Sunrise Zen Husky Tour (10:00 to 13:00 – sitting on the sled)

The best part of this Kiruna husky tour is its quiet, small-group feel. You sit in a four-person sled while a guide drives a team of 12 to 14 Alaskan Huskies through the dark Poikkijärvi woods. The dogs provide the action. You simply watch the snow, trees, and frozen wilderness pass by.

I like the chance to meet and help care for the dogs, rather than treating the sled ride as a quick photo stop. I also like the practical setup: pickup, thermal clothing, boots, gloves, hot drinks, snacks, and a fire hut are all included. The main drawback is the price, $264.52 per person, and you should also expect serious cold, especially on the open frozen lake.

Key points to know before booking

• A guide drives the sled: You sit and enjoy the ride rather than steering or working with the dogs.
• The sled seats four people: This is a shared outing, though the total group is limited to a maximum of four.
• The dogs are central to the visit: You can meet the huskies, see the puppies, help with care, and feed your team meat afterward.
• Thermal clothing is included: You receive warm clothing, boots, and gloves before heading outside.
• Pickup is arranged from selected hotels: Times range from 9:45 am at Camp Ripan to 10:20 am at Camp Alta.
• Plan for intense cold: Face and eye protection are useful, and the ride may feel especially cold on the lake.

A calm morning in the Poikkijärvi woods

Snowdog, The Arctic Adventure Company, operates about 17 kilometers outside Kiruna’s main tourist area. That distance matters. You leave the town’s hotels and ski-tour atmosphere behind and reach a quieter setting away from other dog-sled companies.

The tour begins around 10:00 am and lasts about three hours. Pickup times are staggered, so check your exact location carefully. Camp Ripan pickup is listed for 9:45 am, Best Western Arctic Eden at 9:50 am, Ice Hotel and Elite Hotel at 10:00 am, and Camp Alta at 10:20 am.

One visitor accidentally took a taxi to the wrong meeting point, so I would confirm the pickup location before the morning begins. With a tour this cold, you do not want to spend extra time outside trying to find the right vehicle.

The kennel itself is part of the appeal. You are not simply loaded onto a sled at a roadside platform. You arrive, change into the company’s warm clothing, and spend time around the dogs before the ride. That gives the morning a more personal rhythm.

The dogs are the real stars

The team usually includes 12 to 14 Alaskan Huskies. Their excitement before departure is part of the show. You can expect plenty of energy, barking, movement, and eager dogs ready to run.

The company places clear emphasis on contact with the animals. You may meet the adult dogs and puppies, and you can help prepare the team if you want to take part. After the ride, you can help secure the dogs and give your team a piece of meat, described as a favorite winter snack.

That extra time is important. Some husky outings focus almost entirely on the ride, with only a few minutes for photographs. Here, the care routine helps you understand that the dogs are working animals with individual personalities and daily needs.

The dogs are described as social, obedient, and well cared for. The small kennel size also means the animals receive plenty of attention. Retired dogs are looked after after their working years, another detail that may matter to anyone concerned about animal welfare.

You may also have a chance to see puppies. Several people found time with the puppies especially memorable, so allow yourself a little room in the schedule for that part of the visit. The exact amount of puppy contact is not guaranteed, but it is included among the possible kennel activities.

What the sled ride is really like

This is a sitting tour, not a driving lesson. The sled seats four people, and an experienced guide handles the dogs and the route. That makes the trip easy for beginners and for anyone who would rather watch the scenery than learn braking, balancing, and team commands.

The tradeoff is control. If you want to stand behind the runners and drive your own team, this is not the right product. You are there to relax, stay warm, and take in the surroundings while the guide manages the sled.

The route passes through the Poikkijärvi woods and includes time on a frozen lake. The forest gives you snow-covered trees and a sheltered feeling, while the lake can open out into a broad, exposed stretch. The lake is also where the cold may become most noticeable.

You might spot reindeer or a moose, but wildlife sightings are not promised. Reindeer have been seen during the ride, yet you should book this for the dogs and winter setting, not for a guaranteed animal encounter.

The ride is long enough that comfort matters. Wear the supplied clothing properly, keep your face covered, and use the gloves provided. One person specifically advised bringing face and eye covers because the cold and moving air can be sharp. Even with thermal clothing, exposed skin can suffer at temperatures such as the reported minus 31 degrees Celsius.

Thermal gear makes the high price easier to accept

At $264.52 per person, this is an expensive three-hour activity. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: transportation from selected hotels, a complete cold-weather setup, the sled ride, time with the dogs, a hot drink, a snack, and access to the fire hut afterward.

You also receive more than a short ride. The kennel visit, dog preparation, feeding, and care help create a fuller morning. For someone visiting Kiruna specifically to meet sled dogs, that added time may justify the cost.

Still, you should compare this with your own priorities. If your goal is simply to sit behind a team for a brief run, the price may feel high. If you value a small group, personal attention, dog care, and not having to buy or pack specialist Arctic clothing, the package has stronger value.

The maximum group size is four people. That is unusually intimate compared with larger winter excursions, though the sled itself also seats four. If you book with friends or family, you are likely to share the sled with the people you know. The limited size also means the guides can give more direct attention to the group.

