When the dogs took a curve that I thought was a touch too tight, I couldn’t help but squeal a little bit—with excitement, of course, since being in a sleigh pulled by six tense dogs traveling over 20 miles per hour is nothing to be afraid of, is it?
How stupid of me. I soon discovered that whenever I made a sound, the dogs would always turn to stare at me, still running at full speed, as if I were a frightened cat with an excessive amount of talk. Which, to be honest, I was—this was my very first time riding a dog sleigh.
However, as my buddy Amanda so beautifully stated: “This is serious work for these dogs.” No laughing is permitted. Yes, Marie, please stop talking and just enjoy the ride. In silence.
I had no idea that my overnight stay at Holmen Husky Lodge would teach me a few things about the lives these dogs lead up high in the Norwegian Arctic Circle, tucked away in a tiny hamlet at the end of Altafjord, in addition to making me realize that I might not be such a cat person after all (after sleigh ride cuddles > sleigh rides).
Holmen Husky Lodge glamping
Holmen Husky Lodge’s Nordic lights
My overnight lodging
The lounge room
A leisurely morning
With the Northern Night package, I had the good fortune to fully enjoy Holmen Husky Lodge, including an overnight stay, a dog sleigh ride, and free time on and around the grounds.
The main lodge, which was once an ancient barn, is furnished in the best Nordic style, with lots of wood, natural materials, neutral colors, and a minimalist look. It also has a large sitting area, a dining room, a kitchen, a sauna, and a jacuzzi.
The real accommodation is unquestionably the nicest feature. If you’ve been reading this blog for a long, you know that I’m not a big fan of camping. But glamping is a whole other story, especially when it comes to these stunning lavvos.
The indigenous Sami people use these traditional tents for sleeping, cooking, and socializing, but these are far superior because they are protected from the bitterly cold nights of the Arctic, have heating blankets, a small wood-burning stove (which, of course, this city girl was completely bored with), and a floor-to-ceiling window that allows one to see the northern lights on a clear night.
Whether Dogsledding Is Cruel at Holmen Husky Lodge?
I received a tonne of private and public comments from people who thought dogsledding was cruel and bad for the dogs shortly after I uploaded this video to my Facebook page.
As an ardent supporter of animal rights, I must admit that I was not at all insulted by that; rather, I was happy that a surprisingly high number of individuals genuinely cared about the huskies’ welfare.
However, it’s quite illuminating to watch—or rather, to hear—the dogs’ response when they see their keeper approaching with a harness and realize they’re going to ride. Their loud howling and yipping make it clear how happy and eager they are to start moving. These Alaskan huskies are completely bred for this purpose; they are not designed to chew a tennis ball and take naps by the fireplace. The owner of the kennel, Eirik Nilsen, was eager to clarify that he “breeds dogs according to their enthusiasm to race rather than their looks.” They are sportsmen. Their first impulse is to RUN.
And given the choice, I genuinely don’t think they would have it any other way.
To guarantee that they get enough sleep, dogs technically don’t typically travel for two days in a succession. They are fed frequently and copiously, and their exceptionally thick fur prevents them from becoming chilly.
Believe me when I say that these dogs genuinely only require the odd petting. They must have received enough cuddling over the course of a year for me to not be overly concerned about them.
The Cutest Canines at Holmen Husky Lodge
Get to Know Holmen Husky Lodge Before You Go
I took advantage of the Northern Night package, which consists of a dog sleigh ride, dinner and breakfast that are usually Norwegian, and an overnight stay in a Lavvo tent. The price, assuming double occupancy, is NOK 2990 per person. There are also a number of summertime visitation possibilities.
The lodge is roughly ten kilometers away from Alta. Since the package covers pick-up and drop-off in central Alta, you don’t need to rent a car to get there.
Don’t worry if you don’t have appropriate winter clothing; Holmen kindly provides guests boots and thermal suits.
