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.
January in the Arctic winterland
In January the Finnmarksvidda lies quiet and powerful, covered in snow and soon illuminated by the returning sun after the polar night. This is a short but intense journey into the Arctic, where cold, silence and dog sledding shape the experience. We start at our place here in Alta and meet the dogs that will take us out onto the plateau. After an introduction and an equipment briefing we set out into the winter landscape. The days are spent out in open mountain terrain, through forest and over frozen lakes and out onto the vast Finnmarksvidda. The sound of the sled on the snow and the rhythm of the dogs becomes a natural part of the day. Overnight stays are at mountain lodges, where warm meals and simple comforts await after a day outside. Along the way you take an active part in caring for and feeding the dogs and become part of the team that keeps everything running. Evenings are calm, often with a silence that almost feels tangible. On clear nights the Northern Lights may dance across the sky, but it is the nature, the light and the dogs themselves that leave the strongest impression. These are three immersive days in Arctic northern Norway — simple, authentic and unforgettable.
Day 1:
We aim to start early to make the most of the daylight. You will be picked up at our meeting point in Alta town centre, unless you are staying with us. We prepare the sleds and assign you a list of "your" dogs. There will be a short, clear instruction on how to drive the sled. Then we depart straight from the kennel at our home. The first 4 km we travel on the Alta River. Then we head up into the mountains. The first 3 km are steep; here we will help the dogs a little, after which the hardest part is done. The terrain continues to rise slightly, but the slopes are gentler and we cross a few lakes. It is time for lunch — we make a fire and enjoy a warm meal. Now we are on the Finnmarksvidda. The final stretch before we reach Jotka is a chance to simply enjoy the nature and the Arctic light. Upon arrival at Jotka we get the dogs settled, prepare their food and care for them before they rest for the rest of the evening and night. We make dinner and wait for the Northern Lights. Will they appear tonight?
Day 2:
We go out to care for and feed the dogs. While they digest their food we have breakfast and plan the day's stage. We have several route options and choose based on weather and surface conditions. You help decide how long and how far we go. Lunch is again enjoyed around the fire. Before turning in for the evening we care for and feed the dogs. Then it's dinner time and cosy cabin life for us two‑legged guests, while we keep an eye on the night sky and watch for the Northern Lights.
Day 3:
We feed the dogs, have breakfast and pack up our equipment. Now we head back to Trasti & Trine. Today we'll test the brakes — it's time to descend all the hills we climbed on the first day. We stop for lunch along the way. Back at the kennel we un-harness the dogs and put them back in place. We eat a light meal and summarise the trip before we finish and wish you a good journey home.
Encounter with the Arctic
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: 3 days (2 overnight stays)
- Season: January
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.
