Description »
The ideal introduction to the wonderful world of multi-day dog sledding and driving your own husky team
Winter 2026: Bookings are now open for winter 2025/26. We recommend booking immediately if you wish to travel next winter. Max. group size is just 4 persons and availability is typically limited far in advance.
With a number of tour dates between December and April, including Christmas, New Year and Easter weeks, First Steps Husky Holiday is the perfect opportunity to discover the adventure and excitement of dog sledding and the joy of working closely with and caring for the huskies, as well as to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Swedish Lapland in wintertime.
During the week, you'll spend six nights in comfortable guesthouse accommodation near the kennels. Dog sledding is the main focus of the week, including one overnight "expedition" with the husky teams, where you'll stay in simple wilderness cabin or camp wild for the night. There will be plenty of dog sledding and time spent with the huskies during the week, but there is also time for relaxation and some additional activities. Depending on your preference and choice of itinerary, these may include snowshoeing, ice fishing, and visiting a local Sámi reindeer herder to meet the reindeer and learn about Sámi culture.
First Steps Husky Holiday is suitable for adult guests (min. age 16) looking for an authentic, multi-day dogsled adventure with an accessible level of challenge. On request, private tours suitable for families (min. age 8) may also be possible. With max. group size just 4 persons, this is both a very personal and very flexible adventure, and a magical way to enjoy the Lapland winter.
Driving your own dogsled team through silent forests draped in snow? There's nothing like it! Photo: LND.
Option 1: Offered December-March
- Half-day introductory dogsled tour (approx. 20km).
- Overnight dogsled expedition (approx. 20-30km/day) staying in wilderness cabin or winter camping.
- Evening dogsled tour in search of the Northern Lights.
If the skies are clear and there's solar activity, there are very good chances of a light show. Photo: LND.
- "Husky School" day with instruction and information on various aspects of life at the kennels including caring for, training and maintaining the health and happiness of the huskies.
Huskies are very affectionate and love a cuddle almost as much as they love running! Photo: LND.
- Free activity day with possibilities including snowshoeing, ice skating, cross country skiing or travelling to Arvidsjaur for additional options such as snowmobiling.
Option 2: Christmas, New Year and Easter
- Half-day introductory dogsled tour (approx. 20km).
- Half-day snowshoeing tour (with possibilities for ice fishing) to look for tracks and signs of wildlife including reindeer, foxes, Arctic hare and birds.
A snowshoe tour gives a new way to enjoy the beauty of Lapland in winter. Photo: LND.
- Evening tour in search of the Northern Lights (by dogsled, vehicle or snowshoes depending on most suitable option).
- Overnight dogsled expedition (approx. 20-40km/day) staying in wilderness cabin or winter camping.
The overnight tour to wilderness cabin or winter camping will be an adventurous highlight of the week. Photo: LND.
- Visit to local Sámi reindeer herder to meet and learn about the reindeer and the life of a reindeer herder. Note that this is a genuine experience to see the reindeer in their natural environment - there will be an opportunity to feed the reindeer and with luck they will respond and come up to you, but the reindeer are not enclosed in an area for petting.
- Free activity day with possibilities including snowshoeing, ice skating, cross country skiing or travelling to Arvidsjaur for additional options such as snowmobiling.
Getting Involved
As with all our dogsled tours, you will be involved in all aspects of the trip, and this is very much part of the experience. You will assist with caring for your dog team, including harnessing, feeding (and, yes, picking up poo!), as well as tasks around camp such as fetching water, chopping wood, preparing food, washing up, etc.
...
Itinerary »
NB: The below are preliminary itineraries and may vary due to factors such as weather conditions, access to trails and seasonal changes. The order of daily activities may also be changed.
Option 1 and Option 2 tours:
Day 1: Arrival
To reduce the number of transfers on arrival day, as guests may be arriving at different times, transfers will be coordinated depending on the travel plans of other guests in the group. If guests are arriving with separate connections up to 2-3 hours apart, you may be asked to wait at your arrival point so that transfers can be combined.
