News

Skimate news: updates from the camp, the lives of our dogs, expeditions across Swedish Lapland.

An evening by the fire

Published on 2 August 2026

Park or chain: what we learned comparing our practices with other mushers

Allemansrätten Explained to a French Person in Laponia

Published on 1 July 2026

A word that changes everything

Traveling in Lapland in summer — when coolness becomes a trend

Published on 1 July 2026

The preamble

Traveling to Sweden with your dog: documents, passport and transport

Published on 28 June 2026

This is the step that worries most people before a BYOD stay — and it's actually the simplest to sort out, provided you start early. Here's what you need to know for a dog coming…

Essential equipment for dog-sledding sports

Published on 28 June 2026

Dog-sledding sports have a real advantage: you can start with minimal gear. But what little you need must be right, because it ensures your safety and your dog's comfort. Here are…

When to visit Swedish Lapland? The seasons at Älvsbyn

Published on 28 June 2026

« What's the best time? » The real answer is: it depends on what you're looking for — and on your dog. Swedish Lapland doesn't have one season, it has four, profoundly different.…

Midnight sun: a week without night with your dog

Published on 28 June 2026

There is something you only truly understand by living it: below the 65th parallel, around the solstice, night does not fall. The sun descends toward the horizon, grazes it, then…

Coming to Laponia with your own dog: the BYOD concept explained

Published on 28 June 2026

Most dog-sledding trips put you behind someone else's dogs. You hold the bar for an hour, you're thanked, you leave. It's a nice interlude — but it's another person's pack, and…

The Nordic sauna after effort: recovering as in Lapland

Published on 28 June 2026

There is a moment, in a Laponian winter day, when the body calls out to warm itself from within. The trail is behind you, the cold still in your bones, and the small wooden cabin…

Observing Lapland's wildlife with your dog, without disturbing it

Published on 28 June 2026

Lapland is not an empty backdrop: it is a territory inhabited by living beings. Reindeer at the forest edge, moose emerging from a thicket, capercaillie, fresh tracks in the snow…

Preparing your dog for a week of activities in Lapland

Published on 28 June 2026

A week of ski-joëring, cani-hiking or canoeing is a significant volume of effort for a dog — especially one who spends the year on the couch between walks. Good news: a few weeks…

Which dog for dog sports? (far beyond the husky)

Published on 28 June 2026

It's the question that comes up most often: "my dog isn't a husky, can he do ski-joëring or canicross?" The short answer: very likely yes. Dog sports are far more open than people…

Canoeing with your dog: another face of Lapland in summer

Published on 28 June 2026

Lapland is associated with snow. But in summer, when the lakes break free and the day never really sets, Norrbotten becomes a country of water. And a canoe, for a curious dog, is…

Canicross hiking: walking connected to your dog in the wilderness

Published on 28 June 2026

Between a simple leashed walk and canicross racing, there is a practice that brings everyone together: canicross hiking. You walk, the dog helps you move forward, and the effort…

Choosing and fitting your dog's pulling harness correctly

Published on 28 June 2026

If you had to do just one thing right in dog sports, it would be this. A well-chosen harness lets your dog give full power without constraint; a poorly fitted harness rubs,…

Kungsleden - June 2026

Published on 19 June 2026

A short walk on the Kungsleden in June 2026. The 37 km walk took place over 2 days starting from Nikkaluokta in the direction of Kebnekaise.

Kristell's recipes!

Published on 14 June 2026

Skimate is becoming a multinational and venturing into cooking! Kristell was looking for a way to preserve her cooking recipes - here it is! A small smart application for cooking…

The Genesis (3)

Published on 7 June 2026

Final video in the "Genesis" series — a few snapshots from our walk in Jotunheimen park. Jotunheimen National Park is a Norwegian nature reserve established in 1980, located in…

The genesis (2)

Published on 5 June 2026

We spent a few days around Hodalen in Norway. A beautiful region where a famous dog-sledding race takes place. The Femundlopet, in which many French mushers participate.…

Ski-joering in Swedish Lapland — The Skimate Guide

Published on 1 June 2026

By Kristell · Skimate · June 2026*

Canicross hiking in Swedish Lapland — The Skimate guide

Published on 31 May 2026

There is something we try to pass on to every guest who leaves here: what we do in canicross hiking is less an activity than a way of being together. With your dog, with the…

The Genesis

Published on 31 May 2026

The genesis of the SKIMATE project is told in the "History" page (https://www.skimate.eu/en/histoire).

January, from above.

Published on 31 May 2026

We take off, we fly over, we come back. 3 minutes to see where we live, at 65°N in Swedish Lapland.

Beautiful Ophir

Published on 31 May 2026

We told you about Ophir a few weeks ago, the lovely Alaskan husky that Gilles completely fell for two years ago. Well, the news came through on Friday — Ophir is expecting…

We're looking forward to the new winter season!

Published on 30 May 2026

Winter. A time of stillness in our landscape here. Calm and fullness. Our base camp, on the lakeshore, is the starting point for endless walks. The frozen lake offers real…

The Sauna

Published on 28 May 2026

Our Sauna or "Bastu" in Swedish has just been improved! We can now heat water in the tank located above the hearth so you can wash after a good regenerative sweat :-). Be careful,…

The toilets are ready!

Published on 25 May 2026

As you may have noticed, at SKIMATE, we have chosen a simple but warm welcome. As spring comes to an end, we continue with installations, improvements, and finishing touches at…

A new member of the crew

Published on 21 May 2026

Officially, at Skimate, we have five dogs and two humans. Since Tuesday evening, we also have a canoe. Red.

May by the lake — the in-between season

Published on 18 May 2026

Just weeks ago, the lake was locked in ice. And then everything happened fast, like it always does here. One night the wind turned, the next morning we heard the first cracks, and…

A new platform for our kennels

Published on 8 May 2026

Our furry friends' kennels will soon be installed on a brand new wooden platform. No more moisture and mud!

Opening, opening, opening!

Published on 2 May 2026

After months of reflection, of hesitation — here we are. Skimate.eu is live! It started in 2020. Our story tells you the genesis of the project!

January 2026 - An ordinary Sunday in Swedish Lapland

Published on 1 May 2026

Happiness. Time forgotten. Small dogs exploring their world.

January 2026 - just another Saturday in Swedish Lapland.

Published on 1 May 2026

A sled ride with our slow dogs... the little ones running free and a beautiful moment. The stopwatch is not invited.

The sky is unleashed ...

Published on 1 May 2026

A few photos of the sky that delights us with its colours

A surprise in the making

Published on 27 April 2026

We had been thinking for some time about growing our pack by adopting adolescent dogs. But Summa's sudden death changed everything. We all need time to accept her departure. So we…

Il a neigé. Le 25 Avril. Cool!

Published on 26 April 2026

Le printemps s'installe. Mais pas trop vite!