Where can you go dog sledding in Quebec?
Introduced by the Aboriginal and Inuit peoples of northern Canada over 6,000 years ago as a means of getting around in their harsh environment, dog sledding is now one of the country's must-do winter sports. So it's easy to find out where you can go dog sledding in Quebec if you visit!
Called dog sledding in Quebec, dog sledding is a mushing sport, i.e. a sport practised in the company of a team of dogs pulling a vehicle such as a sled, go-kart, etc. It is a winter activity organised by a musher, a dog sledding enthusiast who forms a real family with his pack of dogs. It's a winter activity organised by a musher, a sled dog enthusiast who forms a real family with his or her pack of dogs. So if you choose to go dog-sledding in Quebec, you'll discover not only unique sliding sensations and breathtaking snow-covered landscapes, but also a discipline in which the relationship between human and animal is of the utmost importance!
Whether you're looking for an introduction to sled driving or simply want to be a passenger, this activity offers an unforgettable outdoor experience. But where can you go dog-sledding in Quebec? Find out below where you can experience this incredible winter adventure!
Near Quebec City
The capital of the province that shares its name, Quebec is a must-visit city. And if you have a means of transport, it's very easy to go dog-sledding near Quebec City, less than an hour's drive away!
Lake Saint-Joseph
Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier is home toAventure Inukshuk, an outdoor activity base located on the Duchesnay tourist resort, on the shores of Lake Saint-Joseph, offering dog-sled rides near Quebec City (about a 40-minute drive from Old Quebec). A total of 50 minutes of excursion awaits you, during which you can drive your own sled (for those aged 18 and over), or remain a passenger and admire the surrounding forest landscape as it unfolds before your eyes. It's a great way to discover sled dogs in Quebec, alongside enthusiasts who will be delighted to debrief the adventure with you over a hot chocolate!
In Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne, near Saint-Raymond
A little further west of Lake Saint-Joseph, about 1 hour's drive from Old Quebec, Au Chalet en Bois Rond offers not only accommodation in the heart of nature, but also a host of outdoor activities, including dog sledding in winter! You can discover the activity as a passenger on the sled or as a driver, for 45 minutes to 1 hour in the heart of the wide open spaces surrounding the site. And if there's a litter of puppies in the kennels, you'll have the pleasure of meeting them once your dog sledding excursion in Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne is over.
At Mont-Sainte-Anne
To the east of Quebec City, the Mont-Sainte-Anne ski resort is the playground of Les Secrets Nordiques sled dogs. A pack of around 65 Nordic dogs is waiting to take you on a 1-hour ride through snow-covered mountain landscapes, less than a 50-minute drive from Old Quebec. And if you don't fancy a sledging adventure, but would still like to meet the dogs, you can book a simple visit to the kennels, where you'll get to spend around thirty minutes with them!
Saint-Just-de-Bretenières, on the border with the United States
In the Chaudière-Appalaches region, less than 2 hours' drive from Quebec City, Daaquam Outfitters invites you on a dog-sledding adventure on the border between Canada and the United States. Various excursions are offered in the Appalachian Park in the company of Siberian Huskies, for half a day, a day or more, as you wish, as a passenger and/or driver. You'll experience a superb adventure like a musher in the magnificent setting of the region, with the possibility of organising other winter excursions alongside the team (ice fishing, snowmobiling, etc.)!
Near Montréal
After Quebec City, Montreal is undoubtedly the second best-known and most visited city in the region. And here again, it's entirely possible to get to nearby dog-sledding bases, either on your own, or with the Bonjour Nature team, which offers dog-sledding trips departing from Montreal itself!
In Lanoraie, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River
Travelling up the St. Lawrence River towards Trois-Rivières, it will take you just 50 minutes from the centre of Montreal to come across Laforce Expédition. This family sled dog base in Quebec is located in Lanoraie, in a magnificent forest setting between the St. Lawrence River and the Lanoraie Peatlands Ecological Reserve, perfect for embarking on a 50-90 minute dog sledding adventure, as a passenger or driver as you wish!
At Saint-Liguori
In the heart of the Lanaudière region, about an hour and 15 minutes drive from the centre of Montreal, Les Aventures Liguoriennes offers dog sledding excursions in Saint-Liguori ranging from 1 hour to 1h30-2h. A team of 5 or 6 Alaskan Huskies will pull your sled in which you will be driver, passenger, or both at the same time if you wish to alternate with your partner, the ideal way to fully discover mushing through snow-covered plains and forests! What's more, thanks to Bonjour Nature, you can take part in this sled dog activity from Montreal, including return transport.