Arrive by domestic flight to Arvidsjaur or night train to Jörn for transfer to the kennels (transfer time approx. 40 mins from both locations). Transfers will meet connections as follows:
- Arvidsjaur airport: Morning Populair flight from Stockholm arriving 10.50 or evening flight arriving 19.20. Where afternoon flight arrivals are available, transfer from these flights is also possible.
- Jörn train station: Night train from Stockholm arriving 09.20 or day train arriving 15.37.
If arriving early in the day, please note that your accommodation may not be ready for check-in, as there may be other guests departing that day. You are welcome to store luggage. Lunch this day is not included but provisions are available to purchase from the store near the guesthouse if required. There are no organised activities this day, but you are welcome to borrow snowshoes from your local hosts for self-guided tours in the surrounding area. Alternatively, the village where the guesthouse is located has an ice rink and cross country ski equipment is also available to hire.
Dinner together in the evening and a chance to discuss the week ahead. Accommodation for tonight (also Days 2-3 and 5-7) is in the comfortable guesthouse 5 mins from the kennels.
Day 2: Introductory dogsled tour from the kennels
After breakfast, you'll meet the dogs and be shown how to harness your team and handle your sled, before setting off for your first dogsled tour.
Today's tour will typically cover around 20km and give you a good opportunity to gain confidence for the more challenging days to come. You'll return to the kennels for lunch and in the afternoon have time to interact with the dogs or relax.
In the evening, you can discuss the day together and ask any questions you wish about life as mushing and the training, handling and care of sled dogs.
Day 3:
- Option 1 tours - "Husky School": Today you will learn all about the care and training of sled dogs, including how the roles of the dogs are developed within the teams, how training is planned and carried out, and how the dogs are cared for and their well-being maintained. There will be some practical exercises where you can try out what you've learned! Note that there is no sledding this day.
- Option 2 tours - Snowshoeing, ice fishing and Northern Lights tour: Strap on your snowshoes for a half day guided excursion into the forest to look for tracks of some of the wildlife of the area. You may see signs of foxes, Arctic hares, birds and reindeer among others as you make your way through the beautiful winter landscape. At the lake, try your hand at ice fishing if you wish - a wonderful way to enjoy the peace and silence of the Lapland winter for a while as you wait and hope for a catch! In the afternoon or evening (depending on the time of year and when darkness falls), you set off in search of the Northern Lights. Depending on the best possibilities for clear skies, this may be by dogsled or snowshoes, or by car if this improves the chances to see a display. Whatever the evening brings, it will be an opportunity to enjoy the winter world in the magical hours of darkness.
Days 4-5: Overnight dogsled expedition
Today begins the most challenging and adventurous component of the week - an overnight dogsled tour, staying in wilderness cabin or winter camping in tipi for the night.
The tour will begin around lunchtime, taking you through a beautiful landscape of frozen wetlands and forest, covering around 20-40km depending on trail conditions and the weather.
When you reach your overnight location, you'll feed and take care of the dogs and take part in all the various other tasks such as collecting wood, melting snow for water and assisting with preparation of dinner/washing up.
After your night in the wilderness, you harness the dogs the next morning to retun to the kennels around lunchtime. Typically sledding distance this day also around 20-40km. Take the afternoon to relax or indulge in some husky hugs!
Day 6:
- Option 1 tours - Free morning + evening Northern Lights tour by dogsled: After the adventure of the overnight expedition, you may wish to take it easy this morning, but if not, it's an ideal opportunity to do some exploring by snowshoes. In the afternoon you'll prepare the dogs for an evening tour. It's a magical experience to go dog sledding in darkness, and if the skies are clear, there may be the added bonus of a display of the Northern Lights as the icing on the cake!
- Option 2 tours - Sámi reindeer herder visit: The Sámi are the indigenous people of Lapland, for whom reindeer and reindeer herding has been and remains a central part of their culture. Today you'll visit a local herder to learn about the Sámi and the life of a reindeer herder. You'll also have an opportunity to meet some of the reindeer and to feed them. Note that this is a genuine experience to see the reindeer in their natural environment - there will be an opportunity to feed the reindeer and with luck they will respond and come up to you, but the reindeer are not enclosed in an area for petting.
