If you are planning a winter trip to Tromsø or other areas in Northern Norway, you’ll probably be overwhelmed by a big choice of outdoor activities. Let me save you some time – dog sledding is one of the best things you can do in Tromsø in winter! It’s exhilarating, it’s fun, it’s unforgettable…
There are quite a few places where you can try husky sledding in Tromso. I chose this driving tour and so in this article I share my personal experience with dog sledding in Tromsø. It should answer all your questions and give you a good idea of what you can expect and which tour to choose.
Good to know: While most dog sledding experiences are similar, there are a few major differences to pay attention to when looking for a tour. More about it further.
No matter which option you choose, one thing is for sure – you’re in for a thrilling ride and an experience of a lifetime. There is truly no better way to experience the Arctic winter landscapes than from a husky sled!
PRO TIP: Check availability and book your husky ride well in advance! In the peak winter season, most tours are often completely sold out at least 3-4 weeks in advance.
Best Dog Sledding Tours in Tromso
As already mentioned, there are quite a few dog sledding tours in the area around Tromso. Below is my hand-picked selection of the best husky sled tours, with a short description of what makes each of them special.
Good to know: ALL these tours include a round-trip transfer from Tromso town, thermal suits, etc.
Here are the best dog sledding tours from Tromso:
- Short tour at Breivikeidet. This is one of the most budget-friendly dog sledding tours in Tromso. There are several reasons for this. First, the actual ride is shorter, about 20-30 minutes in total. And second, it doesn’t include lunch, only hot drinks and cake. This tour allows children from the age of 4.
- Longer tour at Breivikeidet. This dog sledding tour is somewhat longer than the one above, but it’s quite easy as the terrain is mostly very flat. This tour includes lunch and allows children from the age of 7.
- Dog sledding at Villmarkssenter. This tour is longer (about 45-60 minutes of actual driving time) and it also includes a full lunch (reindeer stew, but vegetarian options are also available if you let them know in advance). This is a self-drive tour that requires regular physical condition, but they do not allow kids under 16.
- Dog sledding on the island of Kvaløya. This dog sled tour is a lot longer (about 90 minutes) and includes hot drinks and cake. They allow children from the age of 7.
- Advanced tour at Camp Tamok. This tour is a bit more challenging because of the hillier terrain with some narrower sections and sharp bends. It requires a really good physical condition and is not suitable for under-16s. Hot meal is included. Tour duration is a lot longer, partly because the sledding time is longer, but also due to the location – about 1.5 hours drive from Tromso town center.
READ ALSO: Northern Lights in Tromso (how to increase your chances to see them, best tours, and more)
What to Expect on a Husky Sled Tour
If you book an organized husky sleigh tour from Tromso, your trip will start with a pick-up in Tromso city center.
Depending on the location you choose, you’ll drive 30-90 min to the place where dog sledding takes place. The landscape around Tromso is incredible and the ride itself is really scenic.
Our tour was about half an hour’s drive from the city center. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a local guide who pointed us to the reception and changing rooms. Time to put on those thermal suits!
Once everyone was set to go, we went to meet the guides. Depending on whether you want to try steering the sled or not, you are assigned into two separate groups.
Guided Dog Sledding in Tromso (also with kids!)
If you prefer a guided husky sled drive, you basically just sit in a sled, take pictures, and admire the scenery.
All the sleds on the guided tour are driven by local mushers, so you have nothing to worry about. Just sit down and enjoy the ride!
Guided dog sledding is suitable for everyone, also for families with children. However, different companies have different age requirements, and also pricing for kids can vary a bit.
Here you can book a highly-rated husky sled tour in Tromso that allows kids from the age of 7 or this – shorter – tour that allows kids from the age of 4.
Two people can sit together in a sled, so kids will share a sled with one parent. I’m not sure how it works if you are a family with three kids, but they usually have enough guides so one of the kids could likely go with a guide.
Self-drive Husky Sledding – Your Mushing Adventure
I opted for a self-drive husky sled ride. Our tour started with a short introduction on how to operate a sled and in just a few minutes we were set to go. No previous experience is required, you just have to be physically capable to stand for a longer period of time and steer the sled.
