Find magic during the Polar Night with this Nordic adventure with an active itinerary filled with dog sledding, skiing & fat biking – and if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights. We designed this trip to show you a lesser-seen side of Norway: deep winter by 70° North. We’ll live by “Finnmarking,” the Norwegian word for a Finnmark local. 

• Immerse yourself in the unique charm of Langfjordbotn, an off-the-beaten-path and welcoming village.
• Get active outdoors with activities like skiing, dog sledding and fat biking – and then find time to unwind in the sauna and hot tub. 
• Go stargazing during peak season for the Northern Lights. 
• Immerse yourself in local Norwegian culture with activities such as learning how to build a fire for lunch in pure Finnmark style.
• Enjoy local food like fresh Arctic Char or Bidos, a traditional Sami dish often considered Finnmark's ultimate comfort food. 

This trip is for you if you’re looking for a trip to immerse yourself in nature, challenge yourself with new activities and unwind underneath the Aurora Borealis night sky. 

Our trips are active. They are designed for you to immerse yourself in nature and challenge yourself. You're invited to move at your own pace (newcomers are welcome) but should anticipate being active and outdoors throughout the trip. Ski experience is recommended but not required. 

• Average day: Expect to be out between three and six hours daily.
• Challenge day: On day five, the dogsled trip will take you deep into nature with moments of light and total darkness.

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the cold remains bearable. Days with -20° to -30° Celsius are considered exceptional. There is no sun to warm us up, and this is a great starting point to learn how to deal with cold temperatures without being in the danger zone. 

How experienced should I be within the specific activities ?

• Discovery: I have no previous experience
• Beginner: I’ve been practicing a bit*
• Enthusiast: I’m dedicating more and more time to this
• Master: I’ve been regularly practicing for years

*For those who don't ski, an alternative snow show experience will be available. 

How fit should I be?

• Straight out of the office: fitness is still a distant dream
• Weekender: I love to get moving when I can
• Fit: Sports are a part of my daily routine
• Warrior: Training defines me

How much of an outdoor person should I be?

• Curious: I know nothing to very little, but I’m eager to learn
• Enlightened: I feel comfortable outdoors in most situations
• Scout: I have some knowledge and a high threshold to changing weathers
• Explorer: I know a lot and love to be out in any condition

What kind of lodging should I expect?

• Hotel: Best-in-class boutique hotel 
• Lodge: Homey vibes in a comfortable setting
• Huts & Cabins: The first step out of your regular routine
• Adventurous: Camping & bivy in all weather conditions

Welcome to Norway! Once you land in Alta, we’ll take a scenic one-hour drive along the Alta Fjord to our lodge in Låvan. As we approach our destination, the mountains get bigger and the landscape more dramatic! Once we arrive, we’ll enjoy a welcome drink by the fjord, followed by a welcome dinner. 

You’ll settle into your room and rest up for our next day of adventuring. The lodge consists of two simple and comfortable houses plus one boat house directly by the fjord of Kvænangen. With a sauna and a hot tub, this is a perfect place to enjoy the surroundings and recover from intense days out.

Meet your guides

Erik Wallgren

Erik is a Swedish kayak and ice skating guide who has been working in Finnmark for 14 years, as well as producing his own events designed to introduce surf ski paddling into Europe. He’s brought top-performing athletes into the region and in doing so, has honed his guide experience to give you the same level of support that he offers to athletic champions. A seasoned outdoor man who thrives in the archipelago and the mountains, he spends his time between Sweden, Norway, and France guiding, cooking, hauling gear, and solving problems. 

Fred Buttard

Originally from France, Fred is an IFMGA Mountain Guide passionate about roaming the world's mountains, preferably gliding on snow or a bike. He started his career as a teacher for the French alpine troops in Chamonix before founding his own company, Upguides. Today, he teaches ski touring and mountain safety for a Norwegian outdoor school and organises splitboarding and ski trips and workshops around the world and in its home valley in the French Alps. Fred has been teaching and guiding in the region extensively for the last 18 years. 

We’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out for the day to get prepped for skiing in Laslettind. We’ll pick up our gear and make sure you’re sized up with everything you’ll need. Expect 600 meters of climbing with easy terrain. The mountains above are perfect for all levels of ski touring, but if you prefer, a snowshoe option is also available (no experience required). 

After presenting the gear, we'll head out for a couple of hours, going up with daylight and down with our strong headlamps. After an active day, we’ll enjoy coffee and grilled cheese sandwiches around the bonfire. Your evening can be spent relaxing at the lodge’s sauna and hot tub – a perfect night cap to rest and rejuvenate. 

Please note: Environmental conditions may impact the itinerary. Our expert guides will make changes as-needed based on both your safety and enjoyment. 

Meet your guides

Matti Saapunki
Meet Matti, a young IFMGA mountain guide born and raised in northern Finland. His deep passion for ski touring and his local knowledge of the arctic climate and mountains make him an excellent leader for this expedition. You can be confident that you're in good hands with Matti and the rest of our expert team.

Tore and Vegard Karlstrøm
Passionate skiers and guides, Tore and Vegard are a father-son team from Langfjordbotn. They possess a deep love for their mountains and a contagious joyous spirit. Enjoying their home mountains with them is a treat!

Now that you’ve gotten a day under your belt for skiing above the Arctic Circle (which lies 4° lower than us), you’re ready to take it to the next level. We'll head to Jøkelfjord for a whole day hunting for the best snow and beautiful views. 

Jøkelfjord is known for its stunning natural beauty and dramatic landscapes. The fjord itself is a serene, remote location surrounded by steep mountains and boasts a glacier calving in the fjord, making it a popular destination for both adventurers and those seeking tranquility.

We’ll start our day with a healthy breakfast at the lodge. Then, we’ll head to meet the dogs and their mushers. You’ll get to know the dogs, learn how to care for them and rig up your sled. 

Our local partners have been chosen due to how they care for their dogs, as well as their experience (they are considered legends in the region). 

Enjoy a two-hour outing with your own sled; the tour is designed to teach the basics and prepare everyone for the next day. We’ll finish around the bonfire with hot coffee, cakes and stories from the mushers.

Meet your guides

Marianne Skjøthaug and Arne Karlstrøm 

A wife and husband who have dedicated their lives to dogsledding, Arne is a true local from Langfjordbotn, and Marianne moved there thirty years ago. They have an experience like no other, having participated many times in Europe’s longest dog sledding race,  Finnmakrsløpet. Marianne became the world champion in 2011. Despite their impressive accomplishments, they are very humble and incredibly skilled teachers.

We'll spend the day exploring the Langfjordbotn valleys more deeply by sled with our dogs. We’ll refuel with a delicious, traditional Norwegian meal, and you’ll get to learn more about the local culture by learning to build a fire in pure Finnmark style.

Our last full day is filled with adventure: we’ll head back toward Alta to meet your fatbiking instructor. These bikes, with oversized tyres, will allow us to ride smoothly along the sides of the frozen Alta River. The river is famous for being the best for fishing salmon.  

After a few hours of riding in a surrealistic winter landscape, we'll drive you back to your cosy hotel on the side of the Alta fjord, followed by a farewell dinner at Trasti & Trine.

The last day of the trip has an optional excursion to the Alta Museum. Located in northern Norway, it is special for several reasons, with its most notable feature being its UNESCO World Heritage-listed rock carvings, which are among the most significant prehistoric sites in Europe. Depending on your flight schedule, we can drive you to the Alta Museum or the city centre before taking you to the airport.