If you're looking for a winter holiday with a difference this year, how about a dog sledding adventure in the Nordic countries? Sweden, Norway and Finland are some of the world's top destinations for dogsled tours, with a long winter season extending from November to May in some areas.
Fixed-date tours from November to May or private husky adventures on custom dates
The season for our dog sledding holidays runs from mid-November to early May depending on the tour.
Nature Travels offers many ways to answer the Call of the Wild. A large selection of scheduled dog sled tours of varying duration and level of challenge
are offered on fixed dates throughout the season, ideal for solo travellers, couples or families.
If you would like a private dog sledding tour, most of the tours can also be booked by small groups on custom dates by arrangement.
Our dog sledding tours are ideal for and very popular with solo travellers, couples, small groups of friends or larger groups arranging a private
itinerary. A private version of one of the scheduled public tours may be a suitable option if you are 4-6 or more persons travelling together, such as for adventurous
training for Armed Forces groups or a charity dog sledding expedition.
Photo: George Baker.
Some of the world's best locations for dog sledding
Dog sledding is a wonderful sport, and Sweden, Norway and Finland offer world-class opportunities for a husky holiday. The combination of outdoor
adventure, nature experience and personal challenge is hard to resist - and dog sledding is a marvellous way to experience the beauty and tranquility
of the winter mountain world.
Many of our experiences run in areas with restricted access for snowmobiles, ensuring there is nothing to disturb
the silence but the excited barking of your husky team straining to be off!
Photo: Keith Slater.
From introductory husky tours to challenging wilderness expeditions
Nature Travels dog sledding holidays are suitable for anyone in generally good physical condition, though the level of challenge varies considerably
between tours and it is important to ensure you choose the most suitable experience for you.
Life on the trail can be demanding, but above all you will need a willingness to work with the huskies in your dogsled team, caring for them and
earning their friendship during your tour. The majority of our dogsled tours are based on (adult) participants driving their own dogsled, normally with 3-5 Alaskan Huskies
or Siberian Huskies depending on the tour. For some tours, those who are not able or do not wish to drive their own sled can choose to share
a sled or use a sled attached to the guide's sled.
Photo: Kayleigh MacMillan.
You will be given full training and guidance in handling your dogsled before the tour from your local guide. Some strength and fitness is required
when braking the sled or when it is necessary to step off the sled to run or "scoot" behind for short distances when travelling uphill, but you
will be surprised how quickly you gain confidence and begin to develop the skills needed. You should be very proud of your progress as a musher
by the end of your tour!
Each of our dog sledding holidays offers something different, and it is important that you choose the best experience for you. We have outlined information below
on the range of options for dog sledding in Sweden, Finland and Norway. You may also find our dog
sledding FAQs of interest. Alternatively, please contact us and we will happy to answer any questions you may have.
Combining dog sledding with other activities
Finally, if you like the idea of a husky holiday but are not looking for a dedicated dogsled tour, our Northern Lights Multi-activity Adventure in Lapland experience combines dog sledding with other activities in the beautiful Lapland wilderness, while Winter Wonderland in Jämtland is a very personal experience in north-central Sweden combining dog sledding with the family huskies with horse-and-sleigh, ice fishing and "play in the snow" activities for adults or families.
If dog sledding is your main focus but you'd like to incorporate a few other activities, Aurora Husky Adventure in Finnmark (Option 2, 8 days/7 nights) and Wilderness Lodge and Husky Sledding in Swedish Lapland (Option 2, 8 days/7 nights) experiences feature multiple days of dog sledding but also with additional activities during the week.
For families with younger children or those who would like to just "have a go", it is possible to arrange husky day tours when staying at Winter Log Cabin Escape in Värmland, usually using shared sleds driven by a guide.
Why is Sweden good for dog sledding?
