FAQ about dog sledding tours in Greenland
Where can you go dog sledding in Greenland?
By law sled dogs are only allowed North of the Arctic Circle and on the East Coast. The only exception is the major Gateway to Greenland, Kangerlussuaq, which lies just South of the Arctic Circle.
When is the dogsledding season?
Dog sledding is a winter thing, but as the climate changes drastically in these years, it is difficult to say exactly when the season will start and end. Some winters dogsledding can start at the end of the year, other times it is not until January or even February. The further north, the longer the season. It also depends on whether you are driving on sea ice or on land, but generally, April is the last month. Some summers you can ride a dog sled on the glacier on Disko Island.
Why go on a dog sled tour in Greenland?
The very experience of being in nature, and only hearing the faint sound of the dog paws against the snow, is a unique experience that is difficult to describe and one that everyone should experience. And dog sledding is perhaps one of the greenest modes of transportation available.
What is the price for dog sledding tours in Greenland?
The prices for dog sledding tours vary from time range and destination. You can find prices from 180 USD and up.
How long does a dog sled tour take?
The time varies depending on which tour you wish. You can find short dog sled tours of two hours and up to multiple day tours.
How many people can there be on a dogsled?
You can book a tour only as one person and up to six people depending on which tour operator. The commonly available seats on a single dog sled are two people.
What if your tour gets canceled due to the weather?
If your tour gets canceled due to the weather by us or the tour operator, we will reschedule your tour and if it doesn’t align with your schedule, you will get a refund.
What should you wear during a dog sled tour?
Warm clothes! It can be cold, so make sure to have enough warm layers and warm shoes.
Is there an age limit for dog sledding?
There is no age limit for dog sledding tours. It is important to check up on the tour operator who has warm clothes for kids.
Can you pet the sled dogs?
You can only pet the sled dogs if the musher allows you. So there is no guarantee for petting the dogs.
Can you ride the sled?
You do not ride them yourself. It is always the musher that rides the sled.
Can you do a tour while pregnant or having back problems?
We do not advise going dog sledding if you are pregnant or have back problems due to the hard layer and the ride can be bumpy.
Are sled dogs a protected dog breed?
It is not allowed to bring any other breed of dogs into the areas north of the Arctic Circle in Greenland. This is a law made to protect the Greenlandic sled dog. Likewise, if a Greenlandic sled dog leaves the dog sled zone, it is not allowed to return.
Greenlandic sled dogs in numbers
There are less than 15,000 sled dogs in Greenland. This is a declining number due to climate change and higher costs. The lack of sea ice means hunters no longer need dogsleds but are sailing during Winter. Cost wise the dogs are much more expensive to ‘maintain’ than a snowmobile or a small open boat.
Are the Greenlandic sled dogs unique?
The Greenlandic sled dog is a unique breed of husky that you can’t find anywhere else. They are known for intelligence and stamina during Arctic weather, like being able to work in freezing conditions and sleep outside.
Do the Greenlandic dog sleds run on one long line or in a fan formation?
In Greenland, the most common formation is to ride a sled with the dogs in a fan shape. This is because, on the west coast, driving is primarily on flat land and sea ice. On the east coast, you ride in the same way, but if you have to ride in high snow and steep mountains, you switch to riding with the dogs in a single-string formation.
Is Greenlandic dog sledding cruel?
If you have seen the dogs’ joy when they discover they are going out for a run, then you know the answer. The dog sled drivers who bring a dog whip only use it next to the dogs as a guide, never on the dogs themselves. One can always discuss whether it is okay to use dogs as draft animals, but the Greenland sled dogs often struggle to get into the middle where they pull the most, so it is in their DNA that happiness is to pull.
How fast can a dogsled go?
When driving fast, a dog sled can drive more than 30 kilometers per hour (20 mph) depending on the load. The norm, however, is a cruising speed of about 10 to 15 kilometers per hour (5 to 10 mph) depending on the terrain.
