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  • Dog sledding in the north east of Greenland. Photo by Magnus Elander

Dogsledding in Greenland

"Give me dogs, give me snow and you can keep the rest!"
- Knud Rasmussen, polar explorer

The dogs astutely sense that work is at hand. They shake off the new fallen snow, jumping up and down in their eagerness to get going. With assuredness, the musher selects his team of dogs, saving the lead dog, which today happens to be a bitch in golden colors, until the very last minute.

Off we go. With a start, you are yanked back on the sled, and some time passes before you can gain your equilibrium. The silence, the enormous expanses of land, the bond between the musher and his dogs and the cold will quickly transport you to another world…

THE DOG SLED – THE SYMBOL OF A GREENLANDIC WINTER

To many people, dog sledding is almost synonymous with Greenland. Truth be told, you can’t find a better way to experience Greenland, than on a dog sled racing through a wintry landscape with the noise from the dogs on the creaking snow the only sound breaking the silence.

Dog sledding is something everyone can do, and you can go for a short two hour tour or an expedition that lasts for days or for anything in between.

BIRTE BAY,60, TALKING ABOUT HER DOG SLED TOUR WITH AN OVERNIGHT STAY

What a wonderful experience it was to stand halfway up the mountain and see the view of the glacier and the Icefjord. The only thing I could hear were the 75 to 80 dogs,  that lay around the cabin. All curled up like balls. Everywhere you looked the place was clean and white.

15 centimeters of snow had fallen throughout the night. I was looking forward to today’s stage and already felt a sense of sadness in the pit of my stomach that this would be the last day of the trip. The journey was organized by Greenland Travel.

Off we go. With a start, you are yanked back on the sled, and some time passes before you can gain your equilibrium.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Greenland by Topas – Dog Sledding, Igloo Lodge and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Greenland by Topas

Dog Sledding and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Sled dogs are in their element under the frosty sky, crackling snow and fluttering Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) of the Greenlandic winter. Overnight stay in Igloo Lodge.

FROM €2,275
Greenland Travel: Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Greenland Travel

Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Sail on Ilulissat Ice Fjord and see the icebergs. Go dogsledding. See northern lights. Walk the Ice Cap. Go explore! Greenland is waiting

FROM €2,095
Tasermiut Expeditions: Thule Dog Sledding Expedition

Tasermiut Expeditions

Thule Dog Sledding Expedition

Expedition in total freedom using traditional Greenlandic sledges. Share with authentic Inuit their daily way of life.

FROM €6,500
Greenland Tours – Frozen West

Greenland Tours

Frozen West

5 days exploring Disko Bay in winter incl. visit to the Greenland Ice Cap

FROM €1,335
Show More

“THE DOG SLED DISTRICTS”

There are 17,000 sled dogs in Greenland. The dog sled is only used in the area north of the Arctic Circle and in East Greenland, and these areas are commonly referred to as” the dog sled districts”.

Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq are the most southerly towns on the West coast, where it is possible to try dog sledding during winter and spring – February, March and April are the best months for dog sledding. You can go for an extended weekend to Kangerlussuaq, and experience both dog sledding and the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights.

FAMILY TOURS AND RACING

The Greenlanders themselves love to go dog sledding, and they will go for a joyride with their families on Sundays.

Every year races are arranged in many categories: for the pros (the fishermen and hunters), amateurs (the ones out for a Sunday joyride), women, children and so forth, which is all great entertainment for the entire crowd of spectators.

  • Greenland Travel

    Greenland Travel is the world’s largest specialist when it comes to organizing tours and travel to Greenland.

  • They offer package tours and tailored travel arrangements to Greenland all year around.

  • Travelling with dog teams usually takes place in February and March.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

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By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

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