Kari Jæger moved to Holmen in 1986. She rented the farmhouse and came for the Finnmarksløpet — the long-distance sled dog race that was beginning to take shape in the north of Norway. In 1987, she became the first woman ever to complete it. She later went on to manage and develop the race for years, helping build it into the internationally respected event it is today.
Eirik Nilsen arrived in Alta in 1987. He spent his first season in the mushing world, ran his first Finnmarksløpet in 1988, and made Holmen his home. Over the next 25 years, he started the Finnmark Race fourteen times — winning three of them. He was not building a business. He was living the life the dogs made possible.
In the beginning, Eirik took a small number of bespoke guests on spring expeditions with his racing team. That was the start of the guest side — not a strategy, simply a natural extension of what was already happening at the kennel. Over time, demand grew. He built seven glamping tents that ran for ten years, welcoming guests from around the world to experience what life with sled dogs actually looks like.
The old post-war barn became the heart of the lodge. The trails became the classroom. The kennel and the guest operation grew alongside each other — always with the dogs at the centre.
Brage Nilsen Jæger grew up at Holmen. He moved away — and found his way back in 2019, initially to help with the organisation of the business. In the process, he fell in love with the craft of mushing — and began to see what the foundation his parents had built could become.
He initiated the investment in seven architect-designed Forest Suites, replacing the glamping tents with something built to last. He set goals for the kennel and the lodge that had never been set before.
Then the dogs got to him completely. In 2022, he entered the Finnmarksløpet 600 km, finished 5th, and was named Rookie of the Year. In 2023, he raced the Femundløpet 650 km — 5th place, Rookie of the Year again. In 2025, he ran the Finnmarksløpet 1200 km, finished 6th, and was named Rookie of the Year for the third time. He is now preparing for the Iditarod 2029.
Throughout every race, his sister Oda has been his handler.
Oda Nilsen Jæger grew up at Holmen. As a child she attended junior races and was drawn to the dogs from early on. She moved away — and found her way back in 2024.
She has handled Brage through every race he has run. She is now part of running the operation and is currently training for the Finnmarksløpet 600 km in 2027 — the third generation of the family on the start line.
Holmen is still a working racing kennel. The Forest Suites, the barn, the restaurant, the trails — all of it exists because of the dogs. Brage and Oda are building what comes next. The bar is higher than it has ever been.
The guests are welcome because the family decided to share what was built here. Not because the kennel was built around them.
+47 917 64 866
BOOKING@HOLMENHUSKY.NO
HOLMEN HUSKY LODGE
HOLMEN 102, 9518 ALTA, NORWAY
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