Dogsledding Great Divide - Discover Banff Tours

Dec-Apr

Season

9:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm

Departure Time

1.5 Hours

Duration

All Ages

Age

Leisurely

Activity

The most popular dogsledding tour at Lake Louise takes you along the base of giant peaks in Banff National Park to a pass at the Continental Divide.

Lake Louise is an icon of Canadian beauty and a stunning place to visit, and dogsledding is the most popular winter activity and an adventure suitable for anyone. Combine these two, and you’re bound to create the most memorable experience of your holiday.

The Great Divide Tour is the longest dogsledding tour in Lake Louise, covering 16 km (10 miles) over 1.5 hours. A team of dogs will carry you along the base of giant peaks through some of Banff National Park’s most stunning scenery to the Kicking Horse Pass at the Continental Divide, the high point separating the east from the west. There will be plenty of time to take photos while travelling through such striking mountain landscapes.

On the return journey your guide will encourage you to stand on the runners alongside them and take a turn driving the team home! There will be plenty of opportunity to get to know your dogs and take some memorable photos.

Looking to extend your time at Lake Louise after your dogsledding tour, with transport from Banff? Check out the Lake Louise + Dogsledding Package for a full day out to Lake Louise. Or experience this tour on your own private trip as you drive the sled for the entire trip on the Great Alone Tour (also available as a package with transport from Banff on the Lake Louise + Deluxe Dogsledding Package).

Sled Configurations

Capacity	Drive Option	Regular Season	High Season*	Maximum Weight**
1 person sled	Guide/Instructor driven	$398	$440	400lbs
2 person sled	Guide/Instructor driven	$398	$440	400lbs
3 person sled (max 2 Adults + 1 Infant (5 and under))	Guide/Instructor driven	$433	$480	400lbs

* 2018/19 High season dates: 14 December-6 January, 18-21 January, 25-27 January, 8-18 February, 8-10 March, 15-31 March, 18-22 April. All configurations are subject to availability.

** From 1 March 2019 onwards, the maximum weight permitted is 380lbs per sled.

Included	Professional dogsledding guide
Sled Capacity	1 pax sled (+instructor) 2 pax sled (+ instructor) 3 pax sled (+ instructor)
Transport Options	Meet at Great Divide Trailhead, Lake Louise

Lindsey's Pick

"A romantic and unique experience! A must do in Lake Louise. Reserve your spots fast, we sell out quick." - Lindsey , Group Sales Manager, Discover Banff Tours

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

1.5 hour dogsled in Banff National Park

You will be mushing in Banff National Park, one of Canada’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. This 16km tour takes you along the base of giant peaks in Lake Louise to a pass at the Continental Divide.

Option to drive the sled

Guests  have the opportunity to get to know the dogs, their guides, learn the basics of  driving a team and are encouraged to drive the team home under the supervision of your guide.

Included	Professional dogsledding guide
Sled Capacity	1 pax sled (+instructor) 2 pax sled (+ instructor) 3 pax sled (+ instructor)
Transport Options	Meet at Great Divide Trailhead, Lake Louise

Lindsey's Pick

"A romantic and unique experience! A must do in Lake Louise. Reserve your spots fast, we sell out quick." - Lindsey , Group Sales Manager, Discover Banff Tours

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts for 1.5 – 2 hours, which includes an hour and a half of dog sledding.

What does the tour include?

This tour travels a full 16 km, or 10 miles, from the Great Divide Trailhead in Banff National Park to Yoho National Park through the Kicking Horse Pass at the Continental Divide. There will be plenty of time to take photos while travelling through such striking mountain landscape, and approximately 1.5 hours of dogsledding. On the return journey, your guide will encourage you to stand on the runners alongside them and take a turn driving the team home.

The tours do not include transportation, but there is a Lake Louise + Dogsledding Package available which includes pickup from Banff at 10am (return to Banff at 5pm), that includes drop off at the dog sledding location for the 12pm tour time slot plus two hours of free time to spend at Lake Louise, a snowshoe sample and guide commentary from Banff to Lake Louise. Please enquire for further details.

Where is the meeting point?

The tour starts in Lake Louise at the Great Divide Trailhead which is 1 kilometre from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. It is recommended to allow an hour to drive here from Banff, and full driving directions will be provided in your booking confirmation. Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour time and meet the guides and dogs! They dogs love visitors and welcome the pre-tour attention.

