Back to our Portraits & Brags page

By Laurie Niedermayer

Nakitsilik Outdoors Adventures, Bridge Lake, BC 1-877-397-2108 www.nakitsilik.com

Forget about having to travel to Alaska or the Yukon to enjoy this unique winter power sport. Dog sledding is alive and well in our province!

Snow covered forested trails and open meadows, silence, spectacular scenery. Traveling on a dog sled harkens back to the days of early explorers and it is an eerie feeling to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the 21^st Century to explore a method of travel that has virtually remained unchanged since the nomadic tribes of Siberia, the Arctic & the Yukon first began using their dogs to help move their villages and their hunts around the frozen northlands. Although our gear and animal care has become high-tech, and the animals have been finely bred to preserve the natural working ability, the experience remains unchanged, untamed.

For those of us old enough to remember the stories of Jack London, Nanook of the North, Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police and his dog King, Hollywood’s sweeping adaptations of Call of The Wild, and songs such as North To Alaska, have all played on our desire to try something unique, to answer our own “Call of the Wild”. Recently there have been plenty of movies to commemorate the sport – Disney’s Iron Will, Eight Below, Snow dogs and Kevin of the North. The children’s animated Balto and White Fang. From James Bond to Lara Croft, commercials to film – Dog-sledding is a hot, hot, HOT topic.

Why? What is its mystery? Curious? Why not book a tour and see what it is all about? Even in our enlightened and expansive language there are no words to describe the feeling of racing down a snow-covered trail, driving your own team of dogs. The adrenalin, the peace & tranquility, the sound of the dogs breathing clearly audible as they lean into their harnesses and run as they were bred to do. Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to witness the sheer adrenalin and excitement apparent in every dog that is getting ready to go out on a tour, or to watch the frustration of the dogs who get left behind, can clearly tell that these dogs LOVE their jobs!

Some things you will want to consider before you book your tour. First is what kind of a tour do you want? Do you want to be a passenger only? These will be the half hour rides offered at local resorts to give you a taste for what it is all about. Do you want to drive your own team of dogs? If you choose this option, we supply a basic instruction video to your accommodations hosts and then a quick run down at the trail head. Trips vary from a half hour to full day excursions, and again it is all determined by YOU the customer. We have partnered with some of the Cariboo’s finest accommodations to offer tour packages for every budget.

Safety is – of course – our number one priority - for you - our guests and especially for our dogs - who while they work for us.. are all a part of the family. If you opt to drive your own sled then you should be in good physical shape as running a team of dogs is strenuous work. If you have small children and are able to take them out on a tour – you MUST make sure that YOU keep a very close eye on the kids, especially at hook up times when the dogs are the most excitable, and children could be knocked over and hurt very easily.

For more information contact

Laurie Niedermayer

The Wolfden at Nakitsilik