9 places to do sled dog in the Pyrenees

This winter, evade in the middle of the Pyrenees mountains. You will live a unique moment by practicing the sled dog.

Want an original activity under the snow? Have you ever thought of a sled dog ride?

There is not only in Lapland or Canada where you can drive an attelage! In France, where there are many snowy masses, it is also possible to practice this activity. We offer you to discover 9 magical places where to do sled dog in the Pyrenees whether you're a beginner or experienced.

As a couple, friends or family, go to the discovery of forests and large spaces with your linkage. A fun way to explore nature differently in contact with the animal!

Here is a list of some stations to practice this activity.

For the prices, you must have an average of 50€/adult for 20 minutes of walking for a christening of a sled dog. For the coupling line, plan an average of 100€/adult for 2 hours.

1. Nordic’Espace – Pyrenees-Atlantiques (64)

Two sites:

• La Pierre St-Martin (64570) : 2 km from the ski resort, in the middle of the forest.
• Gourette (64440 Eaux-Bonnes): on the plateau of Bezou, at 1600 meters above sea level on the resort of Gourette. Accessible by cable.

Reservations: by phone at 06.59.09.99.46 (For both).

• Sled dog baptism: for an adult and a child.
• Leading (only at La Pierre St-Martin): drive your own sled with a guide. One adult and one musher by sled.

Nordic’Espace offers a free service for under 1 year and a half-tariff for under 5 years.

2. Sherpa Base Nordique – Hautes-Pyrénées (65)

At 1450 meters above sea level. 10 minutes from Peyragudes Station, Grange Prairie de Balestas (65240 Loudervielle).

Reservations: by telephone on 05.62.39.33.08.

• Sled dog baptism: pulled by 10 to 12 Husky, led by a musher. Let yourself be carried by the guided driving and admire the landscape!
• A coupler conduct: after an explanation of 30 minutes, each person directs his or her attelage, tracted by 4 Husky. An hour walk in the snowy landscapes of the Pyrenees. Sensations and emotions guaranteed!

That is, activities start only in October.

3. Altitude reach – Hautes-Pyrénées (65)

Two sites:

• Payolle: direction Aspin’s pass.
• The Mongie: in the magnificent setting of the Tourmalet.

Reservations: by telephone at 06.80.16.02.92 or by email: [email protected]

• Baptism of sled dog: walk sitting in the sled, led by a musher. Maximum 2 adults and 2 children. Accessible to all.
• Leading: After an explanatory briefing, you will be able to drive a sleigh freely.

4. Mushing Pyrénées – Hautes-Pyrénées (65)

On the Linkz plateau, experience a unique experience at the heart of the snowy spaces of the famous Tourmalet Pic du midi . Visit the Grand Tourmalet ski area in Barèges (65120).

Reservations: by phone at 06.07.01.56.82 or by email: [email protected]

• Baptism of sled dog: walk sitting in the sled. 20 to 30 minutes.
• Leading: After an explanation of the sled dogs, you will prepare your own coupling before going on a walk. Possibility of half-day raids.

5. Alaskan Team – Pyrénées-Orientales (66)

Walking on a hilly path in the middle of the forest, 1965 meters above sea level on the northern site of the “Airelles” in Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via (66120). Sensations guaranteed!

Reservations: by telephone on 06.43.59.03.90.

• Sled dog baptism: a 4-kilometre sled ride. About 30 minutes.
• A coupler drive: after a technical training, you can drive your 3/4 dog sleigh over a distance of about 16 to 20 km. The walk takes place on a vast wooded plateau, at 2000 meters above sea level. As early as 12 years.

6. Amarok Sport Adventure – Ariège (09)

30 minutes from Foix, in the pass of Jouel, in an exceptional and peaceful setting. Visit the Gayet Hameau (09240 Cadarcet).

Reservations: by telephone on 06.80.10.25.91

• Sled dog baptism: a 30-minute walk in the heart of the snowy forest. Accessible to all.
• Attach drive: After an explanation of your guide, pilot your coupling yourself.

7. Angaka Nordic Village – Ariège (09)

Walking on the Plateau de Beille in Les Cabannes (09310), a jewel of the beautiful mountains of the Ariegean Pyrenees.

Reservations: by phone at 05.61.01.75.60 or by email: [email protected]

• Sled dog baptism: sitting ride. Accessible to all.
• Leading: Make your dream come true by becoming a great “treater of wood”. Initiation or improvement to the couple over half a day. As early as 12 years.

8. The Huskies Barn – Neussargues in Pinatelle

Discover the small paths of the Pinatelle forest thanks to the Huskies Barn, formerly Nordican Pyrenees.

Reservations: by telephone on 06.84.56.30.80.

• Baptism of sled dog: let yourself wear the time of a 20-minute walk, sitting comfortably in the sled. Accessible from 2 years.
• Leading: After a briefing, you will meet the dogs before leaving for a 1h30-minute walk where you will run your own sled.

9. The dog in Andorra

Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees chain, Andorra offers idyllic landscapes to make a sled dog. You're going to experience an exciting experience whether it's a couple or a family. The sled is directed by a professional musher, who knows the area as his pocket. The guides are very attentive and have an extraordinary passion for their profession.

Depending on the weather conditions, the sled is fired by 8 to 14 dogs, namely Alaskan huskies, or Siberian huskies. The meeting place is in Port d’Envalira.

The mushing or the conduct of the sled dog

The origins... This is a very ancient tradition when tribes of Siberia and North America began to use sled dogs to carry goods, to move on long distances or to hunt. Still used, today, by some northern populations, this practice has developed widely to make it a playful and sporty activity in snow-capped regions. The practice of the sled dog was nicknamed the mushing by Canadians and mushers , those who drive the sleds, are also called in French "runners of the woods".

His practice in France In France, it is possible to sled dog in the Pyrenees, for example, as well as in most mountainous regions where snow is important.

This practice is mainly done in winter during the opening period of the ski resorts, about 1500 meters above sea level.

To drive sled dog connections, you must be accompanied or trained by a musher (guide) graduated. It is above all a profession that combines passion for dogs and large snowy spaces. This activity is very engaging because the musher often has about forty dogs to feed, train and train daily!

The breeds of dogs used for this type of practice are usually Husky or Malamute. It takes about 4 to 12 dogs to pull a sled. They remind the wolf a lot because they live in the pack and they are always the dominant ones pulling the hitch.

What sled dog activity to choose? Do you want a simple walk or initiate yourself to the wheel drive? Depending on your age and your physical condition, you have the choice between two types of activities to do in a sled dog.

The first is a baptism in assisted conduct. You are, in general, sitting in the sled with a musher . No physical level is required because you simply allow yourself to wear the time of a walk in the middle of nature. This activity is also accessible with young children.

The second consists of the coupling pipe. A good sporting level is requested because, after training, you will be able to drive alone and standing your own sled. Generally, the age required to fly a sled is 12 years in most centres.

For all initiations, minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Know that in the summer, most structures offer other activities with sled dogs such as cano-rando (a hike with a coupled dog) or cani-trotinette or dog kart (sled but on wheels).

So, ready to become a musher from the Great North and go to the sled dog in the Pyrenees this winter?