In Rawdon
Just a few minutes from Les Aventures Liguoriennes, Kinadapt is an outdoor centre that also offers dog-sledding trips in Quebec. There are a number of different options for getting to grips with the activity, depending on what you want to do, either as a passenger for 30 minutes, or as a driver and/or passenger for an 8-10 km ride, etc. Once again, thanks to Bonjour Nature, you can take part in these dog-sledding outings departing from Montreal!
In Saint-Hippolyte
On the shores of Lac Morency in the Laurentians, the Aventures Plein Air base and its 120-plus Siberian Huskies are waiting to take you on sled dog excursions in Saint-Hippolyte, as a passenger or driver as you wish. You can even add a Québécois meal in a refuge to the experience, a great way to end the outing while debriefing with the guide! The Laurentians are renowned for their breathtaking scenery, so you won't be disappointed to have joined the team after a drive of around 1 hour 20 minutes from the centre of Montreal.
Near Ottawa-Gatineau, in the Outaouais region
Even though Ottawa is in Ontario, it's highly likely that you'll decide to take a trip there: after all, it's Canada's capital! What's more, it straddles the border between Ontario and Quebec, with Gatineau, the largest city in the Outaouais, a magnificent region where, of course, you can go dog-sledding.
In Saint-Sixte, Petite-Nation
An impressive icy immensity awaits you in the Saint-Sixte river valley, where the Chiens de traîneau Gatineau team can't wait to take you for a ride in a large sled called a "toboggan" for 1 hour, as a passenger or, on request, as the musher's co-pilot. You'll have the pleasure of admiring marvellous landscapes between the White Mountains and the Black Mountains of the Petite-Nation, alongside Alaskan Huskies who are only waiting for your caresses to reward them at the end of the escapade. And all this just a 40-minute drive from Gatineau!
In Montpellier, near Lac Simon in Petite-Nation
For adventurers looking to take control of their own sled, without passengers, just 1 hour from Gatineau: Meute Tanwen is the sled dog team for you in Quebec! A passionate musher offers excursions where you will be at the helm of a team of 4 Siberian Huskies, allowing you to discover the full potential of these energetic dogs who are just waiting to run through the snow. The only prerequisites for taking part are that you are at least 12 years old (the youngest dogs will be in the guide's sled) and that you are in good physical condition - because, unsurprisingly, these outings are sporting!
At Otter Lake, in the Pontiac
Further north of Ottawa-Gatineau (1h10 drive),Escapade Huskimo invites you to go dog sledding at Otter Lake, where numerous lakes in the heart of the forest provide an exceptional setting for your excursion. This will be a highly immersive experience, with the guides inviting you to help them prepare the dogs for the sled team, but also allowing children aged 13 and over to take part in driving the sled! Younger children (aged 5 and over) will be able to sit comfortably as passengers and enjoy the 1h15 ride, making this sled dog experience in Quebec a real family outing.
Near Sherbrooke, in the Eastern Townships
With its architectural style reminiscent of the New England era, Sherbrooke is a beautiful city with a perfect balance between urbanism and nature. It is one of the most important towns in the Estrie region, a hilly area of southern Quebec on the border with the United States where dog-sledding adventures are possible!
In Bedford
An hour and 20 minutes' drive from Sherbrooke, and just 55 minutes from Montreal, Aukaneck Aventure and its pack of Nordic dogs are waiting to introduce you to dog sledding on the surrounding forest trails. For 45 minutes to 1 hour, you'll drive your own sled (aged 13 and over), or enjoy the activity as a passenger, as you wish. You'll also have the chance to help harness and unharness the dogs if you wish, and see just how much these canine athletes are cherished by their owners!
In Val-Racine
At the foot of Mont Mégantic, Mohigan Aventures is a family adventure offering dog sledding just 1 hour's drive from Sherbrooke. Passionate about mushing, the team offers 2-hour outings during which you can drive the sled and/or be a passenger on board. Surrounded by forests and mountains, your experience will be unforgettable in this 100% natural corner of the Eastern Townships, accessible in around 2? hours' drive from Quebec and Montreal!
In the Laurentians
North of Montreal, the Laurentians is a very popular region for holidays and outdoor activities in Quebec, thanks in particular to its mountains and ski resorts. So if you get the chance to visit, be sure to book a dog-sledding excursion too!
