Crystal lodge to lodge 5-11 January

Dear Kenneth & Catte
Words are not enough to tell you what amazing time I had with the dogs on the mountain, so great!
Thank you very much for all your good care and giving a little inside on mushing and Lapland.
With Love!
Barbara Samwel, Holland

I’m sitting in “my house” at the kitchen table, thinking really hard what to write…
It’s my third visit to you guys and I’m still impressed as I was the first time!
This time I got here early to spend some more time alone in Svantes house of which I enjoyed every second!
I met all the new dogs and was reunited with my “old” friend Henke. I have to admit that I have developed a big weak spot for Sessan this time, that’s what I call girl power!
So if you ever need a retirement home for her, here is a volunteer…
See! Now I almost wrote a book.
The only thing left is to thank you for your warm welcome again. I hope you realize that you are not getting rid of me this way…
I will be back, hopefully next winter, with or without company that doesn’t really matter because I really feel home in Umnäs.
Thank you Stig for your trouble picking me up from the airport every time, the really nice conversations and not forgot the Swedish singing lessons! I will remember to bring more “stroopwafels” next year…
Love!
Caroline, Holland

I enjoyed the tour immensely especially your reindeer stew! The dog sledding was brilliant especially travelling through the forest at night time and every day proved a challenge as there was always something new to learn.
I now know how hard you both have to work to make The Silent Way a success and hopefully I will see you again next year.
Roger Bines, England

Arctic Colours & Light, 13-19 Jan

Hej Catrine and Kenneth
I can’t get enough from dogsledding! This is my third time and it is amazing what the dogs and nature can do with me. It gives me such a peaceful feeling and I forgot everything! I enjoyed every second of this tour even when it was though.
Thanks also for everything – the food and all your good care.
I think that there will be other time for dogsledding… so see you again!
Tom, Holland who lives in Belgium

I gained a whole new “dog respect” here. The dogs have pulled me through snow, ice, water and even some worries.
Thank you Catrine & Kenneth for your hospitality, warmth and great food.
Thank you Erik for the tracks.
Hope to come back.
Iris Linsen, Belgium

The trip has been a true adventure. The Silent Way is a truly fantastic company that gives you opportunity to experience Sweden in its most beautiful form.
When I was booking for my adventure back in 2006 I noticed the website for The Silent Way. What I liked about the company is that it offered longer trips rather than just a 2 day trip. Having now just finished my adventure I can whole heartedly recommend The Silent Way. Kenneth, Catrine are excellent hosts, which will give you memories that will last forever.
Joseph Woodward, England

Thank you for the great adventure, I didn’t know what the trip was so though, but afterwards it gives me a fantastic good adrenalin shoot through my vain.
And thanks to the good chief, he was a really a leader, friend and a good guide. Thank you for everything and the good food of Catrine! And see you soon.
Georges Lazic, Belgium

Last year I was in Norway for a 10-minute ride on a dogsled… I want to have more… A dream come true… The Silent Way is pear in its whole.
No-one on the tracks, splendid views, stormy weather, Beautiful Northern Light, enjoying, suffering, breathing, and relaxing…
Thank you Kenneth for being a terrific leader. You gave us the right energy to put us through the stormy weather and the right smile at the right moment. Thank you Catrine for the hospitality and great food…enough energy through our trip…
And of course, thank you – Ullis, Cayenne, Isa, Henke and funny Itzak. Thanks to them Im not afraid for big dogs anymore and hug them without never leaving
Thanks, I will definitely come back.
Sandra from Belgium

Stars & Northern Light, 22-28 January

Thanks for an enjoyable and instructive tour in dogmushing!
Dogmushing in the mountains is an old dream that come true!
Thanks for your professional hostess, food and equipment.
I really like to come back one day…
John Fagertun, Norway

We have travelled through and up many mountains in different parts of the world but this journey was indeed very special. The “silent way” is not only through a wild, peaceful landscape but brings peace and ” inner silence” that some can only find in the mountains. The temperature was cold -32C, but the hospitality and welcome were warm.
Alpha dog – no need to bite my ear – I was happy to follow your lead, and your company and cooking was excellent. Catrine, our introduction to skiing with dogs was … a laugh.
Thank you for opening your home and looking after us so well. The dogs – the superstars of The Silent Way! We will miss them after just one week. They are so happy to work and such fun to be with. Even in the wind, snow and dark you never feel alone as your “friends” surround you. Even collecting shit in -32C is no trouble for such very good companions. We are already planning for our next “longer expedition” with you all.
Henry, Sinbad, Manchester, Chili, Triumph, Diesel and great team of friends in the mountains.
Mike Greene, UK

