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Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta staff
Final up to date on November 2, 2024
Rising up in Northern Alberta, we had Husky and German Shepherd canine that might drag us round city on our toboggan and had a lot enjoyable. Little did we all know that it will foreshadow how a lot we’d love precise dogsledding. We’ve executed it in quite a few locations around the globe, however there are few spots extra stunning 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 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
High Suggestions for Planning Your Canine Sledding Journey
There are just a few vital issues to contemplate earlier than reserving a canine sledding tour in Canmore! Firstly, it’s essential to contemplate the time of yr and the climate circumstances to 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 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 totally different tour firms and choices obtainable (extra on a few of these firms under). Be sure that to verify the tour firm’s necessities, resembling 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 complete day. YOu also needs to think about the variety of individuals in your group and the load restrict of the sled. Lastly, learn opinions of earlier clients to make sure you’re getting a good and secure expertise.
When you’ve chosen your tour operator, we advocate reserving as far prematurely as attainable! Canine sledding in Canmore is an unbelievable expertise, which implies it’s extremely popular. 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 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 an excellent popularity with previous clients. With 27 years within the enterprise, they prioritize the protection of their clients and their sled canine, and they’re devoted to enhancing the care and remedy of sled canine 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 may select from Unleash the Musher, a two-hour tour, or Canine Day Afternoon, a half-day tour that enables for extra customized time along 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 individual private information per sled. All excursions happen in stunning 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 consists of the choice for lunch (for a further payment). For those who’re canine sledding with young children, the Unleash the Musher tour is out there for kids aged 2 and up, making it an excellent family-friendly expertise.
Howling Canine Excursions supplies a canine sledding expertise that isn’t solely secure and comfy 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 company, all of the whereas advocating for the humane remedy of sled canine. We extremely advocate their excursions.
Snowy Owl Excursions provides 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 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 obtainable 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 relies on what sort of expertise you need to have! Both manner, you’ll get pleasure from the great 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. For those who’re searching for thrilling white water rafting adventures within the Bow Valley backcountry, be certain to verify them out!
Canine Sledding Operations Close to Canmore
Kingmik Canine Sled Excursions
Location: 101 Village Rd, Lake Louise
For those who’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 incredible technique to expertise the exercise deep within the Rocky Mountains.
Whereas they normally have just a few 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.
Making ready for Your Canine Sledding Tour
For those who’ve by no means been on a canine sled earlier than, you’re in for such a tremendous time! Ensuring that you simply’re correctly ready with every thing you’ll want is a good way to be sure to 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 simply 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 exterior within the Canadian winter is not any joke. One other tip? Deliver additional wool socks and winter equipment simply in case one thing will get misplaced on the path! You may also carry warming packets to your arms or toes.
Alongside along with your additional clothes, be certain to carry just a few snacks, some water, and, after all, your telephone/digicam… belief us, you’ll need to take a variety of photographs alongside the best way!
What to Anticipate on Your Canine Sled Tour in Canmore
Canine sledding in Canmore is extraordinarily thrilling! For those who’ve by no means taken a canine sled tour, the expertise could be 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 certainly 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 concerning 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. Be sure that to ask any questions so that you simply 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 arrange to your tour by means of the Canadian wilderness.
Now it’s time for the actual enjoyable! Sled on pristine mountain trails by means 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 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 additionally for the guides and the sled canine.
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 individuals with critical well being points or pregnant individuals. If you’re terrified of canine, you don’t need to work together with them; nonetheless, the canine do get very energetic and excited earlier than sledding, which implies a lot of noise. For those who get overstimulated by loud sounds, you might need to carry earplugs.
And once more: gown warmly! This is step one in making certain 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 observe all directions from the tour guides and mushers. They’re there to be sure to have enjoyable, but additionally to maintain you secure.
Sled Canine Ethics
It’s vital 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 excellent 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 a captivating city that may 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. Be sure 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, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card recreation, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.