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Dogsledding adventures from a luxury lodge in BC
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Experience the fun and excitement of driving your own dog team from this luxury winter adventure lodge in British Columbia. This lodge offers freedom, adventure, and the finest of comforts in an intimate, pristine wilderness setting. Sensational sledding territory is provided by a varied, open forest of Aspen poplar, Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine, with numerous secluded lakes and natural meadows scattered in between. This is the best course in the Cariboo, offering just the right amount of skill testing challenge for the driver, lots of stunning scenery, and a great endurance workout for the dogs. You call encouragement to the team as they pull through a meadow, up a small rise, and then “Gee Mystique!” as you swing right for a gentle runs through the woods. It's 20 below Celsius, but you're kept warm by exertion and bright rays of sunshine that filter through the silent pines. The dogs trot eagerly onward, pulling the sled in working mode, setting a perfect pace for distance and endurance. Like the dogs, you are wearing a perma-grin, broad smile frozen in place.
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"HIKE!" means go! And you're off... The dogs are totally pumped, pulling hard, and the sled speeds down the track to the west gate. "Whoa, easy, watch out for the corner guys..." and then you're onto the old hay wagon trail and the dogs are settling in to a fast trot. This is your first dog sled trip at the ranch, and you're all, dogs included, very excited. Mystique and Ultra lead your team of six Siberian huskies through the pristine wilderness, followed by a pair of swing position dogs, Willow and Nootka. Next run the two team position dogs, Coyote and Tundra. Koomatik and his sister, Dolly, are your strong wheel dogs, who pull a lot of the weight directly in front of the sled. Each dog has been specially trained to perform a distinct job within the line. All are friendly and eager to please. Each sled can accommodate one adult guest and a child, so the number of people in your group determines the number of dogs and sleds used on a particular trip. Everyone drives their own sled and dog team. You are given lots of practice and instruction, using the ranch snowmobile hooked to a sled, before you actually drive a dog team.
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| Season: December to early March |
| Requirements: Cross country skis, skates, fishing license. |
| Suggested Items: Camera, daypack, sunglasses, sunscreen. |
| Suggested Clothing: In the winter bring warm coat, snowboots, snowpants, gloves, mitts and long underwear. |
| Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate |
| Restrictions: Dog sledding is a physically challenging activity for both the team and musher. Even while seated in the sled, you are constantly in motion, leaning hard to the left or right, helping to keep it in the middle of the track. On uphill, the driver always hops off and jogs, but must never let go of the sled. That is the cardinal rule of dog sledding. The passenger helps the dogs by trotting alongside whenever the going gets tough. It's definitely not a sport for the weak of heart, but you can instruct the dogs to wait if you need to slow your pace on the uphill. And during your 4-hour, dog sledding tour around the back country trails of Siwash Lake, there are many scenic mini-breaks for both musher and dogs along the way.
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| Maximum Number of People: 12 |
| Equipment Provided: Dogsledding equipment, snowmobiles, snowshoes, ice fishing gear. |
| Transportation: Trips originate and end on Siwash Lake, near the town of 70 Mile House, BC. The drive is about 5.5 hours from Vancouver. Transportation from Vancouver can be arranged. |
| Accommodations: The 7,000 square foot, log ranch house is set at the edge of a meadow on a knoll overlooking Siwash Lake. French doors open to a spacious deck, where you can share your day's adventures over drinks and appetizers while wild birds serenade from the nearby pines. Or you can retreat to one of several verandahs, to steep quietly in the gentle ebb and flow of the great outdoors. Inside, the ranch house features laid back, western-style luxury; old-fashioned country charm and the rustic flavor of frontier living, finished with casual elegance reminiscent of the Victorian era. The cathedral ceiling living room, with its western décor, overstuffed furniture, vintage fabrics, and antiques makes for a relaxed and comfortable haven at day's end, when there's always a crackling fire burning in the 30-foot river rock fireplace. Several room types are available at the ranch. JESSE'S LAIR:
This bright and cozy room has a bird's eye view through the aspen woods toward the ranch's vegetable garden. It features two twin size beds and can be booked with a private 3-piece en-suite bathroom, or a shared bathroom with the Marshall's Lookout room, the Suite, or Meadow Vista. It's perfect for children or for two adults traveling as singles. MARSHALL'S LOOKOUT: This sunny room overlooks the lake and wilderness on the west side of the ranch house and has a queen size bed, sitting area, and 3-piece en-suite bathroom. (This bathroom is exclusive to the room unless the room is booked as an adjoining room to Jesse's Lair - an ideal setup for families.) THE ASPEN: This charming room, with cozy log walls, cowboy decor and view of the aspen grove is located off the library, and features a queen size bed and 3-piece en-suite bathroom. THE LAKESIDE: Enjoy your fresh brewed coffee or tea on the privacy of your own porch in the mornings. This elegant room has its own verandah overlooking the lake, a queen size bed, and a private 4-piece en-suite bathroom. MEADOW VISTA: With a panoramic view of the lake and home meadow, this beautiful room boasts a private balcony with double French doors, a queen size bed, and its own 4-piece bathroom. SIWASH GRANDE SUITE:
This very luxurious room features a king size bed, sitting area with sofa bed, glass-fronted wood burning stove, and its own spacious, 4-piece en-suite bathroom, complete with 6 ft. old fashioned claw foot bathtub.
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| Meal Information: At mealtimes, you'll be delighted with five-star food and great fellowship in the cozy 20-seat dining room. Hand hewn log walls, a rich fir plank floor, and casually elegant country furniture make guests feel as though they've just stepped into the dining area of a grand "old west" estate. Tables vary from large group and family size, to intimate window settings for two. The ranch offers savory, gourmet cuisine, prepared from the freshest of seasonal ingredients and served with casual Siwash-style flare. Whenever possible, they incorporate wholesome, organic food produced on the ranch - mouth-watering beef and pork, free-range eggs, and baby greens for your salads, picked right from our garden. The chef is pleased to accommodate special diets when notified in advance.
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| Guide Information: Package price includes use of snowshoes and guided dogsledding (or snowmobiling). |
| Weather Information: In the winter crisp, dry days with clear blue skies, bright sunshine and 1-3 ft. of fresh snow. Average temperatures are -5° to -15° Celsius, (+10° to +25° Fahrenheit) but can drop to -20° to -40° Celsius (0° to -40° Fahrenheit). The months of late December, January and February are when you are assured of the best winter conditions - usually a three-foot base of snow, blue skies, and an average outdoor temperature of -15° Celsius (+5° Fahrenheit).
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| Comments: 10% service charge in lieu of gratuities apply. On any activity day a snowmobiling tour can be substituted for dogsledding. |
| Trip Duration |
Price |
3 days
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$1250.00* per person
Three nights. Double occupancy. One full day of dogsledding |
5 days
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$2015.00* per person
Five nights. Double occupancy. Two days of dogsledding |
7 days
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$3019.00* per person
Seven nights. Double occupancy. Four days of dogsledding |
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*Please add 5% Goods and Services Tax , 1.00% Provincial Accommodation Tax
If you have any questions or would like more information about a particular adventure, please email us.
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