Abisko Fjälltur

Daniel, our musher, was fascinating to talk to, and we learned a lot from him. The dogs were friendly, excited, and clearly enjoyed pulling the sled. We even got to pet husky puppies, which was ridiculously cute. Their well-being seemed to come first. We booked the dogsled ride through Abisko.net, arranged for us by Lights Over Lapland, and had a blast. There wasn't much snow, but the ride was still comfortable, with a few fast stretches that never felt alarming. The scenery was beautiful. I highly recommend the experience and operator.

We had a great two nights with my lovely Yes-Trips group. Hi guys, if you’re seeing this! The hostel was clean, really good, and the staff were awesome. They lend out suits, boots, and gloves for the extreme cold. The sauna was a treat, and you can step outside into the snow to cool off while watching the aurora borealis. There are also friendly dogs for a husky sled tour. Thanks for the ride, Daniel! Definitely a place I’d suggest visiting.

The location was a plus: it’s about a 15-minute walk to the lake, where we saw one of the best Northern Lights views. You can also see the huskies around the hostel and book a sled tour. The sauna is free for guests, which was nice. Inside, though, the rooms felt like barracks or prison cells, and there was an old, unpleasant smell. For this price, the place needs renovation and basic comfort improvements. The shared kitchen is dated, the furniture worn, and the surfaces felt too dirty to touch. We barely made it through one night. You have to go outside to reach the shower, which is especially inconvenient in winter. The rooms also don’t lock, so I worried about someone taking our belongings. There’s no sound insulation either. People talked and shouted in the corridors, making it impossible to rest.

There’s just one bathroom for about 12 people, so there was usually a bit of a queue, and you have to go to another building for the shower. We also worried about leaving our things in the private room because it couldn’t be locked. The kitchen had problems too: the ventilation didn’t work, so cooking smells lingered, and only two small spots on the mostly broken stove could heat anything. On the plus side, it was the cheapest accommodation nearby, with free cross-country skis, snow boots, and sauna access from 20:00 to 21:00. A handy base if you’re taking a dog sled tour.