Day tour · Winter
Husky Sledding
Drive your own dog team through Bolterdalen valley. 4 to 6 hours, October to May, with the most reliable snow from March to May. You steer; the guide leads the way.
- Duration
- 4 to 6 h
- Season
- Winter
- Group
- 4 to 10 sleds
- Min age
- 8+ ride · 16+ drive
- Meeting point
- Hotel pickup
- From
- €190 pp
- Intensity
- Active
- Drive your own team of huskies
- Out into Bolterdalen, ~20 minutes from town
- Best snow and light from March to May
- Thermal gear and a hot drink included
You drive your own team of dogs through Bolterdalen, a wide valley about twenty minutes from town. The trip runs 4 to 6 hours including kennel time, bookable December to May, though the core season with the most dependable snow and light is March to May. Early-winter runs happen in near-darkness; spring runs happen under a sky that barely sets.
What to expect, honestly
Driving a sled is more work than it looks. You brake on the downhills, push on the uphills, and stay alert the whole way, so it’s active rather than a scenic ride. The dogs are loud, eager and strong at the start line, which surprises people expecting something calm. In deep winter you’re doing all of it in the cold and dark, which is either the appeal or the deterrent, depending on you.
On this tour
What you'll do
Meet your team at the kennels
You start at the kennels, hands-on: meeting the dogs, learning the brake and the lines, and helping harness up. The dogs are loud and eager at the start line. This is a working team, not a petting session, and that energy is half the experience.
Out through Bolterdalen
Two to a sled, you take turns driving and riding behind a lead guide who sets the pace. The route runs up a wide valley about twenty minutes from town, with snow-streaked slopes on both sides and only the dogs and the runners to break the quiet.
From polar-night dark to spring light
Early-winter runs happen in the blue dark or under the aurora; by March and April you drive under a sky that barely sets. The same trail feels like two different trips depending on the month you choose.
A day on this tour
How the day runs
- 08:30
Pickup from your hotel
A guide collects you in Longyearbyen and drives you out to the kennels in Bolterdalen, about twenty minutes away.
- 09:00
Meet the dogs and briefing
You meet your team, learn how the sled brakes and steers, and help harness the dogs, all part of the trip rather than done for you.
- 09:45
On the trail
Two to a sled, you set off in a loose convoy, swapping between driving and riding as the valley opens up.
- 12:00
Halt for a hot drink
The convoy stops out in the valley for a warm drink and a chance to be with the dogs while they rest.
- 13:30
Back at the kennels
You return, help unhook and settle the team, and warm up before the drive back.
- 14:30
Return to Longyearbyen
Drop-off at your hotel. Afternoon and polar-night evening departures are also possible, and we set the time with you.
Times are a guide; the running order shifts with weather, light and the group.
Want this on your dates?
Tell us when you're coming and we'll build it into a plan, with real prices.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Thermal suit, boots, gloves and a hat
- Your own dog team, two to a sled
- English-speaking guide
- A hot drink on the trail
What to bring
- Warm base and mid layers under the suit
- Sunglasses, essential once the spring sun returns
- A warm hat and a buff or scarf
- Your camera, with a spare battery (the cold drains them fast)
Season planner
The best months for this
Activities are gated by snow, ice and daylight. Pick your month, then pick what's actually possible.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Husky sledding |
From the trail
A look at the day
Good to know
Before you book
Do I drive, or just ride?
You drive. Two of you share a sled and swap between driving and riding, behind a lead guide who sets the pace. You also handle the dogs at the kennel, hooking up and unhooking, so it's hands-on throughout.
Do I need any experience?
None. A short briefing covers the brake, the lines and how a sled steers before you set off, and the guide stays with the convoy the whole time. The learning curve is quick.
How cold does it get, and will I be warm enough?
Deep winter can be well below −20 °C with wind on top. You get a thermal suit, boots, gloves and a hat over your own layers; bring warm base layers and you'll be fine, as you're active rather than sitting still.
Is it suitable for children?
Children from about 8 can ride in a sled with a parent; driving solo is from around 16. Tell us your group's ages and we'll confirm what works.
What happens if there's a storm?
Weather and visibility can shorten a route or move the day. Safety comes first, so the guides may adjust or, rarely, postpone. Snow and light also shift the experience month to month, which is the Arctic rather than a flaw.
When is the best time to go?
March and April are the sweet spot: firm snow, real daylight, and temperatures that make a long run pleasant. December and January deliver the full polar-night atmosphere if that's what you're after.
Add Husky Sledding to your trip
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