video#84

video#86

This video shows some dog sledding from winter of 2014. You reserve a time slot by phoning one week prior, then they train the human rider on-site for around 10 minutes, and then they let you "drive" the sled around a closed-loop track. Usually it's the adults who are allowed to drive. If you are a couple (2 people), then only one person is allowed to drive, and the other is expected to be the passenger. If you are 1 person, then you might be able to drive the sled around all by yourself (without a passenger on the sled). If you are a family (1 mother and 2 children, for example), then the mother will drive the sled, and the small children will be passengers. The whole adventure lasts around one hour.

Dog breeds include Malamute and Husky. The temperature was around -15 Celsius this day. The command to the dogs for going forward is "hupp, hupp." The command to stop is "Whoa!" Your sled includes a metal brake that you step on, and it digs into the snow, slowing you down, then locking you in place once the sled stops. Step off the brake, and the brake lifts up, releasing its grip on the snow, and the sled can go forward.

The dogs often get caught in the leather straps, and have to be untangled. You pay for the ride after it's all over, and are expected to tip the employee who trained you and led you around the track in a group of three sleds. Warm winter boots are recommended. The dogs often pee in a spray at-will, even when running. Most of their pee goes on the ground, but some spray still makes it on your boots, leaving a memorable dog-urine odour on your pants and boots after you have finished your tour! However, this dog sledding thing a very fun experience to try at least once in your lifetime whenever you visit Quebec, in eastern Canada.

(end of video description)