It is difficult to add to the above. This trip was “surprise present” for me…and a big thank you must also go my wonderful husband who brought me here.
I have laughed and laughed all week. Words cannot describe the wonderful people, the warmth of hospitality and the stormy tranquility of the mountains.
Thank you Momo, Cayenne, Jet, Melon and Henke for pulling me so far and well.
Thank you Catrine for the “dogsking” and excellent food and Kenneth … a great leader… don’t ever forget Penguin Racing!
I will be back.
Karen Greene, UK

Cheva ………………………. The Queen
Snow……………………….. Lots and lots
Toilet ………………………. -32C
Reindeer …………………… Amazing big feet
Icefishing ………………….. Hot chocolate with brandy
Sun ………………………... Almost every day
Elk ………………………… Finally seen one
Catte …………………….… A good friend and great cook
Silent-way kebab……….…. The only real kebab
Frozen lake with water …... Very Wet
Penguin race ……………... With lots of wine
Dog yard ……………….… A lot of shit
Meat soup ………………... Breakfast for the doggies
Sessan ………………….... Very adorable!!
Long John ………………... My hero when in trouble
Girls in heat ……………… Crazy boys
Feeling cold …………….... Keep on kicking
Pumba …………………..... Still have a weak spot for him
Stig ……………………….. Diana
Ulf …………………. …… Great trackmaker
Salt/Ior …………………... Young and playful
Snö ………………………. Soft and friendly
Temperature …………….. Between 0 C and -32 C
Hay ……………….……… Happy dogs
Ammarnäs ……….………. Good for restday with stormy weather
Northern Light …….…….. On vacation (except last night)
Kenneth …………….…… Big boss, great guide
Ylle ……………………… Very warm
Overstjuktan lodge ……….. Nice place, trevlig
Umnäs Guesthouse ………... Feels like home
Lindoana, Holland

Sunshine Awakening I, 31 Jan – 6 February

Kenneth & Catrine, this trip was a birthday present for my 50th birthday, something I have always wanted to do. My birthday was the impetus I needed to actually get around doing it! A bit of Googling quickly came up on your website, and all the pictures, especially of the dogs, really made up my mind.
The trip lived up to and exceeded all our expectations… great food, great company, great scenery, (not so) great weather, but pride of place has to go to the real heroes, the dogs. Sinbad and Boris upfront guiding the rest. Tiger and Chili messing about like two teenagers, and last, but very nor least my two wheel dogs, Snö and Diesel who were the real power houses dragging me up slopes and around bends catching up the sled where the owners where of sled pushing.
Praise as well to Catrine for the wonderful food! I didn’t know elk and reindeer were such versatile ingredients!
So, thank you both and all the dogs for an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience.
Alun & Alison, Ireland

Not knowing really what I was in for, having never experienced dog sledging no serious minus temperature before, turned into one of the best holidays and experiences I ever had!
To try and capture everything in a few words is extremely hard, however the high lights include the spectacular views all through the mountains, that when you remember to look!
The quietness travelling along behind the dogs and feeling of being alone in the last space, and of course, the dogs, which without them I wouldn’t have made it.
Thank you for allowing me to share this special part of the world, your hospitality, kindness and encouragement when I needed it.
I hope our paths cross again one day.
Sandra – one of the Australians living in the UK.

A great trip with stunning scenery. It was fantastic to be close to the nature again and great fun to work with dogs that are all amazing friendly and good natured even after a hard day’s work.
Thank Kenneth for being a good guide and keeping everyone under control! I really loved the downhills through the trees! Thank you Catrine for all the great food! It was very, very nice!
Nick, UK

Thank you for your hospitality + such warm welcome to your home and land. Dogsledding in Sweden couldn’t be further from what I experienced in dry, dusty Australia, having now experienced it; the parallels are amazing (except the temperature). I’ve loved every minute of my trip – the scenery, the huts, the storms and of course, the dogs!
Thank you again, I hope our paths cross again. I had loved to stay longer to master the downhills!
Regards!
Samantha (Australia) live in UK

Sunshine Awakening II, 8-14 February

Well, were to start? This has certainly been some of the most rewording and exciting days of my life, it reminds me of how simple life still can be and I thank you for that. From the start, with all of the dogs howling to the -31 C it really has been a real adventure.
I would recommend The Silent Way to anybody, Kenneth and Catrine – you are a wonderful couple and thank you for the hospitality and knowledge of the area. The dogs are incredible and you should be proud of them. Thanks again and as they say in Zimbabwe – “we meet to part and part to meet” I sincerely hope to see you again!
All my love!
Rufus, London
PS. I loved the smell of dogshit in the morning!

