We tried dog sledding in the Laurentians

Departure time was near, and a few people came to get us and the rest of the group. Because yes, let’s be clear: dog sledding isn’t done alone — you go with about ten people. We followed everyone to the starting area. To get there, we walked through the snow and woods, and honestly, that part alone was already magical.We reached the area where the sleds and all the dogs were waiting. Everything was ready and well organized. They explained how the one-hour outing would go. Surprise: the kids would have their own sled right at the front, while we’d be on another sled a little farther back. I could already see Mélanie’s face tense up at the idea of letting the kids “go off alone”… haha!

One of the mushers gave us a briefing: how a sled works, how to turn, make the dogs go faster or slower, which commands to use… Basically, a real overview. And honestly, it can feel a little overwhelming at first — there’s a lot to know. If you don’t listen and do your own thing, the sled can easily flip on a corner… yes, it happens!

We also got a look at the sleds, each covered in a thick blanket. And it was clear — it was going to be cold. When there are two people per sled, like with Mélanie and me, one drives and the other lies under the blanket — which, believe me, is absolutely essential! I thought I’d be fine, but after just a few minutes with my hands out for photos, I couldn’t feel my fingers. I speak from experience!

Once everyone was ready, we bundled up with our warmest gear. We also put on our ski masks — super useful in the cold… and at the speed we’d be going. Okay, it’s not Formula 1, but it goes fast enough to freeze your fingers in seconds!

Side note: since we live in Guadeloupe at the time of writing this article, we decided to rent all our winter clothes from Tuque & Bicycle Expériences. If that sounds interesting, and you don’t feel like investing in a full winter wardrobe for just a few weeks of cold-weather vacation in Quebec, check out our full article and honest review about this rental option.

So, I went first, a bit nervous… but the setting was absolutely stunning. We started off slowly, second to last in line, and of course, everyone had to manage their sled to avoid running into the one in front. The dogs don’t always stop exactly where you expect, so that’s the first thing to learn — avoid accidents, haha!

I have to admit the sliding sensation is incredible. You really feel like you’re floating on a thin layer of snow… which, in a way, you are. And it’s amazing. We left the starting area and immediately entered the snowy forest — it was just magical. The pines were heavy with snow, creating a fairytale atmosphere. Sure, the weather wasn’t ideal — no clear blue sky — but honestly, we didn’t care. We were living in the moment, and I can only imagine how thrilled the kids were up front. Téo, who loves dogs, had already spent several minutes cuddling them before the ride… I can just picture how excited he must have been!

So off we went, gliding through the woods at a manageable pace. I slowly gained confidence with the sled — braking when needed and even hopping off when the path went slightly uphill. That’s something the musher explained to us: sometimes you need to help the dogs a bit on inclines so they don’t struggle. So I’d get off and jog behind the sled — no way I was going to make them pull my heavy butt, haha!

After a few minutes, we came out of the woods into a large clearing. The scenery was a bit less picturesque there, I must admit, because we passed under power lines with tall poles and cables overhead. Definitely less magical, but I guess that section was for practice. We spent about 15 minutes doing loops and learning how to handle the sled properly. Which was definitely needed — one of the sleds ahead of us tipped over on a bad turn and the woman ended up in a meter of powder! Luckily no harm done, but yes, a sled can definitely flip if you’re not careful.

After that section, we returned (thankfully!) to the woods, much more enjoyable and immersive. Mélanie tried to snap photos whenever she could, but the moment you take your hands out from under the blanket — instant freeze! Still, we needed photos and video for the blog and social media, so yes, we froze our fingers for you!

After about 30 minutes, we stopped deep in the forest, near a charming wooden cabin. The woman at reception had told us there would be a break to warm up and chat with the mushers. It was the perfect time to go see how the kids were doing. As you can imagine, they had huge grins on their faces — they were loving it.

We took the opportunity to chat with the mushers outside the cabin while the kids petted the dogs (who happily obliged). I grabbed a few portrait shots of the dogs before heading inside to warm up. Honestly, the setup was great — after 30 minutes, we were really starting to feel the cold. And we were treated to some hot tea and homemade cookies — amazing. There was even a pan over a fire! We spent about 15 minutes there chatting about the dogs, life in Quebec… it was lovely.

Mélanie took over for the last 30 minutes after we left the cabin. Aside from nearly killing us on a sharp right-hand turn (I’m joking… kind of), everything went well. There really was a tight turn coming out of the forest, and she kind of forgot to brake — so the sled tipped hard to one side, with me inside. I saw myself going headfirst into the snow. But she managed to recover it well!

We continued the last 30 minutes through the woods. Still just as beautiful — and honestly, we loved it. If you enjoy gliding through nature and exploring new places, you’ll love this too!

As usual in this kind of article, here’s a quick practical section.

Of course, it depends on where you’re starting your trip and your arrival city. If you’re reading these lines, chances are you’re coming from France or Quebec, most likely arriving via Montreal. So you’ll need a rental car, and I highly recommend checking out the comparison tool Discover Cars, which lets you compare many rental agencies on site. We always find really great prices there.

From Montreal, it’s about a 2-hour drive and around 150 km.

Obviously, everything will depend on what you have planned for this vacation. We had about an hour’s drive, so it worked out fine. We’ve selected three highly rated places in the area:

• L’escale du Nord: A 5-star inn offering top-notch rooms and high-end amenities (pool, sauna, jacuzzi) in a magical natural setting. You’ll especially appreciate the warm welcome, the quality of the breakfasts, and the relaxing atmosphere.
• AX Hotel: A modern and comfortable hotel located in Mont-Tremblant, with a heated outdoor pool, sauna, and mountain views. Perfect for a family getaway thanks to its peaceful vibe, spacious rooms, and well-designed amenities. Don’t miss the snow tubing right next door — we tried it and loved it!
• Selenia Lodge: Nestled in the heart of nature by a lake, these stunning wooden chalets offer premium comfort with a spa, fireplace, and fully equipped kitchen. A magical and peaceful setting — perfect for a relaxing break with family or friends.

Alternatively, you can browse the map below to find accommodations in the Mont-Tremblant area.

You can also check out our two complete guides for more tips: the best hotels in Mont-Tremblant & our top picks for places to stay in Montreal!

See you soon!