The Sweden dogsled tours we offer are located in different parts of Swedish Lapland in the north of the country. This is a wonderful region for dog sledding because:
- Sweden's vast areas of lowland lakes and forests are ideal for husky sledding throughout the winter, so the season for dog sledding is very long. Typically snow conditions are suitable for sledding by around mid-November and the season continues all the way to late April.
- Swedish Lapland also has spectacular mountain regions which are perfect for more challenging dogsled tours, staying in mountain cabins or even winter camping. Some of our mountain dogsled tours are possible throughout the season, while others take place only in the later part of the winter from mid-February onwards.
- You have very good chances to see the Northern Lights during your tour, as you are dog sledding in the far north and in areas away from light pollution. The Northern Lights can be seen on any of our husky tours in Sweden throughout the season up until around early/mid-April, when the nights start to become too light for the Aurora to be visible.
Adults drive their own sled for all our dogsled tours in Sweden. Photo: James Padolsey.
Dog Sledding Holidays in Sweden:
Our seven options for dog sledding in Sweden range from family-friendly trips to challenging wilderness expeditions. None requires previous sledding experience, but for the more challenging tours it is important that you have an appropriate level of fitness and are used to the outdoors. You'll find more information on the requirements for each dogsled tour under "Good to know" on the relevant tour page.
Who should choose this tour?
- You are an adult solo traveller or group (children min. age 15 also possible) looking for an adventurous tour in a very remote area, but perhaps don't want a full week's dog sledding. Most tours are 5 days/4 nights (with 3 days' sledding) with some dates 6 days/5 nights (with 4 days' sledding). Tours are possible throughout the winter from November to April.
- You like very personal, small-scale experiences. Maximum group size is just 4 persons, which also makes it ideal for small private groups of friends (up to 5 persons can be accommodated on private tours).
In Vindelfjällen you may well have the world to yourself! Photo: PK.
The Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, located in north-west Sweden, is Europe's largest protected area but there is very little tourism here, so you'll really be getting "away from it all" and may well meet no-one else during your trip.
This tour takes you up through the lowland forest into a landscape of open, rolling mountains, so you can experience the adventure of mountain dog sledding right through the winter season.
As a dogsled tour partly in the mountains, this tour can be physically challenging, especially in heavy snow conditions, and requires a general good level of fitness, but is a very popular choice for a wide range of guests.
Accommodation is first and last night in comfortable cabin near the kennels and nights during the tour in simple wilderness cabins along the route.
Who should choose this tour?
- You are:
- An adult solo traveller or small group (max. 4 persons) seeking a moderately challenging, very personal dogsled adventure. Tours are offered from January to April, with public tour dates and also the possibility for private tours on request.
- You love the idea of working closely with your dogsled team and learning how to care for and relate to your team in the best way.
- You appreciate home-cooked food and local hospitality as part of your experience, and the opportunity to do a little snowshoeing and ice fishing as extra activities after the day's dog sledding is over.
- You would like a dogsled experience which is accessible without domestic flight (this experience is conveniently reached by direct train from Stockholm in 4.5-5 hours).
The dogs themselves are always the stars of any dogsled adventure. Photo:NHF.
Located in the remote northern region of Jätland in the heart of Sweden, you will spend three days driving your own dogsled, beginning with an introductory day returning to the kennels, and followed by an overnight expedition with accommodation in heated tipi tent or wilderness cabin.
Suitable for adults (min. age 18 with guests aged 16-17 possible by arrangement), this is an authentic mushing adventure with local hospitality and home-cooked food.
Who should choose this tour?
- You are a solo adult or group looking for a challenging wilderness dogsled tour in the later part of the winter (tours are offered in late March and April), typically covered greater daily distances than is possible for other mountain tours. This tour is also ideal for private groups and is a very personal and small-scale expereince with group size just 4 persons.
- You want to drive a team of racing-trained huskies through one of Sweden's most remote areas.
- You have been dog sledding before and are looking for a "next step" experience (previous sledding experience is not essential, but this is an excellent choice for guests who have been dog sledding before).
