Northern Lights, dog sledding, Arctic wilderness and a way of life shaped by the North.

Alta is one of Northern Norway's most rewarding destinations for travellers looking beyond the ordinary Arctic holiday.

Located at approximately 69° north, where the Finnmarksvidda plateau meets the Altafjord, this small northern city brings together an unusual variety of experiences: Northern Lights, world-class dog sledding, whale watching, Sámi culture, prehistoric rock art and vast wilderness.

Yet what makes Alta special is not simply the number of things to do.

It is that these experiences belong to a place where Arctic life is still part of everyday life. Sled dogs are trained for some of the world's toughest endurance races. Families travel onto the plateau to fish, hunt and spend time at remote cabins. Reindeer herding remains an important part of Sámi culture. The forests, rivers and mountains are not just places to visit. They are places people live with.

At Holmen Husky Lodge, our family has lived and worked alongside sled dogs since 1986. We have watched Alta grow as a destination while much of what makes this place extraordinary has remained unchanged.

This is why we believe Alta deserves a place on your Arctic travel list.

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THE CITY OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

_{A place with a remarkable history of aurora research}

Alta is known as the City of the Northern Lights, and the name has deep historical roots.

In 1899, Norwegian physicist Kristian Birkeland established a Northern Lights observatory on Mount Haldde, overlooking the Altafjord. The observatory became an important centre for auroral research and remained in operation until 1926.

The story of Kristian Birkeland and the Haldde Observatory is more than a historical curiosity. It connects Alta to the scientific understanding of one of the Arctic's most extraordinary natural phenomena.

More than a century later, travellers still arrive in Alta hoping to see those same lights dancing across the sky.

_{Why is Alta a good place to see the Northern Lights?}

Alta sits beneath the auroral oval, the region around the Earth's magnetic pole where Northern Lights frequently occur.

Its location near the Finnmarksvidda plateau gives visitors access to inland landscapes away from many coastal weather systems. On suitable nights, local guides can travel between the fjord, valleys and plateau in search of clearer skies.

Compared with a larger coastal destination such as Tromsø, Alta offers a different kind of Northern Lights experience: smaller-scale accommodation, extensive inland wilderness and opportunities to watch the sky from quiet forest and countryside settings.

The best viewing conditions require darkness, auroral activity and sufficiently clear skies. No destination can guarantee a sighting.

At Holmen, the Northern Lights can sometimes be seen directly above our kennel and Forest Suites. There is something remarkable about watching the aurora through the trees, with the dogs resting nearby.

For us, the Northern Lights are not a scheduled attraction.

They are part of winter.

THE ARCTIC HAS MORE THAN ONE LANDSCAPE

_{From fjords and forests to one of Europe's great wilderness plateaus}

Alta offers a diversity of landscapes that surprises many first-time visitors.

The Altafjord extends inland from the Norwegian Sea, surrounded by mountains, coastal communities and sheltered valleys. Pine and birch forests cover much of the lower terrain, while the Alta River makes its way toward the fjord through the dramatic Sautso canyon.

Beyond the valley lies Finnmarksvidda, the vast plateau that defines much of inland Finnmark.

Winter transforms this landscape into a world of snow-covered lakes, frozen rivers and open tundra. In summer, the same terrain becomes accessible through hiking, fishing, cycling and long evenings beneath the Midnight Sun.

To the west, the landscape grows increasingly alpine, with steep mountains, fjords and glaciers around Langfjorden, Jøkelfjorden and Øksfjordjøkelen.

For travellers, this geographical variety means that a single stay in Alta can include remarkably different experiences.

One day might begin in a pine forest behind a team of huskies. Another might take you onto the open plateau, along a fjord or into the mountains.

The landscape changes.

The feeling of space remains.

ARCTIC LIVING — THOUSANDS OF YEARS IN THE MAKING

_{A place with a deep human history}

People have lived, travelled, hunted and fished in the Alta region for thousands of years.

Some of the clearest evidence can be found at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rock Art of Alta.

The thousands of carvings and paintings, created over a period extending from approximately 5000 BC to around the beginning of the Common Era, depict reindeer, bears, boats, hunting scenes and aspects of prehistoric life.

