4hr Dog Sledding Trip in Gargia Valley

About This Experience

This is the daytime dog sledding trip from Gargia Lodge, a historic mountain lodge about 30 minutes by minibus from Alta. On arrival you are given thermal suits, boots and gloves, the guides train you in the basics, and then you get your own team of huskies. Two guests share a sled and swap driving halfway along the route, so each of you takes a turn on the runners.

The trail runs through the pine forest near the lodge and out across the frozen Gargia valley, with about 50 minutes on the sled and roughly an hour outdoors in all. Afterward you warm up inside the lodge with a warm lunch, coffee and toddy while the guides talk about dog sledding and local history, and you help take the harnesses off the dogs and meet the kennel. The whole trip is 4 hours including the transfers.

It suits first-timers and families with children aged 8 and over; under-16s must ride with an adult, and groups are capped at 8. It is a physical activity, and the listing rules it out for pregnant women, people with back problems, mobility or visual impairments, low fitness, and anyone over 130 kg (287 lbs). The trip needs at least two participants to run, and if the minimum is not met the operator may cancel with a full refund.

Reviewers give it 4.8 across 83 reviews and keep coming back to the dogs, the coaching, and the time spent meeting and feeding the huskies after the run. Several were nervous at first and relaxed once they got the hang of the brake. One guest who had sledded before found the pace a little slow, a few call it expensive for what it is, and one missed the trip because the date on their booking turned out to be a month off, so check the date on every confirmation you receive.

Highlights

• Drive your own team of huskies after hands-on training
• Pine forest trails and the open, frozen Gargia valley
• Warm up in a historic mountain lodge after the run
• Stories about dog sledding and local history from the guides
• Meet the huskies and help unharness them after the ride
• Small group of up to 8 people

What's Included

• ✓ About 50 minutes on the trail
• ✓ Minibus from Alta to Gargia and back (about 30 minutes each way)
• ✓ Dog sledding training and equipment
• ✓ Thermal suits, boots and gloves
• ✓ Warm lunch, coffee and toddy
• ✓ Live guide in English and Norwegian

Not Included

• Your own warm base layers (warm clothing is on the what-to-bring list)
• A sled to yourself if you book as two: pairs share one team and swap halfway

What to Bring

• Warm clothing
• Wool base layers
• Hat and neck warmer
• Phone or camera in an inside pocket

Good to Know & Caveats

• Minimum age to ride alone is 16. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age to participate is 8.
• The tour needs a minimum of 2 participants to run; if the minimum is not met, the operator may cancel and issue a full refund.
• When we checked in early November 2026, the next bookable date with open places was 21 November 2026. Dates fill and open up, so check availability.
• Start times vary by date: check availability to see starting times. Confirm where the minibus collects you in Alta on your voucher.
• Baby strollers, alcohol, drugs and intoxication are not allowed, and no alcoholic drinks in the vehicle.
• Free cancellation: cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Meeting Point

A minibus collects you in Alta for the roughly 30-minute drive to Gargia, and the exact pickup point is on your voucher.