Is it difficult to drive a husky sled? Don’t worry, driving a dog-pulled sled is really easy and pretty straightforward. The dogs are well trained, so they do most of the work for you. All you have to do is steer a bit and help the dogs by pushing the sled when it goes uphill. If you get overly enthusiastic dogs as we did, you have to use the breaks once in a while in order to avoid passing other sleds as this might be a bit dangerous. All in all, I found driving a dog sled a very easy and enjoyable experience.
Every self-drive sled also has two people in it – one driving and one sitting in a sled. You both drive half the time and the group stops halfway to let the drivers switch. If you are traveling on your own, it’s a fun way to meet new people. I was sharing a sled with a doctor from Japan. It was the first time driving a husky sled for both of us and we agreed that it was one of the best experiences ever.
TIP: If you are wondering which sled drive to book, I’d say go with a self-drive dog sledding experience. It allows you to experience both – the thrill of being a musher, as well as the relaxing ride enjoying the scenery. Also, if for whatever reason you decide you don’t want to drive the sled anymore, you can always switch back with the other person.
Please note that you have to be at least 14 or 16 years old in order to drive a husky sled (age depends on the tour company).
Mushing the Husky Sled – Ready, Set, Go!
From the moment you first meet the huskies, you’ll be amazed at how enthusiastic the dogs are and how much they enjoy running.
If you have any concerns about the well-being of the dogs, all your doubts will go away when you meet the huskies and the mushers and see how they interact. Of course, I cannot say how it is in every place where you can go dog sledding, but the place we visited in Tromso takes care of their dogs really well.
Dog sledding usually happens in a group. The calmer, most experienced dogs (usually older females) lead the group and there are always experienced mushers driving the first sleds. The other dogs just follow the lead.
We had the very last sled of the group with six young male dogs. They were incredible! We never had to help them run; on the contrary, we had to slow them down. They seemed to be having the time of their lives, and so were we…
The scenery near Tromso surrounded by snowcapped mountains is simply spectacular. It’s such a beautiful place and it makes the whole dog sledding experience even better.
I didn’t really know what to expect in terms of the drive itself and was positively surprised that the actual sledding time was much longer than I expected.
I thought we’d just make a short tour of 10-20 minutes, but our ride took over 75 minutes and I loved every single one of them. However, the actual driving time differs a lot depending on the tour you book, and that is usually the main factor that determines the price of the tour, so double-check!
Without any doubt, dog sledding is one of the most unforgettable experiences ever. Highly recommended!
If you visit Tromso in winter, don’t miss a chance to tick this off your bucket list.
Meet the Husky Puppies
After the ride, we had more time to play with the dogs. To tell you the truth, I’m not really a dog person and I never feel comfortable around them…
However, these huskies are so friendly that it’s really impossible not to cuddle them, and I’m not even talking about puppies…
All the kids in our group just couldn’t get enough of playing with the dogs. Even I stayed with them longer than expected…
Warm Norwegian Lunch
Most husky sledding experiences in Tromso include warm lunch and it’s actually really good.
Usually, you’ll get some warm traditional meal, like fish soup or reindeer stew. Most tours also have vegetarian and vegan options, but you have to let them know in advance… Most tours also serve warm drinks and amazing Norwegian chocolate cake.
Our tour also included lunch. It was so good that I didn’t even think of taking pictures while enjoying it. But here is an image of the cozy bonfire just next to the restaurant. Beautiful place to warm up before or after the sled ride.
Meet the Reindeer
Most places that offer husky sledding also offer other activities including reindeer sledding. So they usually have reindeer on the same farm. Depending on how your tour is structured and if you have some extra time, you may be able to see some reindeer as well.
On the tour I did, I had a few free minutes after lunch and before our transfer back to town. I went for a walk to discover the beautiful surroundings and was lucky to find several cute reindeer.
TIP: You can always ask the staff if they have reindeer and whether you can see them shortly.
Is Dog Sledding in Tromso Worth It?
I guess you can already guess my answer. Yes, dog sledding in Tromsø is totally worth it.
It’s quite expensive (about 150-250 euros per person, depending on the tour), but all the winter activities in the Nordics aren’t cheap. If you are already paying all that money to travel to Tromso in winter, then make sure to experience the very best of it. Otherwise, what’s the point, right?
