Mushing Through History with Abitibi Sled Dogs: A Northeastern Ontario Dogsled Adventure

Imagine travelling the same frozen routes once used by gold seekers more than a century ago, by the same means of transportation. North of Timmins, Ontario, you can do just that. At Abitibi Sled Dogs, modern adventurers can step into the boots of prospectors and trappers, exploring the Porcupine Gold Rush trails by harnessing the power of Alaskan huskies. Whether you spend an afternoon mushing through the boreal forest or join a new two-day overnight experience in a prospector tent, this is history you can live.

Step Into the Past: Dogsledding the Historic Porcupine Gold Rush Trails Near Timmins

Founded by Jacob Betker and Chantal Chauvin, Abitibi Sled Dogs blends northern heritage with hands-on adventure. The couple’s trails weave through the same wilderness where fortune seekers once trudged with supplies and dreams of striking it rich. Today, those paths carry travellers eager to trade the rush of screens for the rhythm of sled runners on snow.

The Abitibi Sled Dogs team was featured in a short Nissan Canada film with Olympic gold medallist Max Parrot. To see the experience and the team in action, you can watch the video here. 

Meet Abitibi Sled Dogs: A Northern Ontario Kennel Built on Passion and Heritage

Jacob and Chantal’s story began seven years ago when they met and decided to build a life around their shared love of dogs and the outdoors. “When we met, I had six dogs and a dream,” Jacob says. “She asked what I’d need to do to make that dream a reality, and I said I’d need more dogs.” Jacob recalls that Chantal just smiled and replied, “Then you should get more dogs.”

Now their “doggie resort” is home to 24 Alaskan huskies, each one a blend of stamina, smarts, and boundless enthusiasm. Unlike the heavyset malamutes once used in the High Arctic, these lean, long-legged huskies are bred for agility and endurance. They can run for hours through deep snow, weaving along trails framed by snow-laden pines.

Training, Personality, and Pack Life: Getting to Know the Dogs

Visitors to the Abitibi Sled Dogs kennel can meet the dogs year-round, learning about their personalities and training. The dogs in the kennel are so excited to be picked for an expedition that they race back and forth and jump high at the door like to say: “Pick me, I’m full of energy and will do an amazing job!” It’s loud and a bit intimidating with a row of dogs on either side of you, all vying for Jacob’s attention.

On the day excursions, guests often meet Jacob at the trailhead and visit the kennel afterwards. The dogs’ excitement is palpable; they can’t wait to start running.

Your First Dogsledding Experience: The Magic of Riding Behind a Working Dog Team

You learn to stand on the runners and take turns guiding the tandem sled, feeling the power and precision of the dogs as they respond to voice commands. It’s not a passive ride, you’re a part of the team, balancing, braking, and cheering your dogs as they climb gentle slopes or round a bend.

“The moment they start running, everything goes quiet,” Jacob says. “You go from chaos to calm in an instant. That’s when you understand what teamwork really feels like.”

Overnight Prospector Adventure: Sleep Beneath the Northern Lights

For those who want to extend the experience, Abitibi Sled Dogs now offers a two-day prospector adventure that takes the connection even deeper.

The overnight journey begins with a day at their site, meeting the dogs and getting comfortable with the prospector tent. The next day, the expedition takes small groups dogsledding along the historic Porcupine Gold Rush route before reaching a prospector's camp, tucked in the woods. Here, the spirit of the early 1900s lives on, with a few modern comforts. Inside the canvas tent, a wood stove crackles, ready to heat a hearty meal. Outside, the dogs rest happily, exhausted in the snow.

It is beyond peaceful. As the night sky replaces the pink and orange sunset with a star-covered cloak, the quiet is big. Sometimes, guests are also rewarded with the northern lights dancing for them.

After breakfast is cooked over the wood stove in the morning, the group re-harnesses the dogs and returns to the trail, retracing their tracks through the quiet wilderness. By the time they arrive back at the kennel, most travellers describe feeling both exhilarated and centred, like they’ve experienced a kind of northern meditation.

Summer Experiences: Kennel Tours and Hands-On Learning with Abitibi Sled Dogs

In the warmer months, visitors can still experience a slice of this northern story through kennel tours and educational programs. Guests can meet the dogs, learn how they train in summer, and discover how each one plays a role in the pack. “They love to work,” Jacob says. “They were born to run.”

For travellers seeking more than just a thrill, dogsledding with Abitibi Sled Dogs is a way to connect with the past, with nature, and with the enduring northern spirit. These trails, once carved by gold seekers and trappers, still echo with the joyful rhythm of paws on snow.

Plan Your Trip: How to Experience Abitibi Sled Dogs on Your Timmins Adventure

Abitibi Sled Dogs is located near Iroquois Falls, Ontario, about 40 minutes from Timmins. Winter dogsledding excursions run from December through March, with half-day, full-day, and two-day overnight experiences available. Summer kennel tours and educational visits are offered by appointment. For more information or to book, visit abitibisleddogs.com

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