The rock art was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. Today, visitors can explore the publicly accessible rock carvings at Hjemmeluft, managed by Alta Museum.

These images reveal a long history of human interaction with the Arctic landscape.

That relationship continues, although the ways people live have changed.

_{Sámi culture and life on Finnmarksvidda}

Alta lies in a region shaped by both Sámi and Norwegian histories, cultures and traditions.

For Sámi reindeer-herding communities, the wider Finnmark landscape remains connected to seasonal movement, animal husbandry and knowledge passed between generations.

Reindeer herding is not simply a historical activity displayed for visitors. It is a living livelihood, closely connected to the land and its changing seasons.

Travellers interested in learning more can join experiences hosted by Sámi guides and reindeer herders, where the traditions are explained by the people who practise them.

At Holmen, we work with local partners to introduce overnight guests to Sámi culture and reindeer experiences.

For visitors, these encounters offer an important perspective on the region beyond its scenery.

ALTA — A CENTRE OF WORLD-CLASS DOG SLEDDING

_{Home of the Finnmarksløpet}

If one activity captures Alta's modern Arctic identity, it is dog sledding.

Alta is home to the Finnmarksløpet, Europe's longest established long-distance sled dog race.

First held in 1981, the event has developed into one of the world's most respected endurance competitions for sled dogs and their mushers.

Teams travel hundreds of kilometres across Finnmark's winter landscapes, facing changing snow conditions, long hours on the trail and demanding decisions about rest, navigation, feeding and dog care.

The race traditionally starts and finishes in Alta, bringing together mushers, handlers, volunteers and spectators from Norway and abroad.

For the local mushing community, Finnmarksløpet is much more than an annual sporting event.

It has helped shape generations of mushers, kennels and working relationships between people and sled dogs.

_{The Holmen story began with the dogs}

Our own family history is closely connected to that racing tradition.

Kari Jæger moved to Holmen in 1986 and became the first woman to complete the Finnmarksløpet in 1987. She later played an important role in developing and organising the race.

Eirik Nilsen followed his own racing career, competing in Finnmarksløpet fourteen times and winning on three occasions.

Their children, Brage and Oda, grew up surrounded by sled dogs, racing preparations and the daily responsibilities of a working kennel.

Today, Holmen remains a family-operated racing kennel with more than 100 Alaskan Huskies.

Brage has competed successfully in some of Norway's major long-distance races, including Finnmarksløpet and Femundløpet. Oda is continuing the family's racing tradition.

You can read more about the family, the dogs and the development of the lodge in Our Story.

_{Can visitors drive their own dog sled in Alta?}

Yes — and that is one of the most memorable ways to experience the region.

At Holmen, guests are introduced to the dogs, learn how the team works and receive guidance before heading onto the trail.

Rather than simply sitting behind a professional musher, guests on our driving experiences have the opportunity to handle and drive their own sled team, with experienced guides providing instruction and support.

Our dog sledding experiences in Alta range from introductory forest tours to longer adventures across frozen rivers and mountain landscapes.

No previous mushing experience is required for our beginner tours.

For those who want to understand what makes Alta's dog sledding culture different, time spent with an active racing kennel offers an experience that goes far beyond sightseeing.

WHALES IN THE ALTAFJORD

_{A remarkable addition to an Arctic winter holiday}

The waters of Northern Norway are home to an extraordinary variety of marine wildlife.

When large concentrations of herring are present, orcas and humpback whales may follow them into the region's fjords, creating opportunities for winter whale watching.

Recent whale activity in the Altafjord has created an additional opportunity for visitors staying in Alta.

Depending on seasonal conditions and where the animals are feeding, local operators may offer whale-watching trips departing from the Alta area.

These experiences can be particularly appealing for travellers who want to combine marine wildlife with dog sledding, Northern Lights and other land-based activities during the same holiday.

Wildlife movements change from year to year, so sightings and departure locations cannot be guaranteed.

Holmen works with local operators offering seasonal whale-watching and fjord experiences.

For travellers visiting at the right time, the possibility of seeing whales in the same region where they have been exploring with sled dogs makes Alta an unusually varied Arctic destination.