Seeing the Northern Lights, dog sledding, and Fjellheisen cable car are 3 things you really shouldn’t miss in Tromso.
Here you can find more suggestions for what to do in Tromso in winter and here you can find our hand-picked selection of the best tours in Tromso.
Dog Sledding in Tromsø – Practical Information
- Dog sledding tours run in winter only (you do need snow). In Tromso, you can normally do dog sledding from November till April.
- If you come in another season, you can still meet the huskies. There are several summer activities available, but you can not go dog sledding when there is no snow.
- Regular dog sledding tours in Tromso take about 4 hours. This includes transfers from/ back to Tromso. You spend about 50-60 minutes sledding.
- Dress warm (don’t forget waterproof gloves!), but don’t worry too much about the cold. Thermal suits are provided, also for the children (I’m not sure about the smallest sizes though, but you can probably even ask for a blanket for the kids). Make sure to also check this post for practical tips on what to wear in Norway in winter.
- Warm lunch or dinner is included with most Tromso husky tours. But make sure to check what’s included with the tour you choose before you book!
- Book your husky sledding tour in advance to avoid disappointment! Dog sledding tours in Tromso are extremely popular and usually sell out. Here is the best-priced dog sledding tour that I was able to find in Tromso and this is the highly-rated dog sledding tour that I personally did.
Tromso Dog Sledding FAQ
In addition to the info above, here are some popular questions in regards to dog sledding in Tromso:
Dog sledding is only possible in winter because this activity requires snow. In Tromso, you can normally do dog sledding from November till April.
Dog sledding is one of the most expensive winter activities. The main reason for this is that dogs require food and care year-round. In addition, many trained guides come on dog sledding tours in order to make sure that everything goes well. Salaries in Norway are high and this also adds to the cost of dog sledding tours.
Mushing a dog sled is quite physically demanding, but if the dogs are well-trained and the sleds are light, it’s not very difficult. You can learn the basics in just a couple of minutes and most people will be able to drive a sled after the short instruction that you get before the tour.
I cannot say this for every place and every dog sledding tour in the world, but dog sledding in Tromso is done in the most ethical way possible. The dogs are well taken care of, and from their enthusiasm, you can see that they truly enjoy the experience. Huskies love running!
Tromso is one of the best places for dog sledding in Norway. In addition, you can go dog sledding in Alta, in Kirkenes, and several other places in Northern Norway. Also Svalbard is a great place for dog sledding tours.
More tips for your trip to Tromso in winter:
- What to do: Best Things to Do in Tromso in Winter
- Itinerary: Tromso Weekend Break: 3-Day Winter Itinerary
- Tours: Best Tromso Tours and Day Trips
- Ice hotel: How to Visit Tromso Ice Domes
- Auroras: How to See the Northern Lights in Tromso
- Budget: How Expensive is Norway
- Packing: What to Wear in Norway in Winter and Best Winter Boots for Travel
- Cruise: Why Visit Norway by Cruise
Looking for more travel inspiration for Northern Norway? Check out these guides:
- Svalbard in Winter
- Snowmobile Tour in Svalbard
- Dog Sledding to Ice Caves Tour in Svalbard
- Svalbard Fjord Cruise
- Northern Norway Itinerary
- Travel Tips for Visiting Lofoten Islands
- Best Places to See & Things to Do in Lofoten
- Where to Stay in Lofoten
- Best Rorbuer in Lofoten
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Kimberly
Monday 8th of July 2024
Hi Jurga,
Do you happen to have a direct link to the dog sledding tour or can tell me the company it was done with. The link in your article goes to a Tromsø minibus tour. I scrolled down on that page to see if I could find a dog sledding tour (after reading your reply on another comment about this same issue) but I only see Northern lights tours. Thanks for your help!!
Kim
Kimberly
Monday 8th of July 2024
@Jurga, thank you! I appreciate your input.
