Howling Dog Tours

4.1 (15 reviews)

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Howling Dog Tours - Howling Dog Tours Ltd in Canmore, AB, Guided Dog Sled Tours - Tours Near Me

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Zach H.

Awesome experience! Well coordinated check-in and transportation to the dog sledding site. The guides were all very knowledgeable and experienced. The dogs were smart and loved getting pet! Halfway through the sledding there is a break point for cookies and hot chocolate. Highly recommended!! Beautiful scenery and cool overall experience.

Patrick P.

Booking a tour with Howling Dog was already a highlight of our trip to Banff and I can now say that it absolutely lived up to the hype. For many it's a bucket list item and I am here to say, it will be an experience that will certainly take care of it. My group opted for the local hotel pick-up that they offered, the driver was nice and flexible since we were running a few minutes late. We were picked up in a large passenger van, the first of a few hotel stops before arriving to the park. While we were en-route we filled out some forms and paid our fees. The driver also encouraged everyone to ask any questions we had and was great about answering the ones we did have. Once we arrived, we were all assembled we met with one of the owners/managers who gave us an introductory talk. He was a former dog sled racer and explained how most of the dogs are also former dog sled racers who are "rescued" after their racing careers are over. Looking around the parking lot of the park we saw multiple trucks that housed dogs from previous runs, it was explained that the dogs are treated very well and only go on a run once a day. While my group was ready with boots, pants, and plenty of warm clothing; the manager let everyone know they had extra gear in case somebody showed up a little under-dressed for the elements. After the introduction was finished we were split up into our individual sleds. We were a group of four so we split into two sleds. Upon meeting our guide, he introduced us to the dogs and we even got to help harness them in. All throughout we were allowed to pet and interact with the dogs, a real treat! To start off both passengers started inside the sled, with the guide mushing us off onto the trail. After we got on the trail, we stopped and one of us was allowed to help drive the sled, standing alongside the guide on back of the sled. The guide operates the hook/brake, steers, and calls out all the voice commands. The person in the back holds on, and can help push the sled uphill if he/she wants. I will note that the way the back of the sled is built, to have two people ride in the back you each stand on a "skid"- it's kind of like riding one of those electric scooters where you stand on a narrow surface. Close to the beginning of the trail the owner/manager will be on the side with a camera, ready to get an action shot of you in motion. In the introductory talk he told everyone how to pose for the best possible photo. The other person gets to enjoy the ride from the sled, there are plenty of space in the front for bags to go and blankets are provided too- it can get cold being the passenger! At the halfway point we stopped for a break. We enjoyed some hot chocolate and cookies and got to play with the dogs some more. When we were ready to resume, the driver and passenger traded places so everyone gets a chance to drive and ride. I can't begin to describe how picturesque the scenery was. We stopped at a couple points just to take photos and appreciate nature. The overall ride was really smooth, with the exception of a few downhill runs that gave us a thrill! At the end of the ride we helped reward the dogs with a treat and some chicken water. We all got a kick seeing how the dogs chowed down after a good run in the woods. Before we boarded us van back we took a look at the photos, they came out great and we decided to buy a print (which also comes with the digital file via e-mail.) Now we have a great memento of a truly unique experience.

Chris P.

My wife and I did the 10am run yesterday. It was my second time dog sledding but my wife's first. Their office is located inside a pet store and is easy to find with a decent amount of parking. They also offer a hotel pick-up option. After checking-in at the desk we waited a few minutes for the other patrons to arrive. Then it was in the van for a short 20 minute drive up to the dogs. They take you up Smith Dorrien Trail to the TransAlta hydro station where you cross the dam to West Side Road. This is the starting point. When you arrive, a guide gathers the group and gives you a run down of what is about to happen and gives you a once-over to make sure you have the right clothing on for the trip. They have a few extra pairs of boots, gloves, toques, etc. if you happen to forget yours. They then divide you up and send you over to your guide and sled. The gearing up process is as hands-on or off as you want. Our guide had me sit in the sled while my wife held the line out so that it would not tangle while the guide gets the dogs hooked up. You should note that from the time you arrive in the van until the time you get on the trail this is not a very quiet experience. The dogs know that when the vans arrive its time to get to work and the howling begins. With 50+ dogs begging to be put to work it gets quite loud. Once you're on the trail the dogs are quiet and the only noise is the guides giving commands to the dogs and any conversation and questions you might have with the guides. The trail itself is West Side Road which is closed in the winter to vehicles and you take it south-east following the Spray Lakes Reservoir. At the half way point you turn around on a side pathway and stop for hot chocolate and cookies, then back on the same road. There's a couple of points on the trip where they have everyone in the sled, but there is also a chance to help drive the sled if you choose. My wife did the first half and I did the second. You don't get full control of the sled, you just ride on the back balancing on one of the skis while helping to push up hills. When you get back to the trucks you get to give the dogs a treat and help the guide pass out the bowls of chicken broth for the dogs. When that's done you can head over to the tent to check out the picture they take of you when you're beginning the ride. Its $20 for the photo which comes in a cardboard frame. On the back of the frame there is email instructions so you can get a digital copy of the photo later. They take all forms of payment. They also offer cash back so if you didn't bring cash to tip your guide, you can get some then. Overall we had a great time and would do it again.

