Dogsledding Valley Adventure near Mont-Tremblant

The dogs are the real welcome committee. This two-hour outing near Mont-Tremblant combines a visit with more than 60 Siberian huskies, a ride through winding forest trails, and a warm finish by the fire. I like the chance to help prepare the teams and meet the dogs up close, and I also like that beginners receive simple driving instructions rather than being sent onto the trail cold.

The main consideration is that you may be expected to drive. Guides assign sled positions for safety, and about half of the adults will likely take the runners while one or two people ride as passengers. The 1 hour and 15 minutes on the trail includes a 15-minute warm-up stop, so the actual time moving through the woods is shorter than the full two-hour visit.

Key Details Before You Book

• Meet more than 60 Siberian huskies: The kennel visit is a major part of the outing, not a quick photo stop.
• Expect a real driving role: Adults may need to help steer and brake the sled, with a chance to switch positions halfway through.
• Ride forest trails with hills: The route includes winding terrain and some climbs, but it is designed for beginners.
• Warm up in a shack: Hot chocolate and homemade traditional desserts are served beside a fire during the trail break.
• Finish with soup by the fireplace: You receive tomato and vegetable soup or chicken noodle soup after returning to the kennel.
• Small groups keep things personal: The activity is limited to 10 participants and is offered in English and French.

Meeting the Husky Pack Before the Ride

The experience begins at the kennel, where you meet the dogs before heading out. More than 60 Siberian huskies live here, including puppies during the season, younger dogs, and older animals. That range gives the visit more character than a simple sled ride, since you can see the pack at different ages and stages.

The dogs are part of the activity from the start. Guides help harness them, and some departures allow you to help bring the dogs to the sleds. This depends on the timing and group arrangements. The 10:30 departure is specifically excluded from the harnessing opportunity, and the first and last sessions may be the most likely times to take part.

You also learn the dogs’ names before leaving. That small detail matters. It changes the ride from being pulled by an anonymous team to working with individual animals you have just met. At the end, you can pet the dogs and give them cookies, which is one of the most enjoyable parts for children and animal lovers.

The dogs are described as friendly, eager to run, and well cared for. You should still follow the guides’ instructions around the kennel. These are working animals, not simply pets waiting for attention, and the staff controls how people approach and feed them.

Learning to Drive a Dog Sled

Before departure, the guide gives a safety briefing and explains the basic controls. You learn how to guide the team through the forest and receive help with harnessing and sled assignments. The instructions are aimed at first-timers, so you do not need previous dogsledding experience.

The driving arrangement is important to understand before you book. Guides decide who sits where, and adults are usually paired with another adult passenger. A sled may have one driver and one or two passengers. Adults often drive their own sled with an adult riding along, but that is not guaranteed.

You may switch between driver and passenger halfway through the outing. This is a smart setup because driving gives you the thrill and responsibility of managing the team, while riding lets you enjoy the view and watch the dogs work. If you have a strong preference for driving or riding, tell the guide when you arrive, but treat it as a request rather than a promise.

Children may ride on a parent’s sled or on a guide’s sled. The final arrangement depends on safety and the group. Families should be ready for children not to share the same sled for the whole route.

Driving is more active than sitting in a standard sightseeing sleigh. You need to listen, keep your balance, and follow instructions on the trail. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not arrive expecting a completely passive ride.

The Forest Trail and Its Gentle Challenge

The sled route follows winding forest trails with some hills. The setting gives you a proper sense of movement: the dogs lean into the harnesses, the sled glides over snow, and the trees close around the route. It is a quieter kind of outdoor activity than skiing or snowmobiling, with the dogs providing the power.

The trails are described as suitable for everyone, but the drive still has a physical side. You may need to help control the sled and pay attention to changes in the route. If you are nervous, the guide support is a strong advantage. Instructions continue during the ride, and the small group size makes it easier to ask for help.

The total time on the trail is 1 hour and 15 minutes. This includes a 15-minute break, so you should expect roughly an hour of travel between the kennel and the warming shack, with the exact pace depending on the group and conditions.

The hills add interest without turning the outing into an extreme sport. I would describe this as a beginner-friendly adventure with a genuine hands-on element. You get more than a short loop for photographs, but you are not signing up for a long expedition into the backcountry.

Bring a camera, but protect it from cold and snow. You may want your hands free while driving, and the best pictures may come from the kennel visit, the dog teams, or the warming stop rather than from the moving sled.

A Fire, Hot Chocolate, and Homemade Desserts

Halfway through the trail, the group stops at a shack to warm up beside a fire. This break is practical as well as pleasant. Winter clothing can keep your body warm while your fingers and face still feel the cold, especially after handling the sled.

Hot chocolate and homemade traditional desserts are served during the stop. The food is modest, but it gives the outing a local, family-run feel. You are not simply pausing in a heated visitor center. The shack and fire make the middle of the trip feel like part of the adventure.

The break also gives you a chance to reset before returning to the trail. If you have never driven a dog sled, this is useful time to ask questions and get comfortable with the activity. It can be an especially welcome pause for children, who may enjoy the dogs at first but tire from the cold.

