Arctic Dog experiance · Skibotn, Norway
All ages
Visit Husky Kennel Near Tromsø – Meet 70+ Alaskan Huskies in Skibotn
★★★★★ 4.9 · 200+ reviews
Before you even reach the dog yard, you hear them. A sound somewhere between a howl and a cheer – 70 voices saying the same thing: someone is here to see us.
We are ActiveNorth, a family of five living on a working husky kennel in Skibotn, 90 minutes east of Tromsø. We have been keeping and running Alaskan huskies since 2007, welcomed over 50,000 guests, earned a 4.9-star rating from 200+ reviews, and been named Best Family-Run Arctic operator in both 2025 and 2026. Our dogs are what this place is built around – and they are happy to meet you.
You do not need to drive a sled. You do not need experience, fitness, or a plan. We offer two ways to visit our husky kennel near Tromsø: a guided kennel tour of the dog yard, and a one-to-one husky hike through Skibotn Valley. Both are available year-round. Both welcome all ages.
Choose your experience below.
Free cancellation · Secure booking
— Summer · April – november · Skibotn
Kennel Visit – Step Into Our Dog Yard
Skibotn valley · Lyngen Alps · 90 min from Tromsø
The kennel visit is the most intimate way to meet our huskies. You enter the dog yard with a guide, walk among the dogs, and are introduced to the personalities behind the barking. Every dog has a name, a history, and a habit. Our guide knows all of them.
At Activenorth in Skibotn, we have been living with over 70 Alaskan huskies since 2007. Our kennel visit gives you the chance to step into that world: walk among the dogs, learn their stories, cuddle the puppies, and understand what life as a sled dog actually looks like.
This is not a tour. It is a genuine visit to a working husky kennel, run by a family that lives here and breathes dogs every single day.
— your day
What Happens During Your Dog Yard Tour
Your guide walks you through the kennel in small groups. You learn how a working sled dog kennel operates: how the dogs are fed, how their fitness is maintained between seasons, how puppies are socialised from birth, and how the teams are formed for the trail.
You get close. These dogs are handled every day by people they trust, and they extend that trust to visitors quickly. They lean in for ear scratches and paw at your boots. If there are puppies on site, you will meet them too – small, relentless, and already learning how to be sled dogs.
The visit ends with hot drinks at the kennel base and time to wander the yard at your own pace before departure.
— who can join
Who Is This Visit For?
Visit husky kennel near Tromsø is perfect for:
- Dog lovers who want a genuine, up-close experience with Alaskan huskies
- Families with young children or toddlers who cannot join a sledding tour
- Guests with limited mobility who want to experience the huskies without physical demands
- Travellers visiting Tromsø in summer when dog sledding is not available
- Anyone who wants to understand what a real working sled dog kennel looks like
— included
Whats Included?
From
NOK 400
Per person
Mobility:
The kennel visit is accessible for guests with limited mobility who cannot join a sledding tour
Location:
Skibotn
Group size:
Small groups only, so you always get personal attention
Season:
Summer
Age:
All ages
Free cancellation · Secure booking · No hidden fees
— Summer · April – november · Skibotn
Walk with Alaskan Huskies in Skibotn
Husky Hike Near Tromsø – Walk the Trail with Your Own Dog
Skibotn valley · Lyngen Alps · 90 min from Tromsø
If you want to do more than meet the dogs – if you want to go somewhere with them – the husky hike is for you. Each participant is harnessed to one Alaskan husky via a waist belt and leash. You and the dog set off together along the trail through Skibotn Valley, guided by a member of the ActiveNorth team.
— your day
What to Expect on the Hike
The moment you clip in, the dog’s whole body shifts. They know what the harness means. What follows is one of the more surprisingly emotional experiences in Arctic Norway: walking stride-for-stride through a pine forest with a working sled dog who has decided you are their person for this hour.
The hike covers 3–6 km depending on the group and season. The pace is set by the dogs – generally energetic but manageable. Your guide walks alongside, gives you techniques for working with your dog on hills and turns, and stops at viewpoints along the valley. At the end of the hike, you return to the kennel yard for puppy time and hot drinks.
The hike runs year-round. In winter (December–March), you hike in the snow landscape. From April onward, the trail shifts to grass and gravel paths through the valley as the season changes.
The hike lasts approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on pace and terrain. Routes can be adapted to the group’s fitness level.
— what to expect
What is a husky hike?
A husky hike is exactly what it sounds like: you walk through nature together with one of our Alaskan huskies. Each participant gets their own dog on a leash and a waist belt, so the dog walks beside you and you feel the pull and energy of a real sled dog in its element.
