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Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta staff
Final up to date on January 6, 2025
Rising up in Northern Alberta, we had Husky and German Shepherd canine that will 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 achieved 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.
Every part You Have to Find out about Canmore Canine Sledding
Prime Ideas for Planning Your Canine Sledding Journey
There are a couple of vital 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 situations in 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 contemplate (some corporations cost extra for weekend bookings, for instance).
Subsequent, you’ll wish to analysis the totally different tour corporations and choices obtainable (extra on a few of these corporations beneath). Be certain to examine the tour firm’s necessities, comparable to age and weight restrictions, in addition to what sorts of excursions they provide and obtainable refund/cancellation insurance policies.
Some corporations supply brief journeys – a two-hour tour, for instance – whereas some journeys take up a complete day. YOu must also think about the variety of individuals in your group and the burden restrict of the sled. Lastly, learn opinions of earlier clients to make sure you’re getting a good and protected expertise.
When you’ve chosen your tour operator, we suggest reserving as far upfront as doable! Canine sledding in Canmore is an unbelievable expertise, which suggests it’s highly regarded. Reserving forward of time is an effective way to make sure you be part of the tour of your selection.
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 corporations in Canmore, and so they have a fantastic fame 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 therapy of sled canine 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 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 along 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 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 an extra charge). Should you’re canine sledding with babies, the Unleash the Musher tour is out there for kids aged 2 and up, making it a fantastic family-friendly expertise.
Howling Canine Excursions supplies a canine sledding expertise that’s not solely protected and cozy however a lot enjoyable! We extremely suggest them in relation to 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 offer a personalised and unforgettable journey for friends, all of the whereas advocating for the humane therapy of sled canine. We extremely suggest their excursions.
Snowy Owl Excursions affords 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 checklist 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 embrace 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 depends upon what sort of expertise you wish to have! Both method, 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, be 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 unbelievable solution to expertise the exercise deep within the Rocky Mountains.
Whereas they often 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
Should 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 all the pieces you’ll want is an effective way to be sure to 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 comparable to wool, fleece, or flannel. You’ll additionally want a heat winter jacket, snow pants, winter boots, and winter equipment comparable to a hat, scarf, neck tube, and mittens. We suggest investing in high-quality winter gear, as a result of spending hours exterior within the Canadian winter isn’t any joke. One other tip? Carry further wool socks and winter equipment simply in case one thing will get misplaced on the path! You can too convey warming packets in your fingers or ft.
Alongside along with your further clothes, be certain to convey a couple of snacks, some water, and, after all, your telephone/digicam… belief us, you’ll wish to take numerous pictures alongside the best way!
What to Count on 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 is usually a bit intimidating, but it surely’s certain to be a memorable and enjoyable day. It’s an extremely distinctive solution 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 fulfill 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 certain to ask any questions so that you just really feel completely comfy on the tour. Your sled could have heat blankets and maybe a sleeping bag or sled bag, so get good and comfortable to organize in your tour via the Canadian wilderness.
Now it’s time for the actual enjoyable! Sled on pristine mountain trails via 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, think about the bodily calls for of canine sledding and any well being restrictions you will have. Canine sledding isn’t beneficial for individuals with severe well being points or pregnant individuals. In case you are terrified of canine, you don’t should work together with them; nonetheless, the canine do get very energetic and excited earlier than sledding, which suggests a number of noise. Should you get overstimulated by loud sounds, you could wish to convey earplugs.
And once more: costume warmly! This is step one in making certain a profitable and enjoyable day. Most tour corporations 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 be sure to have enjoyable, but in addition to maintain you protected.
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 a fantastic overview of their sled canine ethics, whereas Snowy Owl Excursions overtly 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 may 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 along with your canine sledding expertise. Be certain 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 international locations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising and marketing, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card recreation, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.
