Cross-country ski or dog-sledding?

[PregnantAndEngaged]

(Ignore username, I'm not pregnant currently)

For partners 30th birthday I've booked a holiday to Oslo, Norway (this will be in January, arrive on 24th at 3pm, leave on 28th at midday, so we have 3 full days ). Booked in order to combine easy access to winter sports with great culture.

One of the days there, I really love the idea of sledding/going down the toboggan run, think my partner would love the thrill of that, about £20 altogether for hire of sleds and we can go down the run for free as many times as we like.

Another day I thought we could spend the day exploring the city, taking in some culture (lovely museums, and a beautiful sculpture park - free entry to most of these) and they have a couple of lovely ice skating rinks. Less than £20 for ice skate hire for both of us for the day, free entry to the rink.

On another day (perhaps his actual birthday), there's 2 options. Note: my partner has been skiing twice, I've never been. But on one of the other days I thought we could either:

(a) Go skiing and maybe get a private cross-country ski lesson. There's beautiful ski areas within 30 minutes of central Oslo accessibly by public transport. I think my partner did alpine skiing before, so it will be something new for both of us. Cost will be about £180 for the lesson for both of us. I'm sure there will be extra costs for things like equipment hire etc though.

(b) Go husky dog sledding. There's a tour from a guide called Beito (fab reviews on tripadvisor), and they organise on a day trip via train from Oslo to Beitostolen, and you get to handle the dogs/get them ready for sledding, we'll have 3 hours driving the sled in the wilderness, and will also have a traditional dinner in the wilderness included. The journey is 3 hours each way from Oslo though but apparently beautiful views along the way. But the catch is this costs £440 for both of us.

Thoughts/Opinions?

N.B. When I first suggested going away for his birthday as an idea, he said he'd love to go skiing again and would love to take me skiing.

Having done both on a holiday in Lapland I would go for the dog sledding. It is exhilarating and you will get fewer opportunities to do this than skiing which can be done in many European destinations in winter.

The dogs love it and love to be petted afterwards.

I see that cost might be the decider, but if it wasn't dog sledding is the winner for me by a long way.

I really fancy a holiday to Lapland but is it not dark for most of the day?

Cross country skiing is very different to alpine skiing. If he likes alpine skiing, there is a big risk that he would find cross country disappointing in comparison. So I would keep skiing completely out of this holiday and go proper skiing with him another time.

Dog sledding is fun, but I am not sure it is worth the 6 hour round trip -
and the money - on such a short holiday. May be consider a plan c in/near Oslo - eg are there any open air hot tubs in the snow?

Be prepared for very cold weather - wondering around in a leisurely manner and looking at sculptures etc in a park may only be fun for a short period of time. The museums are indeed very good btw.

I'm in Canada. For memorable experiences in a few short hours I'd choose dog sledding over xc skiing every time.

heron it depends when you go. We went during February half term, and enjoyed 8 hours of daylight. It was bright and sunny, and very dazzling. I'm glad I took my sun specs.

I would agree that Oslo in january will be cold and public spaces like the sculpture parks and harbour may not be much fun. Museums are fab. Im a winter sport junkie so would bypass oslo and head up to a mountain plateau for the whole time. Most of the resorts offer a wealth of activities such as nordic ski, snowshoe, horse rides, dog sled. I dont rate beitostolen as much as places like Sjusjoen, Venabu, Ringebu etc. Alpine skiing is possible near Lilllehammer i think, but as a beginner you would probably need a different level of tuition. Nordic skiing is exciting and you get to explore the environment, it can be disappointing if a skiier expects chairlifts and wont put the effort in to ski uphill!

Thanks for your messages all. I already booked the flights and hotel for Oslo, so I can't really stay anywhere else but as long as we can travel by train/public transport to different resorts that's cool. On the basis of that, is there anything you'd recommend Rosie (or anyone else)?