I landed into Sisimiut from Kangerlussuaq with high hopes and a lot of anticipation.
Luckily, Sisimiut is one of those places that lives up to the hype.
Located on the west coast of Greenland and home to approximately 5000 people, Sisimiut is the second largest town in all of Greenland. However, despite it being more populated than most other towns, it feels incredibly small. There are only a few shops, a couple of hotels and only one restaurant! However – this shouldn’t matter too much to any travellers – as infrastructure is most certainly not the point of travelling to Sisimiut.
The point of travelling to Sisimiut is to explore mountainous vistas, trek across snowy landscapes, meet wonderful locals and best of all, to go travelling via dog sled!
I was able to get in contact with a local Greenlandic hunter (who was also referred to as a “musher” when operating a dogsled) through the Hotel Sisimiut, who agreed to take me with his doggos to spend the day on his sled.
He spoke no English, so the only way we could communicate was through body language and gesticulation; and as is turned out, this was more than enough.
After a quick rundown of what to do (hold on and don’t fall off) I jumped on board the wooden sled and immediately, all the Greenlandic dogs began pulling us away. It was only the very beginning of the sledging season, and as a result, the dogs were incredibly eager to get moving.
It was only around -14 degrees on this particular day, and after the tremendously cold weather in Kangerlussuaq, this felt downright warm when standing still! However, the thing about sledding is that even on a day with no wind, the dogs move with such a speed that you get the effect of some serious wind chill. So, if you get the opportunity to hire a Canada Goose full body suit – then you should bloody well do it. Sure, you’ll look totally ridiculous, but you’ll be warm, and you’ll be glad you wore it!
Watching the dogs work together was interesting, and it quickly became obvious which dogs acted in each role. The dogs on the outer sides often ran behind the pack, but were very in tune with the musher, and appeared to encourage the other dogs to obey the commands and intentions of the musher. Bigger dogs with obvious strength hung out at front and centre, while the incredibly energetic younger and smaller dogs were scattered elsewhere in the pack.
Greenland dogs are very closely related to wolves, and as such, can occasionally be a little aggressive with each other, but other than the odd growl here and there this particular bunch of dogs seemed to tolerate each other rather well.
Sitting back in the dogsled and watch the scenery change around me was an amazing experience, and made even better by the 10 gorgeous doggos ahead of me! I know it sounds strange, but watching their little tails and backsides shake as they run is the most adorable thing – if little doggo jiggles don’t put a smile on your face then I honestly don’t know what else would!
After a couple of hours sliding through the ice and snow, it was time to head back to the small town and let the dogs have a rest. I didn’t think my day could get any better, but as we pulled up to their home, out came some little tiny puppers!
If you have been following this blog since the previous Greenland series then you may recall that I have a lot of love for these Greenlandic puppies – and getting to have more puppy cuddles was just the icing on the cake of a seriously wonderful day.
I mean, just look at that fluffy little face! I really don’t think there is any breed of dog in existence that is more beautiful than these fluffballs.
THE LOWDOWN
Getting to Sisimiut: Sisimiut airport has no international connections, but Air Greenland has domestic connections with Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk and Ilulissat
Getting out of the Airport: Taxi is the way to go here, there is no public transport servicing the airport
Sisimiut Hotel: A modern hotel and a good base for organising tours around the region
Camera: Images captured with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 in conjunction with M.Zuiko 12-40mm f2/8 lens and M.Zuiko 7-14mm f2/8 lens
Dog Sledding Trips: Run by local hunters – organise these trips through Hotel Sisimiut
Remember: If someone offers you the ridiculous looking full body suit – wear it!
Oh, my, god, those puppies!!!
Aren’t they just the cutest?!
Wow! We’d sure like to do the dog sled too!
Any plans to visit a snowy destination soon?
Well, we ‘ll be in Japan next week. Not sure if it is still snowing. But hopefully yes!
I never thought of the view from the sled. I went to a sled dog race in northern New Hampshire a few years back and watched. The dogs are amazing. What an adventure. Cheers
I bet that was amazing to see! You are right, the dogs are seriously amazing creatures.