Us on our dog sled adventure as shot by their in house photographer.

Cori B.

We did the "Unleash The Musher" tour with Howling Dogs this past March. This is a two hour total tour but much of that time is transport from canmore townsite up to the spray lakes and hooking up the dogs. I'm not sure how much actual dog sledding happened but it was long enough to say you've done it but maybe not long enough if you're really going to love it. When considering dog sledding and a company to mush with. Dog treatment was my priority. There has been a lot of dark reports out of the industry and I couldn't support a unethical business. Howling Dog stood up to my interrogation and questions. They were not the only company I talked to, although I can't say I found anyone that really mistreated their dogs or did things I didn't approve of. Yes, they keep them as working dogs but they seem to love their jobs and were reasonably happy dogs (the breed is a bit skittish so it can be difficult to judge meeting them). I struggled picking between the companies. It seemed the top two/three companies marketing was basically just marking against each other. Upon my comparison there wasn't a lot of difference until you're wanting to drive a sled alone. Howling Dog is not the company to go with if you want to drive a sled alone. You can drive a sled, but you'll have a driver with you. I had no real desire to be 100% responsible for a team but I did give driving a try. Although driving is fun, I'm glad I could also snuggle into the sled and just enjoy. Howling Dog's stance on self driving is a 30 minute intro is not enough training to make it safe. Another large competitor says they train their dogs so well anyone can drive them while other companies has substandard training can can't trust the public with their teams. Personally I'm not sure I like the other guys giving a team of sled dogs to random people off the street with the cash is a great idea. Safety to the customers aside, I'm concerned about dog safety. For what ever little difference that was, I choose howling dog. After the trip up the mountain from the townsite, you come across all the dogs and sleds. You're introduced to your guide and dogs. I helped by getting Porche into her harness. The dogs are very loud and excited to run and get more excited as the realize the time is near. We were the first team in our group and it seemed we ran a lot faster than the others but we had more dogs. Our driver was an Aussie and although he seemed to have studied up on the spot, he was wrong about a few things. He tried though but obviously isn't super experienced. His care and treatment of the dogs was there and ultimately that along with a good personality allowed me to over look a few gaps in his historical and cultural dog sledding knowledge. Being fairly local to Canmore, I didn't get the full impact of dog sledding in the mountains of spray lakes. I know the area well so it's not something "new" but I imagine the view to people with limited rocky mountain exposure to be breath taking. The trip takes you quite a ways up the mountain and runs you down a road for a campground in the summer. At the turn around point you stop, get out and take pictures at the lake (which is a great view). All and all it was a great little experience. I might have been up for a longer trip but I'm pretty satisfied with the 2 hour musher trip. I enjoyed thanking each dog at the end with a treat before they got their water with chicken (they need chicken floating in water so they can be tricked into drinking because they tend to dehydrate themselves if left to their own devices) The dogs sure are smart though - they flip the dishes over on purpose to get the chicken if they were determined not to drink much. I'm not sure i'm dying to repeat dog sledding but I'm very happy to say I've gone sledding and would highly recommend it for locals and tourists alike.

We had an absolute blast. Our guide Will was so accommodating. Even the drive to the dogs was great. You can see the mountains without being scared of driving up there. The dogs were amazing. We got to spend some time with the dogs outside of the sledding. You really can see their personalities and how they love what they are doing. Would definitely recommend this to everyone of all ages and size. You won't regret it. We are thinking of doing it again.

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Kaivan G.

Elite 23

104

103

147

3 years ago

Had a great experience with the entire squad of Howling Dog tour. We booked our tour 10 days back for Jan 1st and the booking experience was seamless. After arriving at the office, we waited for 15 mins and were taken to a mountain for the dog sled. The dogs on our sled were very calm and friendly. Our Musher 'Martin' was superb. He was super friendly, knowledgeable and a great Musher. The location for the dog sled was splendid. Loved it. Overall, I recommend this tour to anyone who wants to do dog sledding. Recommend booking a few day in advance and I believe they have a 48 hour flexible cancellation policy. read more

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Priya C.