In Mont-Tremblant
Very popular for its year-round ski resort, Mont-Tremblant offers a wide range of activities to do in all seasons, including of course sled dogs in winter thanks to The Mont-Tremblant Activity Centre. Less than a 2-hour drive from Montreal and Ottawa, this sled dog excursion at the foot of Mont Tremblant offers a magical 1-hour snowy getaway, surrounded by a panorama of forests and mountains. You can take part as either a driver (aged 16 or over) or a passenger, with the option of switching halfway through the trip for a complete introduction to the activity!
In Val-des-Lacs
The Kanatha-Aki nature centre, 30 minutes from Mont-Tremblant, is keen to share its love of the great outdoors with you through a variety of activities, in summer and winter alike. Dog sledding is one of the most popular, with plenty of options to suit everyone: from a 1-hour introduction to the sport to a 2-day expedition, or a romantic outing complete with an overnight stay in a refuge, you're sure to find something to suit you! The centre has even created Quebec's very first and only "Athabascae" wood bison reserve, an endangered species that you can meet if you feel like it.
In Red River
These very quiet mountain trails are the territory of theExpedition Wolf pack, a 25-minute drive from Mont-Tremblant. For around 10 km, you'll be at the controls of your own sled, or as a passenger in the guide's sled for children aged 4 to 15. The team will let you take part in harnessing and unhitching the dogs, then offer you a short tour of their kennels where their retired dogs rest and the puppies grow up if there are litters!
In Wentworth North
South of Mont-Tremblant (45 minutes' drive), set off on a dog-sledding adventure with Laurel Aventure Nature, which invites you to drive your own team of 3 or 4 Nordic dogs, from the age of 10 if you are physically fit! This experience is a real immersion in mushing, with full training before setting off for a 1? hour ride at the controls of your sled. You'll enjoy breathtaking scenery in a wild forest, between Wentworth-Nord's many lakes (Grand Lac Noir, Lac des Seize Îles, etc.), while soaking up unforgettable sensations in the company of your four-legged athletes.
At Kiamika, in the Upper Laurentians
Just north of Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle, 30 minutes from Mont-Laurier, the capital of the Upper Laurentians, lie over 200 km of snow-covered trails between forests and lakes, the playground ofExpédition Rêve Blanc's sled dogs. Far from civilisation, in the heart of the reserve and on the border with the Far North, the team offers you one of the wildest sled dog excursions in Quebec! You'll take advantage of the trails exclusive to Expédition Rêve Blanc during an outing of 2 hours or more, depending on your choice, during which you'll take the time to get to know your team and the world of mushing.
Around the Saguenay fjord
To the east of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, the Saguenay Fjord is a must-see natural site for all outdoor enthusiasts in Quebec. And for a spectacular view of the winter landscape, there's nothing like a dog-sledding excursion!
At Sacré-Coeur, near Tadoussac
On the north shore of the Saguenay Fjord, the Centre de vacances Ferme 5 Étoiles offers not only accommodation, but also outdoor activities not to be missed, such as dog sledding on the Saguenay Fjord. Just a 20-minute drive from Tadoussac, and 1h15 from Saguenay, the centre has a number of trails through the forest and along the fjord, which you can explore for 1 or 2 hours at the controls of your own sled (minimum age 12) or as a passenger (from age 3). Enjoy the most beautiful panoramic views of the Saguenay Fjord and the joys of dog sledding in Quebec!
In L'Anse-Saint-Jean
On the other side, south of the Saguenay Fjord, Entre Chien et Loup is a small family-run business run by true sled dog lovers, 1h15 from Saguenay. Their pack of around forty dogs is made up of Alaskan Malamutes, hardy dogs with the lightness and stamina of wolves, ideal for superb rides in the heart of Canada's boreal forest. As a passenger or driver of your sled, you'll set off on a 1? to 2-hour excursion along the Saint-Jean River, or up to 4 hours for a day in the great outdoors, particularly around Lake Emmuraillé!
Around Lac Saint-Jean
The source of the Saguenay River, Lac Saint-Jean is an incredible place to get away from it all in Quebec. So it's only natural that you'll find a number of dog-sledding bases nearby!
At Sainte-Monique
Just a stone's throw from Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon on the shores of Lac Saint-Jean, La Ferme à Minuit is the perfect place to discover dog sledding near Saguenay (1 hour's drive). You'll be plunged into the world of mushing and realise just how important the relationship between dogs and humans is in this winter sport! The team of enthusiasts offers a 4.5 km family outing suitable for all, as well as a slightly more sporting 8 km outing accessible from the age of 6 as a passenger, and 10 as a driver.