WINTER AND SUMMER — TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS

_{Winter: the Northern Lights and life on the snow}

From late autumn through spring, Alta becomes a winter destination defined by darkness, snow, low Arctic light and outdoor adventure.

The Northern Lights can be visible from approximately September to early April, depending on darkness and sky conditions.

The main snow-based activity season generally runs from December into April, although exact dates depend on conditions and the operator.

Popular experiences include dog sledding, snowmobiling, Northern Lights excursions, ice fishing, snowshoeing and visits to Sámi reindeer herders.

The Finnmarksløpet brings another dimension to winter, when Alta becomes a meeting point for the international sled dog community.

Explore winter activities in Alta.

_{Summer: Midnight Sun, hiking and life beside the kennel}

Summer reveals a different side of the same landscape.

At this latitude, the sun remains above the horizon around the height of summer. The Midnight Sun brings long, luminous days and a feeling that time works differently.

Forests turn green, rivers flow freely and the coastline becomes accessible for hiking, boating and fishing.

At Holmen, the dogs remain part of everyday life even when the snow has disappeared.

Guests can spend time at the kennel, meet the athletes, explore the surrounding trails and discover a slower rhythm of Arctic living.

Our summer experiences at Holmen are designed around the relationship between people, animals and the landscape.

The same place.

An entirely different light.

ARCHITECTURE ROOTED IN THE LANDSCAPE

_{Staying beside a working husky kennel}

Where you stay can change how you experience a destination.

At Holmen, we wanted to create accommodation that felt connected to the land and to the life already happening here.

Our seven architect-designed Forest Suites were completed in 2024, set among the pine trees beside the kennel.

Built from solid cross-laminated timber, each private suite offers 62 square metres of living space, large panoramic windows and interiors shaped by natural materials, including local Alta slate.

Their distinctive form draws inspiration from the traditional Sámi lavvu, reinterpreted through contemporary architecture.

The suites are designed to offer comfort and privacy while maintaining a strong connection to their surroundings.

In winter, guests can watch for Northern Lights through the windows on clear nights. In summer, the same views open onto green forest and the soft light of the Midnight Sun.

The dogs are never far away.

The lodge also includes a restored barn serving as a gathering place, alongside sauna, ice bath and outdoor jacuzzi facilities.

Explore our Forest Suites at Holmen Husky Lodge.

A QUIETER WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE ARCTIC

_{Why choose Alta instead of a larger Arctic destination?}

Northern Norway offers several remarkable destinations, each with its own character.

Tromsø has a larger city environment, extensive tourism infrastructure and a wide selection of excursions.

Alta offers something different.

The town sits close to a broad range of landscapes, with relatively easy access to forests, open countryside, the Finnmarksvidda plateau and the Altafjord.

For travellers seeking a quieter base, smaller-scale accommodation and meaningful time outdoors, this can make a real difference.

Alta is particularly appealing to those who want to combine Northern Lights viewing with hands-on dog sledding, local culture, outdoor adventures and accommodation closely connected to nature.

It is not necessary to choose between activity and quiet.

In Alta, both can be part of the same day.

PLAN YOUR ARCTIC EXPERIENCE IN ALTA

_{How many days should you spend in Alta?}

For a first visit during winter, we generally recommend three to five nights.

This gives you time to experience dog sledding, enjoy additional Arctic activities and allow more than one evening for possible Northern Lights sightings.

A longer stay creates room for excursions onto Finnmarksvidda, more time with the dogs and a less hurried experience of the region.

During summer, two to four nights can provide a rewarding introduction to the landscapes, Midnight Sun and outdoor activities around Alta.

At Holmen, our accommodation and experiences are built around the life of the kennel, with opportunities to combine a stay in the forest with guided adventures.

Whether you come for the Northern Lights, the dogs or the silence, the landscape has a way of becoming part of the reason you want to return.

Alta, Norway. 69° North.

A working kennel. A family story. A different way to experience the Arctic.

Discover Holmen Husky Lodge

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY ALTA? — ARCTIC LIVING AT 69°NORTH