This is NOT a
sit on ride! You are in charge of your own sled with three
sometimes four dogs to pull it and you. The dog Sledding
activity is an energetic, sometimes hard work experience
that can be incredibly rewarding. This experience is not
around a flat lake its through woods, up and down hills and
occasionally under trees. You will have to help the dogs up
hill only then to balance on, and brake the sledge at the same time
coming back down.
Excursions are
available daily throughout the season but only when the weather
and snow conditions permit. Early in the season the weather does
not really pose a problem it is only later in the season when
the temperature warms that many of the problems arise. If it is
snowing the dog sledding activity will still operate (when it is
snowing it just makes the dog sledding activity feel more
authentic and the surroundings and scenery are beautiful when
all covered in snow).
.
It is only when it
starts to rain that the dog sledding activity gets cancelled
altogether or alternatively if possible - arranged for a
different time. The reason for canceling when it rains is not
only due to the discomfort for you the client being out in the
rain for an hour but also when the dogs get wet they have a
tendency to shake themselves dry when the dogs do this clients
get covered in dirty, smelling doggy water. (Not very nice!).
.
There are three
sessions daily with time in between each in order to give the
dogs time to rest. There is no better time than another, it is
purely up to personal preference. The 1100hrs slot is ideal if
you wish to have a lie in and a leisurely breakfast with a ski
after the activity. Whereas, the 1530hrs slot is ideal if you
wish to get up early have most of a days skiing and then take
part in the dog sledding activity. Ultimately the choice is
yours!
The Dog
Sledding activity operates from La Plantin a small village
about 1km on from Meribel Village (Village NOT Meribel). From
Meribel the dog sledding activity is anything from a five to
ten minute drive.
.
how to get
there
.
FREE BUS
.
From
outside the Tavern in the centre of Meribel, you can
catch a free bus to Meribel Village you do not need
a lift pass to travel free on the Meribus, it is
free to everyone. When the bus pulls in to Meribel
Village it will stop next to a large roundabout.
When you get off the bus you will need to follow the
road back out the way the bus came in. Turn right at
the main road and walk about 1km to La Plantin - you
will hear and see the dogs when you get close - You
can't go wrong!.
.
WHITETRACKS
HOST
.
Collected from
your chalet you and the other participants will be
transported straight to the Dog Sledding activity. The
Whitetracks host will then introduce you to the Instructors,
answer any final questions or queries that you may have
about taking part. The Host will then stay there for the
safety brief making sure that you have understood everything
that has been said. As you leave for the excursion the
Whitetracks host will be taking photos.
Whitetracks
Photography
.
As your Dog
Sledding excursion finishes the Whitetracks host will be at
the finish point waiting for your return taking further
photos, ready to escort
you back to your chalet or hotel in Meribel.
Whitetracks Host
40 minutes -
45
minutes - driving the dogs or Vice-Versa
5 minutes - 10
minutes - handing in equipment and saying goodbye to the
dogs
.
Unlike many
other dog sledding experiences that you may have seen or
taken part in the dog sledding experience in Meribel is not
around a flat area of land. It takes place in and around
part of the Altiport forest and consists of up hills, down
hills, the occasional flat bits but will also require you to
duck under branches and such like. There are no sit on rides
YOU are in control of your own sledge with three dogs or
sometimes four to pull you along.
.
When you turn
up to the activity you will all be gathered around a single
sledge where one of the operators will guide and instruct
you on how to control the sledge and the dogs. You will be
taught how to stand on the sledge, how to balance and
transfer your weight and very importantly how and when to
use the brake in order to slow yourselves down not injuring
the dogs in the process. PLEASE listen to the instructions
carefully they are not only for your safety but also for the
dogs as well!
.
Once you have
listened and understood the instructions (If there is
something that you have not understood Please do not be shy
- ASK QUESTIONS!). You will then be told to get yourself a
sledge, the operators will then gauge you all and work out
which team of dogs will be best suited to you. When they
have decided and they start to put the dogs to each sledge
you will need to be ready with your foot on the brake, so as
soon as the dogs are attached you and the sledge don't go
anywhere. When your first dog is attached to your sledge,
your lead dog the operator will tell you its name - this is
the dog that you shout commands at. You will need to
remember this dogs name as you will be required to shout
ALLER and then the dogs name to move!
.
When all the dogs
are attached to the sledges and the operators are ready to
leave, you will all follow in a line leaving the right amount of
space that you have been told to between you and the sledge in
front. There is NO OVERTAKING throughout the excursion - some of
the dogs don't like each other so if they get close to each
other they will fight - KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.
Need to be
reasonably fit - Dog Sledding is a Physical Activity
.
Dog Sledding is
quite a strenuous and physical activity - obviously this does
all really depend on your own level of fitness and ability.
Skiers and boarders seem to get on with the activity better than
non skiers and non boarders this is because of the balance
required to control the sledge down hills and around corners.
Skiers and boarders seem to understand the dynamics that little
bit more because they are doing it on a daily basis on the
mountain. Please do not let this put any non-skiers or boarders
off we have many people that don't ski or board take part in
this activity and 99% of the time they all love it.
.
There are no sit
on rides which means that there is an age restriction of 12
years old - this age has been set because the dogs although,
small are surprisingly powerful. A 12 year old is going to have
the strength and weight to control the sledge and dogs and not
vice versa.
All the
equipment needed for dog sledding will be supplied by the
dog sledding company all that you will need to bring is
yourselves and the clothes that you are dressed in. You will
not be expected to bring any equipment for the operation of
the activity itself.
Ski Clothing - Jacket, ski pants, hat, gloves, glasses/goggles
& Normal shoes
.
Depending on
the time of the season will depend on how much clothing you
will be wearing at the start of the dog sledding activity
and how much clothing you will be wearing at the end. Early
on in the season December to February the winter is much
colder and although the dog sledding activity is quite
strenuous and energetic you will need to dress for very cold
conditions. Later in the season it is still advisable to
dress for cold conditions as it will be more comfortable for
you to be warm and as you get hotter you will be able take
items of clothing off. If you start the activity feeling
cold it will spoil part of your experience.
.
Footwear is
very important - to take part in the dog sledding activity
you will need to wear normal footwear ideally a pair of
walking boots, trainers are O.K. but your feet might get wet
causing discomfort during and after the activity.
Snowboarding boots are fine as long as you have flex in the
ankles. SKIING BOOTS ARE UNSUITABLE.
During your
excursion there will be two members of staff looking after a
minimum of three clients or a maximum of seven. They will be
keeping an eye on all the participants throughout the
excursion stopping every so often in order to let everyone
catch up or to get back to the sledge and dogs if someone
has fallen off.
There
are four different official breeds of sledge dogs, the most
famous being the Siberian Husky, the others are the Alaska
Malamute, the Samoyede and Greenland dog, they all have the same
features in common, they are all hard working and resistant to
very low temperatures. They are affectionate but also
unfortunately prone to escape to hunt.
.
Each
dog in the team wears an individually fitted harness that is
made of lightweight nylon webbing material, each harness is
padded around the neck and shoulders for the dogs comfort. The
team of dogs are then hitched to a rig or sled by means of a
central rope or gang line as it is otherwise known. Other
equipment includes the snub line and snow hook used to secure
the team when stationary.
.
SLEDGE
.
Although
introduction
of new materials and designs have increased both speed and
performance, sleds have changed very little from those used in
the early days of racing, they have basically remained of the
traditional design and construction. Even when there is a lack
of snow, nothing will stop the die-hard followers of this sport
as wheeled rigs are used which is often the case outside
mountainous and far northern areas.