Love the feeling you get in a dog sled. Visited a mushers place in Alaska who happened to have won the Iditarod Race several times. It was wonderful to see how he and his wife took care of the dogs and yes all the puppies were so cuddly. Did not get to ride there but got on one in Colorado and it was amazing, but I am sure not the scenery you experienced.
Looks like a wonderful time again, enjoy.
Thanks Terry! I would love to see one of these races – it would be an incredible thing to witness.
The dogs look adorable but the snowmobile something surer …
Do you mean that the snowmobile is more reliable?
Well, if they run away…
They are well trained doggos, believe me!
Well, otherwise you should use a leash understood at the foot!
That looks like great fun. As long as the dogs are treated humanely, I have no problem with their work being pulling humans around on a sled. The puppies are like little angels.
I only got a glimpse – but it certainly did seem that the dogs were well cared for and taken care of. I certainly hope so!
Amazing post! I would love to go there someday 🙂 Those pups are sooo cuteee!
I highly recommend adding it to your bucket list!
Omg this post is amazing, you write so well! Im glad I found this blog, looks like you have more great stories and blog posts to come… Keep it up!
Check out my latest blog post about my day back at University while away on my placement year in London! It’s all about working life versus student life. Hope you like it and let me know what you think!
https://tootinghustle.wordpress.com/2017/02/05/nostalgia/
Thanks so much, I do hope you continue to follow along on my adventures around the world!
Aw! Cutest fluffballs <3 Great post!
I love them so damn much! <3
That is cooler than ice. 😎😎😎
I see what you did there haha
What a wonderful experience! There is pup in the first photo that looks like a fox – I’d have a hard time not adopting one.
Believe me, if I lived in colder climate than Australia, I would definitely be adopting one too!
Kangerlussuaq, is that anywhere near Kullorsuaq? I watched a movie last night, Journey to Greenland, French and Greenlandic (?), thank goodness for English subtitles, filmed in Kullorsuaq. Lots of snow. How interesting you were doing some of what they were doing. Dogsledding.
I actually watched that the other day on Netflix! Such a small world.
As for Kullorsuaq, if my memory serves me correctly that settlement is located within the Uppernavik archipelago, and if I am correct in this thinking, then it is a lot further north than Kangerlussuaq – possibly a 2 or so hour flight?
Those puppies are absolutely gorgeous – I want one! 🙂
You and me both Eunice!
Your adventures are wonderful. I so envy you this trip. The dogs are gorgeous.
Thank you so much Barbara. I hope you get your own Greenlandic adventure one day in the future!
Great post and gorgeous photos of the dogs 🙂
Thank you 🙂 although I can’t take much credit. With dogs that cute I think you’d be pretty hard pressed to take a bad photo!
Very true; they’re so beautiful!
Your each post is filled with tiniest bit of amazing details. You are right, with Greenland only ice and snowy mountains comes to mind and one wouldn’t think beyond that but your post makes it tempting to go there for a visit. These pups are adorable and look very cuddly. They do have resemblance from the wolves but they still have the most innocent look…. Good luck !
I am so glad I have shown a different side of Greenland. It is hands down my most favourite country I’ve ever been to, so I love showing it off!
you are doing great..
This looks so cool! Greenland is like, the top of my list of places to see. I love it!
YES! This is the sort of thing I LOVE to hear! I hope you make it to Greenland one day very soon!
Thank you, me too!
Those pups are the cutest! 🙂
Aren’t they just?!
Ellen! Your blog is absolutely incredible and super inspiring. I would love to hear more stories about how you came to be a travel writer and particularly about your work/ travel life balance. You are goals and I want to know any tips and secrets you have. Keep being superb <3
Thanks so much Abbie! Feel free to check out this blog post I wrote with my most frequently asked questions about being a blogger – if you still have questions after that I would be more than happy to answer them!
https://travellingtheworldsolo.com/2016/12/26/my-most-frequently-asked-questions-about-being-a-travel-blogger/
You have an amazing journey!
Thank you so much!