Sit Down Husky Ride Dog Sled Tour in Kiruna

The best part of this Kiruna husky ride is its easy, family-friendly setup: you sit on a large sled, wrapped in supplied Arctic clothing, while a professional guide handles the dogs. The route heads through forest and across frozen lakes near Kurravaara, away from the busiest activity areas.

I like the warm clothing included, since Kiruna can drop far below freezing, and I like the mid-ride stop for fire-made coffee or tea and homemade cake in a Lavvu tent. The main drawback is price: at $197.99 per person, this is a costly two-and-a-half-hour outing, especially since part of the time goes toward changing clothes and organizing the sleds.

Key points to know before booking

• Twelve huskies pull one large sled, with a guide driving and explaining the dogs, trails, and local area.
• Families can ride together, with sleds seating four adults or up to five people in a family group.
• Arctic clothing is supplied, including a parka, insulated trousers, Sorel boots, and mittens.
• The route leaves central Kiruna quickly, reaching the kennels in Kurravaara in roughly 10 to 15 minutes.
• The halfway break is part of the appeal, with hot drinks, homemade cake, a fire, and time to meet the dogs.
• Pickup is limited to central Kiruna hotels, not the ICEHOTEL or remote camps unless you arrange a private tour.

A husky ride built for sitting back

This is not a self-drive sled tour. You sit on a broad bench in a large sled while a professional musher controls the team of 12 dogs. That makes the activity simple for first-timers and families, but it also means you are here mainly for the ride, scenery, and dog contact rather than for learning to drive your own team.

The sled winds through snowy forest and over frozen lakes. The route is away from the main tourist areas, which gives the outing a quieter feel. You might spot moose or reindeer, though wildlife sightings are never promised.

The guides add useful context along the way. Andrew has been praised for explaining how the dogs are trained, arranged in the team, and prepared for the season. Other guides named during the experience include Natalie, Gaynor, and Milos. The exact guide depends on the date, but the format remains the same: a moving introduction to sled dogs, the local terrain, and life in Swedish Lapland.

Leaving Kiruna for Kurravaara

Pickup is offered from selected central Kiruna locations. The listed times are:

• Scandic Hotel or Elite Hotel Frost: 9:15 a.m. at the bus stop across the road
• Hotel Arctic Eden: 9:20 a.m. at the entrance
• Camp Ripan: 9:25 a.m. at the entrance or in the lobby

The drive to the kennel at Viltvägen 12 in Kurravaara takes about 10 to 15 minutes. This short transfer is a real convenience in winter, when getting around with bulky clothing and children can be tiring.

Be ready a few minutes early. The driver cannot wait for late arrivals, and pickup may shift slightly depending on the number of hotel stops. If you select a pickup location later, you must contact the operator at least 16 hours before departure.

The central-Kiruna rule matters. Pickup is not available from Jukkasjärvi, the ICEHOTEL, Camp Alta, or Aurora Camp unless you book a private tour. If you are staying outside town, check the transfer plan before paying.

Getting suited up for Arctic weather

At the kennel, you change into the provided winter gear. The package includes a parka jacket, insulated trousers, Arctic Sorel boots, and mittens, with sizes for most children and adults.

This is one of the strongest practical features of the tour. Kiruna weather can be mild one day and brutal the next. Several outings have taken place around minus 30 degrees Celsius, and one reported day reached minus 35. The supplied gear does not remove the need for warm layers, but it gives you a much better starting point than ordinary city winter clothing.

Wear comfortable layers underneath. You will sit on a low sled bench with your knees bent, so bulky clothing can make getting settled awkward. The clothing change also takes a portion of the scheduled time, so think of the 2.5 hours as the full outing rather than 2.5 hours of continuous sled motion.

Very young children should be able to sit upright without help. Babies under two are not suitable. You also need to walk without an aid and sit comfortably on a low bench. If you weigh more than 100 kilograms, tell the operator during booking. In some cases, two sled places may be required for comfort and space.

The sled ride through forest and over ice

Once the group is organized, you are divided among the sleds. The standard arrangement is up to four adults per sled. Family groups can have as many as five people, including children.

This arrangement works well for parents who want to keep children close. You can sit together rather than splitting into separate teams, though space will naturally feel tighter with five people. Couples get plenty of room, while solo participants share with other members of the group.

The dogs do the pulling, but the guide remains in control. You do not need previous sledding experience or special skills. Your job is to sit securely, watch the scenery, and listen to the guide.

The setting changes as the sled moves from forest trails to open frozen water. The route offers the kind of broad, quiet winter scenery that makes a dog sled ride feel different from a standard snowmobile trip. You are close to the dogs, close to the snow, and moving at their pace.

The maximum group size is 12 people. That keeps the outing relatively small and makes it easier to ask questions. It also limits the amount of time spent waiting for a large crowd to get organized.

Meeting the dogs at the Lavvu tent

About halfway through the ride, the group stops at a Lavvu, a traditional Sami-style tipi tent. A fire provides warmth, and coffee or tea is served with homemade cake. Apple cake has been mentioned as a particular treat.

