Rino, the dogs and a life shaped by winter
Long before Rino became a musher, his father John travelled from Australia to Norway. Here he discovered something far removed from the Australian outback: deep snow, long winters, Norwegian people and the small forest community of Lian on the outskirts of Trondheim. He fell in love with this way of life and built his days around the woods and his dogs.
Rino grew up inside that life. Caring for the dogs was not an attraction or a weekend hobby; it was part of the everyday rhythm of the family. He learned to feed them, read their personalities, prepare the team and handle the sled by working alongside his father. The forest became his backyard, and mushing became a language passed from father to son.
John is now retiring as a musher. At 24, Rino is taking the dog team forward and creating a new way of life for himself. Rather than turning the experience into a long commercial trail ride, he opens a small part of his everyday world to visitors from near and far. His version of outback living belongs here at the edge of Bymarka: independent, weather-shaped, close to the animals and grounded in the simple pleasure of being outdoors.
Two guests at a time try the sledding with Rino and the dog team. While they are out, the rest of the group explores on snowshoes, builds snowmen and snow lanterns, plays in the snow or warms up in the cosy lavvo. Then you rotate, so everyone gets their moment with the dogs and time to become part of the little forest community for a day.
This is Rino's everyday life — and you are invited into it.
Snowfall, cold air and changing light are not interruptions; they create the day. We dress well, light the fire and enjoy the forest as Norwegians have done for generations. The activity adapts to the snow and weather, always with the wellbeing of guests and dogs first.
Spend time with 24-year-old Rino as he carries John's mushing heritage into a life of his own.
Learn the dogs' personalities and see the trust built through years of everyday care.
Try sledding in pairs while the rest of the group enjoys snowshoes, snowmen and snow lanterns.
Warm up by the fire and experience the unhurried community at the heart of Norwegian outdoor life.