This tour is an extended version of Dog Sledding and Northern Lights in Vindelfällen, but with a significantly higher level of both mental and physical challenge.
This is the most challenging and remote of our Sweden dog sledding tours. Photo: PK.
A unique opportunity to drive competition-trained husky teams through a stunning landscape of rolling mountains in north-west Sweden, this is the most challenging of our dogsled tours in Sweden and is a real "bucket list" adventure.
Accommodation during the tour is usually a combination of wilderness cabins and winter camping along the route. The itinerary for this tour can be varied to take account of weather and trail conditions and to a certain extent the abilities/experience of the guests. First and last nights are in comfortable cabin near the kennels.
Who should choose this tour?
- You are:
- An adult solo traveller or group looking for a challenging dogsled tour in a mountain landscape, with the combination of winter camping and cabin accommodation (the tour will normally feature both).
- You should have a high level of physical fitness and at least some previous experience of dog sledding. The travel point for this tour is Kiruna, which also offers additional possibilities for other activities before/after your dogsled tour if you wish to extend your stay, such as a visit to/stay at the Ice Hotel.
This tour is a challenging dogsled adventure in a stunning mountain region. Photo: KST.
This tour offers the opportunity to drive a large team of huskies (typically 6-7 dogs per sled), many of which may be part of sled-racing teams, on an adventure in remote and varied terrain. The tour takes place during the "spring winter" period in April, which is the ideal time for winter activities in the mountains and for winter camping.
Who should choose this tour?
- You are:
- An adult solo traveller, group or family with older children (min. age 16) looking for an adventurous but accessible multi-day dogsled tour. Tours are offered throughout the season from November to April.
- You would like a fully-fledged dogsled adventure with expedition element but without the commitment of a longer tour. The tour features total 3 days' sledding, with introductory tour from the kennels Day 1 and overnight expedition to wilderness cabin Days 2/3.
- You would enjoy the added dimension of sledding to a new location during your tour. For Day 1 and Day 3, accommodation is at the kennels, while Day 2 is at riverside wilderness camp (when ice conditions are suitable to cross the river, usually from December onwards). Sauna is available on all nights.
- You would like the flexibility to be able to use tandem sled (with both persons standing and assisting in driving) if preferred. As standard, participants aged 18+ will drive own sled for the tours, but tandem sled is available as an alternative.
1-2 nights are spent winter camping in heated tents during the tour. Sauna is available on Day 3. Photo: KST.
Combining wonderful sledding in a remote area and some simple comforts, this is a very good option for those looking for an adventurous tour which is still accessible to a wide range of participants, and also ideal if you wish to plan other activities in the Kiruna area before/after your tour such as a visit to the Ice Hotel.
Who should choose this tour?
- You are:
- An adult solo traveller, group or family with older children (min. age 16) looking for multi-day dog sledding driving your own dog team, but appreciate the comfort and stability of having a fixed base for the majority of your tour.
- You would enjoy the added dimension of sledding to wilderness cabin to your tour. For six of the seven nights, accommodation is at the kennels, with one night spent at riverside wilderness camp (when ice conditions are suitable to cross the river, usually from December onwards). Sauna is available on all nights.
- You would like the option to spend extra nights in the Kiruna area before and/or after your tour to extend your stay, where additional activities are available, or to visit the Ice Hotel, which is located nearby.
This experience gives very good chances to see the Northern Lights during your tour. Photo: KST.
The tour features five days of dog sledding in total, including overnight expedition to wilderness camp, with one day for other activities, which can be flexible and include visit to the Ice Hotel/Kiruna town or snowshoeing/ice fishing from the Lodge.
Who should choose this tour?
- You are:
- An adult solo traveller, group or family with older children (min. age 16) looking for multi-day dog sledding driving your own dog team.
- You are looking for an extended husky experience with the challenge and adventure of some nights in wilderness cabin and/or winter camping, in combination with other nights during the week with comfortable/modern accommodation.
