Come and experience a unique adventure from the inside, as close as possible to the dogs and their world, in the heart of Norway, supervised by a great champion and his alaskans.
Stéphanie Prades & Jean Philippe Pontier - Hodalsveien 1155 - N-2540 TOLGA
★ Easy
★★ Fairly easy
★★★ Medium
★★★★ Difficult
★★★★★ Very difficult
BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL:
Opportunity to take part in an autumn training week at an exceptional rate in order to prepare yourself as well as possible (see “option” below). Full race regulations to be read beforehand.
COMING ON SUNDAY:
(Possibility of bringing forward your departure by a few days at no extra charge if you can, to allow for more thorough preparation)
Getting to know the area, the hosts, the dogs and the equipment. Preparation of dog rations for the duration of the race, preparation of compulsory equipment, checking of all equipment and clothing, first training outing.
JOURS 2 TO 4:
Dog training, perfecting driving techniques, full points on the care to be taken and the routines to know for the checks points. Point on the race equipment and its use, use and reading of GPS and maps, study of the detailed race route, coaching and advice, relationship with the dogs, truck preparations, sled preparations, skates, sliding, point on wearing parts and sled repair kit in case of need, point on first aid and important rules to follow in the mountains in winter.
DAY 5:
Transfer to the race venue, installation of the dogs and final preparations.
DAY 6 :
`Start of the race in pairs with Jean Philippe, you drive your own team and follow the advice of your coach, always keeping the dogs and their well-being at the centre of your concerns.
JOURS 7 TO 9:
How the race is run: you are responsible for your own carriage and Jean Philippe supervises and assists you with the route, the strategy, the tasks to be carried out and the timing to be followed. Most importantly, always listen to your dogs and trust them as they trust you.
DAY 10:
Arrive and care for the dogs, pack up your gear and travel home.
OPTION:
Autumn training. You can take advantage of a week’s autumn training in September-October-November at an exceptional price to get to know our dogs and our working methods and start planning for the adventure ahead. Exclusive offer reserved for customers of the “racer” programme. Dates subject to availability. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to prepare yourself as well as possible for the challenge that the race represents.
PRICE INCLUDES
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Anything not mentioned in the “Price includes” section.
Would you like to come and meet Jean Philippe Pontier and his team of sled dogs? Members of the French long-distance team, they are 4-time winners of the Mush Synfjell, the Gausdal Marathon 200 in Norway. They also hold other prestigious titles: Gruvelopet (2018) Amundsen Race (2017) in Sweden. European vice-champions in mid-distance in 2016 and 2014 champions of the Grande Odyssée, already ranked in the Norwegian TOP 10 of long-distance mushers, they are continuing their progress to reach the European top in the discipline.
Are you passionate about discovering a new sport? Do you love dogs and want to experience an authentic long-distance sled dog race for yourself? Supervised by Jean Philippe, who will accompany you all the way, come and take up the challenge and discover the Far North in a different light!
Jean Philippe Pontier (50), from the Tarn department, trained as a mechanic. At the age of 22, he signed up as a handler in the Nièvre region with François Gécelle, who was preparing the Moscova, before leaving for Alaska to train with Tony Andreone. He returned to France with 5 Alaskan Huskies and began competing in sprint competitions before moving on to long-distance. He moved to Hodalen in Norway in 2009. Member of the French dog sled team, Grande Odyssée (LGO) finisher from 2006 to 2016, winner in 2014. Femundløpet 600 finisher in 2010 and 2012. Finnmarksløpet 1000 finisher in 2013 and 2015. Author of a double Mush Synfjell/Gausdal Marathon in Norway in 2017 and 2018.
2023 : Mush Synfjell/4th, Femundlopet 650
2022: Villroa Race (200 kms) / 1st
2020: Mush Synfjell/1st, Gruvelopet 1st, Femundlopet 200/ 1st
2019 : Mush Synfjell/1st, Gruvelopet/2nd
2018: Mush Synfjell/1st, Gausdal Marathon 200/1st, Gruvelopet/1st
2017: Mush Synfjell/1st, Gausdal Marathon 200/1st, Amundsen Race/1st
2016: LGO/3rd- Mush Synfjell/5th- IFSS European Half-distance Championships Savalen/2nd
2015: Vildmarkracet/2nd – Mush Synfjell/4th – Finnmarkslopet 1000/12th
2014: Champion Grande Odyssée/1st
2013: LGO/3rd – Finnmarkslopet 1000Km/20th – Winner Artic Alp Cup Trophy (LGO+Finnmark)
2012: LGO/3rd-Femundlopet 600/15th-Polarhundlopet 100Km/1st (Grimsbu/Norway)
2011: LGO/3rd – Femundlopet 400 /Long Distance World Championships /21st
2010: LGO/6th – Femundlopet 600/21st – Amundsen race/4th
LGO 2009 (6th) – LGO 2008 (8th) – LGO 2006 (8th), Trophée Haute Maurienne 2007 (2nd). French Champion 2004 mid-distance (12 dogs).
