Can You Dog Sled If Things Go Wrong?

What happens when a sled tips over

Tipping is rare on the groomed routes around Kvaløya, but it can happen if you lean too far to one side while cornering or if the sled hits an unexpected obstacle. When a sled goes over, the runner catches on the snow and the whole structure flips sideways. You'll likely slide across the snow yourself, which is why the arctic suit you wear provides insulation and abrasion protection. The dogs are trained to stop or slow down immediately when they feel the sudden shift in weight and tension on their harnesses, so they won't keep running at full speed while you're on the ground.

Your guide watches the entire group and will see what happened right away. They'll ski or jog over to check that you're unharmed, help you to your feet, and assess the sled for damage. Most of the time, a tipped sled rights itself easily or can be righted in seconds. Your guide will make sure you're ready to continue before helping you back onto the runners. If you've had any impact to your head or neck, or if you're in pain, your guide will pause the tour and radio back to the kennel for further support.

Should you let go if you fall off

Hold on to the sled itself, not the lines or harnesses. When you're driving a husky team, your hands grip the handles at the back of the sled, and that's where they should stay if you slip. Letting go completely means you'll be left behind while the dogs continue forward, even if they've slowed down. Holding the handles keeps you connected to the team and gives you a chance to regain your footing while moving. The sled itself is designed to be held onto and won't tangle you up.

The lines that connect the dogs to the sled are a different story. If you grab these during a fall, you risk getting them tangled around your legs or arms, which could drag you or injure you as the team moves. Your guide is trained to spot when someone has fallen and will call the dogs to stop or slow down using voice commands. They'll never let a team run far with a fallen musher. Always grip the sled handles, regain your footing, and let your guide help you if you need it.

Guide sorts tangled lines while dogs stand ready

How guides untangle lines and harnesses

When dogs twist around each other or their harnesses get crossed, the guide approaches the team calmly and speaks to the dogs in low, steady tones. Huskies are bred to work in teams and respond well to a calm presence. The guide will move along each dog's side, checking how the lines are wrapped and gently unwinding them by hand. If a dog has stepped over a line, the guide will lift their leg back through. If two lead dogs have swapped positions, the guide will reposition them. This process takes a few minutes at most on the trail, and the guide keeps the dogs steady with voice commands so they don't tense up or pull while being corrected.

Harnesses rarely tangle in the way many people imagine. Each husky wears a well-fitted harness attached to a line that runs to the sled, and these are checked before every tour. If a harness does shift or twist, it's because a dog has moved unexpectedly. Your guide carries equipment to make quick adjustments and knows exactly where each piece goes. The kennel trains guides specifically in this skill, and they practice with the team daily. On a four-hour tour, untangling happens quickly and rarely requires stopping for more than a few minutes.

Communication and phone reception on the trail

Cell phone reception varies across Kvaløya depending on which provider you use and exactly where you are on the route. Some areas have strong signal, while others have weak or no coverage. Your guide does not rely on your phone to stay safe or to communicate with the kennel. Instead, your guide carries a radio that connects directly to the kennel staff and other guides in the field. This radio works regardless of commercial cell coverage and is checked before every tour to ensure it's functioning.

If you need help during the tour, tell your guide immediately and they will radio back to the kennel for assistance. If a guide needs to call for emergency services, the radio connection is faster and more reliable than a cell phone call in the Arctic. Your guide will also carry a GPS device so that the kennel always knows where the group is located. You're welcome to bring your phone to take photos, but don't expect it to work as a communication tool once you're out on the trail. The guide is your direct link to safety and support, and their radio and training are what matter most if something goes wrong.

Distance to medical help from the kennel

The kennel is located in Kvaløya, which is approximately 30 to 40 kilometers from Tromso city center where the nearest hospital is located. If a serious injury occurs during your tour, the guide will radio for an emergency response from Tromso. Response time depends on weather, road conditions, and what services are dispatched. In winter, emergency services are trained and equipped to reach remote areas, and helicopters can be called if needed for urgent situations. The guide will do a full assessment of any injury and provide first aid while waiting for help to arrive.

For less serious issues like minor cuts, sprains, or nausea, the guide will decide whether to continue the tour at a slower pace, return to the kennel early, or wait for symptoms to pass. Your guide carries a first aid kit and knows basic wilderness first aid. Most minor incidents are handled on the trail, and the tour continues. If you have a pre-existing condition, medication, or concern about your ability to handle a potential injury far from town, tell the tour operator before you book so they can advise you properly.

Can the dogs bite or jump up on you

The huskies used on this tour are working sled dogs bred and trained for years to run as a team and respond to handlers. They are not pets, and they are not aggressive. That said, they are powerful animals with natural prey drive, and they don't know you. You should not pet them, hand-feed them, or approach them from behind. When you arrive at the kennel, your guide will introduce you to your team and explain the rules. Never reach toward a dog's face, and don't make sudden movements around them. The dogs are focused on their job, which is running and pulling the sled, not interacting with tourists.

Jumping up is not typical behavior for a sled dog in harness. These dogs are trained to stay low and move forward in response to their musher's commands. They won't stand on their hind legs or lunge at you during the tour. If a dog becomes anxious or distressed, your guide will calm them and may adjust the team lineup. Before the tour starts, ask your guide any questions you have about handling or being around the dogs. Follow their instructions closely, and you'll have a safe and enjoyable experience driving your own team through the Arctic landscape.

What if a team runs off without its driver

This is one of the biggest fears people have before sledding, but it's extremely rare because guides are trained to prevent it and the dogs are trained to respond to commands. Before you take the runners, your guide will make sure you have a secure grip, that your weight is centered, and that you're ready. The guide will hold the sled steady while you get set, and they'll give you clear instructions on how to hold the brake (a claw-like metal tool at the back of the sled that digs into the snow). The guide will start the dogs from a walk, not a sprint, so you can find your balance and confidence.

If you do lose your grip for any reason, call out to your guide immediately. The guides stay close to the sleds during the tour and will see what's happening. They're trained to stop a runaway team using voice commands, by skiing to the front of the team, or by grabbing the sled. The dogs themselves respond to 'whoa' and will slow down or stop. In the unlikely event that a team does get away from their musher, the kennel has experienced staff who can retrieve them. Every dog wears an ID collar, and teams are tracked. Your safety and the dogs' safety are the top priority, and the entire operation is built around preventing situations like this one.

Before you book

Sled comes to halt

1. Your guide stops the team immediately

   The moment an incident occurs, your guide brings the sled to a controlled stop using proven techniques to keep the dogs calm and secure.

2. Equipment is locked in place

   The sled is immediately secured to prevent it from moving. Lines are checked and the team is held steady while assessment begins.

3. Your guide provides direct support

   The guide moves quickly to your location, checks your condition, and ensures you are safe and stable before taking further action.

4. Each dog is checked for injury

   Your guide examines the entire team for any signs of distress or injury, checking harnesses, lines and paws for tangles or damage.

5. Harnesses and lines are cleared

   If lines are twisted or harnesses caught, your guide works methodically to untangle them without causing stress to the dogs.

6. The team resumes the trail

   Once all checks are complete and everything is secure, your guide gets the team moving again, keeping pace steady and watchful.