- You would like to travel without the need for domestic flight or lengthy transfer. This experience is easily accessible by direct night train from Stockholm, as well as by internal flight option, and transfer from Arvidsjaur airport or Jörn train station takes just 40 minutes.
In addition to 4 nights in comfortable accommodation at the kennels, this tour features 3 expedition nights moving between wilderness cabins or camp[ing locations. Photo: LND.
The tour features five days of dog sledding, driving your own husky team through a beautiful landscape of frozen lakes and forest. Accommodation for 4 nights of the week is in spacious, comfortable guesthouse 5 mins from the kennels, while 3 nights are expedition nights with accommodation in simple wilderness cabins and/or winter camping in 2-person expedition tents or heated tipi.
There is also one "free activity day" at the end of the week, when you can choose to do extra activities such as snowshoeing from the kennels (free or charge) or travel into Arvidsjaur for other activities arranged locally. Alternatively, it is also possible to depart on this day if preferred.
Why is Finland good for dog sledding?
In Finland, we offer two options with different levels of challenge: a week-long, point-to-point tour, Hut to Hut Aurora Husky Safari in Lapland, when you will sled between different wilderness cabins each day during the tour, and Discover Husky Sledding in the Wilderness, which features a combination of fixed base and point-to-point sledding.
Dog Sledding Holidays in Finland:
Our Finland dogsled tours take place in the far north of Finnish Lapland, in the beautiful forest landscapes around Kittilä and in the Taivalkoski region a little to the south of the border with Lapland.
Who should choose this tour?
- Adults (min. age 18) with good level of fitness and experience of the outdoors looking for a fairly challenging point-to-point dogsled tour in a remote area with good possibilities for Northern Lights.
- Those who enjoy adventure and simple wilderness living but also appreciate a few "creature comforts" offered by this tour. Accommodation at the start/end is shared in comfortable hotel rooms or cabins, while the wilderness cabins along the route each have sauna available.
A view of the Northern Lights is always a magical end to a day on the trail. Photo: HHS.
You will be driving your own dogsled, typically with four huskies in your team, and covering around 30-45km daily as you sled through a landscape of frozen lakes and ancient forest between the cabins.
Who should choose this tour?
- Adults (min. age 15) who wish to drive own sled, or families with children under 15 who have suitable height/weight/strength to handle their own sled (please contact us to discuss suitability).
- Those who are looking for a personal winter adventure in a remote landscape, but who would like a more easy-going experience compared to some of our other multi-day dogsled tours.
All participants drive own sled team of 3-6 huskies for this tour. Photo: UT.
The tour begins with a training day from the kennels (around 10km) followed by a two-day expedition to wilderness cabin (20-35km/day). Sauna is available each night, including wood-fired sauna for night at the wilderness cabin.
Why is Norway good for dog sledding?
Norway is world-famous for its breathtaking mountain landscapes, and choosing Norway for your dog sledding holiday can be a wonderful way to combine the adventure of a husky tour with the splendour of the Norwegian landscape.
But with a length of more than 2500km north to south), the country offers huge variation, which is reflected in the range of dogsled tours we offer in the country:
- The majestic mountain peaks of central Norway and the rolling fjells of Trøndelag are easily accessible from Oslo or Trondheim, meaning travelling to stunning dog sledding locations can be easier and lower cost than tours further north.
- In the far north of Norway, the tundra region of Finnmark offers a very different landscape - wide, open spaces of wilderness with a magical atmosphere.
Norway offers world-class landscapes for a dogsled adventure. Photo: Nature Travels.
Dog Sledding Holidays in Norway:
Our Norway dogsled tours offer a variety and landscapes, from the beautiful mountains of Trøndelag to the wild beauty of the Finnmark tundra.
Who should choose this tour?
- You are an adult solo traveller, group or family with older children (min. age 13) looking for a moderately challenging and unique dogsled experience. Three tour options are available: a 5-day tour with 3 days' sledding, an 8-day itinerary with 3 days' sledding and additional activities at the kennels, and an 8-day itinerary with 6 days' sledding.
