Now that the snow is here the dog sledding tours are finally running. In Breivikeidet just 45 minutes from Tromsø city centre 120 Alaskan Huskies are waiting to run through the snowy valleys. I decided to join one of the tours together with my roommate Janne. After we got dressed with thermal suits, mittens and warm boots to withstand the Arctic cold and listened carefully to the safety instructions we got to meet the dogs for the first time. We could hear them from far as they were barking loudly. They know when the tours start and it is time to run. Then all participants paired up in teams of two and every team got a team of 6 dogs and of course a sled. All guests are allowed to do the mushing themselves. One of the team is sitting on the sled and the other one is standing doing the mushing. Throughout the sledding it is possible to changeover. The mushing is really easy, it is just about using the breaks appropriately and steer the sled by shifting weight. Sometimes you have to help the dogs by running behind the sled eg when the track goes uphill.
As soon as you stop the sled the Huskies will start barking again. They only want to run and run and run. Once you go again they will be silent and enjoy running through the valleys.
During the tour we enjoyed the fantastic landscape with the view of the Lyngen Alps and the relaxing silence in the valleys. After the sledding was done we had some time to pet the dogs and get to know them a little more. It was also possible to ask the guides and hosts some questions about the dogs.
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| During a stop there was time for a snow angle :D |
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| Our team |
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| Every Husky has a name and his own hut |
Credits to
Tromsø Husky :)
