See our activities
The dogs are the heart of everything we do. We always put their welfare first and want to share the joy of activities with our dogs, the nature and life in the north with our guests.
On the trail of silence and snow
Five days out on Finnmarksvidda offer an authentic encounter with the Arctic landscape. A journey through silence, open plateau and changing mountain weather. This is for those who want to experience dog sledding up close, whether you have prior experience or are trying it for the first time.
The days are spent on the sled, with your own dog team of 4–6 dogs. The weather can change quickly between sun, wind and snow, while April gives long bright days without darkness.
Accommodation is in mountain lodges, with hot meals in the morning and evening, and lunch outdoors by the fire when conditions allow. You will take an active part in caring for and feeding the dogs along the way.
This is a trip where you live close to nature — and become part of it.
Day 1:
The adventure begins at 09:00 with pickup from our meeting point in Alta town centre. If you stayed with us overnight, it’s just a short walk after breakfast before you meet an eager pack of Alaskan huskies that jump and howl in anticipation in the dog yard.
After a thorough safety briefing and instruction on how to handle the sled, we unpack equipment and prepare the dog teams. The sound of paws on snow, eager barks and harnesses being tightened fills the air as we set out across Finnmarksvidda.
The route climbs up onto the plateau through open winter landscape, with snow-covered plains and mountains as far as the eye can see. Along the way we gather around a fire for a warm lunch outdoors, surrounded by the silence that only northern Norwegian nature can provide.
In the afternoon we arrive at Jotka Mountain Lodge, our overnight stop. Here the dogs come first. We secure them on a long line, give them a well-deserved snack and later an evening meal after the day’s work. Once the dogs have been cared for and settled, we gather inside for dinner, warmth and a calm evening after the first day out on the plateau.
Day 2:
After the dogs have had their breakfast, our day begins. We prepare packed lunches, fill thermoses and get both sleds and dog teams ready. Soon we are on our way into the mountain landscape, where today's stage takes us just over 30 kilometres across open terrain, over frozen lakes and through gentle valleys with mountain birch.
Throughout the day we glide quietly through the winter scenery, before eventually approaching Suosjavrre Mountain Lodge. We arrive here in the afternoon, with the day's stage behind us and the mountain plateau framing the experience.
Day 3:
Today we head for one of the most atmospheric spots on Finnmarksvidda – Mollisjok Mountain Lodge. The lodge is beautifully situated not far from Iesjavri, Finnmark’s largest lake, surrounded by plateau as far as the eye can see.
Today's stage is about 25 km. If weather and trail conditions allow, we’ll take an extra run further into the plateau before we park the dogs and arrive at the lodge.
Here awaits the calm of the wilderness. In the evening it is possible to book a sauna — with a refreshing ice plunge in the river just outside as an extra experience for those who want it. (must be booked in advance).
Day 4:
Now we glide across Iesjavri on our way back towards Jotka Mountain Lodge, the same place where we spent our first night. Beneath us lies the ice, and around us Finnmarksvidda opens up into a powerful, open landscape.
The trip to Jotka is about 30 km and takes us through quiet mountain terrain, where only the sound of the dogs and the sleds breaks the silence.
Day 5:
On the final day we follow the same route as on day 1, but this time it’s largely downhill. The sled glides more easily over the snow, and you hear the dogs working rhythmically down the slopes, eager but confident on the way home. The descents on the steepest sections bring both thrills and laughter, while the wind rushes by in the open mountain terrain.
If the weather is on our side, we’ll take a detour up to the Sautso edge. Here we stop, and it becomes completely silent. Before us opens Northern Europe’s largest canyon, with the Alta River far below — majestic and endless in the landscape.
After an unforgettable experience we return to the dog yard, where the trip concludes in the afternoon.
The winter adventure in its rawest form
Remember that this is a longer trip into Northern Norway. We provide outerwear and equipment suited to the conditions, but we recommend bringing a few personal favourites for extra comfort during your stay. Nature up here can be both wild and unpredictable, and good preparation helps make the experience even better.
Packing list
This is included in the adventure
- Pick-up and return from the meeting point in Alta town centre.
- Equipment in the form of an insulated snow suit and winter boots.
- Thorough introduction to dog sledding before we enter the kennel.
- Homemade meals.
- Mountain lodge accommodation en route.
What you should know before the tour
- Duration: 5 days (4 nights)
- Season: March to April
Not included:
- Flights
- Meals and accommodation before and after the tour, as well as alcohol.
- Special menu requirements, such as vegetarian, are unfortunately not possible on wilderness trips like this.
