Dog team driver Peter runs Peakpoints in Stöten

There are people who find their calling in life - and then there are people who create it themselves. One of them is Mr Peter Karlsson, dog musher, entrepreneur and founder of Peakpoints Adventures. Since the late 90s, he has allowed guests in the Sälen mountains to experience something very special: the feeling of rushing across white plains, pulled by a pack of happy and eager huskies.

But the road here started much earlier - and much further north. As a young student in northern Norrland, Peter got his first husky and his interest grew rapidly. One dog quickly became several and soon there was a whole team on the farm. And in 1990 he founded Peakpoints Adventure, which then became Sweden's second dog sledding tourism company.

- In the beginning, a dog sled ride cost ten kronor and we made enough money for a couple of beers in the evening. But when we later raised the price, strangely enough, demand also increased and we got more and more guests. That's when I realised that this could actually be something," says Peter with a smile.

Fast-paced dog sled rides in Stöten

Today Peter has around 50 dogs and Peakpoints is based in Tandådalen but he also organises dog sledding tours in Stöten during the high season. The tours in Stöten last about 15-20 minutes and you get to experience the feeling of whizzing across white-clad landscapes and seeing the eager dogs up close doing what they love most. If you get a taste for more (which you definitely will!) Peakpoints offers longer tours starting from Tandådalen.

- After the ride, guests are always welcome to greet the dogs, take photos and ask questions. "Many people are curious about how it works and how the dogs are doing. And that's something I think it's important to talk about," explains Peter.

The dogs live outdoors all year round in large enclosures and thrive in the cold. They are gently trained, given a varied diet and a long rest after each season. Many people express concern for the dogs and think they are unhappy, but this could not be further from the truth. Peter says that several of the dogs are now over 13 years old - and they still pull with the same joy as when they were young.

- They live to such a ripe old age because they are healthy and live a healthy life. That's the best acknowledgement you can get as a dog owner," says Peter proudly.

The highlight of your stay in the mountains

Peakpoints welcomes hundreds of guests from all over the world each season, and Peter says it's not uncommon for the experience to be one of the highlights of the trip.

- Many even say it's the best thing they've ever done in their lives. It's feedback like that that makes me really love my job and happily stand outside in up to 20 degrees below zero sometimes," Peter laughs.

“There is nothing better”

With the winter season over and the snow cover over the Sälen area thawed, Peter and the dogs are taking a long and well-deserved rest. But as soon as winter comes back, they're here again with joy and fervour - and it's clear that Peter is longing when he dreamily says:

- There's something special when everything falls silent and all you hear is the dogs' breathing and the sleigh's sleigh against the snow. There is nothing better!