
As for his or her canine sledding excursions, you may select from Unleash the Musher, a two-hour tour, or Canine Day Afternoon, a half-day tour that permits for extra customized time along with your canine workforce and information. All of their excursions include the assure of “sled exclusivity” – that means no strangers in your sled – in addition to your individual 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 charge). Should you’re canine sledding with babies, the Unleash the Musher tour is offered for youngsters aged 2 and up, making it an important family-friendly expertise.
Howling Canine Excursions gives a canine sledding expertise that’s not solely secure and cozy however a lot enjoyable! We extremely suggest 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 corporations in Canmore. With over 40 years of canine sledding experience, Snowy Owl Excursions goals to supply a customized and unforgettable journey for company, all of the whereas advocating for the humane therapy of sled canines. We extremely suggest their excursions.
Snowy Owl Excursions affords 4 winter canine sled excursions. These embody Powder Hound Specific (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 listing 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 may select from driving your individual sled or go for an instructor-driven sled. All of it is determined by what sort of expertise you need to have! Both means, 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. Should you’re in search of 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
Should 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 implausible approach to expertise the exercise deep within the Rocky Mountains.
Whereas they often have a number of 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 best way.
Getting ready for Your Canine Sledding Tour
Should you’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 all the pieces you’ll want is a good way to be sure you really feel secure and cozy.
First issues first, you’ll want to decorate warmly! Whereas the sleds may have blankets, it’s essential that you just put on layers of heat clothes reminiscent of wool, fleece, or flannel. You’ll additionally want a heat winter jacket, snow pants, winter boots, and winter equipment reminiscent of 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? Carry additional wool socks and winter equipment simply in case one thing will get misplaced on the path! You too can deliver warming packets in your arms or toes.
Alongside along with your additional clothes, make certain to deliver a number of snacks, some water, and, in fact, your cellphone/digicam… belief us, you’ll need to take numerous pictures alongside the best way!
What to Anticipate on Your Canine Sled Tour in Canmore
Canine sledding in Canmore is extraordinarily thrilling! Should you’ve by no means taken a canine sled tour, the expertise could be 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 almost certainly meet at their head workplace in downtown Canmore after which take a shuttle van into the mountains to fulfill the sled canines and start your musher tour.
Sometimes, 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. Make certain to ask any questions so that you just really feel completely comfy on the tour. Your sled may have heat blankets and maybe a sleeping bag or sled bag, so get good and comfortable to arrange in your tour by way of the Canadian wilderness.
Now it’s time for the actual enjoyable! Sled on pristine mountain trails by way of 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 usually the spotlight of any canine lovers journey! Prepare for an incredible expertise and a day you’ll always remember.
Security and Precautions
As with every 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 will not be advisable for folks with severe well being points or pregnant folks. In case you are petrified of canines, you don’t need to work together with them; nonetheless, the canines do get very energetic and excited earlier than sledding, which implies a number of noise. Should you get overstimulated by loud sounds, chances are you’ll need to deliver earplugs.
And once more: gown warmly! This is step one in guaranteeing a profitable and enjoyable day. Most tour corporations 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 observe all directions from the tour guides and mushers. They’re there to be sure 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 an important 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 along with your canine sledding expertise. Make certain to take a look at our articles on the place to remain in Canmore in addition to the greatest 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 virtually each nook of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 international locations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card recreation, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.