How would you like to have 182 people in your family? And what if all 182 of them were four years old? And had tails? At Snowy Owl Dog Sledding Banff, the dogs are part of the family. Yes, yes, I know – everyone says that…but trust me when I say Snowy Owl is different than most touristic dog sled operations.
My parents grew up on farms where dogs (and cats) were part of the working crew – not really pets. Because kids are a product of their environment, I also grew up with that attitude; I’d never been a dog person before until I met my Snowy Owl Dog Team.
As soon as I arrived at the Lake starting point in Kananaskis, I could tell this tour was going to be different from my other dog sledding experiences. I see people hanging out with the dogs, taking selfies, giving them hugs, and cuddling them. You can tell the dogs are eager to go, but they also love the attention. I was stunned, as I had been on dog sledding tours previously, and the dogs were never this friendly.
Jeremy, the owner of Snowy Owl, asked us all to gather in a circle around him where he proceeded to tell us where to position our feet and hands on the sled and then started to explain what commands we should use.
Whoa…wait a minute, I think to myself – are we driving this sled? Why yes, we are. Snowy Owl Dog Sledding Banff is one of the only dog sled operations in Canada, and tourists (who know nothing about driving dog sleds and commanding a team) are the mushers.
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Not Your Typical Dog Sledding Tour
Just the week prior I did a dog-sledding outing where we simply sat in the sled and enjoyed the view. It was nice and the view was gorgeous, but honestly it was sort of a yawn. I like to get hands-on and actually learn something. I want a true experience, not a ride. So suddenly my dog sledding dreams had been answered at Snowy Owl.
I perked up and listened with more intensity than before, “It’s not ‘Mush’,” Jeremy says, “that’s just in the movies. The command to go is ‘Hike,’ and it has to be said with a happy face and enthusiastic tone. These dogs reply to enthusiasm and love – not power,” Jeremy explained. I practice saying “Hike!” with a happy face – it feels sort of Mr. Rodgers awkward, but I think I can do it. We further learn that ‘stop’ is “Whoa” and the command for slow down is “easy”. I wonder if I’ll remember these in times of panic.
Jeremy goes on to explain that we stop the sled when the dogs need a bathroom break – “no running and pooping at Snowy Owl,” Jeremy says, “that’s just rude to the dogs.” I laugh and remember back to my experience the week before, and there was definitely running and pooping …the dark (and smelly) side of dog sledding that you normally don’t hear about!
Jeremy explains that all dogs love to be around people; however, the ones with red handkerchiefs on are actually a little shy, so leave them alone. I walk over to my assigned team and greet them with a happy voice, trying to start off on the right foot.
“If you talk to animals they will talk to you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you don’t know you will fear. What one fears one destroys.” – Chief Dan George
Snowy Owl names litters by ‘groups.’ My team was the Designer team – Hugo, Boss (the two boys), Dior, Chanel, Dolce, Gucci…you get the picture. As Jeremy tells me their names, he explains that his sister named this team and rolls his eyes, just as a brother would.
It’s About Family
This really is a family business in every sense of the word. His mother started the company in 1983, and his sister and he recently took it over. The family unit is a part of every decision from naming to breeding – and breeding is a huge part of this business. Offering tourists the chance to ‘self-mush’ is a big deal, so they need to be bred for the scenario. Most sled dogs are bred to race and run. However, when Snowy Owl breeds the dogs – it’s not just based on physical ability and performance. They have to think about every scenario – people who have no idea how to work with sled dogs will be mushing, and that creates some challenges. Not everyone is comfortable with dogs (like me!). But self-mushing dogs are the most important piece of their business.
When his parents started the company they had two important goals; you have to be able to pet the dogs, and a customer has to be able to drive their own team.
To accomplish this, they offer summer kennel tours where they start free-running the dogs/puppies when people visit so they can get used to strangers. The dogs socialize and run loose; most kennels won’t do that. In fact, the day I talked to Jeremy in his office in Canmore, he brought a pup, Elsa, with him to get her used to being in public. It was adorable to watch her look at stairs for the first time and try to figure out how to go up/down them. Sled dogs don’t normally see stairs!
When I said this is a family business, I meant it – after spending some one-on-one time with Jeremy, I learned just how equal the dogs were to humans in the business. The dogs are a product of their environment – much like kids. So the Snowy Owl family makes sure that their environment is amazing, with well-kept kennels and a person always on-site, custom-made harnesses, and sleds specifically made for self-mushing. All the income is put back into the dogs because “they are the engines of the company,” Jeremy explains. Plus, they have a retirement/adoption program that was so thoughtful about finding the right homes for the dogs that it nearly brought me to tears.
Discover the story of two sisters – Canmore and Banff
I loved how Jeremy talked about the dog’s personalities – he knew each one – all 182. These dogs are people and a part of their family. It was touching and interesting for me to see since I never grew up with pets. He thinks of dogs as 4-year-old kids, and he rewards and encourages them that way – treating them more like a person than a dog. One side benefit of this strategy is that raising dogs helped him prepare to raise his kids!
Ready to Mush
As I stepped on my sled with my ‘Designer’ team I was a bit nervous. I repeated the commands in my head. I reminded myself to never let go. And I also tried to remember to smile and sound enthusiastic when giving commands. I was ready.
“Okay, pups,” I yell as I take my foot off the brake, “hike!” I say with a big grin of anticipation and excitement. The sled jerks a bit, I tighten my grip on the handle, and soon I pick up speed. Oh my God – I’m doing it – I’m driving this sled! “Good dogs, “ I bark out enthusiastically as I settle into my winter wonderland environment. I am a dog musher!
Jeremy changed my whole view of dogs and dog sledding. His family’s dedication to the dogs and the business was inspirational. Anyone can go for a dog sledding ride while their guide drives the dog team, overshadowing the entire experience. With Snowy Owl Banff, everyone has the opportunity to get hands-on.
How You Can Be a Dog Musher with Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl offers a variety of tours year-round. I did an express 2-hour tour, but they offer ½ day, full day, and these super cool looking multi-day tours that I want to try next time! Lead your own team for two days and stay overnight in a tipi on the Ghost of Fortune Mountain Tour.
Summer Kennel Tours – and if you are lucky, you may get to see the new litter of puppies!!!
One of Snowy Owl’s mottos is “We expect you to question everything.” Check out the ethical guidelines they live by.
Snowy Owl Website – www.snowyowltours.com
Disclosure:
I was a guest of Travel Alberta during my time in Banff, however all opinions here are my own.
By Cindy December 17, 2015 - 2:49 pm
Love it! I like your emphasis on the dogs as family! I saw that too, and my pets certainly fit in that category (either that, or ruler!)
By Claudia December 17, 2015 - 2:54 pm
I want to do that! Oh this looks like such an epic adventures. And I do love dogs. I would love all 182 of them. HIKE!!
By travel holidays December 22, 2015 - 6:30 am
Great post. Dogs are just awesome.