In Saint-Ludger-de-Milot
If you're looking for an epic dog-sledding experience in Quebec, look no further: Mario Dubois from L'appel de la forêt is the musher you need to meet! This lover of nature and the great outdoors will take you on an unforgettable journey of several days into the heart of Canada's boreal forest, each with his own team for a 100% wilderness adventure. You'll learn everything a musher needs to know, as well as many other things that will allow you to completely disconnect from everyday life, surrounded only by snow, trees, lakes and Nordic dogs.
In Saint-Edmond-les-Plaines
Just north of Lac Saint-Jean, a 2-hour 15-minute drive from Saguenay, you'll find a pack of Alaskan Malamutes and Canadian Eskimos (Qimmiq in Inuit), sled dogs eager to take you on an excursion with Attractions Boréales! Depending on how adventurous you'd like to be, the team offers a range of outings: half-day trips suitable for everyone, as driver or passenger on the sled, as well as medium-length trips lasting a few days, and even longer expeditions for the most intrepid.
In Girardville
A little further north in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, Aventuraid is not only known for housing wolves in its park, Parc Mahikan, but also for organising day-long sled dog outings in the boreal forest, between lakes and frozen rivers. Towed by a team of 4 or 6 dogs, alone or in pairs as driver, passenger, or both alternating with your partner, you'll enjoy an authentic dog-sledding experience in Quebec, alongside a musher delighted to show you his world.
In Charlevoix
Situated between the Mauricie and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean regions, the Charlevoix region boasts a rich natural and cultural heritage that's a must-visit near Quebec City, just 1 hour away by car. And it goes without saying that its wide-open spaces are perfect for dog-sledding excursions in winter!
In Baie-Saint-Paul
Baie-Saint-Paul, the capital of Charlevoix, is a small town with a sled dog base just 10 minutes from the city centre: La Reine et le Millionnaire. But only those who can and wish to drive a sled will be able to take part in the excursions. The team offers introductory lessons in driving a sled for 1 or 2 hours, in small groups of no more than 4 sleds behind the guide. The minimum age is 14, and you need to be in good physical condition to be able to steer the Alaskan Huskies without any worries as they take you on a superb ride through the forest!
At Les Eboulements
Almost as close as downtown Baie-Saint-Paul (15 minutes' drive), Le Chenil du Sportif offers a variety of dog-sledding excursion packages in Les Eboulements: half-day, full-day or even 2-day. As a passenger or driver of the sled, you'll set off along the snow-covered trails around the kennel, heading for breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and the Laurentian mountains!
In Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs
North of La Malbaie (about 20 minutes' drive), the Descente Malbaie team invites you to discover the Charlevoix region by dog sled. At the foot of the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park, a pack of around forty Nordic dogs invites adventurers aged 12 and over to discover the world of mushing and driving a sled on their own, or in pairs to take advantage of the 2 seats on board. It's up to you whether you prefer to join the experience for half a day or a full day, or spend a few days for a real immersion in the world of dog sledding in Quebec!
At Saint-Siméon
As you travel up the St. Lawrence River towards the Saguenay Fjord, you'll come across the Bosco Charlevoix base, a 30-minute drive from La Malbaie. Built from the ground up by its owners, the base is home to around thirty energetic Nordic dogs who are only too eager to help you discover the superb landscapes of the Charlevoix meander, forest and tundra by dog sled! The team offers 2 options, including a 1-hour ride as a passenger in the sled driven by the guide, or as a driver with the option of changing places with your partner. And to round off the activity in style, you'll also have the pleasure of visiting the base's dog park!
In Lanaudière
Easily accessible between Montreal and Quebec City, the Lanaudière region offers a wealth of wide-open spaces for outdoor activities, including dog-sledding in winter.
In Saint-Michel-des-Saints
In the north of the Lanaudière region, Evasion Nature takes advantage of numerous wilderness trails to take its sled dogs out for at least a 2-hour ride, as a passenger and/or driver. The team only takes one dogsled outing a day, with teams of 10 Nordic dogs, for an unforgettable trip that will let you cover more kilometres! And for those with a thirst for adventure, it's even possible to go on an expedition for 2 or 4 days, for an experience as close to nature as possible.
At Lac Taureau
A little further north, around 25 minutes' drive from Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Camp Taureau offers accommodation and activities right in the heart of the Parc régional du lac Taureau, a superb site for dog sledding in Quebec. And in winter, dog sledding at Lac Taureau is a must in the Lanaudière region! For half a day, a full day or 2 days, Camp Taureau offers you the chance to admire the frozen shores of Lac Taureau, a spectacular setting in which to enjoy the outing as a passenger and/or driver of the sled.