Do we sled along the Lake Louise shoreline?

Unfortunately not. The tour heads along the Great Divide Trail, and then turns around in British Columbia. The group then heads back along the Great Divide Trail and turns off onto something that looks like Narnia. It is covered with untouched snow and the only evidence that anyone has been there is the trail that the dogs are running along.

How many people can fit in a sled?

There is a maximum of two adults in a sled with an infant (5 years old and under) as long as the total weight is under 400lbs (181kgs) per sled. If the weight is over the limit you would need to book another sled and there would be a single supplement charge.

There’s no age limit or height restriction; but taller people may have to bend their knees slightly to feel more comfortable in the sled.

Is it cold? What should I wear?

The sleds are equipped with comfortable foam cushions and cozy sleeping bags, however it can get cold in the sled so please dress warmly. This includes, but is not limited to, a warm windproof hat, neck protection in the form of a scarf or neck tube, a windproof jacket with a hood, warm leggings under a windproof shell and warm mittens. Warm shoes are also essential, hiking boots or snow boots are recommended.

What type of dogs are they?

These happy and hard working Alaskan Huskies, the lean, champion athletes of the canine world who’s origins can be traced back to the early working dogs of the Alaskan villages. Some have completed the 1,000 mile Yukon Quest or Iditarod, and some are rescue dogs who have been given a second chance. And some are both these things combined. They each have their own personalities and all of them love the chicken popsicles that you have the option of tossing to them after the tour.

Are there other dogsledding tours at Lake Louise?

This tour is also available as a private trip option, designed for those that would like to experience the exhilaration of driving your own team the entire trip while being the only team on the trail. The Great Alone Tour can accommodate private groups of up to four people.

The only other dogsledding tour at Lake Louise is the Narnia Tour, which is a shorter 30 minute tour. The Narnia Tour is a taster for dog sledding and is a great option if you only have a short amount of time while in Lake Louise or have small children. Please note that you are unable to mush (drive) the sled on the Narnia Tour due to the time limit.

What is the difference between Spray Lakes and Lake Louise dogsledding?

They are completely different set ups with a different atmosphere and experience. The Lake Louise dogsledding is a little more romantic, secluded and less intense, whereas the dogs at Spray Lakes are what we call ‘Hollywood dogs’, all nice and fluffy, and there are a lot of dogs out on the trail at once which makes it a high energy, hands on experience. There are also guides on every third sled so you may be on a sled that is run by you and other guests. If you are looking for something a little more intense, perhaps the Powder Hound Express at Spray Lakes is for you.

What is the cancellation policy?

There is a 72 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 72 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).

Should I tip my guide?

Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.

Included	Professional dogsledding guide
Sled Capacity	1 pax sled (+instructor) 2 pax sled (+ instructor) 3 pax sled (+ instructor)
Transport Options	Meet at Great Divide Trailhead, Lake Louise

Lindsey's Pick

"A romantic and unique experience! A must do in Lake Louise. Reserve your spots fast, we sell out quick." - Lindsey , Group Sales Manager, Discover Banff Tours

Prices are based on two people per sled. Solo riders pay a single sled premium equal to the cost of two people.
Maximum two adults and one small child (5 years and under) per sled.
Children 6 and over are charged at the adult rate.
The Infant Add-on option is only applicable when adding to a toddler to a sled with 2 people, and the full cost of the sled must be covered before the infant add-on fee applies. Maximum of 1 infant add-on per sled.
The regular season (until Feb 28th) maximum sled weight is 400lbs for the total sled and the late season (1 March and onwards) maximum weight per sled is 380lbs. If your combined weight is over the limit, please book an extra sled.
Dog care is a priority and guests may be weighed on-site. If the maximum weight is exceeded you will not be permitted to dogsled and no refund will be given.
Availability may be limited on short term and peak season bookings.

Included	Professional dogsledding guide
Sled Capacity	1 pax sled (+instructor) 2 pax sled (+ instructor) 3 pax sled (+ instructor)
Transport Options	Meet at Great Divide Trailhead, Lake Louise

Lindsey's Pick

"A romantic and unique experience! A must do in Lake Louise. Reserve your spots fast, we sell out quick." - Lindsey , Group Sales Manager, Discover Banff Tours

Great Divide Dogsled Tour in Lake Louise, Alberta

Dogsledding – Great Divide 1.5 Hrs