Day 7: Free activity day
Today you can discover some of the many other ways to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Swedish Lapland in wintertime. Make use of the snowshoes available for self-guided excursions in the surrounding forest, go skating in the ice rink in the village or cross country skis to explore.
Alternatively, take the bus to Arvidsjaur for the day for activities there (arranged and paid locally). Possibilities in Arvidsjaur include snowmobiling or "ice driving" on a frozen lake.
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and departure.
To reduce the number of transfers on departing day, as guests may be departing at different times, transfers will be coordinated depending on the travel plans of other guests in the group. If guests are departing with separate connections up to 2-3 hours apart, you may be transferred earlier to your departure point so that transfers can be combined.
If your departure is not until later in the day, you are welcome to spend time snowshoeing before transfer later. Alternatively, the village where the guesthouse is located has an ice rink and cross country ski equipment is also available to hire for self-guided tours in the surrounding area. Please note that you will need to check out of your accommodation, as there may be new guests arriving this day. Lunch this day is not included but provisions are available to purchase from the store near the guesthouse if required.
Transfers will meet connections as follows:
- Arvidsjaur airport: Early morning Populair flight to Stockholm departing 06.55 or afternoon flight departing 16.00.
- Jörn train station: Day train to Stockholm departing 10.30 or night train departing 19.17.
Dates & Prices»
Dates 2026
Tours are offered Friday-Friday on regular dates between January and April:
Option 1:
- December: 12.12-19.12.25
- January: 02.01-09.01.26, 09.01-16.01.26
- February: 13.02-20.02.26
- March: 13.03-20.03.26
Option 2 (Christmas, New Year and Easter):
- December: 19.12-26.12.25, 26.12-02.01.25
- April: 03.04-10.04.26
Private tours: Public tour dates are open to adult guests only (min. age 16). On request, Option 2 tours may be possible as private arrangements for families with children min. age 8. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
The Northern Lights can be seen anytime from around September to early/mid April. While the "spring winter" in March and April has longer hours of daylight and shorter nights than the deep midwinter, on the other hand these months can also have a greater incidence of clear skies.
Prices 2026
Price levels below apply for Option 1 tour dates as follows:
- Level 1: 12.12-19.12.25
- Level 2: 09.01-16.01.26
- Level 3: 02.01-09.01.26, 13.02-20.03.26
| Standard Prices (per person) | |
|---|---|
| Option 1: Level 1 | GBP |
| Option 1: Level 2 | GBP |
| Option 1: Level 3 | GBP |
| Option 2 (all tour dates) | GBP |
| Optional extras (see description below) | |
|---|---|
| Extra night(s) | On request |
- Extra night(s): You are welcome to stay an extra night in the guesthouse near the kennels before and/or after your main tour, subject to availability. Please contact us for details and prices.
What's Included »
Included
Accommodation:
- 5 nights in rooms in comfortable, spacious guesthouse approx. 5 mins from the kennels. Shared WC/shower facilities. There are 4 x 2-person rooms in total at the guesthouse. Where possible, solo travellers will have own room for these nights, though this cannot be guaranteed as in some cases sufficient rooms may not be available and solo travellers will then share with other same-gender guest.
- 1 night in simple wilderness cabins or winter camping during overnight tour. Sleeping accommodation is shared (bunk beds in cabins, sleeping bag/mat when camping). Cabin has no electricity/running water and is heated with wood-burning stove. Dry outside toilet. When camping, this will usually be in one large tipi for the group, which can be heated when temperatures require. Fully wild toilet during camping night.
Accommodation in guesthouse near the kennels (Days 1-3, 5-7). Photos: LND
Example winter camping or wilderness cabin accommodation during the overnight tour. Photos: LND
Meals:
All meals from dinner Day 1 to breakfast Day 8 (breakfast, lunch, dinner + coffee, etc). Lunch when out sledding will typically be a simple picnic lunch of sandwiches, etc, prepared at breakfast. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.