Elite 24

156

215

377

3 years ago

The dog sledding tour was a must do on our winter trip to Banff. Howling dog tours had availablility and was pretty close to our airbnb in Canmore. It was a good first time experience. They took us to the location in a bus, explained about the dogs and the tour. We got to put the harness on a few of the dogs and learnt all their names. Loved interacting with all of them! The tour itself had a beautiful backdrop and it was fun standing at the back as well. We got to feed the cookies and chicken soup in the end. The overall experience was good and smooth. read more

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Paola A.

58

11

2 years ago

Amazing experience with great guides ! So sweet and caring , the dogs are all rescues which makes the whole experience feel much better. Would highly recommend the dog sled tours. read more

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Zach H.

Elite 26 All-Star

38

425

710

4 years ago

Awesome experience! Well coordinated check-in and transportation to the dog sledding site. The guides were all very knowledgeable and experienced. The dogs were smart and loved getting pet! Halfway through the sledding there is a break point for cookies and hot chocolate. Highly recommended!! Beautiful scenery and cool overall experience. read more

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Patrick P.

Elite 26

574

301

361

7 years ago

Booking a tour with Howling Dog was already a highlight of our trip to Banff and I can now say that it absolutely lived up to the hype. For many it's a bucket list item and I am here to say, it will be an experience that will certainly take care of it. My group opted for the local hotel pick-up that they offered, the driver was nice and flexible since we were running a few minutes late. We were picked up in a large passenger van, the first of a few hotel stops before arriving to the park. While we were en-route we filled out some forms and paid our fees. The driver also encouraged everyone to ask any questions we had and was great about answering the ones we did have. Once we arrived, we were all assembled we met with one of the owners/managers who gave us an introductory talk. He was a former dog sled racer and explained how most of the dogs are also former dog sled racers who are "rescued" after their racing careers are over. Looking around the parking lot of the park we saw multiple trucks that housed dogs from previous runs, it was explained that the dogs are treated very well and only go on a run once a day. While my group was ready with boots, pants, and plenty of warm clothing; the manager let everyone know they had extra gear in case somebody showed up a little under-dressed for the elements. After the introduction was finished we were split up into our individual sleds. We were a group of four so we split into two sleds. Upon meeting our guide, he introduced us to the dogs and we even got to help harness them in. All throughout we were allowed to pet and interact with the dogs, a real treat! To start off both passengers started inside the sled, with the guide mushing us off onto the trail. After we got on the trail, we stopped and one of us was allowed to help drive the sled, standing alongside the guide on back of the sled. The guide operates the hook/brake, steers, and calls out all the voice commands. The person in the back holds on, and can help push the sled uphill if he/she wants. I will note that the way the back of the sled is built, to have two people ride in the back you each stand on a "skid"- it's kind of like riding one of those electric scooters where you stand on a narrow surface. Close to the beginning of the trail the owner/manager will be on the side with a camera, ready to get an action shot of you in motion. In the introductory talk he told everyone how to pose for the best possible photo. The other person gets to enjoy the ride from the sled, there are plenty of space in the front for bags to go and blankets are provided too- it can get cold being the passenger! At the halfway point we stopped for a break. We enjoyed some hot chocolate and cookies and got to play with the dogs some more. When we were ready to resume, the driver and passenger traded places so everyone gets a chance to drive and ride. I can't begin to describe how picturesque the scenery was. We stopped at a couple points just to take photos and appreciate nature. The overall ride was really smooth, with the exception of a few downhill runs that gave us a thrill! At the end of the ride we helped reward the dogs with a treat and some chicken water. We all got a kick seeing how the dogs chowed down after a good run in the woods. Before we boarded us van back we took a look at the photos, they came out great and we decided to buy a print (which also comes with the digital file via e-mail.) Now we have a great memento of a truly unique experience. read more

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Marielle E.

479

5

0

4 years ago

Do NOT go here. Extremely rude staff, terrible owner, and not accomodating at all. Horrible experience. read more

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Kim B.

1

27

2

5 years ago

Had a great time at our two-hour tour today! Jared was an awesome and knowledgeable guide (not just for our sledding time, but just in general for Canmore). Dogs were so sweet and smart, and the scenery was just stunning. Highly recommend! read more

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Chris P.

