Othilie Rodahl

Svalbard, Husky guide, Basecamp Trapper's Station, Svalbard guide

Born in 2000, Othilie grew up on a small farm tucked away in the forests along the Helgeland coast, surrounded by dogs, cats, sheep, and chickens. Her love for the outdoors blossomed there, leading her to carve a unique path for herself.

“After what felt like three ages of studying in high school, I was fed up with theory and decided to skip the ‘smart’ education path and just have fun instead,” Othilie laughs. “That’s why I joined the bachelor’s program in Arctic Outdoor Life and Nature Guiding at UiT, the Arctic University of Norway.”

Her studies took her to Alta and later to Longyearbyen, where she found her way to Basecamp’s dog farm in Bolterdalen. With two years of experience on Svalbard—spread across two periods—Othilie knows the Arctic life inside and out.

“It wasn’t obvious I would move back. The nature here scared me at first—it felt so big, so unforgiving. But over time, it began to feel cooperative, playful, and even inviting. Now, working outdoors every day with the world’s softest and sweetest four-legged colleagues, I know I’m in the right place. And who would’ve thought that what seemed fun at first would turn out to be pretty smart, too?”

When she’s not guiding guests through Svalbard’s majestic wilderness with her beloved huskies, Othilie enjoys knitting creative garments, often turning them into sustainable workwear. She’s also a known regular at her favorite restaurants, Nuga (for sushi) and Tio Monchos (for Mexican).

Her advice for both locals and visitors?
“Dog sledding with us is a must! We’ve got Svalbard’s finest and sweetest dogs, if I may say so myself,” she grins.