Equipment and Clothing:
- All necessary equipment during dog sledding tour including sleds with own dogsled team. Each participant drives own sled, usually with 4 dogs per team.
- Warm winter clothing for all activities: insulated over-jacket and trousers, winter boots, mittens and warm hat.
- Winter sleeping bag and with liner for night in wilderness cabin/tents.
- Snowshoes.
Private tours for families: Child will share sled with adult as appropriate and, at the discretion of the guide and depending on factors such as weather/trail conditions and the age/height/strength of the child, may be able to drive the sled for some parts of the tours. Note that winter clothing/boots are not available in child sizes and are not included.
Guide:
- Instruction in harnessing and sled handling.
- Services of local guide(s) during the tour.
Transfers:
- Return transfer between Arvidsjaur airport or Jörn, train station and the kennels in connection with arrival/departure.
Not Included
- Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
- Alcoholic drinks.
Good To Know »
Required
Health requirements/experience:
General good health and level of fitness. No previous dog sledding experience required.
Public tour dates have min. age 18 (16 if accompanied by adult). For private tours, Option 2 tours may be possible for families with children min. age 8.
Max. age limit 65 years (guests up to 70 years with suitable fitness are also welcome by prior arrangement).
The itineraries feature 3-4 days of dog sledding depending on options chosen (see under "Itinerary" for details), which will typically be half-day tours. Adult participants drive own sled. The daily tours have an accessible level of challenge, but dog sledding can be physically demanding and to drive your own sled you must be able to brake the sled when going downhill and also assist the dogs during uphill sections by "scooting" or stepping off and running behind the sled for short distances.
If weight >95kg, please contact us to discuss suitability. Clothing sizes S-XXL and winter boot sizes 36-46 are normally available.
What makes this "Easy"?
This tour features comfortable accommodation with modern facilities on six out of seven nights. Daily activities have moderate level of challenge and dogsled tours are typically half-day activities. There is time during the week for rest and relaxation or optional activities such as snowshoeing if wished.
As the experience takes place with very small groups, there is flexibility to adapt the itinerary and level of challenge to take account of the needs and wishes of the participants as required.
The landscape is typically flat or undulating, though there are some uphill and downhill sections. You will need to assist the dogs at times, especially in deep snow.
The overnight tour will typically be the most physically demanding, with simple accommodation, and you will need to be used to living in close proximity with others.
NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.
Equipment/clothes needed:
For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".
A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.
NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.
Preparing for your trip:
For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.
Minimum number:
This experience has no minimum. Scheduled tours are guaranteed to run from the first booking.
Groups
Max. group size 4 adults for Option 1 public tours tours.
Max. group size 4 adults + up to 2 children for Option 2 tours (total 6 persons).
This experience is ideal as a private experience for small groups. For private groups, up to 4 adults + 2 children may be possible for Option 1 tours. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Eco Info
This provider has a written environmental policy.
Will I see the Northern Lights?
This experience is located in the far north of Sweden, one of the world's best locations for seeing the Northern Lights, and offers good chances to see a display during your tour. Wonderful displays are regularly seen on the tours. However, it is important to bear in mind that the Aurora is a natural phenomenon and sightings can never be guaranteed in any location - it is not possible to search for a display. The skies may be cloudy, there may be no activity, or you may be fast asleep after a day of adventure on the trail!
Getting There »
Getting There
See below for a summary of travel options. To learn more about how to travel to this experience, please get in touch!
Detailed information on travel will be provided in response to your enquiry. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.
NB: Please ensure that you make a booking with us first and wait for confirmation that your spaces are reserved before making any travel arrangements.
Travel Summary:
By Air:
Fly to Stockholm then onward to Arvidsjaur by domestic flight (2.5 hours) or to Jörn by day or night train (11 hours), from where transfer to the kennels (approx. 40 mins) is included at fixed times as per itinerary.
Without Flying:
Ferry Dover-Dunkirk or Newcastle-Amsterdam for onward train connections to Jörn.
Further Reading
- Compare our range of dogsled tours.
- When to go dog sledding.
- Dog sledding FAQs.
- How to drive a dogsled.
Where Is It...?
