Photo by Tromsø Wilderness Centre
Experience dog sledding in Norway
Home to two of the world's most famous sled dog races, Norway has a long history of working with dogs as a means of transportation — and certainly the terrain for it. Whether you're a newbie or have tried your hand at sledding or mushing before, the north of the country is the ideal place for you to revel in this unique experience. Soon, you'll be traversing the snow-covered wilderness while happy huskies run in front of you.
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Here’s what you need to know about experiencing dog sledding in Northern Norway:
Dog sledding in Norway is a time-honored tradition
Dog sledding has very old traditions as the most important means of transport among Inuit in the polar regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, as well as in northern Russia. From around 1830, sled dogs were also used on many polar expeditions, including the ones by the Norwegian explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Dog sledding became ingrained in Norwegian DNA through stories and tales from the Norwegian polar expeditions.
Today, every March, the Finnmark Race (Europe's longest dog sled race) takes place in Alta, with people from all over the globe traveling here for it. The race lasts for several days, but your own dog sledding adventure can be as long or as short as you want it to be. The dogs used in dog sledding are Alaskan huskies, born to run and eager to explore with you.
The Finnmark Race and Norwegian mushing culture
The Finnmark Race covers over 1,000 kilometers across some of Europe's most remote terrain. Mushers and their dog teams face extreme conditions, with temperatures dropping to -40°C and winds that can halt progress for days. Watching the race start in Alta or catching teams at checkpoints along the route gives you insight into the incredible bond between mushers and their dogs.
But Norwegian dog sledding culture extends beyond racing. In communities across Finnmark, Troms, and Svalbard, dog teams remain a practical means of winter transport. Local trappers and guides still use dog sledding to access remote cabins and hunting grounds where snowmobiles can't go — or where the quiet passage of a dog team won't disturb wildlife.
The Finnmark Race is an annual event in Northern Norway. Photo by Konrad Konieczny | nordnorge.com
It's the best way to explore the terrain… and catch the Aurora
While the ideal time to go on such an adventure is between December and March, you'll find dog sledding opportunities from September onward. Dog sledding in the autumn takes place using wheeled carts, and you'll have the opportunity to roam the changing terrain as the trees don their gold and red colors. This "dry land mushing" lets you experience the thrill of working with a dog team before snow arrives.
Later on, in December and January, when the blue hues of Polar Nights sink into the world, dog sledding at night is actually one of the best ways to witness the Aurora Borealis. The dancing lights in the sky will certainly make for an unforgettable evening, and you can even camp on certain sites and take in the views — the dogs will be thrilled at the opportunity to cuddle next to an open fire and get snacks.
In February and March, as the daylight becomes slightly longer once more and the temperatures are milder, it's the ideal time for longer excursions. Places like the mountainous expanse around Tromsø, the endless plateaus of Finnmark, and the snowy expanse of Svalbard will take your breath away, and you'll be able to take some great pictures of the vistas… complete with wagging dog tails, of course.
Why dog sledding works so well for northern lights viewing
Unlike motorized transport, dog sleds move silently through the landscape. When you stop to watch for northern lights, there's no engine noise — just the sound of dogs settling into the snow and the occasional rustle of the aurora overhead. The dogs' natural warmth creates a comfortable microclimate around the sled, and experienced guides know exactly where to position teams for optimal viewing while keeping the dogs content.
The physical connection to the landscape through the dogs adds something special to the experience. You feel the terrain change through the sled, notice how the dogs respond to wildlife scent on the wind, and move at a pace that lets you truly absorb the Arctic environment.
Photo by NTC
It can be as active or as relaxing you want it to be
One of the great things about going dog sledding is that you can really customize the trip to fit your needs and your fitness levels. If you prefer a relaxing trip, you can lounge under warm blankets while an experienced musher leads the dogs — or, if you’d rather a more high-octane experience, you can try doing your own dog mushing! Just be aware that the latter requires being able to have a good balance and grip on the reins, and be able to jog uphill through the snow. In any case, an expert will be with you to teach you all you need to know.
Where to experience dog sledding in Norway
Tromsø and surrounding areas
Tromsø serves as the most accessible base for dog sledding, with several quality operators within 30-60 minutes of the city. The terrain around Tromsø offers variety — from coastal routes with views across frozen fjords to inland trails through birch forests and onto open plateaus. The Kvaløya island, just west of Tromsø, provides spectacular scenery with mountains rising directly from the sea.
Finnmark plateau
The vast Finnmark plateau offers some of Norway's most authentic dog sledding terrain — endless open spaces where you can travel for hours without seeing another person. This is where the Finnmark Race takes place, and where traditional mushing culture remains strongest. The plateau's exposure means excellent northern lights viewing on clear nights, but also requires proper preparation for potentially harsh conditions.
Alta
Alta combines dog sledding with cultural experiences, as it's home to both the Finnmark Race and significant Sami communities. The terrain around Alta varies from river valleys to exposed highlands, and operators here often incorporate traditional Sami elements into their tours.
Dog sledding dogs in Alta. Photo by Aeventyr
Dog sledding in Alta. Photo by Ismaele Tortella, Visit Norway
Tromsø. Photo by Tromsø Wilderness Centre
Preparing for your dog sledding adventure
Physical preparation
While dog sledding isn't extremely strenuous, it does require moderate fitness for driver participants. You'll be standing for extended periods, using leg and core muscles to balance on the runners, and occasionally running uphill beside the sled. If you have knee, back, or balance issues, discuss these with operators beforehand — passenger-only arrangements work well for many people.
What to wear
Operators typically provide insulated suits, boots, and mittens for winter dog sledding. Underneath, dress in layers:
- Base layer: thermal underwear (wool or synthetic, not cotton)
- Mid layer: fleece or wool sweater
- The provided outer layer handles wind and moisture
- Warm hat that fits under a helmet or hood
- Face protection (buff or balaclava) for extremely cold days
- Your own wool socks (two pairs if weather is very cold)
Understanding the dogs
Alaskan huskies are working dogs who genuinely love to run. They get excited before runs — expect lots of barking and jumping. This isn't stress; it's enthusiasm. Once running, they typically settle into focused work.
Each team has lead dogs (who set the pace and follow commands), swing dogs (who help turns), and wheel dogs (the strongest, positioned closest to the sled). Understanding these roles helps you appreciate the teamwork involved.
Safety and etiquette
Always follow your guide's instructions precisely. The dogs respond to routine and consistency, so sudden movements or unexpected commands can confuse them.
Never approach sled dogs without permission — they're working animals with specific training, and unfamiliar people can be distracting. Many operators allow time for interaction after the run, when the dogs are relaxed.
The connection between musher and dog
What makes dog sledding special isn't just the landscape or the speed — it's the relationship between musher and dogs. These partnerships develop over years of training and work together. The dogs learn to read their musher's subtle body language, voice inflections, and handling of the sled. The musher learns each dog's personality, strengths, and quirks.
On a tourist trip, you're experiencing a simplified version of this relationship. But even in a few hours, you'll start to understand why mushers speak about their dogs with such affection and respect. The dogs' joy in running, their intelligence in navigating terrain, and their social dynamics within the team create an experience that's fundamentally different from any motorized Arctic adventure.
After your dog sledding experience, you'll understand why Norwegian polar explorers trusted their lives to dog teams — and why modern mushers continue this tradition despite having snowmobiles available.
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