Frequently asked questions

Dog sledding in Luleå, northern Sweden is a way of travelling through the winter landscape rather than simply watching it pass by. Our tours take place in the boreal forest around our home in Luleå, Norrbotten, travelling through snow-covered woodland, across frozen waterways and along quiet winter trails.The experience changes with the season and the weather. Some days are still and quiet, while others bring snow, wind or deep winter cold. We embrace those differences rather than trying to make every tour feel exactly the same.Our tours also include time away from the sled — usually around a fire, sharing fika or lunch and spending time with the dogs.

Either Jeremias or Hannah meets you at our kennel and introduces you to the dogs, conduct a safety brief and a lesson in how to drive before setting off. If you've opted for a tour where you ride the sled we will show and tell you what you need to know and think about for that too.We travel at a comfortable pace, with stops along the way to enjoy the surroundings, take photographs and spend time with the dogs. Our tours include a fire and fika or lunch before returning to the kennel.The exact route and itinerary can change depending on snow, weather, trail and dog conditions.

Our standard tours are guest-driven, meaning you drive your own sled with your friend, parnter or family member sitting inside of it. If you are not interested in that we can adapt all our tours to suit your need as long as it's possible.

No. Our tours are suitable for people who have never been on a dog sled before.You don't need to know anything about mushing, winter travel or working with dogs. We will explain what you need to know before setting off and will be with you throughout the tour.

Our dog sledding experiences range from approximately one hour to three and a half hours, depending on the tour you choose.The advertised duration refers to the overall experience, not necessarily continuous time travelling on the sled. Longer tours include time for stops, fika or lunch, meeting the dogs and enjoying the forest.

This depends on the specific tour and the conditions on the day. We keep our groups completely private and at a max 4 people, unless agreed and adapted otherwise, so that the experience remains personal and so that we can travel comfortably and responsibly with the dogs.When booking, the tour description will tell you how the seating is arranged.

Dress for being outside in northern Swedish winter conditions, rather than simply for the temperature you see in the forecast.We recommend warm base layers, an insulating mid-layer, a windproof outer layer, warm winter trousers, thick wool socks, proper winter boots, warm gloves or mittens and a hat that covers your ears. A buff or neck warmer is also useful.The most important thing is to dress in layers so that you can adjust your clothing as conditions change. We also have warm jackets, bibs, shoes, mittens and hats to lend out if we deem it needed. See our Journal post on the subject: https://www.northernsouljourneys.com/post/a-practical-list-for-winter-clothing

Winter temperatures can vary considerably in Luleå. During the season, temperatures can range from around freezing to well below -30°C, and occasionally much colder.Cold temperatures are part of the experience, but we take them seriously. We monitor conditions and adapt the route, duration and activities when necessary. If conditions are unsuitable for the dogs or guests, we change or postpone the tour.

We provide the equipment specified for each particular tour. Please check your tour description or contact us before booking if you are unsure about what is included.Regardless of what equipment is provided, we recommend bringing your own appropriate base and mid-layers, wool socks and personal winter clothing. Good clothing makes a significant difference to how much you enjoy the experience.

There is no single temperature at which a tour automatically becomes unsuitable. Wind, humidity, snow conditions, the duration of the tour and the condition of the dogs all matter.We monitor conditions and make decisions based on the actual circumstances. A tour may be shortened, modified, rescheduled or cancelled if conditions aren't appropriate.The welfare of the dogs and the safety and comfort of our guests always come before completing a particular route or itinerary.

Children can join some of our dog sledding experiences, but the appropriate age depends on the tour, weather and the child's ability to stay warm and comfortable outdoors.Young children are particularly sensitive to cold and cannot always communicate when they are becoming too cold, so we assess family bookings individually rather than applying a blanket rule to every situation.Contact us when booking if you are travelling with children and we'll help you choose the appropriate experience.

Some of our experiences can work for families with young children, but toddlers require particular consideration because of cold temperatures, seating and the length of time spent outdoors.Rather than assuming that every tour is suitable, we prefer to discuss your child's age and the conditions expected on the day and recommend an appropriate option.

We work with Alaskan Huskies, purpose-bred working dogs that have been developed for endurance, speed and the ability to work as a team.Our dogs are individuals, however, and each has its own personality, strengths and place within the team. We select and train our dogs primarily for their working ability, soundness, character and suitability for life as sled dogs.See more about our dogs here: https://www.northernsouljourneys.com/our-dogs

Our dogs are working dogs, and running is a significant part of their lives. You can see and hear their excitement when it is time to run.At the same time, we don't treat enthusiasm as a reason to push a dog beyond what is appropriate. Their welfare determines how we work them. Temperature, snow conditions, fitness, age, and the individual dog all influence how a team is trained and worked.

Our dogs live with us year-round, in our backyard, not just during the winter tourist season. Their care includes daily feeding, exercise, training, social interaction, grooming, veterinary care and regular observation of their individual condition.We have a small working kennel, which means caring for the dogs is a substantial part of our everyday life rather than something that only happens when guests arrive.Their welfare comes before tourism. If a dog isn't fit or doesn't want to work, that dog doesn't go out on a run.

Yes. Meeting the dogs is an important part of our tours.You'll have an opportunity to meet the dogs to learn about their individual personalities and life as working sled dogs.We do ask guests to follow our instructions around the dogs. Not every dog wants the same amount of attention, and learning to respect that is part of interacting responsibly with animals.

Our tours take place in the forests and winter landscapes around our home in Luleå, Norrbotten, northern Sweden, rather than at a purpose-built tourist attraction.We travel through the boreal forest and, depending on conditions and the particular tour, across frozen lakes, creeks and other winter terrain.Because we know the area well, we can adapt routes according to snow conditions, weather, wildlife and the dogs' needs. This also means that the exact route may vary from one day to another.

Dog sledding depends on suitable winter conditions, and we don't want to force a traditional winter activity into conditions that aren't appropriate.If there isn't enough snow for safe and responsible sledding, we may modify the route, change the experience or reschedule the tour. We assess conditions locally rather than relying only on a general weather forecast.Northern winters are variable, and adapting to those conditions is simply part of working with the landscape rather than against it.