Discover Dog Sledding
Vålådalen is a quiet and peaceful mountain village lying in the heart of one of Sweden's largest nature reserves. Surrounded by ancient undisturbed forests and with magnificent views over the surrounding mountains, the feeling of the wilderness is strong here. This frontier feeling still persists, despite the fact that humans have been living in the area, fishing in the calm waters of Lake Ottsjön and gazing out across the wild mountain plains since the Stone Age.
Duration: 4 days
Dates/Period: 06.03-09.03.09
Price: from £554/person
Groups of min.5 can book this experience on other dates by arrangement.
Accommodation: 1 night in mountain cabin and 2 nights at tourist station.
Required: general good level of fitness, minimum age 13.
A 4-day dog sledding holiday with 2 days' dog sledding in command of your own husky team.
It is a unique and wonderful feeling to be in command of your own team of sled dogs. This weekend dog sledding holiday is an ideal short-break adventure for anyone with limited time to spare, or for those of you who would like to "have a go" before embarking on a full-scale week-long expedition.
Discover Dog Sledding gives you the opportunity to gain experience in driving a dog sled and handling the dogs on a tour short enough to be accessible to all but long enough to give you a real feel for life on the trail.
Your experience begins with dinner and accommodation at the comfortable and welcoming Vålådalen Tourist Station. The following morning, after a hearty breakfast and feeling well-rested, you will receive full instruction on how to drive your dogsled and be taken through the planned itinerary for your trip. You then go out below the tourist station where you will be introduced to your dogs, who will be your friends, companions, and your method of propulsion for the coming tour. After packing the sleds and harnessing the dogs, you release the brakes and the adventure begins!
The first day takes you through the ancient forests of Vålådalen nature reserve, an area rich in mountain flora and fauna. Travelling on the boundary between the birch forest and the wide open mountain plains, you make your way towards Vålåstugan, the mountain cabin where you will spend the night. But it's not quite time to relax just yet! First you must melt snow for water, feed the dogs and settle them for the night. Then it is time to retire to the cabin for dinner and a cosy evening around the fire. After comparing stories and impressions of your first day, pleasantly sleepy after your day in the hills but eager for the sunrise, you will retire for the night to dream of your next day on the trail.
For your second day of dog sledding, the route requires more technical control of the sled. Having honed your skills on the previous day, you should now be feeling quite comfortable and in control on your sled and be eager for the challenges that this day brings. You will head eastwards towards Lundörstugan, breaking for lunch to admire the beautiful view over the expanse of the Lundörpas. The rest of the journey will take you through a lovely area of pine forest and lakes before arriving back at the Vålådalen Tourist Station. Though only a short time since you were here last, it may feel that you have been away much longer in the wilds of the Jämtland mountains, and it will now be time for a well-earned sauna and a final evening with your travelling companions and new-found friends.
Comments on Discover Dog Sledding:
"I thought your service was remarkable...A thoroughly amazing trip that far surpassed my expectations. The guides in Sweden were professional, capable, helpful and good fun - an experience I want to repeat." Trudi
"Thank you so much for all the help and support in arranging our trip, which went very smoothly and definitely contributed to good memorable experiences! It was an out of the norm experience and I'm really glad to have done it. Tommy and Carina, the guides for the dog sledding, were wonderful and very welcoming." Hardeep