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Dog sledding and husky rides in Morzine Avoriaz
Dog sledding is one of those magical, once-in-a-lifetime experiences sitting high on many people’s bucket list of mountain adventures. There are three dog sledding activities in our resort, and they are all quite different, so it is a good idea to get clued up before you decide which one is best for your family or group. Luckily for you, we have done the research for you – yes we have actually been dog sledding and loved every minute of it! – so here is all the inside information you need, included prices and options for children.
An overview of dog sledding in Morzine Avoriaz
The stunning mountains of the French Alps make a fantastic setting for a husky sleigh ride. There are three different outfits offering dog sledding in Morzine Avoriaz, and the one you choose will depend on the type of experience you are looking for and how involved you wish to be (do you want to drive the sleigh or sit in it and let someone else take the reins?).
The Avoriaz ‘mushing’ experience takes place high in the mountains and is an opportunity to learn some skills and try mushing – that’s driving the dog sleigh. The Morzine experience is enjoyed from a traditional dog sleigh, with no mushing involved – a driver takes the reins for you – and takes place far away from the ski lifts in a stunning wilderness area deep in the Morzine valley. The final activity is a sleigh ride from Avoriaz 1800 or Les Get and offers great options for kids, from toddlers up. All offer a thrilling ride and tremendous views. Here is the rundown on what to expect.
Dog sledding in the Manche Valley – Morzine
Join Quentin and his team of Greenlandic dogs for a sleigh ride through one of Morzine’s most beautiful and wild areas – the Vallée de la Manche. This pack of fast and powerful dogs will take you through a stunning snowy and forested landscape, along side the river and into the valley. On this activity up to two participants sit in the sleigh, whilst the driver skates behind using reins to direct the dogs. The activity lasts around one hour, and you need to allow 20-30 minutes (depending on your fitness level) to walk to the meeting location in front of the Crapahute restaurant.
When? Monday and Tuesday throughout the snow season. Departure times are 09:30, 10:30, 13:00 and 14:00 during the day, plus 17:30 and 18:30 for a twilight ride.
Where? Meeting point is aprox. 50 metres in front of the Crapahute restaurant. To get there it is a 10 minute drive or bus ride from Morzine to the parking area at l’Erigné, then a 20 minute walk (perhaps 30 minutes with kids or if your fitness level is low) to the restaurant.
Costs: €190 for a sleigh which can take two people up to 150kg, €240 for a sleigh ride with 2 x adults and 1 child (3-6 years) up to 180kg, and €230 for a twilight ride.
What level of fitness is needed? No level of fitness is needed for the activity, however you must be capable of walking to the meeting point, which is accessed via a snowy track. The walk involves a gentle uphill walk on a piste, and you could bring sledges to return to the parking if you wish.
Are children welcome? Yes from 3 years old.
Booking: Website found here. Book via email (iletaitoncenoschiens@gmail.com) or SMS (+33 (0)6.78.28.53.16.). Include dates and number of adults and children, with ages
‘Mushing’ (driving a dog sled team) Adventure – Avoriaz
‘Mushing’ is a sport or type of transport involving dogs pulling a sleigh. This experience gives you a taste of what it is like to be a ‘musher’ and drive your own dog sled team of beautiful Siberian huskies. After a training session, where you will meet the dogs and learn how to harness them to the sleigh and how to drive it, you will be ready to drive your team of 3 huskies on the snowy trails in the high Avoriaz mountains. The activity lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours, including the training part, and then the exhilarating ride, which includes up hill and down hill sections through mountain and forest. Head musher, Jean-Jacques Bechet, and his team are there to show you the ropes and ensure everything goes smoothly. Check out a review of this husky mushing activity from the AliKats team.
When? Everyday throughout the snow season.
Where? Col de Joux Verte just below Avoriaz, and a 20 minute drive from Morzine
Costs: Adults: €120, Children (6-11 years): €60.
What level of fitness is needed? Driving a sled requires active participation and physical effort. Some walking up hill may also be required on the return route as well as some ducking and diving to avoid branches whilst on the sled.
Are children welcome? Yes, children from 6 years old
Booking: Website found here and booking via email (ngikona@yahoo.fr) or phone (+33 (0)6 80 93 26 20).
Husky sleigh ride – Les Gets & Avoriaz
Didier, his daughter Justine run dog sledding experiences for all ages through their outfit, La Patte Nordic. Meet their Nordic dogs and enjoy a dog sleigh ride in either the resort of Avoriaz 1800 or Les Gets. Adults and children from 10 years old can embark on a sleigh ride for approximately one hour. Leave the built up area of the resort and head out on trails through gorgeous snowy landscapes. Available from 2pm, sleigh riders often discover amazing views of sunsets over the mountains. There are also two activities for children under ten: a sleigh ride for two children, behind a team of 3 or 4 dogs; and a baby sleigh ride for a child under ten in a sleigh pulled by one dog (on a lead).
When? Everyday throughout the snow season.
Where? Avoriaz 1800 or Les Gets
Costs: Adults: €110 per person or child over 10 years, children 5-10 years €40 each, kids under 5 years €25 per child.
What level of fitness is needed? The activity is enjoyed from the sleigh so there is no physical activity required.
Are children welcome? Yes, once kids can sit by themselves they can take part in the baby sleigh ride. Kids from 5 – 10 can have their own sleigh ride (2 in a sleigh for a 20 minute ride, without adults).
Booking: Find out more and book online here.
What to wear to go husky dog sledding in the mountains
You will be outside and exposed to the elements so it is important to wear warm, waterproof clothing, we recommend:
- Ski suit (overalls and snow jacket)‘apres ski’ type boots
- Hat and gloves
- Sun glasses
- Camera or phone for taking photos
We hope you are now feeling confident about the dog sledding experience you’d like to choose in Morzine Avoriaz. Please make sure you book well in advance – these are some of the most popular activities in the resort. For more apres activities head over to our non-ski Morzine activity guide.
For a beautiful chalet to call home for your snow holiday, browse our range of luxury catered chalets and self catered chalets in Morzine. Our chalets offer amazing mountain views, hot tubs, saunas, luxury living spaces and gorgeous ensuite bedrooms, and make the perfect mountain home for family ski holiday.
Image credit: Photo by James Padolsey on Unsplash
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