Sit Down Husky Ride Dog Sled Tour in Kiruna

The best part of this Kiruna outing is its calm, sit-down format: you ride behind a professional musher while 12 eager huskies pull the sled through quiet forest and across frozen lakes. Halfway through, you stop at a tipi tent for coffee, tea, homemade cake, and time with the dogs.

I like the hotel pickup and full Arctic clothing, especially for families who do not own winter gear. I also like the slower pace and small group size, which leave room for questions and dog cuddles. The main drawback is price: at $197.99 per person, this is a costly two-and-a-half-hour activity, and part of that time goes toward changing clothes.

Key points to know before booking

• Twelve huskies pull each sled, while a professional guide handles the driving.
• The route leaves the main tourist areas, following forest trails and frozen lakes near Kurravaara.
• Warm clothing is supplied, including a parka, insulated trousers, Sorel boots, and mittens.
• A tipi stop includes hot drinks and homemade cake, plus close contact with the huskies.
• Family groups can share one sled, with space for up to two adults and three children.
• Pickup is limited to central Kiruna hotels, not the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi or outlying camps.

A sit-down husky ride near Kiruna

This is a good choice if you want the excitement of dog sledding without steering a team yourself. You sit on a large sled bench, and an English-speaking guide drives while the dogs do the work.

The experience begins in central Kiruna, then takes you about 10 to 15 minutes to the Lapland Sleddog Adventures kennel in Kurravaara. The short transfer matters in winter. You get out of town quickly, but you do not spend most of the morning in a vehicle.

At the kennel, you change into the supplied Arctic gear. This includes a parka jacket, insulated trousers, Arctic Sorel boots, and mittens. The company carries equipment in most children’s and adult sizes, so you can travel to Kiruna without buying a complete set of expedition clothing.

You should still dress in warm layers underneath. The provided gear is designed to protect you from serious cold, but your own wool socks, thermal base layers, and hat remain sensible additions. Temperatures have reached -30 C and even -35 C during outings, so this is not a normal sightseeing ride where ordinary jeans and a city coat will do.

How the sled ride works

For the ride, you are divided into groups of up to four adults per sled. Family groups can include up to five people, with the family arrangement described as two adults and three children.

The important point is that this is a shared ride. You are not driving your own team, and you may be seated with other people unless you are traveling as a family group or have booked a private tour. That makes the trip easy for first-time visitors, but it gives you less control than a hands-on mushing excursion.

The sled follows winding routes through the forest and over frozen lakes. The ride takes place away from the main tourist areas, which gives it a quieter feel. You may see reindeer or moose, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The guide does more than steer. Guides explain how the huskies are trained, how the dogs are positioned, how the team’s speed is managed, and how winter trails are prepared. Andrew received special praise for his stories and lively explanations, while other outings have been led by Gaynor, Milos, or Natalie. The exact guide depends on the day.

You sit low on the sled with your knees bent, so think about comfort as well as excitement. The operator asks anyone over 100 kilograms to mention it when booking. In some cases, that person may need to reserve two sled places for comfort and to avoid crowding other people.

The Kurravaara kennel and the dogs

The kennel is at Viltvägen 12 in Kurravaara, outside central Kiruna. This is where you meet the team, change clothes, and begin and end the outing.

The dogs are a major part of the experience, not simply transport. You have time to meet them at the kennel and again during the tipi break. The huskies are described as friendly and comfortable around people, and visitors are allowed to pet them and give them attention.

That dog time is especially useful if you are booking for children. A young child may find the moving sled thrilling, but the close contact with the dogs gives the outing a second focus. You can learn about the animals, ask questions, and see the dogs at rest rather than only watching them run past.

The company also makes care for the dogs part of the presentation. The guides explain training and the working routine, and the pause lets the animals rest before the return trip. If you care about how sled dogs are treated, pay attention to the guide’s explanations and watch how the dogs are handled at the kennel and during the stop.

Coffee, cake, and a tipi in the forest

About halfway through the ride, the group stops at a lavvu, a traditional Sami-style tipi tent. A fire provides warmth, and you are served coffee or tea along with homemade cake, including apple cake on some outings.

This break is more than a snack. It gives you time to thaw your fingers, speak with the guide, and meet the huskies at close range. It also breaks up the ride for children, who may not want to sit still on a low sled bench for the full route.

The tipi stop is one of the details that helps justify the price. You are not simply paying for a short circuit behind a kennel. The outing combines transportation, winter clothing, a guided route, a fire-side pause, refreshments, and time with the dogs.

Still, keep your expectations realistic. This is a two-hour-30-minute experience from pickup to return, not a full-day wilderness trip. The ride itself is shorter because you need time for transfers, changing, safety instructions, and the tipi stop. One candid assessment put the changing time at roughly 30 minutes.

Pickup from central Kiruna hotels

Pickup is offered from selected central Kiruna locations:

• Scandic Hotel or Elite Hotel Frost: 9:15 at the bus stop across the road
• Hotel Arctic Eden, Best Western: 9:20 at the hotel entrance
• Camp Ripan: 9:25 at the entrance or in the lobby

You should be ready a few minutes early. The vehicle may arrive slightly before or after the stated time because the driver is collecting people from several hotels, but late arrivals cannot be held for.