Well, first thing to say is I can hardly write as my arms are ache so much! Its been an amazing adventure, from the “I cannot believe I’m doing this” for 5 days ago, to the drilling ice holes for water, to the pure exhilaration of so many long downhill’s, with the winter light twinkling through the snow-laden trees. It really was like venturing through winter land. The dogs are extraordinary – how can such real working dogs also be so utterly gentle! Hoppans, Phil, Salt, Triumph and Tiger: what a bunch of troopers.
Especially as I no doubt got heavier by the day with all the delicious food!
SO, thank you again for a really special five days and all the memories. Not least of which the fact I can now boast to all my friends that I have been to the 100 outside in the middle of the night at -30C. Who would have thought it!!
Much Love!
Erica, London

Wilderness offers so much. It can be a place to think, a time to reflect. But this time I can honestly say I had only one conscious thought in the whole time out. Gazing across a high plateau with crystal clear air sparkling around dedicate snow laden brunches, it just struck me – wow this is really me out here doing this amazing thing. A great feeling.
Kenneth, Catrine, Prosit, Gert, Diesel, Chili and Sessan – thank you all!
This second time just makes me sure – I’ll be back again!
Laura, England

Dear Kenneth & Catrine!
Thank you for a truly marvelous trip. Your hospitality has been wonderful. I would have liked to have had two store cash’s to take full advantage of the great food.
I didn’t have any expectations about the dogsledding, but it was a beautiful journey through the mountains, the silent way – well except to the crazy starts. It’s just great!
I didn’t want the trip to end on the last day. The ice fishing was great, despite the lack of arctic char for tea.
Thank you all, Kenneth, Catrine, Sofie, the dogs + Chefen; it was great fun to meet a iguana in Lapland!
Jo, England
Ps/ I share my heart with a Husky called Boris…

Beautiful places, beauty people, beautiful dogs,,, all make for a fantastic trip!
Thank you so much Kenneth & Catrine. If I try to describe all the wonderful things it will get far too long, so I’ll leave it at that.
Much love to you both and all the dogs.
Kate, England

Adventure with kids, 16 – 22 Feb

Dear Catrine, Kenneth, Eric and Richard
Thank you for a wonderful visit for me and my daughter. We have had such a good time with the dog sledding and other activities. Today was so thrilling and special and the dogs were so strong and steady.
Eric and Richard looked after so well.
With many thanks and best wishes!
Kathryn, England

To Kenneth and Catrine
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to come dogsledding and other activitets. To have the chance for me to drive 3 dogs was very exciting. I enjoyed being with the dogs, they are very well trained and sweet.
Thank you also for your cooking and hospitality, the food was very good. The area you showed us was beautiful with mountains and animal tracks.
I will miss you and Triumph, Smart, Boris and all the dogs.
Thanks again.
Vicki, 10 years old. England

Dear Kenneth and Catrine
It was really amazing to be here! We had a very nice time here. You are really nice people and you gave us a wonderful holiday. I’m really going to miss the dogs and the beautiful nature.
Thank you Kenneth, Catrine and of course Eric. Good bye Snö, Ullis, Itzak and Shrek.
We are going home and start the normal life again.
Maybe we will see you again, about a few years.
Good bye. Love to you and all the dogs.
Kaja 11 year, The Netherlands

Dear Kenneth and Catrine
I am really grateful that you gave us, me and my 11-year-old daughter the opportunity to taste a first bite of your wilderness adventures. Your tailor made week was unforgettable, your care was heartwarming and the things you shown us – nature and a way of living in it – were true lessons of life. More than special thanks are going to Eric. He become a close friend whose love for the nature proves how wise a 22 year old kiddo can be! He thought me - almost 50 years old! - A lot of respect for the environment and about the satisfaction that can be found in the small things daily life presents us. Never let this guy leave you!
Paolo, The Netherlands

