Get ready for Dogsledding
What is it like Dogsledding? Get prepared for your dogsledding adventure with the first in our new series, Get ready for....
Dogsledding is a great way to experience both the magnificent landscape and nature of our region's isolated areas and to get a feel for the traditional Arctic way of life. For travellers experiencing dogsledding for the first time, you will be surprised by the speed at which you will travel - an exhilarating experience!
Dogsledding is available on, well, nearly every trip we have running in Scandinavia & Finland in winter, summer on the glaciers in Iceland & Greenland – from a quick spin to mega eight-day expeditions...
There are generally two different versions of dogsledding on offer in our region. There is the dogsledding tour where you are a passenger on a sled pulled by the huskies with a local guide driving. You are wrapped warmly and it is a fun way to experience the forests and picture perfect landscapes – but remember to wiggle your toes now & then.
Alternatively there is the more active version of dogsledding where you drive the dogs. The speed, effort & distance involved varies depending on the facilities & husky team. Commonly, you share the driving of the huskies with a partner and take in turns either sitting or steering, see Hurtigruten video below for examples.
You receive instructions on how to drive your husky team before departing and practice a little in a safe area before heading off into the forests, onto the glacier or out to the mountains. These tours generally go for a few hours with a lunch or warm drinks break during the activity. Some of our tours include overnight journeys with a cosy cabin stay in the forests.
Dog sleds travelling between Tasiilaq and Sermilik Fjord in East Greenland
When you are doing this active dogsledding excursion, it does require a good level of fitness and in particular, arm and upper body strength. And this is where some prior training and preparation comes into your pre-departure planning. Think through the type of exertion that will be required to hold onto the sled and steer your huskies along a snow path. Increasing your shoulder, back & arm strength will make your dogsledding adventure more enjoyable & get you back out there the following day for your next winter activity.
If you are a gym member, talk to your fitness consultant about what activities might suit your frame & fitness level.
Have a search around on the web for 'get fit for skiing' videos that you can do at home or in the gym to get you fit for your holiday. Have a search for videos about upper body strength, which we think can be transferred easily to dogsledding.
Good luck and we look forward to meeting you on the tracks.
Image credits: Dog sleds travelling between Tasiilaq and Sermilik Fjord in East Greenland, Visit Greenland, Photo by Mads Pihl.