The return is to the meeting point in central Kiruna. Pickup is not available from Jukkasjärvi, the ICEHOTEL, Camp Alta, or Aurora Camp unless you arrange a private tour. This restriction is easy to miss, so check your accommodation before paying.

If you select a pickup location later, you must contact the operator with your choice at least 16 hours before the tour. I would make that decision during booking rather than leave it until the last minute.

What the $197.99 price includes

At $197.99 per person, this is one of the pricier short activities in Kiruna. The cost makes more sense if you need winter equipment and hotel transport. Buying or renting an Arctic parka, insulated trousers, boots, and mittens separately can quickly add up, especially for a family staying only a few days.

You also receive coffee or tea, homemade cake, transport from a central hotel, an English-speaking driver and guide, and all listed fees and taxes. The maximum group size is 12 people, which helps keep the outing from feeling like a large coach excursion.

The value is strongest for families and first-time Arctic visitors. You arrive in ordinary travel clothes, receive the needed outerwear, ride with a guide, and return to town without arranging a taxi to a remote kennel.

The value is weaker if you already own full winter gear and want a longer ride. It is also less suitable if you want to learn how to drive a sled yourself. This activity is about sitting back, enjoying the route, and spending time with the huskies.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this tour to families, couples, solo visitors, and people who want a gentle introduction to dog sledding. Children are welcome if they can sit up unaided and remain comfortable on the sled. Babies under two are not suitable for the activity.

The ride also suits people who do not consider themselves outdoor experts. You do not need to organize the equipment, find the kennel, or manage the dogs. The guide handles the route and the team while you watch the forest and frozen waterways pass by.

It is less suitable for anyone who uses a walking aid or cannot sit on a low bench with knees bent. The operator says participants must be mobile without walking aids. Pregnant people may join at their own risk.

If you are traveling with a larger family, ask about the seating arrangement before booking. A standard sled takes up to four adults, while a family group may have up to five people. If you want the sled to yourselves, ask about the private-tour option.

Weather, comfort, and what to wear

This is a cold-weather activity by design. The supplied gear has kept people comfortable in temperatures as low as -30 C, but cold tolerance varies. Sunny conditions around -7 C can feel very different from a windy, cloudy morning.

Wear warm layers that leave room under the provided jacket and trousers. Avoid cotton as your main base layer if you have better thermal options. Bring a hat and warm socks, even though the tour supplies boots and mittens.

The operator can cancel for poor weather. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour also needs a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date, another experience, or a refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

A practical family choice in Kiruna

The format works well for families because the adults do not need to divide their attention between steering, braking, and supervising children. Everyone can sit together, listen to the guide, and watch the dogs work.

The clothing supply is another major help. A family of four would otherwise need to find Arctic boots and insulated outerwear in several sizes. Here, most children’s and adult sizes are available, though you should contact the operator if someone needs an unusual size.

The main family concern is the cold. A small child may be comfortable, but only if that child can sit unaided and stay warm. Keep an eye on fingers, toes, and faces during the ride, and use the tipi break as a chance to warm up.

The dogs can be a strong reason to choose this over a purely scenic winter outing. Children get to see the animals at the kennel, watch them work, and spend time with them during the stop. For many families, that combination is more memorable than scenery alone.

Should you book the Sit Down Husky Ride?

Book it if you want a well-organized first dog sled experience with hotel pickup, supplied Arctic clothing, a professional guide, and a warm tipi stop. It is especially useful for families, couples, and anyone who wants to enjoy the dogs without learning to drive a sled.

Think twice if $197.99 feels high for a short activity, if you already own all your winter gear, or if you want a longer and more active mushing experience. You should also confirm your pickup location and check that everyone can sit comfortably on the sled.

For most visitors with limited time in Kiruna, I would make room for it. The combination of a forest ride, frozen lakes, friendly huskies, hot drinks, homemade cake, and simple logistics gives you a real taste of Arctic dog sledding without turning the day into a technical expedition.

FAQ

How long does the Sit Down Husky Ride last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes, including pickup, transport, changing into Arctic clothing, the sled ride, the tipi stop, and the return to the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

The kennel meeting point is Lapland Sleddog Adventures, Viltvägen 12, 981 46 Kurravaara, Sweden. Central Kiruna hotel pickup is available before the drive to the kennel.

Which hotels offer pickup?

Pickup is available from Scandic Hotel or Elite Hotel Frost, Hotel Arctic Eden, and Camp Ripan in central Kiruna. The exact pickup points and times are provided above.

Can I be picked up from the ICEHOTEL?

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

Is Arctic clothing provided?

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

How many people ride on each sled?

Groups are divided among sleds with up to four adults. Family groups can include up to five people, with space for two adults and three children.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Yes, families can participate. Babies under two are not suitable, and very young children should be able to sit up unaided.

What is served at the tipi stop?

You receive hot coffee or tea and homemade cake at the lavvu, or tipi tent. The stop also gives you time to meet and pet the huskies.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number of participants causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.