Winter Wonderland in Jämtland (Sweden)

Your local hosts for this experience, who will also be your guides for all the activities during your stay, own and manage the village store in this remote community in north-west Sweden. The store is the focal point of the village and a vital resource for local residents from miles around.

Depending on your preference and whether you are travelling as adults only or as a family, you can choose to have your accommodation in the apartment above the store, in an apartment close by, or in a traditional log cabin (the oldest building in the village!).

Dog sledding with the family huskies is just one of the many winter activities during your stay. Photo: NOH.

A choice of itineraries to suit adults or families

Two different itineraries are offered. Whichever you choose, you are assured of a very special experience and the hospitality and personal service of your local hosts throughout your stay.

Enjoy lunches around the fire during the activities - and toast marshmallows as the sun goes down! Photo: NOH.

Both itineraries will include a visit to the local store to meet everyone, enjoy a Swedish "fika" (coffee break with snack) and shop for provisions for your stay. You will have some meals together with your hosts during the tour, with other meals self-catered. See under "Itinerary" for details.

Option 1: Authentic Winter Adventures

The Option 1 itinerary features an ice fishing tour by snowmobile. Photo: NOH.

Suitable for adults and also for families with children aged 6 and over, this itinerary includes the following winter activities as standard:

• Dog sledding with the family huskies: Meet and help to harness the dogs before setting off for a mushing adventure through the forest. You will begin by riding as passengers on the sled while your host drives. Adults or older children with suitable size/strength are then welcome to try driving the sled themselves later in the tour. Includes outdoor lunch around the fire.
• Ice fishing tour with snowmobile: Travel by snowmobile to a frozen lake, where you drill a hole in the ice to try your hand at ice fishing while enjoying outdoor lunch. Choose whether you wish to ride as a passenger or drive snowmobile yourself.
• Evening snowshoe tour to watch for the Northern Lights: A guided evening hike with snowshoes to a suitable spot where, with luck, the skies will be clear and the Northern Lights dancing above in the night sky.
• Horse-drawn sleigh ride: An iconic and unforgettable winter experience! Help to harness and ready the farm horses before they take you on a magical tour through the forest.
• Evening wood-fired sauna: There's no better way to relax after a day of winter activities than in a wood-heated sauna. If you're feeling brave, there's plenty of snow outside to roll in when you need to cool down!

As optional extras to your experience, you can choose to add:

• A wood-heated bathing barrel with your sauna evening.
• To stay extra night(s) in your accommodation to extend your time in the area.

Option 2: Family Fun in the Snow

This experience is suitable for families even with very young children - they may well still be talking about it when they're grown up! Photo: NOH.

Suitable for families with children of any age, this itinerary includes the following winter activities as standard:

• Horse-drawn sleigh ride: Meet the horses before helping to harness them for a magical horse-and-sleigh ride into the forest.
• Evening snowshoe tour to watch for the Northern Lights: As for Option 1, this is a guided hike to enjoy the beauty and silence of the snow-clad forest at night, and hopefully to see the stars and Northern Lights in the skies above. Sleds are available for adults to pull children who are too young to use snowshoes.
• Tobogganing: The adults will enjoy this as much as the children! Your local hosts will show you the best spots to zoom down the hills!
• Storytelling forest walk: Your local hosts will entrance you with tales of the "little folk" who inhabit the forest, and you might even see their footprints!
• Build your own snow cave with snow lights: A snow cave is the ultimate winter den! You'll be shown how to create your very own snow cave, which you can decorate with snow lights (a pyramid of snowballs with candle inside). When the evening comes, light the candles for magical effect as you enjoy toasted marshmallows around the fire. Any Swede will tell you that this is one of their most treasured winter childhood memories.
• Meet and hug the huskies: Your local hosts have beautiful, affectionate Siberian Huskies, who when they're not pulling the dogsled love nothing better than a good hug! End your stay with some hairy husky cuddles to add some extra special memories to the trip.

As optional extras to your experience, you can choose to add:

• Wood-heated sauna and bathing barrel evening (or sauna only if you prefer).
• Half-day dogsled tour with the family huskies.
• Extra night(s) in your accommodation to have more time to play in the snow!

Race you to the bottom! Photo: NOH.

Winter Wonderland in Jämtland will leave you with a lifetime of memories - or at least until you return the following winter to make more!

You will begin by riding as passengers with your host driving, but as you gain confidence during the tour, you are welcome if you wish to take turns driving the sled.

You sled to a picnic shelter, where a fire will be prepared and you will eat lunch. Your local host will regale you with stories of the area and the dogs while you enjoy the warmth of the fire and the very special atmosphere of winter.

