Racing Through the Rockies: Unleashing Your Inner Musher with Banff Dog Sledding
Have you ever wondered what it must feel like to travel across the frozen Canadian landscape with nothing but a sled and a fleet of huskies? Well, with Banff Adventures, you can turn your dog sledding dreams into a reality! We offer three different Dog Sledding tours through the great Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Keep reading to learn more about Dog Sledding Tours with Banff Adventures!
Unleash the Musher
With Banff Adventures' Unleash the Musher dog sled tour, you can experience the unique thrill of flying through the Canadian wilderness pulled only by a team of 5-7 of the happiest dogs you'll ever meet. This uniquely Canadian winter adventure is not one you want to miss—make sure to book your tickets well in advance because our dog sled tours sell out!
Banff Adventures offers an all-inclusive adventure package that includes transportation to the trails from the site, professional guides, the best team of dogs, and hot beverages and snacks to warm you up.
Transportation to the Site
Please note that the included transportation is from the dogsled site, located 25 minutes outside Canmore. If you require transportation from Banff, that can be arranged for an additional $25 per person. This additional transportation service is available for the 10am and 12pm tours and must have a minimum of 4 people to run.
History of Dog Sledding in Canada
Much like the other northern countries with long and snowy winters, dog sledding plays an important role in Canadian history. The Indigenous peoples of Canada first developed dog sledding as a method of winter travel and transportation, which inspired European explorers and trappers in the early fur trade.
Before the Canadian National Railway was invented, having a team of two to twelve dogs tied to a sled was the most efficient way to haul large quantities of goods across Canada's frozen wilderness!
How Does Dog Sledding Work?
The dogs are tied in pairs and attached to a single towline or gangline that connects to the sled. There is a clear hierarchy in the team's formation with the leaders or 'guides' at the front of the pack, and they are controlled with voice commands from the sled driver, or 'musher.'
Behind the leaders are the 'point dogs' who are second in command and in training to become guides. The dogs directly in front of the sled are the 'wheel dogs' and are often the strongest on the team, keeping the sled on the path. For larger teams, the dogs in between the point and wheel are the 'swing dogs.' Their job is to keep the sled steady and upright on the path when turning a corner.
Do the dogs have fun?
We use a team of Alaskan, Siberian & Seppala Huskies on the Banff Adventures Dog Sledding Tours—sometimes, they are bred with greyhounds for an extra speed boost. People often ask us if the dogs are actually enjoying themselves, and the answer is—YES!
Sled dogs are born to run; they are bred for this job and love it. Don't worry; the dogs are having just as much fun as you are!
Ready to Unleash Your Inner Musher?
Contact Banff Adventures today to book your dog sledding adventure or to learn more about our other Banff tours!