Elite 19

256

1919

2594

10 years ago

My wife and I did the 10am run yesterday. It was my second time dog sledding but my wife's first. Their office is located inside a pet store and is easy to find with a decent amount of parking. They also offer a hotel pick-up option. After checking-in at the desk we waited a few minutes for the other patrons to arrive. Then it was in the van for a short 20 minute drive up to the dogs. They take you up Smith Dorrien Trail to the TransAlta hydro station where you cross the dam to West Side Road. This is the starting point. When you arrive, a guide gathers the group and gives you a run down of what is about to happen and gives you a once-over to make sure you have the right clothing on for the trip. They have a few extra pairs of boots, gloves, toques, etc. if you happen to forget yours. They then divide you up and send you over to your guide and sled. The gearing up process is as hands-on or off as you want. Our guide had me sit in the sled while my wife held the line out so that it would not tangle while the guide gets the dogs hooked up. You should note that from the time you arrive in the van until the time you get on the trail this is not a very quiet experience. The dogs know that when the vans arrive its time to get to work and the howling begins. With 50+ dogs begging to be put to work it gets quite loud. Once you're on the trail the dogs are quiet and the only noise is the guides giving commands to the dogs and any conversation and questions you might have with the guides. The trail itself is West Side Road which is closed in the winter to vehicles and you take it south-east following the Spray Lakes Reservoir. At the half way point you turn around on a side pathway and stop for hot chocolate and cookies, then back on the same road. There's a couple of points on the trip where they have everyone in the sled, but there is also a chance to help drive the sled if you choose. My wife did the first half and I did the second. You don't get full control of the sled, you just ride on the back balancing on one of the skis while helping to push up hills. When you get back to the trucks you get to give the dogs a treat and help the guide pass out the bowls of chicken broth for the dogs. When that's done you can head over to the tent to check out the picture they take of you when you're beginning the ride. Its $20 for the photo which comes in a cardboard frame. On the back of the frame there is email instructions so you can get a digital copy of the photo later. They take all forms of payment. They also offer cash back so if you didn't bring cash to tip your guide, you can get some then. Overall we had a great time and would do it again. read more

Howling Dog Tours - Out on the trail - Tours Near Me

Howling Dog Tours - Down the trail - Tours Near Me

Howling Dog Tours - Loaded and ready - Tours Near Me

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Laura M.

0

4

0

6 years ago

Wish there was an option not to give a star at all. This company is a fraud. They got an unauthorized access to my credit card and charged for the tour that I never took. After multiple attempts to reach the management of the company, no one called back. Stay away from this company read more

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Cori B.

Elite 17

108

301

205

12 years ago

We did the "Unleash The Musher" tour with Howling Dogs this past March. This is a two hour total tour but much of that time is transport from canmore townsite up to the spray lakes and hooking up the dogs. I'm not sure how much actual dog sledding happened but it was long enough to say you've done it but maybe not long enough if you're really going to love it. When considering dog sledding and a company to mush with. Dog treatment was my priority. There has been a lot of dark reports out of the industry and I couldn't support a unethical business. Howling Dog stood up to my interrogation and questions. They were not the only company I talked to, although I can't say I found anyone that really mistreated their dogs or did things I didn't approve of. Yes, they keep them as working dogs but they seem to love their jobs and were reasonably happy dogs (the breed is a bit skittish so it can be difficult to judge meeting them). I struggled picking between the companies. It seemed the top two/three companies marketing was basically just marking against each other. Upon my comparison there wasn't a lot of difference until you're wanting to drive a sled alone. Howling Dog is not the company to go with if you want to drive a sled alone. You can drive a sled, but you'll have a driver with you. I had no real desire to be 100% responsible for a team but I did give driving a try. Although driving is fun, I'm glad I could also snuggle into the sled and just enjoy. Howling Dog's stance on self driving is a 30 minute intro is not enough training to make it safe. Another large competitor says they train their dogs so well anyone can drive them while other companies has substandard training can can't trust the public with their teams. Personally I'm not sure I like the other guys giving a team of sled dogs to random people off the street with the cash is a great idea. Safety to the customers aside, I'm concerned about dog safety. For what ever little difference that was, I choose howling dog. After the trip up the mountain from the townsite, you come across all the dogs and sleds. You're introduced to your guide and dogs. I helped by getting Porche into her harness. The dogs are very loud and excited to run and get more excited as the realize the time is near. We were the first team in our group and it seemed we ran a lot faster than the others but we had more dogs. Our driver was an Aussie and although he seemed to have studied up on the spot, he was wrong about a few things. He tried though but obviously isn't super experienced. His care and treatment of the dogs was there and ultimately that along with a good personality allowed me to over look a few gaps in his historical and cultural dog sledding knowledge. Being fairly local to Canmore, I didn't get the full impact of dog sledding in the mountains of spray lakes. I know the area well so it's not something "new" but I imagine the view to people with limited rocky mountain exposure to be breath taking. The trip takes you quite a ways up the mountain and runs you down a road for a campground in the summer. At the turn around point you stop, get out and take pictures at the lake (which is a great view). All and all it was a great little experience. I might have been up for a longer trip but I'm pretty satisfied with the 2 hour musher trip. I enjoyed thanking each dog at the end with a treat before they got their water with chicken (they need chicken floating in water so they can be tricked into drinking because they tend to dehydrate themselves if left to their own devices) The dogs sure are smart though - they flip the dishes over on purpose to get the chicken if they were determined not to drink much. I'm not sure i'm dying to repeat dog sledding but I'm very happy to say I've gone sledding and would highly recommend it for locals and tourists alike. read more

