INUVIK - Judi Falsnes says winter tourism in Inuvik could be increased with promotion of winter activities.

"There is so much to do in the region during the winter months," said Falsnes.

"People in the south don't seem to know about our best season."

Judi Falsnes and her team of white Coppermine huskies have been providing dog sledding tours for the last 17 years. She operates the business with her husband Olav. Falsnes is concerned about the lack of winter tourism and thinks dog sledding is an attraction that needs to be experienced. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Falsnes has operated Arctic Chalet with her husband Olav for the last 17 years. The couple came to Inuvik 21 years ago.

"Our dog sledding started as a pastime," said Falsnes.

"When we bought our house, a dog sled was outside."

Olav fixed the sled so Judi could exercise their five dogs, which made their team at the time.

"The first year was a lot of work, making trails and getting the operation ready," said Falsnes.

At first, business was slow, but people in town took notice.

The couple already operated a bed and breakfast operation on their property on Carn Road when they began their dog sledding tours.

"We have been developing the business every year by making new trails or getting new dogs," said Falsnes.

"I could not have done any of it alone. My husband and I work closely together."

Olav takes care of the trail maintenance and kennels while Judi handles the customers, tour arrangements and the dogs.

Each sledding package is tailor-made for the customer, depending on what the person wants and how long the ride will be.

"We have one family coming up soon, they want to run dogs every day, so we have planned a good schedule for them," said Falsnes.

When they get tourists in during the winter months, they offer a few rental vehicles as well, for traveling on the ice road.

"We aren't just about dog sledding, there are many things people can do in the North through us," said Falsnes.

She said April is the best month of the year for activity in the region and wishes that more people would come up to see the community during this peak time.

"April is the prettiest month of the year here," said Falsnes.

"There just isn't enough winter tourism coming here."

The possibilities of driving to other communities via the ice road, dog sledding and snowmobiling could attract more people if they knew about the activities, said Falsnes.

She said the problem may lie with people who are south of the Dempster highway in Dawson City who may be deterring tourists from making the trip.

"A German couple was staying with us last week, they told us someone told them not to bother coming up, that nothing was going on and it was always dark," said Falsnes.

"We need to advertise and get the word to people in the south about the various activities in town."