Who doesn't dream of gliding along on a sleigh pulled by superb Nordic dogs in the heart of an icy landscape, under the last rays of the setting sun?
It was precisely this extraordinary experience that we were lucky enough to have during our stay in Sweden.
We'd promised ourselves that we'd discover this type of activity when we came to this country, so it didn't take us long to put our plans into practice, within the first few weeks of our arrival. It was an opportunity to share a magical moment with our family, who came to visit us.
Where can you go dog sledding in Sweden?
After some research in our region, we chose Majik Mushing Training Camp to enjoy this dream experience. Situated in Jämtland, halfway between Sundsvall and Östersund, around 5 hours by car, it's the perfect place to discover the Jämtland region. StockholmThis camp is run by a French couple, Marion and Thomas (for their exact location, please refer to their website).
Arriving at the site in the depths of winter was breathtaking. It's as if you've landed in a remote world, where the great white dominates and imposes itself on the entire environment. It's an atmosphere that immediately immersed us in the world of this sliding sport.
Our sled dog experience in Sweden
At Majik Mushing, Marion and Thomas offer several formulas to discover their way of life and their sport. We opted for a half-day outing (allow around 3 hours) to get the most out of the experience, without feeling that it's not enough. However, you can just as easily opt for a shorter discovery trip, or for a full day.
Here, we're a long way from the hyper-touristy of one race after another to satisfy the crowds of customers. It all starts with a visit to the site and the kennels, where the mushers tell you all about their work with passion.
We were enchanted by the relationship they have with the dogs, which they all know by heart, even to the point of recognising a dog's bark without even seeing it. If, like us, you had any preconceived ideas about the welfare and use of dogs in this environment, they will quickly be replaced by admiration...
Once you've had a chance to get to know the sled, it's time for instructions and explanations on how to drive it. Marion and Thomas suggest that you let them drive you, or that you take the reins yourself! Because we wanted to experience this moment at 100%, we chose the second option. So here I am, off with Wilfried, snug and warm in the sleigh (we were able to swap places during the break), our family just in front and the mushers in the lead.
We were totally surprised by the enthusiasm of the dogs before and during the start: these animals are absolutely thrilled at the idea of setting off on their race, they're just waiting for it! This enthusiasm is infectious and creates a very special atmosphere - we knew we were in for something special.
Dog sledding in the heart of Sweden: exploring a frozen lake
After an invigorating start, to the rhythm of these happy dogs, we soon found ourselves walking across the frozen lake, under the warm colours of the sunset. It was a moment that certainly moved everyone, and it's hard to believe just how lucky we are.
Lulled by the waves of ice, we let ourselves be guided by these animals with complete confidence, and just had to enjoy the ride (although drivers should be careful, as they need to stay focused!).
At the halfway point, Marion and Thomas invited us to take a break by the lake, in a lovely wooden hut. We were able to relax over a traditional fika, with hot chocolate, coffee or tea, accompanied by delicious kanelbullar (cinnamon buns) grilled over a wood fire. Needless to say, we'll remember this fika break for a very long time to come.
After these moments of relaxation, where we were able to enjoy the extraordinary scenery and pleasant discussions with our hosts, we turned around to head back to camp, taking care to reverse everyone's places so that everyone could drive the sled.
Conclusion of our sled dog experience
Because our experience with Majik Mushing exceeded all our expectations, we can only encourage you to book an experience with them during your stay in Sweden.
They may not be the most accessible in terms of location, but you won't regret any of the miles you travel to see them.
It's hard to imagine that this activity is a mushers' daily routine, as it left us with such extraordinary memories. This trip was one of the most memorable moments of our lives, and we are convinced that this is largely due to Marion and Thomas. They were able to transform what had become a tourist sport into an authentic, timeless experience. We are infinitely grateful to them for this and we can't wait to come back and see them!
