Sled Dogs, Snowflakes and Stunning Sights: Banff Dog Sledding
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel through the rugged Rocky Mountains with nothing but a sled and a team of snowdogs leading the way? It’s time to make your daydream a reality with the Banff Dog Sledding tours!
Dogsledding was the key form of transportation for Indigenous trappers and European fur traders in the early 1800s. Join our skilled mushers and savvy pups on the snow-beaten path around either Lake Louise or Canmore! Your dogsled’s team of pups comprises 5-7 friendly Siberian, Alaskan and Seppala Huskies that cannot wait to lead you.
DOG SLEDDING PACKAGE
The Husky Express is the perfect romantic mountain getaway and includes the Unleash the Musher dogsled tour, two passes for the Banff Gondola, and a winter rental of your choice of ice cleats, skates or snowshoes. All of those activities can happen on different days, which is perfect for a three-day mountain vacation!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Experience the Rockies like the ye olde fur traders! As winter activities go, this is a relatively low-impact activity… for humans! At the beginning of your journey, you have the opportunity to help harness the dogs and get to know them a little better. The tour will begin at high elevation and take you through a magical journey of wooded trails and frozen lakes.
The sled is insulated, and you will be bundled up to your neck with blankets, but make sure to dress very warmly! Come equipped with thermal underlayers, a thick toque and a cozy scarf to keep your head and face warm while you glide through the snow-covered mountain range.
Typically, the dog sleds can fit two adults and the musher! Riders are weighed before the trip to distribute the weight for the hard-working team of dogs pulling the sled. The dogs can handle an impressive 360-pound sled as they fly through the snow.
DOG SLEDDING LOCATIONS
Unleash the Musher is based in Canmore and will take you down a 5km mountain trail that lasts around 2 hours. During the tour, you will learn about the points of interest and fascinating natural formations hidden amongst the mountain forest. Unleash the Musher is available four times daily at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm.
The Great Divide Tour is in Lake Louise, and the dogs will lead you to the Alberta and British Colombia mountain border, which is a whopping 16km that the dogs fly through. The Great Divide is a whirlwind tour where you start at 9:30am, 12pm or 2pm, typically lasting around 1.5 hours.
BOOK AHEAD
We highly recommend booking your tickets well in advance, especially if your visit is around Christmas! Banff’s Dog Sled Tours are the most sought-after winter activity we offer, and they consistently sell out year after year. Make sure to pre-purchase your tickets to avoid the disappointment of missing out on a magical winter opportunity!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our fantastic team at Banff Adventures. We can’t wait to help plan your next winter adventure.
