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Ontario's favorite winter sport
IS DOGSLEDDING!!

Dogsledding is fun, it's thrilling,
and NOTHING beats Dogsledding
in Ontario for excitement! We're
just outside Algonquin Park - and
when you visit us, you'll see, it's about
the dogs!



Well cared for sled dogs can live and enjoy their life just like Rex, who is pictured here at the age of 13 - looks pretty good, doesn't he!?

Call Matt or Penny at 1-613-338-2330
or email us for more info AT info@ridethewilderness.com

Brought to you by Highland Wilderness Tours, Mayooth Ontario
JUST THREE HOURS FROM OTTAWA AND TORONTO!



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In a hurry?
Click here TO GO DIRECTLY TO our page on

DOGSLEDDING RATES AND PACKAGES



~ or for a G-R-R-REAT Christmas Gift idea, CLICK ON THE PUPPY ~


Or for an more in depth view of our business, read on to learn
MORE ABOUT OUR ONTARIO DOGSLEDDING TRIPS & TOURS
!
Dogsledding, Dogsledding in Ontario, Algonquin Park Dogsedding Tours, Dogsledding Tours in Algonquin Park Ontario!

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Dogsledding in Ontario's Algonquin Park area is
second to none.  It's peaceful.
It's breathtaking,
with scenery to die for.  It's a feeling of working
together with man's best friend
to experience a
fabulous season often overlooked.
  Dogsledding
in Ontario is an
invigorating way to get out and
enjoy our long Ontario Winters - and best of all,
it's really
good excercise, and FUN for the whole
family!  It's amazing how time is suspended while
you are
out on the trail.  As the woods slip past,
all you hear is the panting of dogs, the crunch
of snow
under the pounding of padded feet, and
the muffled sounds of the forest, slumbering
under a
winter mantle as you scoot past.  Most
people are capable of driving a dogteam -
we'll show you how, introduce you to your dogs,
and you can drive your own sled, or jump
in my
basket, for a fun ride in the fluffy stuff.  With
plenty of experience in the sport,
you're in good hands.
  Best of all, you'll learn how to handle your own team.
 
No passenger to carry, just you and your own dogs!

Dogsledding is not merely standing on the
runners - it's an interactive sport that not only
gives you a surprising amount of exercise, it will
inspire you!  Best of all, it brings
out the
kid in everyone, and gets us outside to enjoy
some fresh air & sunshine on a beautiful winter day! 


We take our business very seriously & want you to
enjoy your sledding experience!

 

 

 

 

Dogsledding is the most exciting thing to do in Algonquin Park Ontario!

 

 

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On the runners, you quickly learn to work in harmony with
the dogs
- it's like skiing with a twist!  You will pilot an
enthusiastic team of dogs,
on a "closed loop" totally PRIVATE
wilderness trail system set up to safely
teach you the art of
driving without any pressure from outside distractions. 

Each of our many interconnected loops are designed to help
you learn
easily and effectively - going from darn easy to
challenging at just the right
pace for each individual.  This
flexibility means you will learn how to be
a musher while
working within your limits. The groups we've taught to drive
a
dogteam always enjoy the thrills and challenges of
a run down the trail
- coming back every year to go again. 


A generous snowfall adds a special air of excitement to a mid afternoon run !

 

 

 

 

 

Our business is not a huge enterprise
with lineups of people waiting to try
the dogsledding, adding the unwanted
pressure of a large audience!
  We schedule all our tours individually,
so that just you and your group will
have the privacy of your guide's
undivided attention, to learn at a pace
that is suitable for your skill level.
  There's something for everyone here
at our business, and we try to
accommodate everyone that comes to
see us. Best of all, KIDS LOVE DOGSLEDDING!

If you need a bit of help with dressing
up for this tour, follow this great link!




Dogsledding is something the entire family can enjoy,

and even the young'uns can enjoy a ride in the guide's basket!

 

 

 

 

 

 


READ on to learn about your teacher & guides


and the package we offer - there's something for all ages
and experience levels. 
Whether you're a pencil pusher or
an accomplished athlete, you'll
enjoy a trip to our Ontario
dogsledding tours through the wilderness!

Or click to find out about our Ontario Dogsledding Team
and learn more about the dogs,
and what makes them
special. We have an outstanding group of alaskan huskies
and provide a quality one on one experience that will
'make a MUSHER' out of you!


Children from 8- 10 and up can enjoy a small dog team!

