Kiruna: Husky sled tour with driving & passenger swap

Summary

Take turns mushing huskies through snowy trails outside Kiruna

You’ll drive your own husky sled near Kiruna, swapping places with a friend so both can mush and ride as a passenger. Help harness and feed your team of dogs, warm up by a fire with coffee and cake, and chat with locals who live this life every day—a mix of action, laughter, and quiet moments you’ll remember long after leaving Swedish Lapland.

What’s the experience like?

Hands wrapped around the wooden handle, I felt the cold sneak in through my gloves before our guide, Anna, grinned and nodded for me to go. The dogs were already yipping—one of them (I think his name was Loki?) kept glancing back at us like he was impatient to get moving. My partner sat bundled on the sled behind me, laughing nervously as we lurched forward onto the trail just outside Kiruna. It’s hard to describe that first rush—the crunch of snow under the runners, the sharp smell of fur and cold air, and the way the forest swallowed up every other sound except for paws and breath.

I didn’t expect how much you actually do on this husky tour. Anna showed us how to harness one of “our” five dogs (I probably fumbled more than helped), and then halfway through—after about 9 kilometers—we swapped places so my partner could try mushing too. There’s something weirdly peaceful about sitting on a sled while someone else drives; you just watch the birch trees flick past and try not to get snow in your mouth from smiling too much. The trail was homemade by their team, winding through bits of open field and thicker woods—sometimes you’d catch a whiff of pine or hear a distant snowmobile but mostly it was just us and the dogs.

Back at the kennel, we got to feed our team—one of those small moments that sticks with you more than you’d think. The dogs’ eyes light up when they see food coming (can’t blame them). We helped unharness them too; my hands were clumsy but nobody seemed to mind. There was coffee and cake by a fire after, which tasted better than any fancy dessert I’ve had lately—maybe because everyone’s cheeks were red from cold and people kept swapping stories about their favorite dog or who fell off their sled last winter. Anna answered every random question we threw at her about life up here in Swedish Lapland.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Husky Sledding and Kennel Visit

• Drive sled with 5-6 dogs
• Swap driver and continue sledding
• Help feed and unharness dogs
• Enjoy fire with coffee and cake

Top questions

How long does the husky tour near Kiruna last?

The tour lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours depending on conditions.

Can both people drive the sled during this tour?

Yes, you swap halfway so each person gets to drive and ride as passenger.

Is pickup from Kiruna included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points in Kiruna are included if needed.

Are snacks or drinks provided on this husky tour?

Coffee or tea and cake are served by a fire after returning to the kennel.

Do we get to interact with the huskies?

Yes, you help harness one dog before starting and feed/unharness them after returning.

How many people per sled?

There are two people per sled—one drives while one rides as passenger.

Is this activity suitable for children?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants sit on laps or in prams/strollers.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from Kiruna if needed, all taxes and fees covered, guidance from local mushers who show you how to harness your own dog team, time spent driving (and riding) your own husky sled over about 18 kilometers of trails, plus coffee or tea with cake around a fire before heading back home.