Just like people, different dogs request to be retired at different ages. Some like to work well into their golden years, and on occasion, some want to retire in middle age. As long as they are still barking to go, and are not too stiff, we like to include them. As elders, they may only go out in harness once a week, but it fosters that pride that is so important to a working dog. When they let us know that they are not interested in jumping into their harness anymore, they are retired. These dogs are sometimes placed in adoption homes or remain with us to grace the couches or snooze under a shady tree. Enki, at 14, is our kennel patriarch, and he just outran Megan on 5 km trot.
FAQs
What is your cancellation policy?
1-2 sleds:
72 Hour cancellation policy. Tours cancelled a minimum of 72 hours prior to the scheduled trip departure time will receive a full refund. Tours cancelled within the 72 hour period before the scheduled trip departure will result in a 100% loss of funds.
3 sleds to 5 sleds:
7 Day cancellation policy. Tours cancelled a minimum of 7 days prior to the scheduled trip departure will receive a full refund. Tours cancelled within the 7 day period prior to the scheduled trip departure will result in a 100% loss of funds.
5 sleds or more:
14 Day cancellation policy. Tours cancelled a minimum of 14 days prior to the scheduled trip departure will receive a full refund. Tours cancelled within the 14 day period prior to the scheduled trip departure will result in a 100% loss of funds.
Any tours cancelled outside of 72 hours/7days/14 days will receive a full refund. If you cancel your tour within 72 hours/7 days/14 days, it is a 100% loss (full amount of your reservation). WE DO NOT MAKE ANY EXCEPTIONS for short notice cancellations FOR ANY REASON ie. doctors note, adverse driving conditions, illness, cancelled flight, road closures etc. When booking a tour with us, you agree to these terms.
Reservation changes (switching dates, cancelling part of your group, moving to another tour departure time etc) must be made 72 hours prior to your scheduled tour departure. We do not accept any changes inside the 72 hours.
Kingmik strongly advises TRIP INSURANCE. Trip insurance can cover your loss for non-refundable preplanned activities in the event you miss your tour for reasons beyond your control. Check with your local insurance provider to see what they offer.
Kingmik may cancel your trip due to inclement weather, unsafe trail conditions, road hazards, wildlife dangers etc at our discretion. You will receive a 100% refund, or may rebook should there be availability.
What should I wear?
Please dress warmly! While the sleds are lined with a thick sled bag and warm sleeping bag, you must still layer up! A warm wool underwear base layer with a parka or fleece and insulated windproof outer is suitable. A warm windproof hat, and a neck tube or scarf will help you to retain heat in key areas that must be protected from the cold. Layer up on the bottom half too. You must have warm mitts and warm boots. If your boots fit too tightly they will restrict the circulation in your toes which leads to cold tootsies. Big feet are in so leave some room in the end of your boots for your toes to wiggle about! Investing in the chemical hand and toe warmer packets will help greatly with cold extremities.
What not to wear!: Blue jeans, t-shirts and running shoes.
Is there transportation to your staging area?
There are a couple different options to get to Lake Louise from Canmore and Banff.
- One is the Roam Bus, which is the valley’s public transit system https://roamtransit.com/schedules-routes/summer-banff-lklouise-regional-route-eight-8x-express/. This option will drop you at the Lake Louise Lakeshore. From there you can walk down along the road to our staging area, about 1km. When booking your reservation, plan on an hour to an hour and a half travel time to Lake Louise.
- Second option is private transportation with Fairview Limousine and Car Service.
Contact info@fairviewlimo.ca with additional questions.
Are there age restrictions?
No. We’ve taken 6-month-old babies on a tour, as well as an 87-year-old elder. The only consideration when taking out the very young and the elderly is the temperature. If it’s very cold, their participation must be considered carefully.
Can parents send their kids out alone?
Certainly on the Narnia Tour. On the Great Divide Tour, we need to discuss this with parents.
Can we bring treats for the dogs?
Absolutely! The guides like treats too!
How do we sit in the sled?
Similar to a bobsled. The person in the back snugs right up to the back of the sled, and the person in the front snugs right up to the person in the back. Intimate seating! That’s why we don’t put strangers together.
Can I drive the sled myself for the tour?
All sleds are guided, but on the Great Divide Tour, there is an opportunity to drive WITH the guide for a portion of the trip home. Narnia tours are fully guided with no opportunity to drive the sled.
For guests wanting to drive the entire trip, try out our new tour Mushing 101, where you and your partner can take turns driving most of the entire trip with on the fly instructions from your guide
Will I see wildlife?
The wildlife lays quite low in the wintertime, and in a high snowpack area such as Lake Louise, we tend to have only those animals that are adapted to travel in deep snow in residence. These include lynx, wolverine, snowshoe hare, and pine martin In the past, we have seen elk, moose, and even a grizzly on the trail, but these are rare sightings. We do however, see many tracks and these are always lots of fun to interpret. Both who dun’ it and what were they doing!?
Is there avalanche terrain?
None whatsoever.
Is it safe?
Yes it is safe. We have never had an incident on the trail. Our guides have been vetted carefully and put through extensive training to ensure that your experience is flawless.
Are hot chocolate and cookies served?
Yes! After you snack your dog team with chicken popsicles, we will snack you with some lovely rich steamy hot chocolate and yummy people snacks.