Howling Dog Tours - Us on our dog sled adventure as shot by their in house photographer. - Tours Near Me

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Kim G.

57

1

0

8 years ago

The WORST customer service I have ever experienced. We had received a gift certificate from my parents to take my two boys dog sledding for Christmas (valued at ~$800). When my mom called to pay for the gift certificate, she was told that the 6 year old boys were the same price as adults; so she happily paid the rate for 4 adults. We have since learned that 6-9 year olds are charged significantly less than that. Anyways....the day before our tour, there was a travel advisory for the roads, so my mom called to see if Howling Dogs would reschedule our tour if the roads were considered unsafe to travel on. She was told (rather rudely by Dana, the owners) that their policy is no rescheduling within 72 hours, regardless of road conditions (unless the highway was physically closed). My mom was understandably bummed given the amount of money at stake, but said we would evaluate the roads the next morning and try to make it out. The next morning, my mom called to inform them that we decided to brave the roads and was told by the other owner (Rich) that she had cancelled. What??!?! Nope. This was 10:30 in the morning and they claimed that they couldn't/wouldn't bring staff to run the sled for us at 2pm. it was too late. After Rich HUNG UP on my mom, my dad called back and was told that my mom should have called back the night before to confirm the cancellation despite never being told that she needed to do this. Rich then told my dad that he wasn't going to take us because he wouldn't take belligerent people. Again.....what?!?! At this point, I should point out that my mom is literally Mrs. Partridge. So mild mannered, almost to a fault. So then I tried calling as the person on record who made the reservation. Rich screamed down the phone at me before I could even try to ask for clarification as to what happened. When I asked him to please calm down, he did agree that he would 'take it down a notch' (acknowledging his aggressive tone) but then ramped up again when I asked if they would help us out considering it was my two boys who were being punished by this. Nope. He yelled some more at me about us cancelling and that he wasn't going to accept our business and then hung up the phone on me. At this point, I was shocked, to say the least, so I checked my email to see if they had sent me a cancellation notice the night before. Nothing. So here's the short story: Howling Dogs took $800 from my parents for a tour in the 2018 season (this was $250 MORE than we should have paid in the first place). Regardless of any miscommunication that may have occurred, at no point did they confirm the cancellation with the person who made the reservation (me). When we tried to work with Howling Dogs to remedy the situation, the level of customer service we received was something I would expect from a prison cafeteria. They won't give us our money back nor will they allow us to reschedule despite the fact that we were on our way to Canmore the morning of our booking. I know a lot of people have had great experiences with Howling Dogs (and we have too in the past), but I will warn you that if ANYTHING happens that affects your reservation, be prepared to not only NOT get a refund, but that you will be treated horribly in the process. read more

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Sue E.

7

13

0

6 years ago

This tour is the best we've experienced in Canmore-Banff area! They are organized, on schedule and fun! Best part is interacting with all the sled dogs! Guides are professional and informative and took great care of us! 100)% coming back for more! read more

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Elizabeth T.

1

16

19

8 years ago

We had an absolute blast. Our guide Will was so accommodating. Even the drive to the dogs was great. You can see the mountains without being scared of driving up there. The dogs were amazing. We got to spend some time with the dogs outside of the sledding. You really can see their personalities and how they love what they are doing. Would definitely recommend this to everyone of all ages and size. You won't regret it. We are thinking of doing it again. read more

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Connie G.

0

17

21

8 years ago

This was one AMAZING experience! From booking to hotel pick up to learning about the dogs to the riding itself! The ppl are all very friendly and helpful. I was able to hook up the dogs and drive them. You have a guide to every sled and get to know the dogs and love on them. They encouraged picture taking and being as involved as you want. If you simply want to ride and enjoy they are good with that too. Half way thru you stop for hot chocolate and cookies and again can love on the dogs take a stroll out to the lake or just talk w the guides. The dogs are well cared for and love to run. When you return you get to give the dogs a treat as well as their chicken broth. One very cool thing I learned is this co takes rescues and uses them. How great is that?! I will be booking the next trip we make this way and can't say enough good things about them! read more

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Sarah K.

