About this tour
When Sarah from our team tried this Arctic Farm experience in Norway's Mathisdalen valley, we found a genuinely low-key way to spend a morning on horseback through snowy peaks. You're pulled by Norwegian farm horses (yes, the Frozen breed), then warmed up in a traditional Sami lavvo tent with local cured meats and homemade cinnamon rolls. It's a family-run operation that keeps groups small — just 14 max — so there's none of that cattle-herd feeling. Two and a half hours total, and it hits different when you're surrounded by silence and snow.
Highlights
- Horse-drawn sleigh through Mathisdalen valley with proper Norwegian farm horses
- Sami lavvo tent experience with cured meats and locally baked cinnamon rolls
- Small groups only — fourteen people maximum keeps it intimate
- Year-round grazing sheep; mountain reindeer in summer add real context
- Local spring water and genuine family-farm hospitality, not theme-park theatre
- Snow and silence in the valley — proper Arctic quiet
- Pram-friendly for little ones, horses calm and predictable
What to expect
You'll start with a briefing at Omdal farm, then climb into the sleigh for a steady ride through the snowy valley floor. The horses are genuinely placid — no drama, no rushing. Sarah found the quiet almost unsettling at first; you hear snow under the runners and wind in the peaks. After about an hour of riding, you'll dismount and head into the lavvo tent, which is properly warm with a central fire. The snacks are the standout: proper cured meats (salami, dried fish, ham), fresh cinnamon rolls still warm, and cold spring water that tastes exactly like melted snow tastes. The whole setup reads as a multigenerational family business, not a polished tour operator playing dress-up. Pacing is relaxed — no rush through the schedule.
The landscape is genuinely austere: white mountains, sparse trees, zero crowds. If you're expecting exotic reindeer herds or theatrical Sami performance, reset that — this is about being on a farm where Sami culture is lived, not performed. The whole thing feels more like visiting a mate's family than joining a tour group.
Good to know
Brilliant for families with young kids — horses are calm, the stroller option means infants don't slow you down, and the sleigh ride is gentle enough for anyone. The cinnamon rolls and cured meats are genuinely good (not tourist-grade filler). Small groups mean you actually talk to the family running it, and you'll get honest local context about how the sheep and reindeer live year-round. Two and a half hours is a smart length — enough to feel like an experience without eating your whole day.
You're outdoors in Arctic winter, so if you don't like cold or can't sit in a sleigh for an hour, this won't work. The lavvo tent is heated but basic. Weather can shift fast; tour might reschedule if conditions are unsafe. No wheelchair access on the sleigh itself. Peak season is winter (December–March); quieter in shoulder months but still doable.
Dress in proper winter layers — no cotton. Private transport is included, so no hassle getting there. Group cap at 14 means booking ahead, especially high season. Infants sit on laps in the sleigh. Service animals welcome. No hidden costs mentioned.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.