You return to your accommodation for dinner, and in the evening head out on a guided snowshoe tour into the forest with head torches. With luck, if the skies are clear and there is Aurora activity, when you turn off your torches you may find the beautiful Northern Lights shining above you. Whether or not the Aurora makes an appearance, snowshoeing is a magical way to enjoy the forest at night.

Day 3: Ice Fishing by Snowmobile and Evening Wood-fired Sauna

Breakfast in your accommodation followed by meeting your local hosts for an introduction to snowmobile driving (person wishing to drive snowmobile must hold a full car driving licence). You can choose if you wish to drive a snowmobile yourself (shared one per two persons) or if you prefer to ride in the sled while your guide drives.

You will set off along a snowmobile track, travelling through forest and over frozen marshland, to reach the lake, where you will be shown how to use the ice drill to make a hole in the ice for fishing.

Then it's time to start fishing and test your luck! Ice fishing is a straightforward, fun and strangely meditative experience. You will make a fire to grill lunch as you wait for a bite!

You then head home with the snowmobiles again. If you've been lucky and caught some fish, you will take them home with you and prepare them as a pre-dinner snack together with your guide.

After dinner in your accommodation, it's time for another very special experience - a wood-fired sauna. By the time dinner is over, the sauna will be warm and ready to enjoy. Are you brave enough to try a roll in the snow to cool off?

Day 4: Horse and Sleigh Ride and Departure

Breakfast in your accommodation. Unless you've added extra night(s) as an optional extra, today it's time to say goodbye, but there's another very special adventure to come first!

You'll meet at the stables to prepare the horses for a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow. The horses are an ancient Swedish breed known as Nordsvensk (North Swedish) - beautiful, powerful animals that were used in the past to transport timber from the forest and for agricultural tasks on the farm. They are immensely strong, but very friendly!

Lunch with your hosts followed by check-out and transfer to Hoting or Strömsund for departure. Your Winter Wonderland experience has come to an end, but the memories will last a lifetime! Perhaps you're already longing to return next winter?

When you return, you feed the horses and then go to visit the sheep to feed them as well. Duration of horse and sleigh + feeding activities approx. 2 hours.

Then it's time to go tobogganing! When you've used up the last of your energy zooming down in the snow, return to your accommodation for dinner.

After dinner, you'll head out together with your hosts for a short walk in the forest with head torches. You stop at a hill to turn off your lamps and hopefully enjoy the stars shining above you and, with luck, perhaps the Northern Lights!

Day 3: Storytelling Walk in the Forest, Outdoor Lunch, Building a Snow Cave and Toasting Marshmallows

Breakfast in your accommodation followed by snowshoe "storytelling" walk in the forest. You'll hear tales of the magical "small folk" who are said to inhabit the forest - maybe you'll spot some of their tracks in the snow! The activity will be tailored to the ages of the children.

When you return, you'll make a fire and grill lunch to eat outdoors.

In the afternoon, it's time to build a "snökoja" (snow cave), which you will decorate with "snölyktor" (snow lights) and light the candles when it gets dark!

Dinner in your accommodation. After dinner, you will light the fire again to grill marshmallows, make snow angels in the snow and look out for the stars and maybe the Northern Lights!

Day 4 (Family tours): Meet the Huskies and Departure

Breakfast in your accommodation, then it's time to meet the huskies! Your local hosts have beautiful Siberian Huskies - all friendly, sociable, and loving a cuddle!

You can meet and play with the dogs as you hear stories from your hosts about working with and caring for them, and their different personalities and adventures.

Lunch with your hosts followed by check-out and transfer to Hoting or Strömsund for departure. Your Winter Wonderland experience has come to an end, but the memories will last a lifetime! Perhaps you're already longing to return next winter?

Minimum 2 persons required. This experience is ideal for solo adult travelling with child(ren) and standard adult/child prices apply.

Included

Option 1: Authentic Winter Adventures

• Accommodation: 3 nights in cabin or apartment. See "Accommodation Options for Your Stay" below for more information. Bed linen, towels and end cleaning are included.
• Meals: 3 x lunch (Day 2 and Day 3 outdoors during the activities, Day 4 together with your local hosts before departure); 1 x dinner (Day 1); 1 x "fika" (coffee and snacks) at the village shop (Day 2).
• Guided activites as per itinerary: Dogsled tour; evening snowshoe tour with headlamps; snowmobile and ice fishing tour; wood-fired sauna; horse and sleigh ride.
• Equipment: Snowshoes, ice fishing equipment, toboggans and "kick-sleds" (a traditional way to get around in wintertime).
• Transfers: Transfers between Hoting (approx. 45 mins) or Strömsund (approx. 75 mins) and your accommodation on arrival/departure. Times flexible by arrangement depending on your travel plans.
• Other: Welcome gift of outdoor cup and "buff".

