When to Come

When to Come

From a dog's perspective there are four distinct seasons – and the mushing experience in December is very different to April.

There is plenty to do at our farm year-round, but from a dog's perspective there are four distinct seasons: 1) the Mushing Season, c. November to end April; 2) the Spring Training Season; 3) the Summer Season; and 4) the Autumn Training Season. Locals say there are actually 8 distinct arctic seasons, which is pretty accurate. Each brings its own challenges and rewards.

  • Mushing Season: c. November to end April
  • Sledding can start as early as October
  • Full short-safari route range open by mid-December
  • Longer multiday safari routes open from early January
  • Locals count 8 distinct arctic seasons

Early Mushing Season

We might be sledding as early as October or as late as end November. At first we run only a few safaris: the first route opened each season is a 5km loop close to the farm, and the next to open depend on whether ice or snow conditions are better. By mid-December at latest the full range of short-safari routes is open. In early January we begin opening the longer Multiday Safari routes – we call weeks 2-5 'Early Winter Trail Blazing'. Multiday safaris at this time mean challenging arctic conditions: little light, unconsolidated trails and tough going.

Mid-Winter Mushing Season

We call weeks 6-9 the 'Frosty Depths of the Arctic Winter'. The picture-perfect arctic (snow-laden trees etc) is still likely at the start of February, but conditions are harder to predict: the cold can be even more intense than early season, or mushing can be fairly easy. At least one week in February tends to be very cold, and at least one tends to bring the last huge dump of snow.

Spring Mushing Season

By week 10 we enter the Spring Mushing Season – a fun time to mush, as the snow crystallises underfoot and other users consolidate the trails. Everything gets a little easier, letting guides and dogs recover and giving customers a real chance to enjoy the dogs and each other at the end of their days.

Temperature graph showing average temperatures across the winter months in Enontekiö
Autumn in the ArcticAutumnAutumn is the Arctic's training season - glorious ruska colours, no mosquitos, and intensive dog training on quads and sleighs.Events in EnontekiöEventsA season-by-season calendar of Enontekiö's festivals, races and traditional Sami events - from reindeer racing to ski marathons and Christmas markets.Graphs of temperature, snow depth, daylight and Northern Lights sightings through springSpringSpring means playtime in the Arctic - longer days, warmer temperatures and open trails, ideal for relaxed multiday safaris and families.Summer in Arctic EnontekiöSummerLong midnight-sun days, farm visits and summer adventure - plus the high fells, hiking trails and reindeer culture of Enontekiö.Diagram of Arctic winter temperature bands through the seasonWinterFrom the polar night and fairy-tale snow of early winter to the long bright days of spring - how the Arctic winter shapes the safari experience.