Our journalist tested, for half a day, driving on snow with sled dogs.
Pre-departure briefing
I had seen, in ski resorts, offers for rides where you stay seated on the sled, warm under a blanket.
Friendly, but without excessive interest… I didn't think it was possible to take control of a team without going through a long training.
I discover to my great surprise that it is quite feasible.
Holder of a first-degree federal certificate in sled sports and associated disciplines, Ludovic Gloanec is authorized to supervise neophyte “pilots
”
to let them take control of a sled.
After weeks without snow, the flakes have finally fallen, a thick layer covers the course.
I find Ludovic in the parking lot of the Nordic center of Agy, a few kilometers from Morillon.
After detailing the program for the afternoon, he explains the basics of driving a sled.
To know
The 2h30 ride is offered at 140 €.
Read alsoThe great odyssey of the snow dogs
How to establish a first contact with dogs?
While giving us valuable advice on the proper functioning of a hitch, Ludovic takes out his dogs, one by one, who were quietly waiting in the trailer.
We have to put on a harness for them, passing their front legs between the straps, to allow them to tow the sled without hurting themselves and without them being hampered in their run.
You have to hold them well, because they tend to pull hard in an attempt to get away.
We then need to snap them to the stroke line, to create the hitch.
A single sled for an adult consists of 4 dogs, a double (carrying a passenger) of 8. We have to equip and tie 28 beasts!
Different breeds of dogs
Ludovic owns a kennel of 47 boarders, mainly Siberian huskies and Greenland dogs.
They are all trained and respond to the commands of the mushers (the pilots).
Teams are composed according to the strength and character of the dogs, some of which cannot get along with each other.
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Pure gliding sensations
We have been following a well-marked little path for a good half hour.
The sensations are truly extraordinary, especially in such conditions!
I'm starting to better understand how the sled works, to handle turns by putting my weight on the right or left runner depending on the terrain.
You have to constantly keep one foot on the brake, especially on the descents, to manage the inertia.
The tow line must always be taut, so that the dogs can tow properly.
Read alsoThe thousand-year-old secrets of sled dogs
How do sled dogs behave?
When the climbs are too steep, you have to jump off the sled, to relieve the dogs.
Vincent Boisot for The Individual Practical Life
Even though dogs love to run and exercise in the snow, they sometimes struggle when it gets a bit steep.
In this case, I push with one foot to restore a bit of momentum to the hitch.
But when the climbs are too steep, I have to jump off the sled, to relieve them, and run alongside.
It's not very easy, because I mustn't fall, let alone let go of the sled… Fortunately, the dogs are well trained, particularly obedient.
Ludovic doesn't hesitate to take many breaks on the course to let them catch their breath… and ours too!
Learn to untie dogs
You still have to be careful when untying the dogs.
Vincent Boisot for The Individual Practical Life
All good things must come to an end... After more than 12 kilometers of riding through magnificent landscapes, it's time to go home.
We therefore return to our starting point.
Ludovic secures the teams and shows us how to untie the dogs and remove their harness.
It's up to us.
But despite the effort, they still have a lot of energy!
We still have to be vigilant to prevent them from escaping us.
Balance sheet
We were extraordinarily lucky as the conditions were optimal.
Lots of snow and a beautiful blue sky.
Being surrounded by so many dogs can initially impress.
But they are all well behaved and show no aggression.
If the first minutes at the controls of the sled are a little stressful, once you rush into the small paths, you forget everything.
It's really magical.
Good to know
Or ?
Agy Nordic Centre, Route d'Agy, 74300 Saint-Sigismond
How much?
€60 from 3 to 11 years old (passenger) €140 from 12 years old (pilot)
Who?
From 12 years old for driving
Contact:
traineauxdelubac @gmail.com