Dog Sledding in Alberta: What You Need to Know

One of the first things you need to know about driving a dog sled is that you don’t say “mush” to ask the dogs to go.  That’s only in the movies.  The correct command is “hike”, as though you’re starting a football play. And then you’re off on a winter adventure.

And what an adventure!  I had a fantastic time dog sledding in Alberta, Canada in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

But is it for everyone?  Here’s what you need to know about dog sledding to help you decide. I’ll tell you about my experience and share practical tips on how to choose a dog sledding tour operator and what to wear to stay warm.

Dog Sledding in Alberta: My experience

I chose to go with Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours, based in Canmore, Alberta, because of its reputation for humane care of its 180 husky dogs and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive the dog sled.  They’ve been in business since 1983 and it’s one of the top things to do in Canmore.

Canmore is about an hour and a half drive west of Calgary.  From there, the folks at Snowy Owl drive their guests up to the pristine Spray Lakes region in Kananaskis, where they have groomed dog sledding trails.

Learn to drive a dog sled team

With Snowy Owl, you can ride along in the sled or take a turn at driving.

The first order of business is an instruction session.  Most importantly, if you’re going to drive the sled, you need to know how to work the brakes.  The cardinal rule is:  never let go of the sled.  Then there are the commands:  “Hike” to go; “Whoa” to stop, “Gee” to go right and “Haw” to go left.

A couple of other key points:  Give the dogs lots of encouragement, and when you’re going up hill, the driver is expected to help out by using one leg to push the sled, or running along side.  If you don’t, you’ll experience some serious doggie disdain.  So, you need to keep in mind that a reasonable fitness level is needed to drive the sled.

There are a maximum of three people to a sled, and weight limits apply to safeguard the huskies.  Snowy Owl also has some special offers, if you want only two on your sled, or wish to drive with an Instructor.  I paid the regular rate, and so, cozied up with a stranger in the sled bag.  Lucky for me, my sled companions were lovely people from the U.K., sharing a love for animals and the outdoors.

The dog sledding ride

Once you’re underway, the experience is incredible.  The dogs love to run, and the sled just flies.  You’ll even catch a little air over the snow bumps.  As a driver, it takes some balance to stand on the runners going around the bends, but the dogs are well-trained, and there were no mishaps.

There is really nothing like it.  The air was crisp and pristine, and filled with the sounds of excited barking, and sled runners gliding through the snow..  The scenery was gorgeous with freshly fallen snow.  This is low-tech travel in the real wilderness, the way it’s been for hundreds of years.  Nature as it was meant to be experienced.

How to choose a dog sled tour operator

With any activity involving animals, there is always concern that the animals are well cared for and treated humanely.  Based on the information available and my own observations, the dogs at Snowy Owl are happy and healthy. They even have special “Doggie Gatorade”, consisting of hot water and high energy nutrients, to ensure they are well hydrated after a run.

A family run business, the Snowy Owl dog sled teams are made up of 6 different pure bred husky breeds, two of which were once on the verge of extinction.  These huskies are the stars of the show and they’re treated like it.

It’s true that there have been terrible stories in the news about the inhumane treatment of sled dogs.  How can you tell in advance if you’re choosing an ethical tour operator, whether you’re dog sledding in Canada or anywhere else?

Based on the advice of Snowy Owl Dog Sled Tours and online research, here are some of the things to look for.

You’ll find that reputable dog sled companies will provide photos and detailed descriptions on their web sites about the care and feeding of their dogs, which you should review for the following:

• Appearance of the dogs.  Do the dogs look fit, clean and bright-eyed?  What breeds are the dogs?  For example, sled dogs mixed with speed dogs like greyhounds are not suitable for pulling cargo.
• The dogs’ kennels.  If they don’t show photos of the kennels, this may be a red flag.  Look for clean and well-maintained kennels and a description as to how often they are cleaned.  For example, kennels with 200 dogs should be cleaned 6 times a day.  Is the kennel securely divided to ensure no unplanned breeding occurs?  Does it allow the dogs to socialize?  Is the housing insulated?  Does the area allow for drainage to avoid pooling, in the rain or when the snow melts?  Do they allow you to see the kennels when you are onsite?
• Feeding program.  Dog bowls should be clean and off the ground.  Sled dogs are athletes and need high quality food and fresh water at all times.
• Training program.  The dogs should have a year-round training program to ensure they are fit for the sledding season.  Summer training and training for young dogs should also include outdoor, rather than treadmill training, to develop trust and to teach the dogs how to handle unanticipated situations, such as wildlife.
• Breeding policy.  Do they breed to have only enough dogs to replace retirees, or do they sell dogs?
• Staffing.  Are there enough staff to groom and care for the dogs (keeping in mind that kennels need frequent cleaning)?  Is there a core staff year-round that knows the dogs individually to give them enough attention and socialization?
• Number of people per sled or deep discounts.  Beware of companies that allow more than 3 adults per sled, or offer deep discounts on their tours.  This might suggest they’re cutting corners elsewhere.  Discounted tours may result in a discounted experience.

When you arrive:

Of course, a web site may still be deceiving.  You may still wish to do a google search to see if there are any negative news stories about the tour operator.  And don’t hesitate to contact the operator to ask questions.

When you arrive on site, it’s a good idea to review the checklist again.  This is an opportunity for first-hand observation, but you also have to be prepared to walk away if there are clear warning signs.  Are the dogs friendly and not overly aggressive with people or each other?  Do they follow instructions?  While sled dogs will get excited when they’re ready to run, they should not be whining excessively or running in circles.  If dogs are fighting, it may be a sign that they are not properly socialized.

What to wear for your dog mushing experience

The dog sleds include blankets as well as wind and water resistant sled bags, but you still need to dress warmly for a Canadian winter in the mountains.  I wore tall, insulated winter boots and many layers, including heavy fleece and wind resistant layers, and I was fine on a late December day.

Ideally, you should wear an insulated jacket and snow pants, like these (click on the images for more information):

In addition to a scarf and a hat that covers your ears, insulated winter mittens and wool or synthetic (not cotton) socks, like these, are also a must:

Make sure your under layers are wool, synthetic or silk. I really like fleece-lined leggings, like these:

Finally, if you plan to take photos or video with your phone during the ride, make sure you have a good quality case to protect it from the snow and the snow spray that the the dogs kick up. I use a LifeProof case, like this one, for my iPhone, but it comes in many models to fit your particular phone.

Husky Heroes

After the run, hot chocolate and snacks are served around a crackling camp fire.  And there is plenty of time for some big, goofy cuddles.

I’m not really a ‘winter” person, but the experience was exhilarating.  Rejuvenating even.  If you had any worries at the start of the day, they will quickly evaporate, and your spirits will be lifted.  That must be why they call these dogs “husky heroes”.

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