Option 2: Family Fun in the Snow

• Accommodation: 3 nights in cabin or apartment. See "Accommodation Options for Your Stay" below for more information. Bed linen, towels and end cleaning are included.
• Meals: 2 x lunch (Day 3 outdoors during the activities, Day 4 together with your local hosts before departure); 1 x dinner (Day 1); 1 x "fika" (coffee and snacks) at the village shop (Day 2).
• Guided activites as per itinerary: Horse and sleigh ride; evening walk with headtorches; snowshoeing; instruction in building a snow-house; evening activity by the fire; visit with the huskies.
• Equipment: Toboggans, snow shovels (for snow cave building), snowshoes and "kick-sleds" (a traditional way to get around in the winter).
• Transfers: Transfers between Hoting (approx. 45 mins) or Strömsund (approx. 75 mins) and your accommodation on arrival/departure. Times flexible by arrangement depending on your travel plans.
• Other: Welcome gift of outdoor cup and "buff".

Accommodation Options for your Stay:

There are three different options for accommodation during your stay. When booking, accommodation will be suggested for you depending on availability and suitability (for example, different options may be most suitable if you are booking as two adults or if you are a family of four with young children). If more than one suitable option is available for your chosen dates, you are welcome to choose the accommodation you prefer.

Option 1: Log Cabin + adjacent cabin if required (suitable for 2-6 persons)

This is the oldest cabin in the village, dating from the mid-1800s, suitable for adults or families. The cabin has been outfitted with full modern facilties, but retains its traditional charm.

The cabin is located right on the forest edge with views of the lake and mountains.

• The main cabin sleeps up to 3 persons in 2 bedrooms on the upper floor.
• There is a fully-equipped kitchen, bathroom with shower and WC, and living area with sofa, eating area, TV and wood-burning stove.
• Free wi-fi.
• Large wooden patio area outside the cabin and balcony on the first floor.
• Own garden with lawn and grill area.

Adjacent to the main cabin is a small guest cabin with additional sleeping accommodation.

• The guest cabin sleeps up to 3 additional persons in 2 bedrooms.
• The cabin has no running water or toilet facilities - these are available in the main cabin.

Option 1: Log cabin. Photos: NOH.

Option 2: Apartment Above the Village Store (suitable for 2-5 persons)

A comfortable and spacious apartment located direcly above the village shop, particularly suitable for families and very convenient should you need any extras from the store. The apartment has a "retro" feel and is a wonderful vantage point to see the comings and goings of the village if you wish, or just to take time to relax.

• The apartment sleeps up to 5 persons in 3 redrooms.
• Fully equipped kitchen, living room with TV.
• Bathroom with WC and shower.
• Free wi-fi.
• The apartment has a balcony with coffee table, where you can enjoy the evening sun or, with luck, the Northern Lights.
• Games, toys and books available to borrow (mostly in Swedish of course!)

Option 2: Apartment above the village store. Photos: NOH.

Option 3: Apartments 13 (suitable for 2-3 persons per apartment)

Located along the road towards the lake, a short distance from the village store, the apartments are particularly suitable for couples.

• These are two cosy, airy apartments in "retro" style suitable for up to 5-6 persons in total when using both apartments. Furniture has been mostly sourced second hand both for design and sustainability considerations.
• Each of the two apartments sleeps up to 3 persons in 2 bedrooms. One apartment has a sofa bed for additional two persons and the other has an extra bed for one additional person.
• Fully equipped kitchen with hot plate, oven, microwave and coffee maker. Living room with TV, hall area.
• Bathroom with WC and shower.
• From the living room there is a balcony door leading to own outside area at the back with a view to the lake.

Option 3: Apartments 13 (bottom picture shows view from outside area). Photos: NOH.

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.
• Provisions for meals not included in the itinerary. You will visit the village store at the start of your stay to purchase provisions for self-catering and can make additional visits if necesary during your stay.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

General good health. This is an active but easy-going and flexible experience, with a choice of activity itineraries to suit adult guests or families.

Option 1 (Authentic Winter Adventures) is suitable for adults or families with children aged min. 6 years. Option 2 (Family Fun in the Snow) is suitable for families with children of any age.

What makes this "Easy"?

Accommodation is in simple but comfortable cabin or apartment, with modern facilities. You will very close contact with your local hosts throughout your stay. They will be on hand to guide you for the activities and also for any other questions you may have or assistance required during your stay.

Level of the activities is easy-moderate and can be adapted depending on the needs and wishes of the guests and the ages of children.

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.

Groups

This experience is possible for up to total 2 x 2 adults or 2 x 4-person families at the same time, whether booking separately or travelling together.

Guests staying at the same time must be having the same itinerary (Option 1 or Option 2). This is a very personal experience guided by your local hosts, and different activiies cannot take place simultaneously.

Eco Info

This provider has a written environmental policy.