Do not be surprised if you start to wonder who is really taking who for a walk. These dogs are built to move, and their enthusiasm is contagious.
Your guide will be with you the whole way, sharing stories about the dogs, mushing, and life at the kennel in Skibotn. The route passes through stunning scenery: forests, mountain views and the Lyngen Alps in the distance.
— the midnight sun season
Summer Husky Hike
In summer it can be too warm to train the huskies with carts, which makes hiking with them the perfect alternative. The valley around Skibotn is stunning in the summer months, with long days, wildflowers, the fjord glittering below and the Lyngen Alps rising above.
If you are visiting the Tromsø region in summer and want a genuine husky experience, a hike is the ideal choice. Dog sledding is not possible without snow, but the dogs are just as friendly, just as energetic, and just as happy to walk with you in June as in January.
— included
Whats Included?
From
NOK 1500
Per person
Duration:
1-2 hours
Location:
Skibotn
Group size:
1-8
Season:
Summer
Age:
All ages
Free cancellation · Secure booking · No hidden fees
You Don’t Have to Drive a Sled to Love Our Dogs
Most husky experiences near Tromsø are seasonal. Ours are not.
— amazing location
Summer Husky Hike (April–November)
From April onward, the snow is gone but the huskies are still here – now enjoying their off-season. The summer months at the kennel are quieter and more intimate. Puppies born in late spring are finding their legs. Adult dogs are enjoying longer rest periods and respond to visitors with even more enthusiasm than in winter.
The summer husky hike near Tromsø follows the valley trail through birch and pine forest. You walk with your dog through one of the most beautiful corners of Northern Norway with no snow required and no crowd in sight.
This is a significant gap most operators leave empty. If you are visiting Tromsø between April and November, we are one of the very few genuine husky kennels offering a real hike experience with working dogs.
Husky Puppies – When to See Them and What to Expect
Puppies are not guaranteed – they are born when they are born. But when they are here, they are the emotional centrepiece of any kennel visit near Tromsø.
— tiny friends
When Are Puppies Born?
Our huskies typically give birth in late winter and early spring – January through March. Litters vary in size. Puppies are introduced to human handling from the first days of their lives, which is why our adult dogs are so social. By the time visitors meet the puppies, they are usually 4–12 weeks old: mobile, playful, and completely unafraid of strangers.
By late spring (May–June), this season’s puppies are already graduates – young dogs beginning their training programme.
— visit the puppies
What Puppy Time Looks Like
There is no controlled photo session. Puppies are in the yard, not a box. They tumble over boots, investigate camera straps, and fall asleep in the most inconvenient places. Your guide keeps things calm and explains what each puppy’s personality suggests about their future as a sled dog. It is unprogrammed, genuine, and consistently the most-mentioned moment in our guest reviews.
If seeing puppies is a priority, visit between January and May for the best chance. Let us know when you book and we will tell you what to expect at your time of arrival.
Who Is This For? Families, Dog Lovers, and Everyone in Between
— everyone is welcome
From Newborns to Grandparents – Truly All Ages
There is no minimum age for our kennel visit. We have welcomed guests ranging from two-month-old infants (in arms) to 85-year-old dog lovers who made the 90-minute journey from Tromsø specifically to meet an Alaskan husky. The kennel is open to everyone.
The husky hike is also open to all ages, with the practical consideration that the participant must be able to walk alongside the dog. Children who are walking confidently can hike with a dog; younger children who cannot walk the full distance can be carried or transferred at a midpoint by the guide.
Families often combine: parents take turns on the hike while the other stays in the kennel yard with younger children.
— everyone is welcome
Accessibility – What We Can Accommodate
The dog yard is on relatively flat ground. Guests who use mobility aids (crutches, walking sticks, walkers) have visited without issue. Wheelchair access to the kennel yard area is possible for some mobility configurations – please contact us before booking so we can confirm the specific terrain and prepare accordingly. We will never promise what we cannot deliver, and we will always tell you honestly what works.
Why Visit Our Kennel in Skibotn Rather Than Near Tromsø?
This is a fair question. Skibotn is 90 minutes from Tromsø, and several husky kennels operate much closer to the city.
— real
Skibotn Valley – A Working Kennel, Not a Tourist Attraction
Our kennel exists because we race and run dogs. Sled racing has been part of the family’s life for decades. The kennel in Skibotn was not built for tourists – it was built for the dogs and the sport. When you visit, you are a guest in that world, not a customer in a managed experience.