Sponsors: ROYAL CANIN – CANELANA – DERMOSCENT – ANTIPODE – TOLGA OS Sparebank
The team is made up of “Alaskan huskies” from different bloodlines (Alaska, Germany, Norway). 20 dogs are selected during training to take part in the various races, from the team made up of: Pushkin, TiBjorn, George, Rasputin, Mambor, Loomis, Zippo, Elvis, Montaine, Eugline, Lindy, Koks, Lucie, Guro, Kamel, Miles, Brando, Pingu, Samantha, Wasila, Tory, Eddy, Galena, Miguel
“THE ALASKAN HUSKY OR SIMPLY THE ALASKAN DESIGNATES A TYPE OF DOG WHICH IS NOT DEFINED BY ITS ASCENDANCE OR BY A STANDARD, BUT BY ITS FUNCTION, WHICH IS TO BE AN EFFICIENT DRIVING DOG IN NORDIC ENVIRONMENTS. THE ALASKAN HUSKY IS THE MOST FREQUENT DOG IN DRIVING DOG COMPETITIONS WORLDWIDE. NO DOG OF BREED RIVALIZES WITH THESE DOGS IN ENDURANCE AND SPEED AND THEY CAN ENDURE EXTREME COLD CONDITIONS.” (WIKIPEDIA)
Our dogs are our pride and joy. Whether they were born at home or have joined the group, each one occupies a special place, each with its own character and qualities. In the kennels and in the carriage, we share our daily lives and form a real family. It is they who have inspired our journey and who inspire all the team’s new projects.
All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.
In the event of an established risk or unfavourable weather conditions, we give ourselves the power to take various actions, such as increasing the number of guides on accompanied tours, adjusting the itineraries of our tours, or even temporarily suspending a tour or holiday if we consider that the degree of risk is unacceptable.
Our primary commitment remains your safety and complete satisfaction.
Les clients qui ont apprécié ce séjour : Aventure Racer.
Superbe séjour merci à vous tous ! Pressé de revenir !
Jeremy Monini2024-07-04An unforgettable stay for flyfishing. The welcome of the owners is warm and helpful. The comfort of the traditional lodge is highly sufficient for June long days of fishing.
Steph Warfou2024-07-04Jean Philippe n economise pas son temps pour faire découvrir ses coins de pêche dans une nature magnifique. Stéphanie prépare chaque soir un dîner gastronomique. Une semaine de pure détente. Merci pour la gentillesse de votre accueil sans oublier Sophie
Jean-Luc RETTEL2024-06-30Séjour magnifique chez Jean-Philippe, Stéphanie... et Sophie ! Un lieu magique avec les lacs gelés, un accueil super chaleureux et des activités magiques (chiens de traineaux, ice fishing, rando, barbecues etc...). Nous avons profité à fond en famille. Plus que des vacances : une experiencz dont on se rappellera longtemps ! Merci encore pour l'accueil. Florian
Florian Lagleize2024-05-05Great old-time cottage farm house located in a mountainous region. Outstanding views are an obvious consequence, but the main reason we rented the house was for its cozy old-timey atmosphere. There's no running water or gas inside the house, the toilet and shower is outside the house (there is running water there), and the heating is done via an electric stove, so if you're looking for a place to shut off from the world, this is it. It feels very beginning of the 20th century inside, and aside from a few modern touches here and there, you'll feel yourself at your grandma's farm house. Stefanie is an awesome host, we loved the breakfast (it was maybe a bit too stuffy, but that's 100% on us 😄) and the overall experience will definitely leave a lasting memory. Hope to visit again! Ar mīlestību, Antons un Anastasija no Latvijas!
Antons Kijaņica2024-04-22A very cozy place that took me back to my childhood visits to my grandmother's farm. Beautiful location, incredibly delicious breakfast, and a fantastic atmosphere.
An Ki2024-04-22Une expérience hors du commun aux côtés de Jean-Philippe et Stéphanie pour ces premiers jours de 2024, une impression de bout du monde dans la chaleur de leur maison et de leur accueil. Une expérience privilégiée de découverte de traineau à chiens. Merci à vous
Mélanie Barreau2024-01-18Merveilleuse athmosphere dans un paysage sauvage et paisible. Réception admirable de passion par Stéphanie, Jean-Philippe et leur petite Sophie. On reviendra une 4eme fois !
Michel Renoir2021-09-20
Fair
Fahad2024-06-29Very Good
Jostein2024-06-23Exceptional
Anastasija2024-04-27Very Good
Oleg2024-04-22Koselig plass. Kansje litt mye hundeglam om natten. ☺Ingen frokost,varslet på forhånd. ☹Enklere tilgang til toalett.
Bjørn2024-04-19Wonderful
Marianne2024-03-29Exceptional
Jeremy2024-03-12☺Очень красивое историческое месть. Старая ферма, которой почти 200 лет. ☹Единственный минус надо было выходить из дома, чтобы попасть в тёплый туалет и душ
Dana2024-02-26Exceptional
Arve2023-04-01The perfect hideaway, in serene beautiful nature with a homemade breakfast to die for ☺ I had been on a long roadtrip already, including several workshops (I am a photographer), and was just dog tired and wanted to rest for one night, and then driving from Røros I found this place close to the border, less than one hour away. It is beautifully situated, in serene nature, and although close to Røros, it is the perfect hideaway. Run by a French couple that have found their piece of paradise, running a husky farm among other things. It is an old farm, with hundreds of years of history in its walls, and huge comfortable beds, tough to wake up from. I am not a breakfast person, but Stephanié made the best brunch I have had in a very long time, with fresh home made sourdough bread, wonderful French omelette, cheese, cured meats, lingonberries +++, and all just for me! That meal alone was worth it, so my only complaint is that I couldn't stay longer.
Tord2023-03-13
