About this tour
When Mia from our Global Hobo crew booked a private husky sledding run near Tromsø, we got what felt like a genuine family experience rather than a tourist cattle call. At this small kennel in Målselv, you're the only group on the snow — no queues, no strangers' sleds ahead. You meet the 35 Alaskan huskies, watch them get harnessed, then either take the reins yourself or ride along while your guide drives. It's four and a half hours door-to-door, including a warming Norwegian lunch and all the kit you need. The vibe is unhurried and adaptable; they'll dial the pace and intensity to suit your group's confidence and fitness, which means it genuinely works for families, older travellers, and anyone not keen on getting hammered by adrenaline.
Highlights
- Private group only — no shared sleds or competing tour groups on trail
- Choice to drive, co-pilot, or sit back as passenger with guide
- Meet 35 huskies and learn individual personalities before heading out
- Warm Norwegian lunch with reindeer soup, vegetarian options available
- Route and pace adapt to dogs' wellbeing and group fitness level
- Certified ecotourism operator — animal welfare embedded in daily practice
- All winter gear provided — overalls, boots, gloves included
- Small family-run kennel feel, not a factory operation
What to expect
You'll arrive at a working husky kennel in Målselv, a quieter corner of Norway's north. The first part is unhurried: the guides introduce you to the team, show you how the dogs are prepared, and you can get a sense of each husky's personality before you harness up. It's genuinely low-pressure — Mia found the guides patient and willing to chat about how the operation works and why animal welfare matters to them day-to-day.
Then you head out onto the snow. If you're driving, you'll handle a sled pulled by your own team; if you'd rather ease in, you can share the reins or simply ride along. The pace isn't frenetic — they adapt to conditions and how the dogs are feeling. You'll work up an appetite, and lunch is a proper warm feed (reindeer soup was a highlight for us) in a cosy shelter. The whole outing sits at a pace that suits families, older guests, and anyone who wants the husky experience without the go-hard-or-go-home vibe.
What travellers say
- Private-only policy means no crowded trails or competing tour groups
- Flexible roles — drive, co-drive, or ride based on your mood that day
- Animal welfare embedded into how the kennel operates daily
- Adaptable pacing for families, older guests, and mixed fitness levels
- Warm lunch, winter gear, and hot drinks all included upfront
- Certified ecotourism operator with genuine local hospitality feel
- Not suitable for travellers with spinal issues, pregnancy, poor cardiovascular health
- Remote location requires car rental or public bus planning to reach
- Route and run time subject to snow conditions and dog welfare
- Four and a half hours is a considerable time commitment per day
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely private — your group, one guide, the dogs. That means no jostling for position or waiting for other tours to clear the trail. The kennel is certified and clearly cares about how its huskies live and work; you'll pick that up from the get-go. It's flexible: contact them before booking if you've got young kids, mobility questions, or specific dietary needs, and they'll work with you. Winter kit is all sorted — you don't need to bring your own overalls or boots. The lunch is hearty and they cater for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets with notice.
This isn't for everyone — it's off the table if you've got spinal issues, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns. The route and running time depend on snow and dog welfare, so flexibility is key on your end too. Getting there requires either a rental car or a bus from Tromsø to Bardufoss; transfers from Bardufoss sentrum are included, but public transport tickets aren't. Winter weather is variable — dress in layers and be ready for cold, even with the gear provided. It's a 4.5-hour commitment, so it's not a quick add-on. Small groups and genuine care come with a premium price.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.