Meet 70 Huskies and Enjoy a short ATV Tour with the Huskies

The heart of this Kiruna outing is simple: you meet all 70 Alaskan Huskies, learn each dog’s place in the kennel, and then watch a small team work from a powerful ATV. I like the close contact with the dogs and the chance to see real pre-season training, rather than just posing for a quick photo.

I also like the warm pause by an open fire, with coffee, tea, and sweet snacks. The main drawback is that the ATV ride is not suitable for children under eight or people in poor health, and the full activity can last anywhere from about 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the group.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet all 70 Alaskan Huskies: You can greet the dogs, learn about their individual lives, and expect plenty of energetic hugs.
• See training from an ATV: You help prepare 8 to 10 dogs, then ride along as they train before the winter season.
• Get a kennel-side lesson: The team explains daily sled-dog care during the cold Arctic winter.
• Warm up beside an open fire: Tea, coffee, and sweet snacks are provided after the dog work.
• Plan for mud and dog contact: Wear practical clothes and shoes for forest trails, wet ground, and enthusiastic dogs.
• Private and flexible: Only your group takes part, and the operator may be able to arrange a different starting time if you ask.

Meeting 70 dogs at the Kiruna kennel

This experience begins at Alttavaaravägen 10, about a short trip from Kiruna. Private transportation is included, and the activity returns to the same meeting point. The listed operating season runs from June 15 through October 31, with hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The first part is not a quick animal stop. You are introduced to a kennel of 70 Alaskan Huskies and get time to meet the dogs. You can learn more about them individually, and if you enjoy close contact, you can cuddle and play with them.

These are working sled dogs, not quiet lap pets. The description warns that they are energetic, so be ready for dog hugs and a fair amount of movement. That is part of the fun, but it also shapes what you should wear. A clean, delicate outfit is a poor match for muddy ground, forest trails, and excited dogs.

I like this opening because it gives you a better sense of kennel life than a short husky photo stop. You are not only looking at a row of dogs. You are learning how the group lives and works, and you have room to notice the dogs as individuals.

The dogs are also a good reason to think about personal comfort before booking. If you are nervous around large, lively dogs, this may feel intense. If you love active animals and do not mind getting a little muddy, the contact is likely to be the most memorable part of the visit.

Learning how sled dogs live in northern Sweden

The staff explain the daily life of a sled dog in northern Sweden, including how the kennel works through the cold Arctic winter. That context gives the visit more purpose. You see the animals as athletes with a working routine, not simply as a photo opportunity.

The experience provider, Snowdog, is also known as The Arctic Adventure Company. Craig is named as part of the team, and the staff are described as friendly, helpful, and willing to give the group new ways to interact with the dogs.

The winter setting matters even though this particular experience takes place from mid-June through October. The summer and autumn visit shows how the kennel prepares for the season ahead. You get a look at the work that happens before a full winter sled ride is ready.

That makes this outing a good choice if you want an honest look at dog-sled operations. You hear how the team works with the dogs, see the preparation involved, and gain a clearer idea of what a sled-dog kennel requires day after day.

Preparing a team of 8 to 10 huskies

After meeting the full group, you help prepare a smaller team of 8 to 10 dogs. This is where the visit shifts from meeting the animals to watching the practical side of training.

The staff fit the harnesses and prepare the dogs for work. You are close enough to see that this is a managed routine, not a staged demonstration with every dog running at once. The smaller team also makes it easier to follow what is happening.

The work is done before the winter season, so the dogs are being trained in warmer months. The activity description does not promise a full sled ride, and you should not book it expecting one. Instead, you ride on an ATV with the team and learn how the dogs train when there is no snow.

This is an important distinction. The ATV section lets you watch the dogs work in a practical setting, but you are not taking the place of a sled driver. You sit with the staff on a powerful ATV and follow the training run.

Riding beside the dogs on an ATV

The ATV ride is the most active part of the experience. Once the 8 to 10 dogs are prepared, you sit with the team and follow along as they train. The exact length of this portion depends on how many people are taking part, so the overall activity is not timed to the minute.

The ride is only appropriate for children age eight and above for safety reasons. People in poor health should not take part in this part of the outing. Children of all ages can join the kennel experience, but younger children cannot join the ATV ride.

That age split is useful for families. A younger child can still meet the huskies, while older children can take part in the ride if they meet the safety requirement. If your group includes different ages, confirm how the younger children will be supervised during the ATV portion.

You should also expect a forest-trail setting rather than a smooth sightseeing route. The instructions specifically ask you to dress for weather, dog hugs, and forest trails. Mud is possible, and the ride is best treated as an outdoor working demonstration rather than a polished vehicle tour.

The best part of this section is the connection between the kennel talk and the dogs’ work. You first learn how the dogs live, then see a smaller team being prepared, and finally watch them train. The ATV is the viewing platform that links those steps.

A meat reward and a quiet pause by the fire

After the training, the dogs are unharnessed and given a generous piece of meat as a reward for their work. This small detail helps you understand the rhythm of the kennel. The dogs have a job, they complete it, and the team takes care of them afterward.

