Husky Week for Beginners

This husky week in Swedish Lapland is ideal for beginners who want to experience life on a husky kennel and learn the basics of sledding in a small group. Over eight days, you'll gradually take on responsibility on excursions with your own dog team and actively participate in everything from harnessing and unharnessing to caring for the huskies. In addition to several half-day excursions, an overnight trip is included in the program, where you'll stay in a wilderness cabin without electricity or running water, or in a tent. You can expect varied routes, peaceful landscapes, and with a bit of luck, even the Northern Lights.

Husky Week for Beginners: The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Glommersträsk and Dinner Together
You will be picked up in Arvidsjaur or Jörn and transferred to the guesthouse in Glommersträsk. Upon arrival, take in the surroundings and experience the serenity that is so unique to the Far North. During dinner, you will meet the other participants and discuss the schedule for the next few days with the guide.
Catering begins today with dinner.

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Day 2: Introduction at the Kennel and First Excursion
After breakfast, you will receive your winter outerwear for the coming days and finally get to meet the dogs at the husky kennel. This is followed by a briefing on driving techniques and how to safely handle the sled, before you work together to put on the harnesses and prepare the teams. Then, you will set off on your very first tour of about 20 km with your own husky team. Back at the kennel, you will take care of the dogs, enjoy a short lunch break, and later deepen what you have learned while sharing experiences with the guide and the group over dinner.

Day 3: Training on Education, Health, and Practical Exercises
Today is all about knowledge and routine. You will learn how dogs are raised and trained, what role lead dogs play, and how training schedules are structured. Preventing, recognizing, and treating injuries will also be discussed to ensure the dogs can return to action quickly. You will apply this knowledge directly through practical exercises. In the afternoon or evening, you can relax in the sauna and hot tub. The evening concludes with a shared meal in the grill kota (traditional Nordic barbecue hut).


Days 4 to 5: Overnight Tour through Forests, Lakes, and Open Landscapes
On this day, you set off on your overnight dog sledding tour. Before hitting the trail, you will work together around noon to prepare the equipment, pack provisions and essentials for the night, and get the dog teams ready. Then, the moment has finally arrived: you step onto the runners of the sled while the dogs can hardly contain their excitement, waiting for the start with bursts of energy. Soon, the route leads you out into the wintry landscape, passing through forests and across marshes, lakes, and open fields. Along the way, cold temperatures, wind, and changing conditions are part of the adventure. The daily stages range between 20 and 40 kilometers, depending on the weather and trail conditions.
You will spend the night in a wilderness cabin without electricity or running water, or in a tent (depending on the temperature, you might sleep in a heated tent). Here, all tasks are tackled together—from feeding and caring for the dogs to gathering or chopping firewood, fetching water or melting snow, and preparing meals. On Day 5, you will return around noon, tend to the dogs, and then have time to rest at the guesthouse or the husky kennel.

Day 6: Relaxation and Evening Tour
In the morning, you can relax after the overnight tour and reflect on the experiences of the past few days. Alternatively, you can participate in an optional snowshoe hike through the wintry surroundings for an additional charge. In the afternoon, you will prepare the dogs together for a tour into the darkness. With a bit of luck and clear skies, you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights while standing on the sled, gliding through the North Swedish winter landscape.

Day 7: Free Day
The dogs have earned some rest today, and you can also design the day according to your own preferences. You could choose to go on a snowshoe hike to the husky farm to visit the dogs one last time. Alternatively, the area offers many other winter activities, such as snowmobiling or ice drifting on the test track in Arvidsjaur (both not included). This day is intentionally designed to give you space to process your experiences and recharge your batteries.

Day 8: Farewell and Departure
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. A transfer will take you back to Arvidsjaur or Jörn, where you can continue your journey home. The huskies will have surely captured a special place in your heart. Catering ends today with breakfast.

Accommodation:
You will spend six nights at the guesthouse in Glommersträsk, located about a five-minute drive from the husky kennel. Built in a typical Swedish style, it can accommodate up to 8 people. In the house, you will find four bedrooms—three with double beds and one with two single beds. There is also a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, and several storage rooms. The kitchen is equipped with a stove, oven, fridge/freezer, microwave, coffee maker, and kettle—perfect for preparing snacks between meals. For relaxing hours, there's also a fireplace. Your stay at the guesthouse is rounded off with free Wi-Fi.
During the overnight tour, you will spend one night in a wilderness cabin without electricity and running water, or in a tent (on cold winter days, in a heated tent) (shared accommodations). Depending on the group composition, it may not be possible to separate tents by gender.

Requirements:
Previous experience with sled dogs is not necessary, but normal physical fitness and good health are important, as running alongside and pushing the sled may be required depending on conditions during ascents or in deep snow. If you have any physical limitations, please contact us. Together we can then determine if and which tour is suitable for you.

The age limit for this tour is 16-65 years; younger children are possible upon request. In this case, children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. In exceptional cases, participation up to the age of 70 may be possible by prior arrangement.

Since the dogs have to transport not only the weight of the sled and you, but also optionally a second person in the sled, plenty of food and equipment, there is a weight limit of 100 kg to prevent overloading. If you exceed this weight, please feel free to contact us. Depending on the group composition, there may be options that allow you to participate in a tour. If you fail to inform us of your weight in advance or falsify it, we reserve the right to exclude you from the tour.

Special features:
The group is limited to a maximum of four guests, allowing personal support and a family style atmosphere. Program changes are possible if weather and trail conditions require it.

Equipment:
Please note that the provided clothing is only available in sizes S-XXL and the shoes in sizes 36-46. If you are outside this range or are bringing children, we will gladly provide you with tips on how to find the right equipment. For the time on the trail during the multi-day husky tour, it is best to bring a small backpack or a soft travel bag, or alternatively, you can get a dry bag on site. The weight should be under 8 kg so the dogs don't have too much to pull. The rest of your luggage will stay in your room at the guesthouse. Besides this, you will need swimwear for use of the sauna and hot tub.

Meals:
Breakfast ingredients will be provided at the guesthouse for you to help yourself. Lunch will depend on the program and may be served in the kota at the husky kennel, in a wilderness cabin or tent upon arrival, or as a sandwich during your trip. Dinner will be served at the guesthouse, unless you are out on a tour, and in the kota on day 3.
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