That makes a difference you can feel. The dogs are not selected for friendliness and rotated through photo sessions. They are Alaskan huskies living the life they were bred for, and their interactions with visitors happen on their terms. Which, if you have ever spent time with a working sled dog who has decided to trust you, is the only terms worth having.
— the view
The Lyngen Alps Just Behind the Dog Yard
Skibotn Valley sits at the foot of the Lyngen Alps – one of the most dramatic mountain ranges in Northern Europe. On a clear day, 1,000-metre peaks are visible directly from the kennel yard. The backdrop to your visit is not a car park and a reception desk. It is Arctic Norway the way it actually looks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Kennel Visit or Husky Hike near Tromsø
Can I visit the husky kennel without going dog sledding?
Absolutely. The kennel visit and husky hike are completely separate experiences from our dog sledding tours. You can book either without any connection to or interest in dog sledding. Many of our kennel visitors have no intention of ever driving a sled – they simply want time with the dogs.
What is the difference between a kennel visit and a husky hike?
The kennel visit (NOK 400) is a guided tour of the dog yard – you walk among the huskies, meet them individually, learn about their lives, and spend time with puppies if available. The husky hike (NOK 1,500) adds an active element: you are harnessed to your own Alaskan husky and walk a 3–6 km trail through Skibotn Valley together, then return to the kennel for puppy time and hot drinks.
Is the husky kennel visit available in summer?
Yes. We run kennel visits and husky hikes year-round. In summer (April–November), the husky hike follows the valley trail on grass and gravel rather than snow. Many guests specifically choose summer for the quieter, more intimate kennel atmosphere and the chance to see this season’s puppies taking their first steps.
How much does a husky kennel visit near Tromsø cost?
The kennel visit is **NOK 400 per person** – one of the most accessible husky experiences available near Tromsø. The husky hike is **NOK 1,500 per person** and includes your own dog companion, a guided 1–2 hour trail hike, and kennel time before and after.
What is included in the husky hike price?
Included: your own Alaskan husky companion, harness and waist belt, a guided 1–2 hour hike through Skibotn Valley, trail viewpoints with photography time, kennel and puppy time, and hot drinks at the base. You do not need any equipment or prior experience.
Is this suitable for very young children or babies?
Yes. There is no minimum age for the kennel visit. Babies in arms and toddlers are welcome; guides are experienced with families and adjust the pace accordingly. Children who are walking confidently can join the husky hike; younger children can be carried or can stay in the yard with the other parent while one takes the hike.
What is the minimum age for the husky hike?
There is no strict minimum age. The practical requirement is that the participant can walk alongside a large, energetic dog for 1–2 hours at a steady pace. Confident children aged 5+ typically manage well. Our guides assess the group at the start and adapt accordingly.
Is the experience accessible for guests with limited mobility?
The kennel yard is on relatively flat, open ground and has been visited by guests with walking sticks, crutches, and light mobility aids without difficulty. Wheelchair users or guests with more significant mobility needs should contact us before booking so we can confirm the specific terrain and make necessary preparations. We will tell you honestly what is and is not possible.
When is the best time to see husky puppies?
Puppies are born in late winter and early spring – typically January through March. If seeing puppies is a priority, book January–May for the best chance. Let us know at booking and we will tell you the current situation at the kennel. Puppies are not guaranteed – but when they are here, they are unforgettable.
Do you offer pickup from Tromsø city centre?
Transport to Skibotn can be arranged via our [transport services page](/transport/). Skibotn is approximately 90 minutes from Tromsø by road. Some guests drive themselves; others join our guided tour transport when combining with a sled or snowmobile day.
Can I book a kennel visit or husky hike as a solo traveller?
Yes. Solo visitors are warmly welcome and very common at the kennel. For the husky hike, solo guests receive their own dog and guide. There is no requirement to be part of a group.
How long does the kennel visit take?
A kennel visit typically lasts 45–90 minutes depending on your pace and interest. There is no rush – you are welcome to spend as long as you like in the yard. The husky hike adds 1–2 hours of active trail time plus kennel time before and after.
You Might Also Like
Explore More Activities
Husky Kennel Visit & Husky Hike near Tromsø
Visit our family-run Alaskan husky kennel in Skibotn, 1.5 hours from Tromsø. Choose a guided kennel visit to meet 70+ huskies and puppies up close, or walk the Arctic landscape with your own husky on a guided hike. Suitable for all ages including young children and guests with limited mobility. Available year-round.
Product SKU: AN-HUSKY-VISIT-HIKE-01
Product Brand: Activenorth
Product Currency: NOK
Product Price: 400
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.9