The human part of the visit then slows down beside an open fire. Tea, coffee, and sweet snacks are provided, giving you a chance to warm up, talk with the staff, and let the excitement settle.

This break is more useful than it may sound. An active meeting with 70 dogs can be noisy and energetic, while the ATV section takes place outdoors. A hot drink and a seat by the fire give you time to process what you have seen.

The fire also adds a simple northern touch without turning the visit into a performance. You are spending time at the kennel, with the people who run it, rather than being rushed back to a vehicle after the last activity.

How long the experience really takes

The advertised duration is about three hours, but the activity itself is generally between 1.5 and 3 hours. The number of people in the group affects the timing.

For a small private group, that can make the visit feel relaxed. You are not being pushed through a fixed schedule with a large crowd. The private format means only your group participates, which can make it easier to ask questions and spend time with the dogs at your own pace.

The flexible timing has one trade-off: you should not schedule a tight connection immediately afterward. The activity ends back at the meeting point, but the exact length can vary. One particularly helpful detail is that the staff have assisted with transport to the train station, though you should arrange any special help directly with them rather than assume it is part of the standard service.

The operator may also accommodate a different starting time if you contact them. The normal hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but this flexibility can help if your Kiruna plans do not fit the listed times.

Is the $192.31 price fair?

At $192.31 per person, this is not a cheap quick visit to a dog kennel. The value depends on how much time you want with the animals and how much you care about the working side of sled dogs.

You are paying for a private activity, transportation, staff time, kennel access, an ATV training session, and snacks by an open fire. The chance to meet all 70 dogs is more substantial than a standard short animal encounter. You also get a lesson in how the dogs are trained and cared for before the winter season.

The price makes less sense if you only want a brief cuddle or a standard sled ride. This experience does not promise a snowmobile or sled excursion, and the ATV ride is there to follow the training. If your main goal is to race across snowy trails, you need a different type of Kiruna activity.

For dog lovers, small groups, and anyone interested in how a kennel operates, the private format helps justify the cost. The included snacks are modest, but the time with the dogs and the personal setting are the real value.

What to wear and bring

The practical advice is clear: dress for weather, mud, forest trails, and dog hugs. Wear clothing that can get dirty, along with sturdy footwear suitable for outdoor ground.

You should also dress in layers. Conditions in northern Sweden can change, and you may move between active kennel time, the ATV ride, and a cooler pause by the fire. The tour provides tea, coffee, and sweet snacks, but you should not expect a full meal.

Bring the attitude of someone visiting a working animal facility. The dogs may jump up, crowd around you, or seek attention with plenty of energy. Clothes that you can wash easily will make the return to your hotel much simpler.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this experience for a dog lover who wants genuine time with sled dogs, not just a staged photograph. It also suits families with children aged eight and above, couples, and private groups who prefer an active outdoor visit with room for questions.

It is a strong option for anyone curious about the pre-season side of dog sledding. You learn about the kennel, help prepare a team, follow the training, and see the dogs rewarded afterward.

You should think twice if you dislike close contact with large dogs, need a highly predictable schedule, or have health concerns that make an ATV ride unsuitable. Younger children can attend the kennel portion, but the ATV section has a firm minimum age of eight.

The activity is available in English, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the ATV safety restriction still applies. Since the experience depends on suitable weather, poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment, so check your Kiruna schedule carefully before paying.

Bad weather is the exception. If Snowdog cancels because conditions are unsuitable, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since the activity takes place outdoors and includes forest trails and an ATV ride, this weather condition is worth taking seriously.

The experience is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 36 days. That is a useful signal if your Kiruna dates are fixed, especially during the limited operating season.

Should you book the Snowdog kennel experience?

Book it if you want close contact with a large group of lively Alaskan Huskies, a look at real kennel routines, and an ATV ride that follows pre-season training. The combination of dog time, practical explanation, outdoor activity, and coffee by the fire gives the three-hour outing a good sense of variety.

I would be especially happy to recommend it to someone who wants to understand sled dogs beyond the usual winter postcard image. The visit shows the preparation, work, reward, and care that go into the sport.

Skip it if you want a full snow sled ride, dislike muddy outdoor settings, or need a short and tightly timed stop. For the right person, though, meeting 70 dogs and watching a small team go to work is a memorable way to spend part of a Kiruna day.

FAQ

Where does the husky and ATV experience start?

It starts at Alttavaaravägen 10, 981 92 Kiruna, Sweden. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is about three hours. The kennel and training activities generally take between 1.5 and 3 hours, depending on the number of people taking part.

How many huskies will I meet?

You will meet 70 Alaskan Huskies. You can learn about the individual dogs and cuddle or play with them if you wish.

Can children join the experience?

Children of all ages can join the kennel experience. The ATV ride is only appropriate for children aged eight and above for safety reasons.

Is the ATV ride suitable for everyone?

No. The ATV section is not appropriate for children under eight or for people in poor health. The activity also requires suitable weather.

What is included in the price?

Private transportation, tea, coffee, sweet snacks, the kennel visit, and the ATV training activity are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.