This is more than a quick refreshment stop. It breaks up the cold and gives you time to look over the dogs at close range. You can ask about the huskies, their training, the team order, and the work involved in keeping the kennel running.

The dogs are a major part of the experience. They are described as friendly and comfortable around people, and you can usually pet them and spend time with them during the stop. If you are not normally a dog person, this may be the part that changes your mind. Still, remember that these are working animals. Follow the guide’s instructions and let each dog approach in its own way.

The coffee and cake also improve the value of the tour. At nearly $200, a ride without any pause would feel expensive. The food, fire, clothing, and time with the dogs make the outing feel more like a complete winter activity.

What the guides add

A good guide matters here because the sled ride itself is quiet and fairly passive. The strongest guide experiences have included clear explanations about how huskies are trained, how the dogs are placed in the team, how speed is managed, and how trails are prepared.

Andrew has been singled out for his stories and friendly style. Natalie has led family outings where particular care was taken to keep children warm and comfortable. Gaynor and Milos have also been involved in guiding and hosting the activity.

The tone is informal and conversational. You can ask questions during the ride and at the tent. If you want only a fast photo opportunity with dogs, the explanations may feel longer than necessary. If you want to understand the work behind sledding, they add real value.

Is $197.99 a fair price?

This is not a budget activity. The $197.99 price includes hotel pickup and drop-off from designated central locations, winter clothing, an English-speaking driver and guide, the sled ride, hot drinks, cake, and taxes.

The price makes the most sense if you are already planning one major husky activity in Kiruna and want a low-stress option. You do not need to rent special gear, arrange transport to the kennel, or figure out how to handle the cold on your own.

The value is less convincing if your main goal is a long sled ride. The full outing lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes, but changing clothes, receiving instructions, and stopping for refreshments take part of that time. You are paying for the full package and the care of the operation, not just minutes spent moving through the snow.

For a family, the ability to sit together on one sled can justify the cost. For solo visitors, the price is harder to absorb, though the small group size, clothing, transport, and dog time help balance it.

Who will enjoy this most?

This is a good match for families, couples, and solo visitors who want a guided introduction to dog sledding without having to drive the team themselves.

Families should appreciate the shared sleds, child-sized clothing, short transfer from town, and warm food stop. The main family concern is cold. Children need to be able to sit unaided and stay reasonably still on the sled. Bring extra layers for them even though the operator supplies outerwear.

Couples get a scenic ride and a chance to share one sled. Solo visitors will be placed with other people, which can be part of the social appeal but means the outing is not private.

The activity is less suitable if you have limited mobility, cannot bend your knees comfortably, or want an adrenaline-heavy excursion. It is also not the right choice if you expect to control the dogs yourself. A private tour is available for visitors who need a different setup, but the provided details do not specify its price or exact arrangements.

Pregnant participants join at their own risk. Anyone with a concern about the low seating position, cold, or sled motion should ask the operator before booking.

Practical booking advice for Kiruna

Book ahead. The experience is often reserved about 27 days in advance, which is a useful warning during the busy winter season.

Choose your pickup location carefully. Central Kiruna hotels are included, but remote stays are not. If your booking says you will choose later, contact the company before the 16-hour deadline.

The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Bring a phone or camera only if you can keep it warm. The cold can drain batteries quickly, and thick mittens make handling small devices awkward. The most important preparation is simpler: arrive early, wear layers, and listen when the guide explains how to sit and interact with the dogs.

Should you book the Sit Down Husky Ride?

Book it if you want a well-organized, family-friendly dog sled outing with transport, Arctic clothing, a warm tent stop, and plenty of time around friendly huskies. The route through forest and over frozen lakes gives you a genuine northern setting without requiring special skills.

Skip it if $197.99 feels too high for a 2.5-hour activity or if you want to drive your own sled. For most first-time visitors to Kiruna, though, this is a sensible way to experience dog sledding without wrestling with the logistics or the cold alone.

FAQ

Where does the husky ride take place?

The tour begins at Lapland Sleddog Adventures in Kurravaara, at Viltvägen 12. The kennel is about 10 to 15 minutes from central Kiruna.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from selected central Kiruna locations, including Scandic Hotel or Elite Hotel Frost, Hotel Arctic Eden, and Camp Ripan.

Can I be picked up at the ICEHOTEL?

No. Pickup is not available from Jukkasjärvi, the ICEHOTEL, Camp Alta, or Aurora Camp unless you book a private tour.

What clothing is provided?

The operator provides a parka jacket, insulated trousers, Arctic Sorel boots, and mittens. Equipment is available in most children’s and adult sizes.

How many people can sit on one sled?

The usual arrangement is up to four adults per sled. Family groups can have up to five people on a sled.

Is the activity suitable for young children?

Children must be able to sit upright without help. Babies under two are not suitable for this activity.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel yourself up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.