1

35

0

9 years ago

Super fun and glad my husband and I booked it. Was a great activity for winter in Canmore and was fun to see all the dogs and our musher? Was excellent. read more

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More info about Howling Dog Tours

(403) 678-9588
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https://howlingdogtours.com

Hours

What time does Howling Dog Tours open?

Howling Dog Tours opens at 8:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Howling Dog Tours close?

Howling Dog Tours closes at 7:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Other Amenities

Does Howling Dog Tours have free WiFi?

No, Howling Dog Tours does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Howling Dog Tours has been in operation since 1995 and is family owned and operated. What makes us different? The sled dogs are a mix of Siberian, Alaskan and Seppala huskies, some of which are former race dogs. We have adopted 60% of the sled dogs into our kennel, which is certified by Mush With P.R.I.D.E. for promoting well-being and excellent care of sled dogs. Our tours are fully guided for the safety of the dogs as well as our guests. Each tour allows for participation at your own comfort level - help harness the dogs, help when the guide hooks them up to the team, take a turn driving the sled with the guide, and give the dogs biscuits and water at the end of the run! Or, just sit back and enjoy the ride! No physical requirements, the tours are suitable for anyone age 2 and up. The sleds configuration depends upon the number of adults (age 10 and up), youth (age 6-9), and children (age 2-5). There are no weight restrictions for groups of 2 and we do not add any strangers to your sled. Our central pick up location in Canmore offers free parking (vehicles must register upon arrival), and guests are transferred to the site in comfortable 15 passenger transit vans. Coming from a sled dog racing background, the owners look forward to passing on their passion for dogsledding to anyone wishing to embrace winter and enjoy a unique winter activity!

History

Established in 1995.

Coming from the sprint racing background of sled dog sports, the owners created Howling Dog Tours so that everyone could experience the thrill of a dog sled team in action.

Meet the Business Owner: Dana B.

Rich and Dana are the owners of this family business. With over 30 years of experience, Howling Dog Tours are happy to answer your questions & queries!

Review Highlights - Howling Dog Tours

“Halfway through the sledding there is a break point for cookies and hot chocolate.”

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4.7(15 reviews)

12.2 km

What can I say other than "WOW!"? Reflecting back on our experience with friends, we realized just…read morehow unique and incredible this adventure truly was. We enjoyed every single moment. Huge shout-out to Brent: thank you for treating us like adults who can make our own choices, without trying to instill fear or hesitation. In many tours, choices are often "suggested" based on perceived ability, but you allowed us to embrace each challenge as it came. The whole experience was educational, fun, and lighthearted--truly unforgettable. I can't recommend this experience enough. I discovered so much about my own limits, all thanks to the supportive, carefree atmosphere you created for our group. The knowledge you shared was invaluable, and your demeanor was perfect. I felt challenged in a way that pushed me to grow without ever feeling afraid. This speaks volumes about the quality of the tour and the guidance you provided. Thank you for an experience we'll never forget--one we'll be talking about for years to come!

It was my first time "caving", and what an experience! I must admit it was a bit more intense than…read moreexpected, and I am glad my husband didn't join me, he would not have enjoyed the pulling on ropes, rapelling or squeezing into tight spots (you can opt out though). We were lucky that our group was just four people; I can imagine it would not be as enjoyable in full season with multiple groups of eight (the maximum size) in the cave. I was surprised they run the tours year-round, as the hike to the cave must be a little challenging with snow and ice on the ground. Although they provide all the equipment: knee pads, crampons etc. And believe me, you will need all of it! My upper body was sore the following day; you certainly want to be in good shape to tackle this advendure! You also need your own car to drive first to the office, and then to the start of the hike. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, and I am glad I did this tour. An experience I won't forget!

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You'll use the kneepads, headlamp, and all the equipment provided!

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Canmore River Adventures

5.0(16 reviews)

14.8 km

Smooth, relaxing ride with beautiful views. As a bonus, we learned a lot about the area. Katelyn…read moredid a great job!

Dino and team ensure that everyone has a great time on the float down the Bow River. This was our…read moresecond time using this company and we brought along friends who had never floated or rafted before. They enjoyed it tremendously and we know our second trip won't be our last.

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The Proposal...