From hotel pickup to the first run

The morning starts with pickup from one of the listed locations. The timing differs by hotel, so do not assume every pickup happens at 10:00 am. Camp Alta is listed at 10:20 am, while Camp Ripan is listed at 9:45 am.

At the kennel, you change into warm clothing supplied by the company. This includes thermal suits, boots, and gloves. The gear is not a minor extra. In Kiruna, it can make the difference between enjoying the ride and counting the minutes until you get indoors.

You then meet the dogs and learn about the team. Depending on the morning’s arrangements, you may help get the dogs ready and secure their harnesses. The activity remains optional in that sense, so you can participate more actively or simply watch and listen.

Guides have included Craig, David, and Demian. The company’s replies show a hands-on team that stays involved in the kennel and the practical details of the morning. David has been praised for explaining the dogs’ care and bringing people into the routine, while Craig has handled much of the hosting and transport communication.

After the team is ready, you settle into the sled. Since the guide drives, you can focus on the dogs and the snow rather than worrying about commands or steering. Keep cameras secure. The guide will not film while the sled is moving because loose equipment can create a hazard for you and the dogs.

Photo stops and the limits of filming

You can take photographs, but do not expect a continuous video record of the ride. Safety comes first when the sled is in motion, and the guides take photos or video only when the group is stationary.

That may disappoint anyone hoping for a full action film. I would treat the photo stops as a useful compromise. Put the phone away while the sled is moving, watch the dogs work, and take pictures when the team pauses.

The winter colors can be striking, especially in the soft morning light. The tour description points to pale, crystal-like colors, and the setting can feel almost monochrome except for the dogs and the dark trees. On a clear morning, the frozen lake gives you a wider view than the forest section.

Fire hut, fika, and feeding the team

After the ride, you return to the kennel area and give the dogs their reward. Feeding the team adds a satisfying finish because you have watched the same dogs pull the sled and can now thank them directly.

You then warm up in a small fire hut by an open wood fire. Hot drinks and a snack are included, giving you time to thaw your fingers and talk with the guide. This is also when you can hear more about the dogs and the work behind a sled team.

The setting is simple rather than polished. That is part of its charm. You are not finishing in a large visitor center with displays and souvenir shelves. You are warming up in a working kennel environment, with a fire, a drink, and the people who care for the dogs.

The fire hut also matters from a practical point of view. A three-hour winter outing can feel longer than expected if you remain cold throughout. The warm-up gives the morning a proper ending instead of leaving you to return directly to your hotel in damp clothing.

Timing, weather, and small practical cautions

The listed duration is approximately three hours, but the schedule can shift. On one very cold morning, the start was delayed while the team tried to locate two people who had not been met at the correct pickup point. The delay lasted about an hour for one group, which was unpleasant in the cold.

This is another reason to confirm your pickup place and arrive ready. The company did offer access to its warm dressing room during the delay, but waiting outside in Arctic temperatures is still something to avoid.

The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of people. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum is not met, you receive the choice of another date or activity, or a full refund.

You can cancel without penalty up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that period are not refunded or accepted. The booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking, and the activity is offered in English.

Children under six are not allowed because of the low temperatures. The activity is open to most people, but the cold should be taken seriously even if you are normally comfortable outdoors.

Who will enjoy this Kiruna husky tour most

I would choose this tour if you want a gentle introduction to dog sledding. You sit in the sled, receive the required clothing, and let the guide handle the technical work. That suits first-time visitors, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants the scenery without physical effort.

It also suits animal lovers who want more than a quick ride. The chance to meet puppies, help prepare the dogs, learn about their care, feed the team, and see how retired dogs are treated gives the morning more substance.

It is less suitable for you if you want to drive your own sled, spend a full day in the wilderness, or keep the cost low. The four-person sled may also feel less private if you arrive alone and are paired with other people, although the total group remains small.

The tour is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes cold exposure. Thermal clothing helps, but it does not turn Kiruna into a mild-weather destination. Bring face protection and dress with the expectation that the frozen lake may be bitterly cold.

Should you book the Sunrise Zen Husky Tour?

Book it if you want a small, dog-centered morning with pickup, Arctic clothing, a guide-driven sled ride, and time around the kennel. The strongest part is the full connection between the dogs, the ride, and their care afterward. You are not rushed in and out.

The cost is high, but the included clothing, transport, food, and small group improve the value. Just confirm your pickup point, prepare for intense cold, and remember that you are sitting in the sled rather than driving it.

For a first husky experience in Kiruna, this is a strong choice. For a self-drive expedition or a budget outing, choose something else.

FAQ

How long is the Sunrise Zen Husky Tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours, from around 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Where does the husky tour take place?

The kennel is about 17 kilometers outside Kiruna’s main tourist center, in the Poikkijärvi woods.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Camp Ripan, Best Western Arctic Eden, the Ice Hotel, Elite Hotel, and Camp Alta at listed morning times.

Do I drive the sled?

No. You sit in the sled while an experienced guide drives the team.

How many people fit in the sled?

The sled seats four people. The total activity has a maximum of four participants.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. The company provides warm clothing, thermal suits, boots, and gloves. Hot drinks and snacks are also included.

Can young children join the tour?

Children under six cannot participate because of the low temperatures. Most other participants can take part.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date or activity, or a full refund.