Jurga
Monday 8th of July 2024
Hi Kimberly, all the links work and direct you to the right tours during the dog sledding season. It's summer now and most of the companies that organize winter tours take them offline because their booking systems for the next season aren't open yet. Because of that, our links redirect you to other tours that are bookable at the moment. Snow-permitting, dog sledding tours in Tromso start around November. So most companies usually start taking bookings in the late fall. I found just one company that takes reservations now already - see here. It's not the exact same one we went with and described in the article, but the experience is very similar and the price is very good. So if you want to prebook now, you can do it. If you rather wait, I suggest you check again either in late fall or about 2 months before your trip.
Christina
Thursday 15th of December 2022
Jo! I really love your posts about Tromsø! You really Five every small piece of information, so thank you for that! Mi husband and I are going to Tromsø in January and we‘d line to book the dog sledding tour you went on as it seemingly checks all our boxes! :) So I followed the link you posted, but unfortunately it only forwarded me to the list of dog sledding tours available. Could you please give me further information or the exact name? Thank you so much! Greetings, Christina
Jurga
Thursday 15th of December 2022
Hi Christina, here is the link that should go straight to the tour that I did. Sometimes these links get redirected to show the tour we recommended plus other related tours, with us having no control over it. But - in general - the first tour you see is the one we linked to originally. Anyway, try the link above - it should work. Enjoy your trip!
Shona Moir
Monday 20th of January 2020
Hi Jurga Firstly, thank you so much for such an inspiring blog page - the details are incredibly helpful and the blogs have inspired me to go over to Tromso myself. :) I am planning to go for a long weekend over February or March this year - mainly for the husky experience! I've not mushed before, but am a generally fit person... did you feel that the husky self-drive HALF day was enough? Or do you recommend I look at the full day option? Do you know if the full day option gives you clothing, like the half day? My other question was around accomodation for one person - do you have any recommendations? Were there any deals (e.g. combine 2 excursions for cheaper price)? And was there any kind of orca tour that you know of? Sorry, a lot of questions! Thank you so much in advance though, I'm really excited :) Kind regards, Shona
Jurga
Tuesday 21st of January 2020
Hi Shona, it's hard to say about dog sledding. I really enjoyed it and the ride was long enough to be fun, but not too long to be tiring or too cold... So I really don't know what to say. Of course, the full day trip might be more special, but since I haven't done it, I can't really comment on how it is. As for the clothing, pretty much all tours offer thermal packs so I'd think they'll definitely have that for the longer tours. For any special deals - no, not that I'm aware of. It's expensive, but it's also fully booked, so most companies don't feel the need to give any discounts. Orcas - it's not the right season to see them in February-March. You have to go in late October-November if I'm not mistaken. In general, the best season to see any whales in Tromso is from November to January, if I recall well. If you are looking for more info about tours, please check this article - Best tours in Tromso. And for the hotels - please check our Tromso hotel guide for the best suggestions. I was in Tromso on my own and stayed at the Thon Hotel Polar. Have a great trip and if you decide to go, book your accommodation asap - February-March is a very popular time in Tromso.
Jackie
Tuesday 24th of December 2019
Do you drive the sled or is there an instructor to drive it?
Jurga
Thursday 26th of December 2019
Hi Jackie, as explained in my article (see sections 'Guided Dog Sledding in Tromso' and 'Self-drive Husky Sledding – Your Mushing Adventure', you can choose. If you don't want to drive, you can book just the RIDE. If you want to drive the sled as well, you can book the sled DRIVE. For more details and the difference between the two, you can find more info in the article above. Enjoy it!
Aashni
Tuesday 15th of October 2019
Hey! Love this blog!! I am going to Tromsø at the end of November where there is no daylight at all! I am keen on going sledging however is it worth it as it’ll be pitch dark and freezing? I am a blogger hence would want really good footage / photos of the experience
Jurga
Thursday 17th of October 2019
Hi Aashni, even though the sun hardly comes up that time of the year, there will still be some light. It depends on the hour when you'd go I suppose. If there is enough snow by then, then yes, definitely worth it - dog sledding is an incredible experience. Freezing cold is not an issue because you get thermal suits and really don't feel the cold. That being said, I went reindeer sledding in the evening when I was in Tromso (you can find a picture and explanation here - Tromso in winter) and I really enjoyed the experience. But indeed, you may not be able to take many nice pictures in the dark...So if you are only after some good pictures, then darkness will make it a real challenge no matter which activity you choose, except for the Northern Lights :).