13 March 2023
Marcus has been a musher (a sled dog driver) for almost 13 years. In fact, he’s been doing this since he graduated from upper secondary school and completed his military service. Since he loves working with dogs and spending time outdoors, this is the perfect job for him!
He has a unique outlook on that: “I find it fantastic. It’s one of the reasons why I want to work here in Northern Norway. You have such big contrasts between the early and late parts of the season. In the early part of the season, it’s cold and dark, but you have Northern Lights and it’s very special. Then in January and February it’s stormy and windy. In late February and March, the sun returns, and you witness big changes every day. I find it remarkable. I mean, it’s so exciting to experience nature. That’s why I like working outside. You develop coping skills and start to love the really bad weather. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fun.”
The Polar Night is a very important part of the daily life in the Arctic. The sun does not rise here for two months (from 21 November until 21 January). He says: “I definitely feel it, but since I have grown up here, I don’t think it affects me as much as some of the other guides that come up here for the season. I’m kind of used to it mentally, but I think why I don’t have problems with it is because it’s twilight when I work outside. But I feel I need a bit more sleep, and I try to make sure I get enough vitamin D in my diet. I also think it’s about enjoying yourself because if you want to go skiing, or any outdoor activity, you can do it. If you have a good head torch, you can do anything!”
“We have 77 dogs in the kennel. They all have names and personalities.”
“People see how eager the dogs are to go running, and this answers the question for them.”
“Alaskan huskies are not bred for aesthetic purposes, so they all look different, it comes from all the other breeds that are present in these dogs, from hunting dogs to huskies. These dogs are bred for athletic and personality purposes.”
“They eat a lot of meat; their main meals consist of a thick porridge of meat mixed with high calorie dry feed especially made for working dogs. They don’t get vegetables but get vitamins and minerals supplements.”
“In the summer, they are still trained with wheel wagons but have less work as they are susceptible to higher temperatures. For them, over 10 degrees Celsius is dangerous, they need a lot of water and shade and cannot pull that much.”
“Some of them get adopted out in loving homes, especially in the case where they are not healthy enough to stay at the camp. Otherwise, if they are still physically fit, they can stay but will have specifically tailored schedules to accommodate their age and capacity.”
As we concluded this interview, he told us about a hilarious incident that occurred last season. A family with a small chihuahua dressed up in a full winter suit asked if the chihuahua could join the tour as a dog sledding dog. The guides couldn’t allow it as the chihuahua would not be safe with the other dogs, who would probably see her as a snack. In the end, she stayed at the camp and made friends with the guides.
Some other times, you would have dogs in heat making babies on the track during the tour, and everyone had to wait 30 minutes for them to be done with it.
If you would like meet Marcus and the dogs that he takes care of, we recommend joining our check out this page for more information.
Book your Tromsø Airport Express transfer online and receive a 20% OFF promo code for selected Best Arctic Northern Lights tours. Your Arctic adventure can start as soon as you land in Tromsø. When you book the Airport Express online for your transfer between Tromsø Airport and Tromsø city centre (in either direction) you’ll receive […]
Are you planning a family trip to Tromsø in winter 2026? There are plenty of things to do with children, from seeing the Northern Lights and meeting reindeer to dog sledding, whale watching, fjord cruises and Arctic wildlife experiences. The important part when planning Tromsø with children is choosing activities appropriate for their age. Some […]
Fishing is deeply connected to life in Northern Norway and winter is an amazing time to discover this Arctic tradition. You can head onto the Arctic fjords aboard a historic wooden boat or leave the coast behind to try fishing through the ice of a frozen lake. If you are looking for fishing tours from […]
Seeing the Northern Lights in Tromsø together can easily become one of the highlights of a couple’s trip to Northern Norway. But with so many different Aurora experiences available, choosing the right tour depends on whether you prefer a small group, extra comfort or a completely private evening. So, what are the best Northern Lights […]
If you are planning a winter trip to Tromsø and Rovaniemi, combining Northern Norway with Finnish Lapland gives you the chance to experience two iconic Arctic destinations in one vacation. The challenge is deciding how to travel between them without sacrificing an entire day of your trip. This is where overnight travel becomes an interesting […]
Visiting Tromsø in October or November and worried there might not be snow yet? Don’t be. You can see the Northern Lights, go dog sledding on wheels, meet reindeer, search for whales, cruise through Arctic fjords and explore some of Tromsø’s most famous attractions, all without needing snow. October and November are transition months in […]
