Greenland's winter experiences: Dog sledding, northern lights and cabin tour (2024)

• Active holiday, Greenland, Nature, north

Chanett Christensen has been on incredible adventures in Greenland as many as three times in just a year and a half! Her experiences and fantastic experiences have made her an enthusiastic advocate for Greenland's unique beauty. Through a conversation with Greenland Travel, Chanett enthusiastically shares about Greenland's winter experiences. Including experiencing the magical northern lights, going on heart-pounding dog sled rides and enjoying a cabin tour in the charming town of Nuuk.

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First experience with northern lights – the most beautiful of Greenland's winter experiences

On Chanett Christensen's second trip to Greenland, she visited Restaurant Roklubben, located approximately six kilometers from Kangerlussuaq. The view through the windows was fantastic, and a reindeer was even spotted – which was a wild experience! The rowing club is located far from the lights of the city, and therefore the perfect conditions were created to be able to spot the northern lights.

A little later, both Chanett and the restaurant's other guests stood outside and admired the beautiful light show. Chanett says about the experience: "I'm not lying, all the colors of the world just danced in the sky in different forms".

Beautiful – and cold – dog sled ride

Chanett experienced a memorable dog sled ride during her visit to Kangerlussuaq. Despite the bitter -31 degrees, which felt like -41 with the wind, she was fitted with sealskin clothing to make the trip. With three or four layers of clothing and three sets of mittens, she was ready for 1,5-2 hours of Greenland's winter experiences.

“But you forget that it's cold, because it's so beautiful. And it is so unique to go out on a dog sled ride", says Chanett about the experience.

Chanett enjoyed interacting with the friendly dogs and felt at ease with the experienced coachman steering the sled. It was an unforgettable trip filled with adventures and unique moments in the artistic cold.

A primitive cabin tour in Nuuk and new acquaintances

Channett found it amazing to experience Nuuk in different seasons with its contrasting facets. Despite her normally cold-hardy nature, -20 degrees was no deterrent. Here Channett lived in a cabin with three other women. "It was actually a bit primitive, because there was no running water or electricity. There was a nice toilet a little way from there," says Channet. Despite this, they enjoyed the healthy absence of the internet, which gave them a sense of traveling back in time.

The time was instead spent on games, conversations and exploring the surrounding nature, where they had to fetch water from the lake and cook on a gas burner. This was the perfect opportunity to meet new people and delve deeper into interactions without the distraction of social media: “I didn't know two of the girls, so it was also nice to meet new people and get close to other people in a different way. ”.

Even without electricity, the evening was lit by headlamps and candles, and a kerosene burner helped keep them warm. Despite the lack of modern amenities, Chanett and her friends felt comfortable and enjoyed the unique experience.

Greenland's winter experiences offer an active holiday – even in the dark.

Chanett says that her first active holiday was in Greenland, and although she had never seen herself as an 'out-to-hike' person, she has found great security and joy in being in nature and living in cabins. Her fear of the dark didn't hold her back either, it just required more people along for the ride.

Previous holidays have primarily been bathing, charter and city holidays, but after Greenland, Chanett is looking forward to more active trips in nature!

In the end, Chanett says encouragingly: "If you're curious, come along. I can't say it any other way. What is holding you back? Get going!"