Evening Sit Back and Relax Aurora Dogsledding Tour

An evening sky full of auroras starts with dogsledding. You ride by firelight, learn the rhythms of the huskies, and get real time outdoors with chances to catch the aurora borealis. It is a short, focused 3-hour experience that feels more personal than the big group machine.

What I love most is the care on both sides of the ride: you meet the sled dogs before you go, and you get a mid-tour break with a warm drink and a cinnamon roll by the fire. A second big win is the riding itself, with hand-groomed trails through forests, open spaces, plus a creek and a lake, on routes selected and kept away from other operators.

One consideration: the aurora is never guaranteed. Even on clear nights, weather and conditions decide the show, and the tour still runs in all weather.

Key Things I’d Put on Your Radar

• Meet the huskies up close before you ride, plus time to ask questions about training and care
• Hand-groomed, mostly private trails through varied terrain without constant crowds
• Warm clothes provided (coverall, boots, hat, mittens) so you can focus on the ride
• A fire stop halfway through with tea or coffee and a cinnamon roll, plus sky-gazing time
• Aurora chances built into the schedule, but it is a natural phenomenon you cannot control

Where the Evening Starts: The Kennel, 18:10, and Full Cold-Weather Gear

The tour begins at the kennel at 18:10, with pickup starting before that and the ride ending around 21:00 back in Kiruna. Expect a proper “winter-ready” setup, not just a quick coat-and-go.

You arrive and get kitted out with warm clothes: a coverall that goes over your own layers, warm boots, a hat, and mittens. You will still want to dress warm underneath, because the provided kit is designed to keep you comfortable, not magically turn you into an Eskimo.

Before you set off, the guide teaches you how to sit safely on the sled. One reason I like that part is simple, the ride stays calmer when everyone knows where to place themselves and how to ride in sync.

Also, if you selected pickup, you are collected from one of the listed meeting options. If you chose no pickup, you are responsible for getting to the kennel on time.

Dogsled 101 on Real Sleds: How the Ride Feels With 4 People Per Sled

Once everyone is ready, you ride on a sled with four people, and the guide drives. That setup makes the experience feel easy to manage, especially when the trail is dark and the world outside is all snow and trees.

You are not just along for the ride. You get introduced to the dog team, and the guide shares how the dogs are trained and cared for. In one recent ride, the driver was chatty and gave lots of context, and another guide, Diana, was specifically praised for her dogsled guidance.

You can also ask questions during the ride or at the stops. This is one of those tours where your curiosity is welcome, not brushed aside.

Cuddling is optional. If you prefer not to touch the dogs, you do not need to. And if you have limited tolerance for close animal contact, you can still enjoy the ride fully from your seat.

Hand-Groomed Private Trails Through Forest, Creek, and Lake

This tour is not just a straight path in and out. You cover varied scenery, including forests, open spaces, a creek, and a lake area. That variation matters because the stars and sky look different depending on whether you are under trees or out in a more open stretch.

The trails are hand-groomed, and the routes are mostly hand selected and private, meaning you are not constantly sharing the path with other tour companies. In practice, that tends to make the ride quieter and more natural, which also helps when you are trying to look up at the sky.

Your guide chooses moments to slow down and let you look around. I like that the experience keeps giving you “outdoor time” rather than turning into nonstop movement.

One small practical note: there is limited space on the sled. Big bags cannot go on the sled, so travel light for this one.

Northern Lights Time: What Your Chances Actually Depend On

This is an evening aurora dogsled tour, but the key truth is straightforward: the aurora is not guaranteed. The tour runs in all weather conditions, including snowstorms, because it is about the dogs and the evening experience first.

That said, the schedule is built for sky watching. During the ride, there are beautiful opportunities to look up at a starry sky. If weather is clear and the conditions are right, you may see northern lights in full glory.

So how should you think about the aurora? I treat it like weather-dependent theater. Your “win” is not only the lights, it is having a solid, comfortable, outdoors-focused evening with a good shot at seeing them.

If you go expecting the northern lights like a scheduled event, you might feel frustrated. If you go wanting a memorable husky ride with time under the sky, you are set up to enjoy it either way.

The Fire Break: Tea or Coffee, Cinnamon Roll, and Dark-Sky Moments

Halfway through the ride, you stop to warm up by the fire. This is more than comfort. It is a reset for your whole body and a better chance to absorb what is happening outside while the dogs rest.

During the break, you get a cup of tea or coffee and a cinnamon roll. People often remember this part because it is warm, simple, and very “Lapland night” in feeling, especially when the sky is clear.

You also get a view of the night sky from the break area. That is valuable because aurora viewing is easier when you are standing still, watching the sky without bouncing in a sled.

If the group wants photos, this is a good window. Cuddling the dogs can also happen around here, so you get another chance to connect with the team without rushing.

