At Pointe de Sel, as you know, we love activities that combine family sharing and harmony with nature. And imagine that we had the joy of testing this summer the cani hike, pulled by “Wok”, our mischievous 2-year-old canine companion of the day. Between the sporting aspect, the discovery of the mountains and the bond with the animal, this activity has no shortage of dogs!
We invite you to meet Mathias Bernal, musher and manager of “Hors Trace Aventure” in La Plagne in Savoie. Mathias and his wife Madeleine reveal to us the secrets of their very special profession and this discipline not to be missed.
Here we are at the kennel in La Plagne Montalbert. Mathias, can you tell us how life is organized here?
The kennel is made up of a hundred dogs, 65 of which are active. Among the remaining 35, there are babies and dogs who are still too small to work on the one hand, and "grandpas - grannies" too old to be called upon for our activities on the other hand, although we sometimes takes some of them to the activities because even if they are a little tired, you can tell that they enjoy it!
The dogs are of Greenlandic breed, they are Nordic dogs, powerful – they weigh between 35 and 45 kg – and rustic. Some are crossed with hunting dogs.
In winter, the dogs are hitched for sleds or initiations to driving a hitch. Dog sled rides are contemplative and very popular with families with children. The dogs appreciate the fairly sporty course on the Dou du Praz plateau in La Plagne.
Just like us, dogs need a rest when the end of the season comes in the spring.
Summer, time for cani hike and in the cani kart, and in the fall, we must train them so that they are in shape to start the winter again in good physical predispositions.
Can you explain to us how you train your dogs in all these disciplines you tell us about?
To start putting an animal to work, you must wait until it is physically “finished”, that is to say until it has completely finished gaining weight and growing, generally around 12 or 14 months. They always start with driving, which disciplines and channels them, before having them do solo activities like riding. cani hike.
For these dogs, towing is a pleasure, it is their predatory instinct that guides them.
The cani rando, what is it more precisely?
La cani hike is an active walk with a dog to which you are connected via a cushioned lanyard which connects a belt to the dog's harness (the same as those used in winter to pull the sled). On the way up, the dog helps us climb the slope. On the descent, on the contrary, you must hold it in place by bracing yourself and having solid support.
La cani hike is a very family and sporting discipline, with the added bonus of discovering the mountain environment in which we find ourselves and bonding with the animal. It can be practiced from 5 years old, if the child is willing to walk. At this moment, the child is connected to the dog with an adult person of course. The child's lanyard is longer than that of adults so that shocks are absorbed by the adult.
La cani hike has existed for around twenty years, since sled dogs existed. This allows the dogs to work when there is no snow and to be able to offer an activity with them all year round.
The families of our clients Pointe de sel tested and loved it!
Want to know more or test the cani rando?
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Pointe de sel organizes your stay in the mountains according to your wishes, with accommodation in a fully privatized top-of-the-range chalet, catering at the chalet and reserved activities. Leave with peace of mind, we take care of everything.
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An all-inclusive stay in a luxury chalet in Savoie is an excellent choice for those looking to live a dream vacation experience, combining the discovery of activities such as cani hike, with exceptional equipment, an ideal location and the flexibility of a tailor-made service.
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