Skip to content
Text and photos: Kristin Folsland Olsen
Text and photos: Kristin Folsland Olsen

Blog post -

Dogsledding and gourmet dining

“It’s superb! I was a little stiff and nervous at first, but I’m now mastering the sled better.” Harald Olsen has made the trip from Oslo to Alta together with his wife Anne to experience the beautiful, ice-cold Finnmarksvidda. 

Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen

The frost mist is in evidence and minus 22 degrees really hits you in the face as the team gallops on eager paws across the frozen Altaelva river and up into the mountains. The couple from Oslo and the four other guests are well wrapped up in snowsuits, stout boots, balaclavas and snow goggles. It’s a matter of covering all exposed skin to avoid frost bite.

Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen

Their guide for the three-day trip is Trine Lyrek. Together with her husband Johnny Trasti, she owns and runs the company Trasti & Trine. She is responsible for the sled dogs and tours, while Johnny is a chef and holds cooking courses.

Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen

Today’s tour follows the route of one of Europe’s longest sled dog races, Finnmarksløpet. Fortunately, trips with tourists are a more leisurely affair, with food and comfort being a major focus. Guests stay overnight in bunk beds at Jotka Fjellstue, while their four-legged companions each have their own bed of straw in the snow outside. Everyone mucks in and helps out with chores such as feeding the dogs. They are all new to this, apart from Harald, who has been on a one-day dog-sled trip once before.

Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen

The sun has just returned to Finnmark after a two-month hibernation, and even though its rays are blocked by the surrounding mountain tops, the setting is bathed in fresh, blue winter light. 

Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen

The wilderness is wild and intense, with no intrusions or noise. The only sound to be heard is the eager running of the dogs and the sled gliding over crisp, cold snow.

Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen

After three days out in the wilds the tour returns to base, where Johnny is waiting with a gourmet meal made using local, organic ingredients.

Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen

“I’m not an outdoor person or used to primitive living, and I hate the cold, but this has all been a hugely positive experience,” says Iselin Moen, enthusiastically.

Widerøe takes you to Alta

Visit wideroe.no for more information

Subjects

Contacts

Media Inquieries

Media Inquieries

Press contact +47 98 90 15 00
Silje Brandvoll

Silje Brandvoll

Press contact Vise President of Public Relation +47 98 90 10 03
Catharina Solli

Catharina Solli

Press contact PR and Media Manager +47 98 90 15 06
Lina Lindegaard Carlsen

Lina Lindegaard Carlsen

Press contact Press Officer +47 45 23 20 51

Related content

Widerøe - the largest regional airline in Scandinavia

Widerøe is the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, with a staff of 3,000 and a turnover of NOK 3.5 billion. The company carries around 2.8 million passengers annually and flies to 50 domestic and international destinations.
Widerøe operates more than 400 flights every day and operates to more than twice as many airports in Norway than any other airline. Today our network consists of 60% commercial routes, and 40% PSO routes (Public Services Obligations).

Widerøe
Langstranda 6
8003 Bodø
Norway