Sled dog ride – Auron
Going for a ride with sled dogs on the Côte d’Azur is a very unusual activity!
Sled dogs have arrived in Auron and Isola 2000 in 2021, an activity I couldn’t miss with my children!
The activity “dog sledding” has been tempting me for a long time, so here is the opportunity to test it with my family, in Auron, not far from my home.
With Florian, Emma and Maé, who are between 7 and 9 years old, we opted for the discovery circuit starting from the Auron resort. The tour takes about 15 minutes, but the time slot is 30 minutes, because the musher takes the time to introduce us to the dogs and explain how the sled works, as well as the safety instructions.
It is a real moment of sharing, the dogs, Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute, are very sociable with humans and let themselves be stroked in complete safety.
Guillaume the musher is passionate about dogs and trains with them all year round. He explains to us the differences between these two breeds. Huskies are racing cars, fast and very reactive to orders, on the sled the huskies are therefore placed in the lead, they are the leaders.
The Alaskan Malamute, bigger, are forces of nature, very powerful, but a little bit slower, they are the ones who will pull, so they will be placed closer to the sled, behind the huskies.
All you have to do now is enjoy…
Youna in the lead, the most attentive to the orders is ready to go, in the starting-blocks! ! We get into the sled and then the dogs are released. At the start, the pulling force of the dogs is impressive, they want to run, let’s go, let’s take off! The 15 minutes ride, the tour of the Riou offers us a magnificent view of the resort. The rhythm, variable, allows us to take advantage of the beautiful panorama and to make beautiful souvenir photos.
The musher, always listening to his dogs, seems to be in perfect harmony with them.
A sled is pulled by 6 or 8 dogs depending on the weight of the passengers. You can go on it with your family (two adults and two children). In any case, when registering, please specify the number of participants to evaluate the weight of the crew.
Concerning the equipment, it is necessary to provide comfortable clothing adapted to the weather, being static in the sled you must not be cold. The circuit is sunny, sunglasses are well adapted.
Good to know : Alaskan Malamutes have character and do not get along with other dogs, so if you see the sled passing by during your walk with a doggie, signal to the musher from a distance that he can take them away from you. Call him or give him a sign, he is trained to control the sled in all circumstances.
Florian, 7 years old
“I loved being able to cuddle the dogs before the start. My favourite was Pin-Up, the malamute with the big heart and raspy tongue. The sleigh ride was a lot of fun, the dogs went really fast downhill, we were sliding at full speed!”
The activity “dog sledding” in Auron or Isola 2000 is ideal, to discover with the family or for a more romantic tour for two. I recommend it to you if you wish to experience the pleasures of skiing in a different way and to discover the mountains off the beaten track. One of the most original activities in our latitudes!
Guillaume and his dogs Youna, Pin-Up, Punk, Pirate and the others are waiting for you at the Riou car park.
Contacts
- AURON : The Wild Spark with Guillaume, on reservation
Baptism on the Riou loop, 15 min ride
Course of the Puy d’Auron, duration 1h
- ISOLA 2000 : Le Traîneau des Loups Blancs – White Wolves’ Sleigh on reservation with Olivier
Dog sledding experience, 30 min
Visit to the kennel at a charge
Other activities, other sensations…