Is the trail rough? I have a back problem.
The trail is groomed regularly, and the main trail is perfect. The Narnia trail which travels through a woodland trail, has more swoops and dips to it. If we have been blessed with new snow, the trail will be soft. If not the trail will be less soft and you may experience some small bumps. In general, the tour is like a magic carpet ride.
Can pregnant woman participate?
We have taken many pregnant women on tours, but we do advise that you talk to your physician first. (See above about trail). You can always call us to check on trail conditions. Please let us know up on arrival that you are pregnant.
Can I bring some champagne or fireball?
Do not understand this question. Did I hear it?
Can we cancel if the weather is ugly?
The only weather we call ugly is 30 below or colder… And in that case, we cancel, so you don’t have to.
Where can I stay in Lake Louise?
- The Deer Lodge is the oldest building left in the area. The essence of the early and exciting boom times permeates the air within the Deer. Excellent dining and historical experience.
- The Post is a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateau hotel association, which is recognized by cultured travelers as a guarantee of quality. Located in the village.
- The Mountaineer Lodge is located in the central village. It provides wonderfully comfortable and affordable fine lodging.
- The Hi Alpine Lodge is the alpine hostel. Offers private and shared quarters.
- Lake Louise Inn is considered the favorite of families. It sports an indoor pool and several restaurants. Located in the central village.
- Baker Creek Chalets, located about 20 minutes from the village on the Bow Valley Parkway, is a favorite with locals for the quiet location and exceptional dining experience.
Our Dogs
What do the dogs eat?
Lots! A hardworking tour dog can consume up to 12,000 calories a day. These calories are contained in a high powered kibble designed specifically for working sled dogs. It contains up to 32% protein and 32% fat. In addition, the dogs receive about 2 pounds of raw meat a day… chicken, beef, salmon, pork, and lamb. At the end of your tour, you will have the opportunity to “feed the crocodiles” by tossing chunks of raw meat to the dogs, which they will snap out of the air with an accuracy that would put Chad Johnson to shame! We also add joint mobility and gut health formulas to their meals.
Just like people, dog’s metabolisms vary. Silver and Iskra gain weight by just looking at food. Conversely, Lorax and Raptor eat like teenage boys and are still skinny. We tailor each dog’s caloric intake to meet their individual needs. In general, the dogs, like marathon runners, must maintain a sleek, lean physique. And the guides are all working on being as sleek and lean as the dogs. If we suddenly go silent on the Divide Hill, it is because we are running behind the sled and slipping into a state of hypoxia.
What do the dogs do in the summertime?
Lead dogs are born, not made. A lead dog could be compared to a CEO of a company. They love their job, take it very seriously, and can handle a great deal of responsibility. A lead dog must be particularly tuned into the musher in order to work together and take directional commands. It can be a somewhat stressful situation having eight or 12 screaming athletes at your heels, and so the lead dog must be confident in his or her abilities up there. We see lead dog potential in pups at a very young age. At the same time, we never discount the “sleeper” dog, who may be a late bloomer and decides, at a later stage in life, that he or she wants to take the helm. Contrary to popular belief, the lead dog is not always the alpha dog in the kennel. You know that socially awkward CEO? Silver would be a great example of this. She defers to everyone but is a dynamo in lead. Growler, on the other hand, has always been a quietly confident guy, who the other dogs never think to challenge on any level. He’s calm, confident, gentle, but dominant.
What are the little dog booties for?
We put booties on the dogs for a variety of reasons, but down south here, rarely for the cold. The main reason we boot is for web cracks. Because a dog’s feet are one of the main conduits to shed excess heat, the interface between their feet and the snow is a warm, damp environment that tends to create splits in their webs. We also boot for abrasive conditions and snowballing. We do this preventatively. In conjunction with the boots, we use our own special foot cream formula with tea tree oil, lanolin, almond oil, beeswax, and some other secret ingredients.
More rarely, in these southern climes, do we have to boot for the cold. Dogs have unique foot physiology, with venules and arterioles spaced closely together for heat exchange, plus a large percentage of fatty tissue in their paws enables their feet to remain warm when ours would freeze. In addition, dogs only shed excess body heat through their mouths and their paws, and thus when they are working, their paws become little hot pads. They cannot shed heat by sweating, such as a horse does. Every dog is different and we recognize this. Some of our crew, both human and dog, get cold feet more easily. They get extra protection to keep them comfy.
Why are these dogs so skinny?
Sled dogs are the decathletes of the canine world. Any superstar athlete cannot carry any excess body fat as it can be injurious to their joints, and it also greatly impedes performance. For those of you who do run, you know when you are packing even an extra pound or two. In the end, we like to see a lean and athletic condition in all of our poochies, well-muscled with a few ribs showing, and a glossy coat.
Where do the dogs live?
The dogs go home each night to their kennel, which is a 45-minute drive from Lake Louise. At the kennel, they all have their own house, which is a cozy den packed with straw. For the most part, we tether them individually for this enables us to monitor their individual health — eating, pooping, drinking. The dogs are close enough to play with each other and interact, but after a long day of work, they usually eat their dinner and go to bed after a rousing group howl. While we do not offer kennel tours specifically due to the long drive from Lake Louise, we welcome anyone who would like to visit the dogs at their home.
