Our philosophy - Flarken Adventure

Or our way of seeing things…

My story

As a child, there weren’t many distractions in my small village in Alsace when we weren’t playing football. So, I spent quite a bit of time watching TV or flipping through comic books. One day, my brother Patrick said to me, “You’re wasting your time. Here, read this, you’ll see, it’s full of short stories and easy to read. Start with ‘To Build a Fire.’” It was Jack London. He didn’t realize that day, besides giving me a taste for reading, he was passing on another passion: the love for the Far North and sled dogs.

I was 13 or 14 years old, and my decision was made: “I want sled dogs like François Varigas, to live in a log cabin like Jeremiah Johnson, and to drive an American pickup like Colt Seavers.” On April 6, 1991, Duck and Caly came into my life—I was 22 years old… The rest of the story is long; come visit us and I’ll tell you by the fireside one evening.

Portrait of a musher - Flarken Adventure in Swedish lapland

Alaskan husky puppies in Swedish Lapland

I became a musher

Since 1991, my dogs have been my life. They have always come first—before my hobbies, my friends, my family, and my unconventional lifestyle.
My pack lives at the base camp. It consists of around 110 sled dogs, which may seem like a lot. There are the active dogs, roughly 90 in total (you need at least 34 dogs for the sledding raids and the same number for multi-activity stays, plus about fifteen substitutes).
There are also the young dogs who aren’t old enough to work yet, and about twenty-five retirees. These older dogs helped me make a living for several years, so I owe them a good retirement. Finally, there are the companion dogs, who live at home.

The dogs, some real professionals

I consider my sled dogs as athletes. They have a healthy, rich, and balanced diet. They follow a strict and organized training regimen to ensure you can fully enjoy the activities offered.

Although some of them are real workhorses, others are more laid-back. Some are even “big couch potatoes” who need a bit of motivation. In short, they are living beings who run, sometimes walk, or stop to take a break. They can have an “off day” or feel a bit down.

You’ll notice I talk about work because these dogs are professionals. They know what they have to do. They understand their job, but they will only do it well if you do yours properly.

Training You

Almost all our travelers in Swedish Lapland are beginners. Our job is to teach you how to drive a dog sled, give you the keys to understanding my dogs, and turn you and your team into a tight-knit unit.

Even though our raids can be peaceful strolls through the woods, when Mother Nature gets involved, things can get tricky. A heavy snowfall can erase the trail in just a few hours. Then, you have to strap on snowshoes, break through the snow, help the dogs, and keep going…

An Adventure to Live, Not Just to Check Off

Be aware that it can be –5°C one evening and –30°C the next day. Not only do you need to be aware of this, but you also need to understand your physical limits. That’s why we offer a multi-activity stay, which is easier and more adaptable to weather conditions than the dog sledding raid. So, don’t choose the wrong trip!

If you’re coming just to tick the box “dog sledding in Lapland” on your travel bucket list and say, “Done that,” then this is not the place for you. But if you want to learn and share the life of the dogs in the Arctic winter, then you will find what you’re looking for, because here, adventure isn’t something to consume—it’s something to live!