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Group Tours

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours

4.5(70 reviews)

14.8 km

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours exceeded my expectations and provided me with a bucket-list experience…read morethat will be a lasting memory. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Motorhead (retired sled dog). He was so friendly, sweet, and engaging. The shop space is open and offers a slue of gift shop items and rentable gear (snow boots and snow pants are a must!). Clean bathrooms are available because once you get to the top of the mountain, there are only porta-potties. I loved my dog team (Ghost, Poblano, Ivar, Mayday, Gomez, and Kannicky). They are definitely professionals and they commit to running. However, when we had some breaks, they were very sweet and enjoyed positive affirmation and pets. Driving the sled is more physically intense than I expected. You will need to do some running up the hill with the dogs. However, the thrill of the experience, wind in your hair, and breathtaking views is beyond words. In my experience, Snowy Owl treats their dogs well. I appreciate their use of colored collars to signal whether the dogs are shy or overly friendly. One of my tour guides for another excursion affirmed this sentiment as well and spoke of them in high regards. This is a must-do experience (expensive, but well worth it). Also, 2 printed photos available at the end for $50 canadian dollars. They will also transfer a digital file and I found this to be well worth it.

This was SO MUCH fun. Unbelievable scenery. The guides were totally fantastic. The dogs are super…read morecute and loveable.

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Us with our dog team at the halfway mark on the frozen lake

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Our bus.

Timberline Tours

4.5(21 reviews)

83.0 km

We had an awesome experience at timberline tours. Booked…read moreonline after checking out a few other stables in the area. Located right in Lake Louise. We did the 3 1/2 hour ride and it was a great experience. Trail took us up to the top of the little beehive with amazing views of the big beehive and Lake Louise. Also stop at the Tea house. Scenery was great and great ride. Our guide, Anna, was friendly and helpful and made us very comfortable on the trail. We had let them know it was our anniversary and it was just us three on our ride. Highly recommend as we had a great experience.

Such an amazing experience! Syd and the team showed such hospitality and professionalism on our two…read morehour horse tour. The horses were healthy and happy, the facility charming and location ideal. I love that it is a local family business. they were so sweet to take pictures of us and answer all our questions. Thank you Timberline :)

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Discover Banff Tours

3.9(63 reviews)

31.7 km

We had a terrible experience with Discover Banff Tours and would never book through them again…read more We booked a dog sledding excursion for 6 people, including our family and our friends visiting from San Diego. We paid nearly $1,400 in full for 2 sleds, submitted all required guest information right away (weights, ages, etc.), and even received an email confirming that everything had been received and that we were fully confirmed for Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Then on Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours before the excursion, they called asking for the same information all over again. We told them we had already submitted it and had the confirmation email to prove it. After putting us on hold, they came back and admitted there had been a miscommunication on their end and that the person who handled our booking failed to enter our information properly. Because of their mistake, our reservation was given away to someone else. So after taking our money, confirming our booking, and making us think everything was locked in, they left us with no dog sledding tour and no real solution on the only day that worked for our group. They did offer us Friday, but that did absolutely nothing for us because we leave Thursday and our friends fly home Wednesday. That is exactly why we booked this in advance the previous Friday. The kids were already excited for this experience, and we were left scrambling at the last minute trying to find another company because of their mistake. The only thing they could really offer was a refund or to push other excursions we had no interest in. That's not customer service -- that's damage control after they failed to do their job correctly. This was extremely unprofessional, careless, and a huge inconvenience during a family trip. Avoid the middleman and book directly with the actual dog sledding companies.

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Night tour

Columbia Icefield

4.2(63 reviews)

32.1 km

We booked a tour with Columbia Icefield Adventures online. The process was smooth…read more On the day of our tour, we drove from Banff up to the icefield area near Jasper. The drive was a trip highlight. We did many stops along the way to enjoy the mountain views. The tour was awesome. You get on a bus which takes you to the glacier mobile and up to the glacier you go. What a unique experience. Our driver was knowledgeable and answered many questions. After you return to the bus, you are taken to the skywalk which is a glass bottom walkway over a gorge. So cool. I had almost as much fun watching people who were nervous about stepping on the platform as I did looking into the gorge. Parking at the icefield was a nightmare. We ended up parking in the RV lot or we would have missed our timeslot. It was also unfortunate that the digital tickets did not have your timestamp on them as we held up the line looking for confirmation of our timeslot.

It's once in a life time experience to walk on the Gracier. It was amazing…read more This Gracier is located in Jasper which is about a couple of hours away from Banff. The reason that I can't quite give five stars because the Columbia icefield truck was hot on the inside. They can make it a little more comfortable in summer for customers. The parking, the transfer bus, washroom, cafeteria are all great. Staff are friendly and helpful. Recommended.

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A glacial portrait, Sep 2024.

