WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT
We know you have choices - and we want to ensure that you know that in chosing Snow Forest Adventures for your Winter Wilderness experience you are chosing the best in the business. We are proud to be doing things a little differently because we simply won't settle for any less than the best.
WE'RE THE REAL DEAL
When you book with us, you can be assured that you are not simply reserving a spot with an agent who will place you with the outfit who pays the most to have clients sent their way.
When you book with us, you are booking with the people who own, live with, work with, train, love and care for every dog 365 days a year. We are the people who plan the trips, own and maintain the equipment, plan the menus and ensure that every one of your questions is answered and all of your needs met BEFORE you arrive at the trailhead.
Booking directly with us will ensure that you get the most out your experience because it’s our absolute passion – and we can't wait to share it with you!
SMALLER IS BETTER
We are proud to be one of the smallest commercial kennels in Ontario. While it means we don't have the number of dogs needed to accommodate those looking for short "dog sled ride" experiences and have limited spaces available, it also means we are able to offer a more personalized, focused program for our guests and a better life for our dogs.
By specializing in multi day trips we are able to spend more time with each of our guests and they are able to spend more time immersed in the experience. Guests have the time to truly work and bond with the dogs, and learn from our guides as they work as a team, living and travelling together in the wilderness.
EXPERIENCED, PROFESSIONAL GUIDES
Our guides are the passion and energy behind each and every one of our trips. They have been carefully chosen not only for the knowledge and expertise they bring to the trails, but for their passion for the wilderness travel, appreciation for the outdoors and the way they care for our guests and dogs. They each come to us with a wealth of personal experience and accomplishments that show in everything they do. As you learn from them over the course of your time together, you will see why we are so proud of the Snow Forest Adventures team!
OUR DOGS COME FIRST
Without them, quite simply, none of what we do would be possible, so their health and happiness is our first priority always. Our relationships with each and every dog are based on love, trust & kindness and respect.
We believe strongly in keeping our kennel to what we feel to be a manageable number of dogs. This means we are able to devote more time to each dog, develop deeper relationships with each of them and gain a better understanding of each of their individual needs. Having the ability to spend more time socializing and enriching the lives of each and every one is something we are not only proud of, but are incredibly thankful for.
Visit our Premium Dog Care page to see everything that goes into caring for our amazing dogs!
FRIENDLY, HAPPY, WELL SOCIALIZED DOGS
Because our kennel is small, we are able to safely free run our dogs regularly so they can socialize with, and learn from each other. You will also see us loose drop dogs at the trailhead as we prepare for and wrap up our trips. Young dogs can learn from the older ones and timid dogs get the chance to build confidence. Like people, every dog has a different personality and needs to learn how to get along with others. Allowing the dogs to socialize ensures that there is no fighting amongst the group and allows the dogs to exercise both their bodies, and their minds. It's no secret that well balanced dogs, are happy dogs!
Our kennel is made up of Alaskan Huskies and you will find that they don’t all look like the dogs you see in Disney movies. This long legged, long bodied, driven breed was created for racing and long distance travel and is perfect for the type of trips we do. They are easy going, a joy to work with and have personality plus!
PROFESSIONALLY MAINTAINED TRAILS
Thanks to our continued partnership with Algonquin Park we run our trips on the well established and professionally maintained Sunday Lake Dog Sled Trails. This ensures the safety and enjoyment of travelling by dog sled is not compromised and means that when you are out on the trails with us, it's all about the experience! You will not need to worry about wearing out your dogs breaking trail or leaving teams tied up while trails are being cleared.
NO HIDDEN CHARGES
Our advertised price, is not subject to a bunch of upcharges. We don't charge any more for "prime time". We know lots of people are going to want to book over holidays and we don't charge a premium for those times. Reservations are taken on first come, first served basis at the same price no matter what the date.
TRIP TESTED GEAR
We know what gear works, and what doesn't. There is no need to go out and buy winter gear to enjoy a trip with us! Our gear is tried and tested and will ensure that you are warm and comfortable on the trails.
Our rental gear packages will provide you with everything you need to get the absolute most out of your trip.
Our Sleeping Package consists of -30 sleeping bags and comfortable Thermarest sleeping pad
Our Clothing Package consists of Sorel Glacier boots and down parkas
We also include a large duffel bag to pack all of your gear into making it easy to load your sled and access your gear
NO OVERLOADING OF SLEDS
We never put our dogs or our guests, or our dogs, in a position where they are expected work with an overloaded sled.
Our trips go out with two people per sled, although if you wanted to drive your sled by yourself, it can be arranged
for a charge. On our Northern trips (Temagami/Quebec) where all gear is carried all sleds are single driven.
PROFESSIONAL, IN DEPTH INSTRUCTION
Before any trips go out, guests will participate in our Dogs 101 training and learn everything they need to know
about how dog teams are made up, the dogs in their specific team, the parts of the sled and their purpose, how to harness and hook up their team and how to drive their sled to ensure not only their safety, but the safety of the dogs. Giving our guests the knowledge and skills they need ensures their confidence, enjoyment and safety on the trails.
HEATED PROSPECTOR TENTS
Often the biggest concern for people in planning an overnight winter trip, is being cold. We get it - and we've got you covered. Our network of established, permanent, well stocked camps in Algonquin Park are home to our comfortable, heated Prospector style canvas wall tents on platforms designed to keep warm bodies up off the cold ground. At the end of a day on the trails, stretch out on your cot, relax in style and sleep in comfortable warmth.
ALL TRIPS ARE SNOWMOBILE SUPPORTED
We take safety seriously and that means that when you go out into the backcountry by dog sled, we are
still able to reach you quickly should we need to. Our trips are fully snowmobile supported which means that in the unlikely event of a necessary evacuation, we can get to you quickly and get you back to the trailhead.
It also means that we are able to keep all of our camps well stocked with propane, fire wood and necessary supplies on an ongoing basis without overloading sleds heading out to camps carrying all that gear.