‘It’s a really neat opportunity’: Sask. dogsledding and sauna experience draws winter visitors to Blackstrap

It was a blend of both some outdoor adventure and relaxation at Blackstrap Provincial Park on Saturday. Hallee Mandryk reports.

It was a blend of both some outdoor adventure and relaxation at Blackstrap Provincial Park on Saturday.

Visitors had the opportunity to go for a ride on a dogsled with Campbell’s Racing Sled Dogs, followed by a sauna with Back2Nature Wellness and Adventures.

“It’s a really neat opportunity for people to get out on a dog sled and experience the feeling of traveling down the trail. It’s quiet, you hear the sound of the runners, the sound of the dogs, the rhythm of the team. It’s just a beautiful thing to watch, and you kind of get mesmerized in it all and it’s so peaceful,” Aaron Campbell, the owner and operator of Campbell’s Racing Sled Dogs said.

Visitors had the opportunity to help set up the sled in addition to enjoying a ride. Campbell said many who show up have never had the chance to see a dogsled up close, and it often comes with some surprises.

“Most people are excited by or surprised by the power of the team when they first take off. These dogs are very powerful. They’re not very big, but they’re very strong,” Campbell said.

Campbell said the dogs weigh between 40 and 60 pounds, and they don’t have the fluffy coats that many people associate with sled dogs.

“They’re not a typical husky-looking dogs. These are sprint racing dogs that have had some hunting breeds bred in for traits that we’re looking for....they handle the cold good and they enjoy running,” Campbell said.

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One of the dog handlers, Marie-Therese Schmidt added that one of the unique challenges of her role is understanding each dog and how they fit into the dogsled team.

“Getting to know all the dogs and knowing their strengths and weaknesses and characters...some really like certain positions. And some really like to go lead, some are better at team. Growing closer with the dogs and then knowing that we can run with sled dogs for a very long time,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt added that these dogs are epically unique as they enjoy the cold in spite of their thinner coats.

“For the dogs, it’s amazing because they love the cold. Like when they’re nice and cozy in their boxes and then they get out, they enjoy running in the cold a lot more than in the warmer weather because they get too hot pretty soon. Then they just power through, which is pretty amazing because we couldn’t do that as humans,” Schmidt said.

Following the brisk dogsled ride through the provincial park, visitors warmed up by travelling down the road to a sauna provided by Back2Nature Wellness and Adventures.

“I thought it would be a really great collaboration to offer a sled dog ride and then a sauna after, because sometimes it can be really cold when you’re dog sledding. And then that would be really amazing for guests to come after and sauna,” Kyla Bouvier, the owner and founder of Back2Nature Wellness and Adventures, said.

Bouvier provides sauna experiences at Blackstrap throughout much of the fall and winter, and this is her third season collaborating with Campbell’s Racing Sled Dogs.

The business owner said it can be challenging to find activities throughout Saskatchewan’s lengthy winters, and the warm sauna tucked among frosty trees is a unique way for people to enjoy the colder months.

“Our winters are long and cold and we like to be warm and cozy. And also sauna is just really great for the mind, the body, the soul as well, so many great benefits,” Bouvier said.