Dog Sledding Lapland Main

Dog Sledding - Lapland
Norway, Svalbard, Finland & Russia
4 great locations for Dog sledding, snow shoeing and cross country skiing

Dog sledding in Europe - where should you go for the best experience ? In the far north of Norway, there is the heart of Sami Lapland, and over the North Sea is the Svalbard Archipelago, and there is Finlandic or Russian Lapland. We suggest for your first taste of mushing - the heart of Sami Lappland where we will take you on an introduction to husky sledding. Here you can enjoy peace and tranquillity, plus the warmth and hospitality of our Sami hosts. From our base in Lapland we can take you way above the Arctic Circle to the Arctic Sea shore or North Cape, if you are more adventurous. For expedition style mushing we suggest Svalbard, Finland and North America.

Most of our trips in Lapland are suitable for novices through to experienced mushers, as the techniques are simple and are absorbed easily in a few hours. The difference between the options is the distance covered (and amount of effort) each day. So you do not need to experienced but it certainly helps if you are conditioned to moderate regular exercise, particularly for the more demanding (longer periods of sledding). A rowing machine is the best way to get conditioned as you need to concentrate on arms and back, while not forgetting the legs.

At our base near the Finnmark plateau there is a range of cabins to stay in, each one unique and far enough away from each other for privacy. During the sledding in Norway's Lapland you will stay in mountain huts or if on an expedition style sledding trip you will camp in areas where there are no lodges.

See the fantastic Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) (most likely Dec - Jan).

Introduction (SM0) - 3 Days Sledding - 4 nights / 5 days in total
A husky safari along ancient routes on the Finnmark plateau, a fascinating landscape where the views are endless in all directions. Spend 2 nights in a mountain cabin and 2 nights at our cabins. We cross the frozen lake known as Jiesjavre, the largest lake in Finnmark.

Round Trip Safari (SM1) - 6 Days Sledding - 7 nights / 8 days
For those with a desire to meet the Sami people for cultural exchange at the settlements on the Finnmark plateau. Little or no experience of mushing is required, but you will enjoy a fantastic husky safari, driving your own team of dogs.

Itinerary

Dog Sled Adventure (SM2) - 6 Days Sledding - 7 nights / 8 days
Our most popular sledding experience for those wanting a serious outing - suitable for anyone conditioned to regular exercise (no previous sledding experience needed, just average fitness and good conditioning). Sledding in Norwegian Lapland on the Finnmark plateau.

Itinerary

Artic Sea Safari (SM3) - 7 Days Sledding - 7 nights / 8 days
For the more experienced musher who wants a demanding route - starting at Lakselv we head north towards North Cape, stopping short on the mainland. You can add a boat trip over to North Cape, the northen most point in Norway and Europe at the end of the sledding.

The Old Post Route (SM4) - 5 Days Sledding - 6 nights / 7 days
For the more improver musher who wants an intermediate level route. Sledding in Norwegian Lapland over the Finnmark Plateau and finishing near Alta.

To The Arctic Sea (SM5) - 7 Days Sledding - 9 nights / 10 days
For the musher who wants an intermediate level route. We collect you from Alta or Lakselv airport and take you south to our lodge, then you sled back to Lakselv. Sledding in Norwegian Lapland over the Finnmark Plateau and arrive at the southern end of the gigantic Porsanger Fjord.

THE Dog Sled Tour (SM180) - The Last trip each year is a special.
This is the ultimate dog sledding experience lead by Norway's top musher. The route is not decided until a day or to before we set off, this way we ensure the best route is chosen allowing for conditions at the time. The accommodation will depend on the route and could be a mixture or one of the following - tents, Sami lavvo (tipi) or mountain huts. With the first and last night at our cabins.

Following the explorers - Dog Sledding in the Svalbard Archipelago
The most exciting experience is to travel by dog sled and arrive at a stranded schooner - trapped in the ice. Mushing your own dog sled with 5 or 6 Alaskan huskies in front of you, gliding through the Arctic silence, it can hardly be described by words, but when you show the picture your friends will understand. On the first day of this trip we will travel to the boat by a route that is about 70 kilometers long. On the second day we will take the dogs with us on to the Von Post glacier, and the weather will dictate the rest of the day. On the third day we will travel via Elveneset, De Geerdalen and Helvetiadalen on our way back to Longyearbyen.

Itinerary

The schooner "Noorderlicht" in the picture was recently used to study the issue of climate change in the Arctic, read more about the Cape Farewell, the organisation behind the expedition - http://www.capefarewell.com/

Read the report in the Daily Telegraph by comedian Marcus Brigstocke, about the Cape Farewell expedition of September 2007 - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/09/24/et-marcus-diary-124.xml

November - January: The arctic nights’ unique tranquillity and the distinctive atmosphere experienced in the wilderness dominate this time of year. There are a few hours dusk, and on occasion the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) can be seen in the sky. As a rule, the weather is cold, clear and stable.

January - February: Towards the end of January the days gradually become longer as the sun starts to reappear. The only people one meets on the mountain plateau at this time of year are the Sámi herding their reindeer.

March - April: The weather starts getting milder as the days become longer and brighter. This is a good time for ice-fishing in the many lakes found in this region.

May: Warm days, chilly nights. Enjoy 24 hours of daylight and the midnight sun towards the middle of the month. The snow is just starting to melt and it is the best time for ice-fishing.

Daylight in Lapland	Daybreak	Dusk
January	10.37	13.56
February	08.28	16.15
March	06.42	17.47
April	05.32	20.44
May	03.26	22.46
June	24 hours of	daylight
July	24 hours of	daylight
August	04.00	22.13
September	06.03	19.50
October	07.48	17.55
November	08.46	14.44
December	11.03	12.55

Your Arctic Adventure is only one day's journey away, if you live in Europe. The closest airports are Alta or Lakselv in Norway (SAS via Oslo) and Ivalo in Finland (Finnair via Helsinki). More detail

Printable form to order free clothing and boots, plus to arrange local transfers.

Visas
A visa is not currently required for UK passport-holders to access Norway or Finland.

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.