- You appreciate a strong focus on tradition and sustainable living. The cabins at the kennels, where you stay for the first and last nights of the tour (and also additional nights for one of the 8-day itineraries) have not only been hand-built but are also completely furnished and decorated with hand-crafted items from local materials. Even the clothes you will be wearing when sledding are hand-made!
The handcrafted cabins at the kennels are a unique attraction for this tour. Photo: EH.
Located in the far north of mainland Norway, these tours offer the possibility to sled on the Finnmark plateau and are a perfect choice for dog sledding in a remote and beautiful wilderness area but with a level of challenge accessible to most guests with general good level of fitness. There is the flexibility to use tandem sleds where both persons drive at the same time, progressing to driving own sled as you gain confidence and experience.
When out "on tour", accommodation is in simple wilderness cabins as for other dogsled experiences.
For the 8-day itineraries, there is also a Sámi cultural element where you have the opportunity to visit a local family and learn something of the life of a reindeer herder. Nearby Karasjok if the home of the Sámi parliament and a centre for indigenous political administration.
Who should choose this tour?
- Solo adults, small groups of families with older children (min. age 15) who would like a relatively short tour easily accessible from Trondheim, but which offers a real flavour of mountain dog sledding.
- Female travellers who would like a ladies-only tour (there are mixed and female-only tour dates available).
The night in wilderness cabin in the mountains is a great introduction to longer cabin tours. Photo: NHA.
Just an hour from Trondheim, this tour combines accommodation in comfortable chalet with (for the Open and 5-day tour itineraries) a night in wilderness cabin in the mountains.
Who should choose this tour?
- Adults or adventurous families would like to experience winter camping in addition to some wonderful dog sledding in a personal and flexible tour environment.
- The unique nature of this tour means that the trip can be adapted to suit the needs and wishes of the participants, with the accommodation used (heated tents and/or standard tents), daily distances covered and area explored all flexible to offer the best possible experience.
The use of spacious, heated "Gamme" tents makes this tour both uniquely flexible in terms of itinerary and allows you to experience all the adventure winter camping but with a little extra comfort. Photo: PIR.
This tour used shared sleds one per two persons, with participants changing driver/passenger role as appropriate, and offers the oppportunity to experience driving large teams of up to eight dogs in remote and challenging terrain, where two persons are required to handle the sled and teams effectively.
Combining an evening training tour on Day 1 with three days of dog sledding and winter camping in the wilderness, this tour is ideal both for individual travellers on public tour dates and for private groups and families wishing to have their own experience.
Who should choose this tour?
- Adults looking to combine adventurous dog sledding in remote terrain with comfortable accommodation, modern facilities and good food with good possibilities to see Northern Lights during the tour.
- Guests who wish to do extra activities before/after their dogsled tour such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, fjord boat tours or Northern Lights tours, or wish to visit or stay at Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. Alta, where you will stay independently before and usually after your dogsled tour, offers a wide range of possibilities for extra activities if you wish to extend your stay in the Finnmark area.
The Finnmark Plateau is a wild and beautiful region ideal for multi-day dogsled adventures. Photo: GH.
This tour used tandem sleds with both participants standing at the back and assisting to control the sled and work with the dogs. Larger teams of 6-8 dogs per sled are normally used. This arrangement is ideal for sledding in the open terrain of the Finnmark Plateau.
Offered weekly from early January to late March (with private tours also possible by arrangement from December to May) and with two nights' accommodation in cosy and welcoming mountain lodge with full facilities and sauna, this is a wonderful option for combining adventurous mushing with a touch of relative luxury.
Dog sledding is a unique and wonderfully addictive experience, and there are no better places for it than the Nordic countries! If you haven't tried
it, you really should. And if you already have, then what are you waiting for? It's time to get back on the trail!
