I.C.Y.M.I.: Dog Sledding in Banff

By Will Porter on December 11, 2024.

With crisp clean air and stunning scenery, you can enjoy the mountain experience from the seat, or the back of a dog sled, and enjoy an adventure with some happy and hard working Huskies as they guide you over fresh powdering of snow, through the forests and hills of the Banff area. The dogs are friendly and at times may be chaotically energetic, but will make the trip a delight for any dog lover young or old.

Dog sledding has been enjoyed by many people over the years at Banff and throughout northern Canada, and has a history among the First Nations peoples who have travelled through the north with the help of their trusty and beautiful dog companions. In more modern times, settlers and fur traders used dog sleds to transport goods across snow covered lands, and RCMP used dog sledding for patrolling the most northern parts of the wilderness of Canada. The most common dogs used for dog sledding are the Huskies, whether they are Alaskan Huskies or Siberian Huskies, but you will also see Alaskan Malamutes. These dogs are all high endurance dogs, with lots of energy, good eating habits, strong and are capable of withstanding the cold temperatures.

When you select a dog sledding tour for your next winter adventure, you’ll be going out with the dogs, a sled and a knowledgeable musher to lead you through the landscape, and even teach you how to drive the sled along the way if you wish. You can book a tour as short as 30 minutes to full day excursions that give you the full experience of travelling by dogsled through pristine landscapes.

Being prepared for a dog sledding tour is very important, as temperatures can drop quite low, and with some speed from riding on a dog sled, the wind can bite at your face and hands quite well. Tour providers can provide you with a list of recommended gear, but you should expect to need a good warm winter outfit with a coat or parka, good toque or other head wear, and warm gloves. Sturdy boots are a must. For longer excursions, tour operators may provide you with lunch and warm beverages.

There are several providers available at Banff and Lake Louise if you wish to experience the thrill of dog sledding, which you can find listed at https://www.banfflakelouise.com/dog-sledding.

Dog sledding is something everybody that loves dogs and the great outdoors should try at least once in their life, so don’t wait! Book your outdoor dog sledding adventure at Banff National Park and Lake Louise today.

Will Porter is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This content has been republished for the Great West Media & Southern Alberta Newspapers Cool Winter Guide advertising feature. The Cool Winter Guide is a special feature about winter activities, bucket list adventures, winter attractions, events, and road trip-worthy food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.

This article was originally published on November 1, 2021.