And the quieter advantage is real: the area is described as having no other tourist operators around, so it is you, the dogs, and the dark.

Back at the Kennel and On to Kiruna or the Icehotel

When the ride ends, you return to the kennel. You hand back the warm clothes, say your goodbyes to the dogs, and then head back toward Kiruna and the Icehotel area, depending on your selected pickup option.

In at least one recent experience, participants even got to help with dog care steps after the ride, like feeding before the dogs were put back. It makes the whole thing feel more respectful and less like you are just consuming an attraction.

The route back is part of the convenience of the tour. If you start from the Icehotel area, you can be transferred back there as well, instead of trying to figure out night driving in the snow.

If you are the type who likes to end the night with a calm, completed-feeling memory, this “back to the kennel” ending is a nice touch. It closes the loop on meeting the dogs, riding with them, and leaving the place with proper goodbyes.

Price and Value: Is $223 Worth It for a 3-Hour Evening?

At $223 per person for a 3-hour tour, you are paying for a lot that adds up fast in the real world. You get full cold gear, a guided ride on a sled, a dog-focused experience, and the warm break with drinks and a cinnamon roll. You also get the value of guided time, which is what turns “sledding” into an explanation-rich evening.

Then there is the quality angle. Hand-groomed trails, mostly private routes away from other operators, and time to meet and ask questions about the huskies are the kind of details that often cost extra when you do them separately.

The aurora element is also part of the value, with an honest catch. The lights are not controlled or guaranteed, but the tour is timed and structured for sky watching. If you get the aurora, it is a standout memory. If you do not, you still get a solid dogsled evening with comfort and outdoor time.

If your priority is maximum cost-efficiency only, this may feel pricey. If your priority is a guided, well-run husky night with gear and warmth included, the price starts to make sense.

Smart Tips to Make Your Ride Easier and Better

First, dress like you are going out at night in serious winter cold. Even though you get a coverall, warm layers underneath help your comfort.

Second, pack light. Limited sled space means big bags will not come along on the sled, so bring only what you truly need.

Third, plan your phone and camera use. You will want photos, and the tour includes options for photographs during the break and with the dogs. In cold weather, keep batteries warm and expect your hands to do better with mittens on.

Fourth, use the guide time. Ask questions about dog training and care when you can. If you care about how huskies work as a team, you will get more out of the experience by interacting instead of just watching.

Finally, go into the aurora mindset correctly. If you treat the northern lights as a bonus on top of the dogsled ride, you will enjoy the night no matter what the sky does.

Who Should Book This Aurora Dogsled Tour, and Who Should Skip It

This tour fits best if you want a real evening dogsled experience in a calmer setting, with a warm break and a chance to see the aurora. It is a good pick for adults and older teens who enjoy outdoor time and are okay with weather dependence.

It may not be your best match if you have mobility issues tied to sitting, or if you have back problems. It is also listed as not suitable for pregnant women.

If you are traveling with children, keep age and comfort in mind. One recent rider noted it was not recommended for children under age 10 in cold temperatures. If you are bringing kids, ask your questions in advance and plan for extra warm layering.

If you are afraid of dogs, you still can ride. You do not have to touch them, and you can keep your attention on the sled ride and the sky.

Should You Book This Evening Sit Back and Relax Tour?

If you want a guided husky dogsled night with warm gear, a fire-side snack, and real time looking up at the sky, I think this is a strong choice. The private, hand-groomed trail feel plus the dog interaction are exactly what make it more than just transportation on snow.

Book it if the aurora is a dream bonus and you are also excited about the experience itself. Skip or adjust expectations if you will be upset by the idea that the lights might not show and the tour still goes ahead in bad weather.

FAQ

What time does the dogsled tour start and end?

The tour starts at 18:10 from the kennel, with pickup starting before then. It ends at approximately 21:00 in Kiruna.

How long is the experience?

The total duration is 3 hours.

Is the aurora borealis guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon and is not guaranteed. The tour still operates in all weather conditions.

What warm clothing is included?

You are provided with a coverall, warm boots, a hat, and mittens, which you put on over your own clothing.

Do I have to touch the dogs?

No. You have the opportunity to cuddle, but you can avoid touching the dogs if you prefer, and you can still enjoy the sled ride.

Are pickup transfers included?

Transfers are included from selected meeting points depending on what you choose. If you select the NO PICK UP option, you are responsible for getting to the kennel.

Are the pickup times always shown correctly in the system?

There is a stated glitch where pickup times can display incorrectly. The noted pickup times are: Camp Ripan 17:15, Tourist office 17:20, Icehotel 17:45.

What language will my guide speak?

The live guides are listed as English, German, and Swedish, but matching your preferred language is not always possible.

Is tipping included?

Tipping is not included.