Navigate an exciting trail around Mt. Nestor
...to the backcountry campsite where you will enjoy a campfire lunch.
MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN & COVID-19
EFFECTIVE DEC 13TH, 2020
As always the safety of our clients, dogs, and guides are of the upmost importance to us. With this in mind and with the new restrictions outlined in the province of Alberta on Dec 8, 2020, we have implemented new booking, tour, and cancellation policies.
- Our booking office is closed to walk in but we can accept bookings from our website 24 hours a day or via telephone 10-6 pm daily.
- We will be limiting tours to 4 sleds total. 2 guide driven sleds, and 2 client driven. If other cohorts are on the same tour, you will be asked to maintain social distancing (min of 2m) from them at all times.
- All sleds booked must be of the same household/cohort group as per government regulations. A mask or face covering must be worn on guide driven sleds at all times as physical distancing is difficult here. Those on client driven sleds may remove mask while on the sled unless being assisted by a guide.
- Tour waivers are now online and a link will be sent to you prior to your tour. We ask that you fill these in and do a covid self assessment (https://myhealth.alberta.ca/journey/covid-19/Pages/COVID-Self-Assessment.aspx) prior to showing up for your tour.
- Temperatures will be taken using a touch-less thermometer and hand sanitizing required before entering the staging area. All employees will be required to do this as well. Any clients or staff who are not feeling well must stay home.
- All tour elements that would usually take place inside a tent or teepee will now be held outside in a covered area. You will be required to sanitize and maintain social distancing at all times
- All equipment and high touch areas will be sanitized between each tour.
- Our cancellation policies for tours remain unchanged if tour is cancelled 48 hours prior to tour date. If you need to cancel due to covid related reasons within the 48 hours, we will now allow for a full rain check to be issued. If space can be re-sold, a refund will be given
Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding our situation or policies. We are excited about the winter season and getting out on the trail! We appreciate your assistance in keeping us all safe and healthy!
The Mad Dogs Team
Our Half day tours begin the same with an approx. 30 min of orientation on dog sledding, dog handling, and equipment. After you assist the guides with harnessing the dogs and setting up the teams, you will head out on to the trail for approx. 3 hours!
You will enjoy an exhilarating dog sled ride with breathtaking views of the Spray Valley. This trail takes you out over the frozen lake then up into the trees to navigate an exciting trail around Mt Nestor to our back country campsite. Along the way you will have the opportunity to drive your sled with the assistance of a qualified guide.
At our backcountry campsite, a hot campfire lunch will be served, prepared for you from the Mad Dog Cafe & Market in Dead Man's Flats. Here you will have a chance to warm up by the fire and learn a little about the history of dog sledding in the Bow Valley area and discuss dog sledding as a sport itself before heading back down the lake.
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Schedule & Pricing
Availability (this tour will run after Jan 5th, 2023)
Tour is approx. 3.5 - 4 hours and is available when trail conditions are favorable
Tour starts at 10:30amPricing
- Prices quoted are per sled and include a hot lunch and trail snacks
Prices range from $1050 to $1340 (CAD) + gst per sled depending on configuration. ($446.66-$525.00 per person) - See sled loading document for details of configuration and weights - Please inquire about group programs for 10 or more guests.
Not suitable for children under 10 years of age
This tour is weather dependant. - Prices quoted are per sled and include a hot lunch and trail snacks
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Tour Includes
- 30 min orientation on dog sledding, dog handling, & equipment
- Approx 3 hours out on the trail with photo stops along the way
- Delicious hot lunch from the Mad Dog Cafe & Market around a roaring campfire
- Ample time for some great photos of the dogs and the beautiful Rocky Mountains
Tour duration is approx 3.5 - 4 hours (depending on trail conditions) and includes: orientation, dogsledding, and campfire lunch
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Transportation
The only way to get to the Spray Lakes is to drive yourself. There is no public transportation available into this area. As it is a secondary gravel road to the trailhead, we ask that vehicles have a min of front wheel drive and good all-season tires. If nervous about driving in winter conditions, we can provide a lead car to the site from the Mad Dog Cafe in Dead Man's Flats. It would take approx 2.25 hrs from Calgary, 35 min from Canmore, and 1.25 hours from Banff. See our "Map Page" for more info.
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Small Group Sizes, Real Adventure
There are a number of dog sledding companies in the Canadian Rockies to choose from. At Mad Dogs & Englishmen Expeditions, we believe in providing an authentic experience, with small group sizes, usually with a maximum of 3 sleds unless more are required for larger groups. By choosing us, you will experience a more personable, relaxed, real adventure... Experience what mushing is really like!
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Sled Booking info
We run our tours with the following configuration:
Guide-Driven Sled + Client-Driven Sled + Guide-Driven Sled and so on...- For sled configuration purposes, children 10 yrs and up will be considered as an adult. A child 4-9 yrs of age will be considered a child. Infant is any child under 4yrs of age. Please see configuration examples in sled loading document for details.
- Please call or email our office if booking a group of 10 or more participants. We do offer group discounts and may be able to move sleds around if it appears that we do not have availability for your tour of choice.
- If your party does not fit in these outlined parameters or you are unsure, please call or email our office. We will be happy to look at your specific needs.
IMPORTANT - THE SLED LOADING DOCUMENT MUST BE READ BEFORE ANY BOOKING
For the safety of our dogs and you the humans, please read open and read this document BEFORE you make a booking.