In the Mauricie region
Like Lanaudière, Mauricie is easily accessible from Montreal and Quebec City, with its capital Trois-Rivières located halfway between the 2 cities. Once again, wide-open spaces await you as you discover dog sledding in Quebec!
In Saint-Paulin
Just a 45-minute drive from Trois-Rivières, Le Baluchon Éco-Villégiature is a vast estate in Saint-Paulin where dog sledding is offered in winter. Aboard the sled that you and/or your partner will drive, you will follow a guide along 8 km of snow-covered trails. Of course, the musher will be delighted to tell you all about his job, as well as about life with the pack, who look forward to helping you discover this exceptional activity!
In Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, at Lac Blanc
On the shores of Lac Blanc in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc, 1 hour from Trois-Rivières and 2 hours from Montreal, offers accommodation and outdoor activities between lakes and forests. In winter, this includes dog sledding, with rides lasting from 30 minutes to 1 hour, as a passenger or driver on your own sled.
In Trois-Rives
Heading up towards the Haute-Mauricie and La Tuque, it's just an hour's drive from Trois-Rivières to Club Hosanna outfitters in Trois-Rives. In the heart of Canada's boreal forest and surrounded by lakes, this site offers half-day or full-day sled dog outings, as a passenger or driver.
Finally, still in Trois-Rives, Club Hosanna Outfitters is a twenty-minute drive from Galeox Univers, another site offering accommodation and adventure in the region's boreal forest. Here you'll find a small family kennel offering dog-sledding excursions lasting from 30 minutes to 2 hours, so you can enjoy the activity at the controls of your own team or from the comfort of your own sled.
In Gaspésie
A wide peninsula facing the Gulf of St Lawrence, Gaspésie offers splendid scenery in every season. It's very popular with lovers of outdoor adventure, between land and sea, and can also be explored by dog sled in winter, thanks to a number of local bases!
At Saint-Ulric
Get ready for beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River on a dogsled excursion with Aventure Pattes Blanches! Just 40 minutes from Mont-Joli, you'll set off for a ride as passengers aboard the sled, for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the company of the musher leading the team. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, while discovering the incredible sensations of gliding along the snow-covered trails of Saint-Ulric.
In Saint-Vianney, near Lake Matapédia
In the Matapédia Valley, about 1 hour from Mont-Joli, Pourvoirie Fournier Plein Air offers a dog-sledding getaway in Gaspésie, on the edge of the Parc régional de la Seigneurie du Lac Matapédia. For 1 or 2 hours, you'll climb aboard the sled as a passenger or driver, heading off along quiet trails for an unforgettable snowy escapade.
In Maria, facing Baie des Chaleurs
Opposite the Baie des Chaleurs, the southern Gaspé Peninsula is also perfect for a dog-sledding outing in Quebec, in the great outdoors with the team from Kiyak Aventures. Around 2h40 from Mont-Joli, this small family-run business based in Maria offers introductory mushing excursions, either as a passenger or a driver, as you wish. You'll also have the pleasure of visiting the kennels to meet the family's incredible canine athletes!
In Abitibi-Témiscamingue
On the border with Ontario, Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a vast region of Quebec teeming with forests and lakes (22,000 of them), a veritable paradise for nature lovers! It goes without saying that dog sledding is particularly popular here in winter, when the vast expanses of land invite you to get away from it all.
In Val-d'Or
Husky Aventure Harricana offers dog sledding outings, ranging from 15-minute introductory sessions to full-day outings, in an area surrounded by lakes north of Val-d'Or (about a 20-minute drive). It's a small, family-run sled dog company in Quebec, so you can be sure of a warm, small-group experience for unforgettable memories!
In Berry
In the north of the region, just 20 minutes from the town of Amos, Chenil du Chien-Loup is a specialist in horse-drawn sleigh adventures, and also in Nordic dog sledding in winter. The team offers 1h30, 2h or 3h packages for discovering dog sledding, in the heart of pristine, snow-covered landscapes that will give you a total break!
Quebec is a huge territory covering almost 1.7 million km², so this list of places to go dog sledding is certainly not exhaustive, and there are other local bases not mentioned in this article that offer the activity. But you should know that dog sledding remains one of the most popular experiences in Quebec, so if you're planning to discover it, book your next Quebec sled dog adventure online as soon as possible to guarantee yourself a place!
And if you're lucky enough to be able to continue your trip to Quebec by discovering another province of the country, check out our top 10 best places to go dog sledding in Canada!