 

 

Kids Dogsledding & Horse back riding camp near Algonquin Park Ontario! Dogsledding camp for Children, March Break Dogsledding!

 

 

 

 

darla.jpg (5784 bytes)Join OFSS gold medalist Penny Nicol & husband Matt for a run with their dogs......

Your guide is (me) Penny Nicol, with over 17 years of experience in dogs
or (hubby) Matt, now a full member of the dogsled racing team.
Under the
POLESTAR prefix, Penny bred over ten American & Canadian Champion
Alaskan Malamutes between 1987 - 1994, with many specialty and group
wins.  She learned to drive with those Malamutes, and they gave her a gentle
introduction to sledding back in the early 1990's. You might say she's hooked!

Pictured is A/C Champion Polestar's Bad Habit WLD/WTD (Darla) taking
Best of Opposite Sex at Skydome, at the 1990 Canadian National Specialty.
(owner/breeder handled by Penny herself!)

 

By 1994, Penny had the urge to move faster, so she moved on to
the Alaskan Husky, a dog genetically engineered to RUN!   

In 1994 & 95 she began racing in Ontario & Michigan, competing
on the Ontario Federation of Sled Dog Sports
mid-distance
race circuit.  Mid-Distance races average twenty to sixty miles in length,
and are run straight
through without stopping.  After a very successful
racing career, she retired from racing,
and in 2000 began outfitting
for the public, by dogteam and on horseback. Matt (*pictured above)
took up dogsledding when he and Penny married in 1999 - and he's
suddenly been bitten by the 'racing bug' Matt now excells at racing and
has climbed quickly through the ranks, finishing third at Bancroft in 2010!

 

 

 

pennymarmorarace.jpg (6162 bytes)youngpennysledding.jpg (6209 bytes)Penny jokes that she has aged (and spread) a bit,
but back then, she was the 1997 OFSS Gold Medalist

in the 60 mile race division.   And although she still
grins when she speaks of it,
back in 'the day' her peers
dubbed her 'The First Lady of Mushing',
& 'Queen of
the Trail'   It was her time to shine, AND SHE LOVED IT! 

 Matt has lots to live up to (*I'm sure she reminds him)
but dogsled racing is FUN!! and that's the whole idea.

The 1997 Marmora Sled Dog Championships
- our team placed third in a huge field!

 

 

 

 

kidsndogs.jpg (10827 bytes)When we run our dogsledding tours from the farm,
we always keep in mind our very first run

with a new team of Alaskans - it was THRILLING to say
the least!  Having a nice
mixture of dog talent here in
our dogyard, we're very good at judging the size & strength

of team for each individual.  We teach the driving lessons
not just in the yard, but throughout
the tour.  We take breaks,
and while stopped along the trail we will give you techniques
needed to handle everything you'll encounter on our trails.
The goal is to thrill you & give you a
great run to encourage
newcomers
to our great sport.  The welfare of our sled dogs is
of paramount importance, and the care they
receive is obvious.
From their well bedded, 2" thick wooden doghouses
to their
picturesque view of the wilderness - our dogs are our best
buddies, and we take great pride in caring for them every day.

 


CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE

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WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR DOGSLEDDING TOUR

This tour introduces you to dogsledding - and teaches you to drive a dogteam. 
Perhaps you enjoy speed, and are a thrill seeker?   Our runs are perfect for you!


There is no greater joy than flying down a fast trail, powering around
corners and scooting down
straightaways, with the wind in your face and
the snow flying from sixteen galloping paws! This package is
geared for everyone
- two hours is JUST right, because it's more work than you think, just hanging on!

 

 

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Our business prides itself on providing a program
that TEACHES the ART of being a good musher. 
There is so much more to dogsledding than
sightseeing.
Our friendly and talented dogs are
chosen for their ability,
so they are no slouches
- they have some real 'zoom' and
LOVE their SPORT
and they love to put their energy to good use! 
Our groomed forest trails have plenty of curves
and
thrills and 'interesting' corners to keep new
drivers on their toes!  But with the help of your
instructor, most folks can do it - it's a MUST do!

 

 

 

 

 

You'll be amazed at the speed, strength and stamina of  the Alaskan Husky
- born and bred to run!  When you've completed
this adventure, you'll have a
much better understanding of what it takes to be a musher, and you will have
a new respect for the
awesome Alaskan Sled dog!   Dogsledding here means in depth,
one on one instruction ~ you and your group will be treated to an
exhilarating
dogsledding adventure without a lineup of people behind you, waiting to try it! 
Best of all, you stay outdoors for a comfortable amount of time, for an
exciting adventure ~ yet you're working in your comfort zone. 
There's no danger
of getting stuck on a trip too long for you to enjoy, too far from your
car, and too far from comfort! 
All the winter fun, without the frigid!


