#25 Go Dogsledding

A Winter Dream Come True

Going dogsledding has been on my list for as long as I can remember. It’s one of those classic Canadian winter experiences that always felt a little magical, and I loved adding it to my 40 Under 40 list as a way to give myself another reason to embrace winter, get outside, and try something completely new.

And honestly, we couldn’t have gotten luckier with the day.

After what felt like weeks of relentless cold, grey skies, and no sunshine, we arrived to the most gorgeous weather, bright sun, milder temperatures, and the kind of crisp winter air that makes everything feel fresh and exciting.

Choosing the Right Experience

I booked our adventure with Escapade Huskimo, mainly because it was the only dogsledding experience I could find in the region that actually allowed you to steer your own sled.

Most tours have you sit back and enjoy the ride, but I really wanted the full experience: learning the commands, understanding how it works, and having the chance to drive the sled myself.

First Impressions (and 100 Huskies!)

When we arrived, we were genuinely surprised by how beautiful the facility was. They’ve built something really special there: a stunning wooden cabin with soaring ceilings, grand light fixtures, and such a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Everything was incredibly organized, which I loved. They were right on schedule, greeted us by name, and made us feel taken care of right away.

I also learned they have over 100 huskies on site… and our sled team would have seven.

We helped harness each dog onto the line, learning their names and little personalities as we went. Our favourite was Tornado — the handlers told us he was lucky he was cute because he’s apparently a bit of a troublemaker.

The Chaos Before the Calm

Before we left, I’m not going to lie… we were nervous.

The dogs were so excited: barking, pulling, jumping, completely ready to sprint into the forest. We honestly wondered how on earth we were going to control them.

But after a training session and learning the basic commands, it became clear that these dogs are incredibly well-trained. They run these trails twice a day, and once they’re moving, they’re focused and completely in their element.

Learning to Steer

I had my husband take the first turn driving, and I’m so glad we did. Steering downhill and taking corners requires just the right amount of braking, and we quickly learned how much teamwork goes into it.

The trail itself was absolutely stunning: winding through the forest with a perfect mix of straightaways, uphill climbs, and thrilling downhill stretches.

At the halfway point, we switched, and by then I felt confident enough to steer on my own.

The 13 km ride flew by because I was having so much fun. Looking back at the photos afterward, I’m smiling ear to ear in every single one. I kept repeating:

“This is so cool.”“This is so beautiful.”

It was such a unique experience, and honestly the perfect little winter date day.

The Sweetest Ending

After the ride, we helped remove the dogs’ harnesses and said a sad goodbye as they all immediately curled up, completely exhausted, like they could fall asleep in seconds.

We headed back inside for a hot coffee and snack while they showed us the photos and gave us a list of all the dogs who pulled our sled.

Final Thoughts

I would rate this experience a 10/10 and recommend it to absolutely anyone who has ever been curious about dogsledding.

It was unforgettable, joyful, and one of those experiences that reminds you how special winter can be.

📍 Escapade Huskimo, located in Kazabazua, about 75 minutes from Ottawa