We went dog sledding in Alta, Norway, while on a P&O cruise in March 2015. I expected to be strapped onto a sledge, possibly with a crash helmet on, and slide along snow tracks. Don’t think the Norwegians do Elf’n’Safety… My husband was lucky, in that he got to lean on the backrest of the sled (which is basically slats of wood fixed a few inches above steel runners), while I balanced in front of him, trying to keep my feet off the ground. No handles, no straps, no helmet. The driver stood at the back, and as soon as he shouted at the dogs, we were off! 8 bundles of fur and muscle took off as fast as they could go – through virgin snow, up banks, under trees, barking frantically all the time. It was the most exhilarating, exciting, TERRIFYING experience ever, even though I was convinced I would be thrown off the sled at every bump, every corner. I think I still have the bruises on my backside.
I think we both laughed all the way, from sheer excitement BUT another guy in the party did fall off, and broke his ankle badly against a tree. I really felt smug that I’d added winter sports cover to our travel insurance, and hope he had too.
Would we go again? Like a shot! Wearing lots of padding, and taking a strap to tie round the sled to hang on to, though.