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Our trail system is a fantastic set of groomed loops, hills and straightaways
through the forest surrounding our wilderness property next to Algonquin Park.
The trail system we have developed is thrilling for your run & very popular!

 

 

 

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Safety is very important, so your package
MUST include the 'hands on' hookup of dogs.
This is mandatory, because learning to control
a four dog team of Alaskans is more difficult
than you think, and helping to hook up is a
sensible stepping stone and gives you a better
idea of the strength of these small but strong

sled dogs. You'll be amazed at just HOW strong!
And, to be a good musher, you have to learn
to drive properly.   Good sled dogs deserve
a good driver who isn't going to make their
job too difficult!  So don't worry - you'll
have plenty of instruction time, and we'll
match you up with a sled and a team that
will suit you to the best of our ability.

 

 

 

*if you have some dogsledding experience already, let me know,
and we can work out a modified package for you*

 

 

Of course, the best part about this dogsledding tour is getting to know the dogs. 
Our dogs are happy, very
enthusiastic love sponges, that lap up the excitement
and will prove to you once and for all, the Alaskan Husky was
born and bred
to run!  Friendly characters, you'll have the time to enjoy visiting with them
- learning how to harness them up for their run - and experiencing the fun
of working
with man's best friend while you enjoy this winter season.



 

 



Best of all, this package is great for kids!  
(all kids love dogs, and the dogs love kids!) 

Children excel at the sport of dogsledding -
the key
is giving them lots of encouragement,
and giving them a team size they can handle
with ease.  For some reason, good balance
comes naturally to the young, & the children
put us adults to shame! With young mushers,
we start with a small team & a 'kid' sized sled,
so that they get a chance to get a feel for things.
  To be sure, Dogsledding here in Ontario is a great
way to get out and enjoy the day with your family!
While children ten and up can usually manage their
own team, children from five & up can enjoy a ride
in the guide's basket, learning what 'gee' and 'haw'
mean, and watching first hand how leaders work.
A great experience you won't find just anywhere!

(here, 'Pokey' gives someone a KISS!!) 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HONEY BUTTON.jpg (5701 bytes)And of course, nothing will thrill you more than meeting the critters,
those SUPERSTARS that make
it all happen! Just click here to visit
the dogyard, and meet the gang.  There's Rory, and Pierre, & Cayenne
.....every one a personality onto themselves!  People ask, "Do you
REALLY know ALL their names??!"
 
Oh yes, and their personalities,
what position on the team they are best suited to, who they like to run
with, & what their strengths are - it's all part of being a good musher! 
You'll see first hand how we handle & care for our loveable sled dogs,
and best of all, the ear positively earth shattering uproar they make
in their eagerness to get harnessed & be chosen to go for a run!

 

 

 

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Perhaps you'd like to click here and read more about

"The History of the Alaskan Husky"
Our outfitting breed of choice!

Having raced this breed for years, I can honestly tell you
this incredible and unique breed of dog has a few surprises!
And while it is not recognized by any kennel club,
it is the fastest sled dog in the world!


CHECK OUT OUR PAGE ON THEIR EVOLUTION FROM PAST TO PRESENT!


 

 

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Here at Highland Wilderness Tours, we also offer

(the links to all of these great activities are listed below)

Ontario Horseback and Trail Riding Stables
Algonquin area Guided Snowmobile Tours
Ontario Children's Horseback Riding Camps


~ and of course Ontario Dogsledding Tours! ~


Join us this winter for a frolick in the snow -
our award winning business might make your winter!!

 

 

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OUR HORSE CAMP & PUBLIC TRAIL RIDING FACILITIES

Our Ontario Riding Stable   Ontario Trail Riding Rates     Weekend Trail Riding Excursions
Ontario Horseback Riding Lessons       Ontario Horse Camps   Meet the Trail and Camp Horses
    How our Riding Stable is Different!      Horseback Riding in Spring     Horseback Riding in Fall
What to bring to Horse Camp    Ontario Horses for Sale  Ontario Horse Breeder

Ontario Dogsledding Tours      Meet our Dog Team    What is an Alaskan Husky?  
           
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