Do not treat the hot chocolate as a substitute for proper winter clothing. Warm drinks help, but the operator does not provide winter clothing. Wear comfortable clothes suited to outdoor winter conditions, and plan for the possibility of sitting still as well as moving.

Returning to the Kennel for Dogs and Soup

Back at the kennel, the experience shifts from driving to spending time with the animals. You can visit the dogs, pet them, and reward them with cookies. Puppies may also be available to see, though this is seasonal.

This final kennel time is more than an add-on. During the ride, your attention is on the trail and the sled. Back at the base, you can slow down and watch how the dogs behave when they are no longer pulling. Families often find this part easier and more relaxed than the ride itself.

The activity ends with a hot bowl of soup beside a fireplace. You receive either tomato and vegetable soup or chicken noodle soup. After time outdoors, that simple meal has real value. It means you can warm up before leaving instead of stepping straight from the trail into a car or bus still chilled.

The combination of dessert and hot chocolate in the shack, followed by soup at the kennel, makes the two-hour package feel thoughtfully paced. The food is not the reason to book, but it helps justify the price and makes the outing feel complete.

What the $193 Price Buys You

At $193 per person, this is not a bargain-priced winter attraction. The value depends on how much of the full experience you use. You are paying for a guide, the dog team, trail time, the kennel visit, treats, warming stops, food, and the chance to drive rather than simply sit in a sleigh.

The price makes more sense for someone who wants an animal-focused activity with personal contact. If your goal is only to experience a few minutes of sled travel, it may feel high. If you value the kennel, dog preparation, guided instruction, fire stop, and soup, the package offers considerably more than a short ride.

A group limited to 10 participants is another part of the value. Guides can explain the process and help with the sleds without dealing with a large crowd. A very small group can feel especially special. One group of four had the chance to help bring the dogs to the sleds, though that level of involvement is not promised at every departure.

The included blanket is for passengers. Drivers may need to dress with extra care because they are active on the sled and may not be covered in the same way as someone sitting beneath a blanket.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. The meeting point can vary by the option selected, so check your confirmation carefully rather than assuming every departure uses the same location.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this outing to first-time dog sledders, families with children, couples looking for a winter activity, and anyone who wants meaningful time with the animals. The guides are patient and encouraging, and the simple instructions make the activity approachable.

It also suits people who like a little participation. You may help prepare the dogs, drive the sled, or switch positions with your companion. The experience is more rewarding if you want to do something rather than simply watch a guide handle everything.

Animal lovers should get especially good value from the kennel time. You can meet the dogs before and after the ride, learn their names, give them cookies, and possibly see puppies during the season.

This is less suitable if you dislike cold-weather activities or want a completely relaxed sleigh ride. Driving can be thrilling, but it also asks you to pay attention. Pregnant women should not book, as the activity is specifically listed as unsuitable for them.

Families should also understand that seating is not fully under their control. Children may ride with a parent or on a guide’s sled, and adults may be required to drive. Those arrangements are made for safety, not convenience, so flexibility helps.

Useful Tips for a Smoother Visit

• Tell the guide your preferred sled position as soon as you arrive.
• Expect to drive if you are an adult, even if you originally planned to ride.
• Ask about helping with harnessing, especially if you are at an early or late departure.
• Wear comfortable winter clothing, since clothing is not included.
• Keep your camera ready for the kennel and puppies, if puppies are present.
• Use the warm-up shack to ask questions and adjust layers before heading back out.
• Allow time at the end for the dogs. The kennel visit is one of the strongest parts of the outing.
• Check the meeting point for your selected option before leaving for the activity.

Should You Book This Mont-Tremblant Dogsledding Trip?

Book it if you want a hands-on winter outing built around both the huskies and the ride. The strongest parts are the friendly dogs, patient guides, forest route, fire-side break, and relaxed kennel visit afterward. The hot chocolate, homemade desserts, and soup add comfort without distracting from the main attraction.

Think twice if $193 feels too high for two hours, or if you want a longer trail journey with no assigned driving duties. The tour includes only 1 hour and 15 minutes on the trail, and adults may need to drive.

For most first-timers, families, and animal lovers, I see solid value in the complete package. You get a real taste of dogsledding, a close look at the kennel, and enough warmth and food to finish the experience comfortably.

FAQ

How long does the dogsledding activity last?

The full activity lasts two hours. Time on the trails is 1 hour and 15 minutes, including a 15-minute break.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $193 per person.

Do participants drive the sled?

Adults may be required to drive. Guides assign sled positions, and adults usually share a sled with one driver and one or two passengers. Drivers and passengers may switch halfway through the outing.

Can children ride with their parents?

Children may ride on a parent’s sled or on a guide’s sled. The guides decide the arrangement for safety.

What happens during the trail break?

The group stops at a shack to warm up beside a fire. Homemade traditional desserts and hot chocolate are served.

Are kennel visits included?

Yes. You can visit the kennel, pet the dogs, give them cookies, and see puppies when they are available seasonally.

Is food included after the ride?

Yes. A hot bowl of either tomato and vegetable soup or chicken noodle soup is served at the end beside the fireplace.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.