Training and Competition, 22 Feb – 16March
This is the 7th time I have come to Sweden to enjoy The Silent Ways company in the mountains. This time I come to train and take part in the Finnmark 500 km dogsled race in Alta, Norway. A race described as the world’s most northerly dogsled race, up beyond the Arctic Circle. I trained with Kenneth, with the most powerful dogsled team I have ever driven and although I started the race I only covered the first 53 km to the first checkpoint. Three times in the dark I tried to leave the check point, but the first time my headlight failed, the second time Ullis and Momo. My lead dogs chewed through the harness and front anchor line and run off into the dark and on the third time my brake broke. I believed that there was a doorway on the other side of the checkpoint and I was not allowed to pass through. I decided to stay overnight at the checkpoint and enjoyed the hospitality of the Norwegian people who helped me, we talked about football and fishing into the late hours. It was a hard decision to pull out of the race especially after all the hard work Kenneth and Catte had put in to just get me there. Some people will say that I failed. Did I fail to realize the trust Kenneth put in me to use the dogs in the race, did I fail to enjoy the training with the dogs, did I fail to enjoy the atmosphere of taking part in one of the world’s most renowned dog sled races, did I fail to marvel at the scenery we passed through during the race? The answer to all these questions is definitely NO. If you make what you think is the correct decision at the time you can fail the race but still consider you have run a good race – this is what I believe I did. All the dogs in the team were safe, no injuries. What an adventure, 3 days to get to Alta, beautiful Northern Lights, great company (I will always be part of Team Umnäs) and a race thrown in.
The most important thing is that are part of “Team Umnäs” made it through the race!
Kenneth finished still with 7 out of his 8 dogs – WHAT AN ACHEIVEMENT!
I must thank Kenneth, Catte and Ulrika for looking after me so well, especially Catte who had to drive so long to pick me up after I scratched from the race. Their belief in me made the whole adventure possible. However thanks most go to Momo, Ullis, Boris, Pumba, Henke, Smart, Itzak and Melon the strongest team I have ever driven. I am sure they would have taken me the whole way round. Once again the only way I can describe what I experienced is BRILLIANT! I have learned so much more about dogsledding and also about myself, it’s strange what you learn in the mountains with just the dogsled team for company. This time I did not soar like an eagle, I just hopped on fluttered like a sparrow but I am proud of that anyway.
Best wishes for all your future ventures.
Phil Gretton, England

Northern Silence I, 18 – 25 March
Another wonderful trip except in Sunshine this year and with the wonderful Northern Lights.
Thanks again to Kenneth for such good guiding, to the dogs for the muscle power and to Catte for the great food! I am looking forward to coming again soon!
Louis Owens, Dublin Ireland

Great dogs
Great food
Great place
Great people
Great time
Thank you Ken
Thank you Cat
Ben, England

What a great experience. Everything seems to have been just right, the dogs, the weather, the scenery and the company.
Some unforgettable moments –
• Hanging on like grim death when leaving Dalovardo.
• The exhilaration of crossing the mountains.
• The friendliness of the dogs.
• And seeing a great display of the Northern Light at the Victoria Church – something I have always wanted to see.
I really don’t think it could have been better. Thanks for everything Catrine & Kenneth.
Dewi – Swansea

Kenneth, Catrine, Eric, Stig + Sofie
Thank you so much for a wonderful trip I will never forget – from snowmobiling, dogs, scenery, Northern Lights, picnics, icefishing. I’ve loved every minute of it.
Thank you for your hospitality, you made us feel so welcome. We were really looked after well. I will miss my team of dogs a lot, Snö, Melon, Crocker, Isa (my baby girl, Gert, Alou and Momo.
Thanks again for everything, It really was fantastic.
Caitlin – Swansea, Wales

Northern Silence II, 27 March – 4 April
Dear Catrine & Kenneth
Thank you a lot for this unique experience and particular your warm hospitality.
To discover Lapland’s scenery was amazing, especially with Kenneth’s guidance and with seven fantastic dogs: Smart, Salt, Peppar, Pumba, Boris, Snö and Melon.
Take good care of you and the dogs.
Hope to see you again soon.
Peter Lay, Switzerland

Daytrip
Stort tack till The Silent Way!
Alla på företaget Vardag har haft en underbar dag I Umnäs. Ni och hundarna gjorde ett oerhört bra jobb. Ser fram emot att komma tillbaka igen för nya äventyr.
Anna, Lisa, Mariann, Nanny-Maja, Johan, Micke, Peter och Robert

Sound of Silence, 13-19 April

A magical landscape of mountains, forests and lakes. Good food, good company and wonderful dogs.
Many thanks!
Mary Wyatt, United Kingdom

What an experience! This has been really special! It’s not only about the beautiful nature
And dog sledging, it is the “Silent Way” philosophy that makes it so different!
Being out there as a team, supporting each other, succeeds in a difficult situation together is really an experience. Last but not least: Great hospitality, Catrine for the great food. We really enjoyed the beautiful weather and the Grappa-evenings.
All best to you! Take care!
1000 hugs for my dogs!
Daniela and Michael, Switzerland

Past Seasons' Testimonials

Home
Prices & Bookings