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Columbia Icefield - Shoulder of Mt. Andromeda

Alpine Helicopters

4.1(13 reviews)

12.9 km

Super professional and amazing experience! The staff managed to fit me in even though I was solo…read moreand were very accommodating. Thank you ladies and gentleman! Great views, highly recommend, pilot was extremely knowledgeable. Flew on April 29th at 4pm!

This was a surprise for me so I had no idea this was happening until shortly before take off…read more The staff was great, informative and friendly. The pilot was knowledgeable and explained a lot to us. The views were spectacular leaving us with a memorable experience.

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Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour

5.0(12 reviews)

31.9 km

If you're looking to explore just about all of Banff's greatest sights in one day...then this is…read morethe PERFECT tour for you. Not to mention you get to do it all without having to worry about driving or parking! If you're not already sold, which you should be, then keep reading along for all the tour highlights. Our two tour guides were Dominique and James and our bus drivers were Bobbie and Jeff. All of them were absolutely delightful. Dominique and James were extremely knowledgeable about Banff, it's history, it's wildlife, and the surrounding areas. They kept the bus rides entertaining and lively. Jeff and Bobbie were great animal spotters and helped us to see a fox on the morning drive and two elk on our return trip. I also spotted a black bear on the morning drive. We opted to do the full day excursion, leaving on the first bus and returning on the last. This was perfect for us to get able to see everything we wanted to. Started the day at Johnston canyon where we hiked to the top of the falls. This was a quick turnaround time so not everyone was able to make it to the top, but still a beautiful spot even if you don't go all the way up. Once done here we continued on the Bow Valley Parkway and took a stop to take in the views of Castle Mountain...an absolutely majestic sight! Next we were onto the Lake Louise ski gondola, where we rode the gondola to the top and had lunch. There was probably enough time to hike, but not enough time to have a leisurely lunch and hike. We opted for the leisurely lunch as we didn't want to have any bear encounters. Here we did see a black bear as we rode the gondola back down. Next up was Moraine Lake, due to one of the buses getting stuck behind a train we stopped in Lake Louise to pick up some others that we're heading to Moraine Lake, but it was a quick trip. At Moraine Lake we had about an hour, enough time to walk up the rock pile, enjoy the view for some time, and walk the shoreline a little bit. Next stop was Lake Louise, we were here for just under an hour. We walked around the shoreline and enjoyed some time in the fairmont hotel. This route didn't give us enough time to hike here, but they did have another schedule you could follow if you wanted to spend more time doing the hikes here or possibly even canoe. After a stop back at the Lake Louise ski gondola to pick up the last of the group, we headed back to town. It was truly an amazing experience and I'm so happy we booked it. We visited Banff without a car and there's no way we would've been able to see some of these places had we not done this tour. So happy this exists and would definitely book it again if I ever visit Banff again.

We chose Hop On Banff for our day tour after researching other options, including the Parks Canada…read moreshuttles. They offered the best value and most flexibility in our schedule and gave us ample time at Johnston Canyon to reach the upper falls, at Lake Louise to make it to the Lake Agnes Tea House (a bit hectic but doable) and to marvel at Moraine Lake atop the Rockpile. There was an additional stop available to take the Lake Louise Gondola, but we opted for an earlier return in order to explore downtown Banff and get dinner. Free parking at the Banff train station was easy and convenient. Our drivers and guides were all first class and the retro feel of the school bus was fine (tip - avoid sitting over the rear wheels in back, as it gets quite bumpy).

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Transportation for the day

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Our ride!

Moraine Lake

4.8(103 reviews)

75.7 km

this is one of the most beautiful lakes that I have ever been to and it probably remain one of the…read moremost beautiful lakes that I have ever seen for a very long time.

After spending time at Lake Louise, our shuttle took us over to Moraine Lake. Seeing both of these…read morebeautiful lakes in person was awesome. Moraine Lake is only open during the summer season and requires a park shuttle to reach. It can get really crowed here. Moraine Lake is at an elevation of 6,181 ft and is situated in the Valley of Ten Peaks. There is an info sign in the front that shows you where the ten peaks are. Moraine Lake has a beautiful torquiest blue color to it. The color comes from the sunlight bouncing off the rock sediment in the lake and the surrounding glaciers. The water comes from the snow that melts in the glaciers. Moraine Lake has no dam and has not been altered by humans. The views of the lake are incredible. Because of the crowds, I hiked up to a higher point on top of a rock pile to get a better view. It was cloudy when I was here and it added to the beauty of the photos that I took. I really enjoyed my brief time at Moraine Lake and hope to come back and explore it a little more next time.

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