Dog sledding in Ilulissat

Dog sledding "off the beaten track"

* Supports smaller local tour operator

This dog sledding tour starts outside the Igloo Lodge, and is only offered to guests staying overnight at the lodge.

The trip lasts 2 hours. On part of the route, we drive outside the established dog sled track, and are completely to ourselves in the harsh nature. We come out to a fantastic viewpoint, with a view of the Icefjord, and in clear weather we can see the enormous glacier “Sermeq Kujalleq” and the Ice Sheet.

The dogs stand on the frozen lake at Igloo Lodge throughout the winter, and on this trip you are there when the dogs are getting ready to go on a trip and when they are being fed after the trip.

On this trip, the terrain is mostly flat, and therefore anyone over 8 years old and with a healthy back and neck can participate.

See also the section on important information about dog sledding.

The tour is operated by Dogsled Academy – a small local company, owned by Jørgen Kristensen from Ilulissat. You can look forward to meeting Jørgen, who is actually a bit of a superstar here in Greenland. He has won the national dog sled race 5 times in a row. What we love about Jørgen is his desire to tell exciting stories from his life, and his gentle approach to his dogs. Jørgen’s dogs are very welcoming, and we love having them as permanent residents at our lodge throughout the winter.

Dog sledding

The dog sled is a deeply rooted symbol of Greenland, and has an incredible history spanning over 2000 years, and is an important part of Inuit culture.

This means of transport has survived through time, and has retained its basic principle, which dates back to the Viking Age. A few dogs in harnesses tied to a simply constructed wooden sled. It is remarkable that few means of transport can boast such a long tradition.

The image of dogs harnessed to a simple wooden sled has become synonymous with Greenland. The hiss of the sleds against the packed snow and the creaking of the lashings as the sled twists with the terrain break the total silence. The experience cannot be explained – it must be experienced.

A dog sledding trip in Greenland is not just a mode of transportation, but a journey into the history and culture of this unique island. It is an opportunity to enjoy nature and feel the rhythm of the dogs' paws and the cold wind biting your cheeks. It is a chance to catch a glimpse of the heritage that has been preserved through the centuries, and a reminder of the strength and endurance of the people and animals who have used this method to explore the harsh Greenlandic landscapes.

Important information about dog sledding

• The exact route taken by dog sled will depend on the weather on the given day.
• The trail can change very quickly. Sometimes there is deep snow and the dogs run slowly, while other times it will be more icy, rocky or with exposed ground.
• The dogs run at different paces from day to day and from bucket to bucket. The duration of the trip is estimated, but may fluctuate depending on the bucket, the lead, etc.
• Greenlandic sled dogs are more of a working animal than a pet, and are raised to be tougher than other dogs. It sometimes happens that dogs get tangled in the ropes, get under the sled, get into fights with other dogs, or similar things that may seem violent to outsiders.
• If you have back or neck problems, or if you are immobile, you cannot participate in our dog sledding tours.