Canada Dogs
- Dog sledding in Canada is truly a thrilling adventure. Originating
approximately 4000 years ago, before snowmobiles and airplanes, dog
sledding was the main mode of transportation in Northern Canada. Sled
dogs were used to transport everything from mail to food and medicine.
Nowadays, dog sledding is enjoyed more as a sport rather than out of
necessity and has recently gained popularity. A true Canadian dog
sledding experience is in the far north. However, there are many dog
sledding adventures to be enjoyed in other parts of Canada as well.
Canada Dogs
Herschel Island, Yukon
Hershel
Island is situated off the north coast of the Yukon Territory in the
Beaufort Sea. To the north lies the Arctic Ocean and, close by, the
permanent pack ice. To the south, is the mainland, where one can see the
British Mountains. When visiting this beautiful part of the world, one
will see mountains and valleys and lakes amidst a spectacular landscape.
Here,
the weather conditions can be extreme. It is not uncommon for the
temperatures to be as cold as -25 degrees Celsius and the coastal winds
are legendary. Dog sledding expeditions in these parts is demanding and
one must be prepared to wait out coastal storms in a tent for at least
24 hours. Multi-day dog sledding adventures include sleeping in arctic
tents, which are built specifically for these weather conditions. Small
stoves bring the inside tent temperatures up to 25 degrees Celsius for a
few hours in the morning and evening.
Despite the wind and the
cold, one can see quite a bit of wildlife: arctic foxes, ringed seals,
polar bears, muskoxen, caribou, and even grizzly bears. Smaller mammals
include arctic shrews, tundra voles and lemmings.
Kluane National Park, Yukon
Kluane
National Park and Reserve of Canada is situated in the southwest corner
of the Yukon Territory and borders Alaska and British Columbia. It is a
large park and covers an area of 21,980 square kilometres. Kluane Park
is a land of precipitous, high mountains, massive icefields and lush
valleys which result in a diverse group of wildlife species and plants.
Mount Logan (5959 m/19,545 ft), Canada's highest peak is also located
here. Dog sledding adventures in Kluane National Park are typically
multi day and include accommodations in heated arctic tents or log
cabins. Views of the beautiful St. Elias Mountains and wildlife such as
moose, wolves and lynx can be seen. At night the northern lights are
absolutely spectacular.
Banff, Alberta
Travel further
south, to the Rocky Mountains, and glide through forests of towering
black spruce and drink in the crisp, clean mountain air of the pristine
wilderness. Magnificent mountain views and aquamarine lakes are to be
seen, along with watching wildlife of white tail or mule deer, elk,
bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, caribou, wolves and coyotes.
Smaller creatures can be seen as well, such as: hoary marmots, pikas,
bald eagles and the endangered harlequin ducks.
Whistler, British Columbia
Most
dog sledding expeditions are lead through the grandiose old growth
forest of the Callaghan Valley, 15km south of Whistler village. This
rolling subalpine terrain receives 40% more snow than Whistler mountain
during the winter season. The valley offers phenomenal scenery and over
100 km of trails which lead over to three mountain peaks and three
frozen lakes.
Wildlife within the Callaghan Valley include: cougars, bobcats, minks, coyotes, Douglas squirrels, weasels and wolves.
Sun Peaks, British Columbia
Dog
sledding tours in the Sun Peaks explore the backcountry of the resort
area amongst three main mountains: Tod and Sundance Mountains and Tod
Mountain. Wind through forest trails and local lakes and spot wildlife
such as: Canadian lynx, cougars, coyotes, marmots, moose, mule deer,
raccoon, red fox, bald eagle, chickadee, downy woodpecker, great horned
owl, grey jay, red tailed hawk, ruffed grouse and peregrine falcon.
Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
Algonquin
Provincial Park is located within the Canadian Shield and is Ontario's
oldest and best known park. There are two dog sledding trails: Sunday
Lake Trail and North Algonquin Trail. Walking is not allowed along these
trails, as deep tracks can cause injuries to the sled dogs. Any skiers
or snowshoers must yield to dog sledders.
The essence of
Algonquin Park is the rugged Canadian Shield with maple and pine-clad
hills, rocky ridges and thousands of interconnected lakes, rivers and
streams. This park offers an enormous amount of rich and diverse plant
and animal species.
It is home to over 40 mammals, over 30 kinds
of amphibians and reptiles and more than 130 breeding birds. Wildlife to
be seen include: moose, white-tailed deer, wolves and beaver to name
just a few. The park is one of the last places where one can find the
original hemlock, sugar maple and yellow birch forests in Ontario. Trees
as old as 430 years old using growth ring counts and up to 610 years
old using estimation techniques are found in Algonquin's old-growth
forests.
