Giftdiaries x Aurora Husky Visit

This week, we share a special winter edition of our ‘Gift Diaries’ series! We caught up with the Aurora Husky camp experience in Tromsø, Norway. Dive into the article, as one of their guides shares more about this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and how you can make friends with 200 Alaskan huskies.

What’s the best part of your job?
The people I work with and being able to be around all the dogs.

Could you share a little bit about your journey? What inspired you to start working in your current job?
I had some family friends who did a tour at Tromsø Villmarkssenter. When I was looking for ideas on what to do next in life, they suggested that it could be something I’d enjoy. I looked into it and applied. I started only a couple of months ago but so far it seems like it fits me really well!

What’s your favourite place in Tromso to take visitors and why?
There are many beautiful places in Tromsø, but I find Tromsø Harbor with calm water and the cable car view particularly peaceful.

What was the most amazing trip you ever did? What animals did you see / how were the Northern Lights?
My most amazing trip so far was in Nodreisa, where we train dogs in autumn before winter comes to Tromsø. I went for a hike, met some hares, and saw a moose. The sun was shining – outdoors always giving you a rewarding feeling. Another good memory I have is at Tromsø Wilderness Center. The night was clear. I was standing outside our conference center with the camera as the sky exploded in pink and green. That was probably the best aurora I have ever seen.

What are your biggest takeaways from working with huskies?
I was a little afraid of dogs before coming here but it all worked out more than fine. Getting all the cuddles and seeing how friendly the dogs are have pushed my fears away. However, I thought it would be easier to care for the huskies as I never had animals growing up, but it‘s a lot of hard work too!

Do you have a favourite dog? And can you tell us about him/her?
Batman. He is a big and strong boy, people often feel intimidated taking him for walks. It is overwhelming in the beginning, but once he relaxes, he is the best dog to hike with.

Describe your activity in 3 words
Exciting, interesting, cosy.

I’m visiting Tromso, what’s the 1 thing we simply must do (aside from your activity!)?
Go for a hike or ski/snowshoe trip and experience peaceful nature.

What’s the most rewarding reaction you see on tours?
Seeing happy faces on the bus after the tour.

What makes your activity unique?
Our tour has the best combo of Northern Lights and husky cuddles. Even if lady aurora is shy that night, dogs and puppies are there to entertain you. We also have a very cosy lavvo where people come to warm up around the fire and eat. The food, made by our French chef, is delicious!

Any parting wisdom or advice for someone looking to start a unique experience?
Be open to new things and not afraid to try new stuff.

Thank you to the Aurora Husky camp experience for chatting with us! Keep an eye out for more editions from our ‘Giftdiaries’ series.