A Husky tour in early winter

At the time around New Year, the dark season is at its peak. Even though the sun does not rise above the horizon, we still have daylight for three to four hours a day. That is enough to get to the next cabin. If there is moonlight the stages can be extended by several hours.

The snow reflects every small amount of light. It is usually much brighter than one is used to in Middle Europe right after the sun has set. The dark season is exactly what makes it possible to see the northern lights. If you want to watch it though, the sky has to be free of clouds and dark – the darker, the better.

Shimmering veils of light dance over the sky, and continually shift their intensity – this is the particular charm of the event. Through reactions on the sun’s surface, small particles are drawn to the poles, and these particles entering the outer layers of the atmosphere cause the phenomenon. Normally, the light has a green-like colour, but may also show in red shimmers. The higher the activity on the sun’s surface, the more impressive are the northern lights.

Not only has the Polar light ensured the cosy ambience, but also the long, relaxing evenings in the cabins around Lake Altevatn. For those of you who want a nice, but still adventurous, time around Christmas, these sled tours are just the right thing.

Each day we move forward to the next cabin, or we make day trips from our camp. The tours are not planned in detail in advance, and that makes it is possible to reorganise along the way according to the participant’s wishes.

What you should bring …

Below we have made a list of all equipment proven suitable during a stay in the winter. You should not bring much more, since a dog’s carrying capacity is not unlimited.

Before the tour starts, we will conduct a thorough check of the equipment to see that all necessary items are at hand, and, whether or not any excess stuff may be deposited at Innset. Your personal equipment shall be packed in a large sack and placed on the sledge. Therefore, you do not need to bring with you a big rucksack. It may prove better to divide it into two or three smaller packages.

Requirement list

  • Backpack or bag
  • Sleeping bag that can resist minus 30° C – or a regular sleeping bag that can be combined with one of our over-cover sleeping bags (that can be wrapped around yours)
  • Sleeping mat (width: max. 55 cm)
  • Underwear
  • Baselayer of wool (ski-shirts)
  • 1 pair of thin long johns (ski underpants)
  • 1 pair of thick long johns (wool or fleece)
  • 2 or 3 shirts or thin sweaters
  • 1 thick sweater
  • 1 even thicker sweater (wool or fleece)
  • 1 pair of trousers
  • 4 pairs of socks in different wool thickness
  • 1 pair of windbreaker pants/skiing pants
  • Windbreaker jacket with hood
  • 1 pair of thick windbreaker gloves
  • 1 pair of gloves to use when the dogs are being tied to or unfastened from the sled
  • 1 balaclava or something to cover your face in
  • 1 pair of really warm boots, like “Sorel Big Horn” (or better), including 2 pairs of thick socks (Can be provided by us)
  • Gaiters
  • 1 pair of shoes to use in the cabin
  • 1 or 2 winter-cap(s)
  • Sun (ski)glasses with UV filter
  • Sun protection with at least SPF 15 (in March) up to SPF 25 (April / May)
  • Sharp knife (sheath knife or pocket knife)
  • Unbreakable thermos flask (bottle)
  • Headlight with extra batteries. For rechargeable lamps: spare batteries and powerbank . If the battery is not replaceable: take 2 headlamps with you.
  • Camera with extra batteries
  • An extra pair of glasses for those who use them. The rim should not be of 100% synthetic material, since extremely low temperatures may deter use.
  • Earplug for a silent night

For those who wish, we lend free of charge: a warm overall, winter boots and an oversleeping bag, with which an autumn sleeping bag (to -5 °) becomes a super winter sleeping bag, a reindeer skin and snowshoes.
When buying and trying on the outer, windproof layer, it is essential to remember that with the number of sweaters and underpants worn, the body circumference increases significantly. Then the anorak and overtrousers must still fit light and airy and in no way restrict the freedom of movement.

The personal equipment (warming clothes, underwear for changing, sleeping bags, sleeping mat, headlamp + batteries, photo equipment, backpack or bag, etc.) minus the clothes you put on at about -10 degrees should not exceed the weight of 20 kg. That is, at -10 degrees you have a maximum of 20 kg of personal equipment on the sled.

Time Length Operator Available places
Saison 2024/2025
2024/12/14 - 2024/12/21 5+3 days Ane Klaudiussen 3 Register
2024/12/15 - 2024/12/22 5+3 days Alexander Denk 2 Register
2024/12/27 - 2025/01/06 8+3 days Morten Klauer 0 Fully booked
2024/12/29 - 2025/01/05 5+3 days Jan Klaudiussen 0 Fully booked
2025/01/20 - 2025/01/30 8+3 days Alexander Denk 1 Register

Tour-Info