About Activenorth
A Family That Fell In Love With Huskies, And Never Looked Back
Our story
It Started With One Dog
In 2007, Tomas got his first Alaskan husky. That was all it took.
One dog became two. Two became a team. A team became a passion that was simply too good to keep to himself. Under the name Skibotn Husky, Tomas began sharing that passion with visitors from across the world – taking them out onto the trails of Skibotn Valley and letting them feel what it is like to stand on the back of a sled, call to a team of huskies, and move through an Arctic landscape under your own command.
The original business faced a crossroads during COVID-19. What emerged was ActiveNorth – the same family, the same kennel, the same 70+ Alaskan huskies, and the same commitment to genuine Arctic experiences near Tromsø. The name changed. Everything else stayed.
Kennel
A Family Business, In Every Sense
ActiveNorth is run by two adults and their three children. We do not rent offices in Tromsø city. We live at the kennel in Skibotn – which means the huskies are fed, exercised, and cared for by the people who live next to them, every day of the year, not just on tour days.
Our extended family and closest friends are woven into the business too. The guides who take guests onto the trails have been part of this world long enough to know every dog by name and temperament.
This matters for two reasons. First, it means the care we give the animals is personal, not contractual. Second, it means when you join us, you are a guest in our home – not a ticket in a booking system.
50,000+
Guests Welcomed
4.9 ★
Average Rating
19 Years
On The Trails
70+ Dogs
In Our Kennel
Location
Why Skibotn Is The Best Place For Arctic Adventures Near Tromsø
Many Arctic tour operators do not accept very young children. We do.
Our minimum age is 5 for most activities. Children are not relegated to the café or the coach – they participate. On our dog sledding safaris, guests drive their own sled. You are the musher, not a passenger. That is as true for a first-timer as it is for an experienced rider, and it is true whether you are 25 or 65.
For families who want to visit the kennel without the full safari experience, our husky kennel visits are open year-round – including in summer. You can meet and spend time with the huskies, learn about the dogs’ lives and training, and leave knowing where your Arctic adventure began.
Awards
Recognised Across Europe
We are proud of this. But we will let 50,000 guests and a 4.9-star rating do most of the talking.
“The dog sledging adventure was amazing; a fabulous experience for us. We were granted a sunny day and a long, perfectly organized, trip.”
— Pedro Martinez-Serra“It was so much fun to do this dog tour. The guide was very good with the dogs and we had a expirance That we very much would recommend everybody to do. And the food was very good after. Thank you all for this experiance today!!”
— Siri Lønøy Audunson“Highly recommended, feel the norwegian mountains, be in control of your own dogs and be able steering them while guided by professional guides. Thank you so much for a once in a lifetime experience 🥰🇧🇻”
— Tomas Olsen“I’m happy with the dog sledding done today. The area chosen for the sledding is so good and we had lots of fun even after the sledding. Weather was also awesome. Thank you team for the wonderful activity and keep going. March 21st 2026”
— kichu geo mohan“It was an extremely enjoyable excursion overall, the guides were friendly and knowledgeable, the gear was comfortable, the dogs were really really cute and the views were spectacular :)”
— Woi Youyang“We had a wonderful day today on the snowmobile tour. The staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful. The tour took us through stunning scenery. To top it all off, we even got to cuddle with the dogs, who were also being prepared for a tour, before enjoying a delicious soup. All in all, I highly recommend booking a tour there.”
— Philip Schulz“A magical, human-scale experience. The dogs are at the heart of everyone’s concerns. We had a fantastic day dogsledding, and also enjoyed some wonderful encounters with people during the transfer between the base and our accommodation 🙏.”
— yvenat carolineCome And Meet Us In Skibotn
We are located at Gammelveien 142, 9143 Skibotn – about 90 minutes east of Tromsø city centre by road. Transport from Tromsø is included in most of our activities.
+47 95 11 50 55 | booking@activenorth.no
Whether you want to drive a team of huskies, take a snowmobile safari through Skibotn Valley, explore the trails on an e-bike near Tromsø, or simply come and meet the dogs at our husky kennel – it all starts here.
Common Questions
Who owns and runs ActiveNorth?
ActiveNorth is founded and run by Tomas and his family, who live permanently on site at the kennel in Skibotn, Troms. The family of five – two adults and three children – are involved in the day-to-day running of the kennel and activities. Extended family and close friends complete the team.
Where is ActiveNorth located?
We are based at Gammelveien 142, 9143 Skibotn, Northern Norway – approximately 90 minutes (90 km) east of Tromsø city centre by road, via the E8 and E6. No ferries required. Transport from Tromsø is included in most of our guided activities.
How long has ActiveNorth been operating?
ActiveNorth was founded in 2007 under the original name Skibotn Husky. Following a restructuring during COVID-19, the company relaunched as ActiveNorth. The family, the kennel, the dogs, and the approach to guiding have remained consistent throughout. We have welcomed more than 50,000 guests over the years.
What makes ActiveNorth different from other tour operators near Tromsø?
Three things stand out. First, we live at the kennel. The huskies are cared for by the family that lives next to them every day, not a seasonal hired team. Second, we believe guests should drive – not just ride. On our dog sledding safaris, you command your own sled. On snowmobile tours, you take the handlebars. Third, we have been named Europe’s best family-run Arctic adventure company two years in a row by the European Business Awards (2025 and 2026).
Is ActiveNorth suitable for families with young children?
Yes. Our minimum age is 5 for most activities. Children participate fully – they drive sleds, ride snowmobiles as passengers, meet huskies, and explore the kennel. Our team is experienced with families and adjusts the experience accordingly. Many guests tell us the family-focused approach was the reason they chose us over larger operators.