The Ultimate Guide to Husky Safaris in Lapland:
Everything You Need to Know
The landscape adds to the magic. Picture yourself riding through pristine wilderness - ancient forests weighted with snow, frozen lakes stretching endlessly, and if you're lucky, the Northern Lights dancing overhead as the sun sets early in the Arctic afternoon.
Best Time for Husky Safaris in Lapland
December through January brings the darkest days, with only a few hours of twilight. This creates atmospheric conditions perfect for Northern Lights viewing, and many tours combine husky sledding with aurora hunting. The snow is deep and pristine, though temperatures can drop to minus 20-30 degrees Celsius.
February and March offer more daylight while maintaining excellent snow conditions. Temperatures moderate slightly, making these months ideal if you're less comfortable with extreme cold. The longer days also mean better visibility of the stunning landscapes you'll travel through.
April marks the end of the season. You'll enjoy genuine spring weather with temperatures often above minus 10, and the increasing daylight reveals the full beauty of the Lapland wilderness. However, late April can see melting snow, so check conditions before booking.
Where to Experience Husky Safaris in Lapland?
Getting there
Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, sits right on the Arctic Circle and offers the most tour options and easiest accessibility. Flying directly into Rovaniemi Airport puts you within 15-30 minutes of most husky farms. The area features rolling forests and frozen rivers, with kennels ranging from intimate family operations to larger establishments. Rovaniemi works perfectly if you're combining your husky experience with visits to Santa Claus Village or staying just a few days.
Levi in Finnish Lapland's fell region provides a different landscape. The tours here wind through fell terrain with more open vistas, offering dramatic scenery as you mush past snow-covered hills. Levi itself is a well-developed ski resort, so you'll find excellent accommodation options and the chance to combine husky sledding with other winter sports.
Saariselkä sits further north, deep in wilderness territory near Urho Kekkonen National Park. The remoteness here is the draw - tours venture into truly untouched Arctic landscape with minimal signs of civilization. If you're seeking the most authentic wilderness experience and don't mind the extra travel time to reach this northern destination, Saariselkä delivers.
Luosto and Pyhä offer smaller, more intimate husky farm experiences. These quieter destinations see fewer tourists, which often means more personalized attention from the mushers and deeper insights into life with sled dogs.
Types of Husky Safari Experiences
Husky tours in Lapland range from short introductory rides to multi-day expeditions. Understanding the options helps you choose what fits your time, budget, and adventure level.
Short safaris (1-4 hours) work perfectly as an introduction to dog sledding. You'll meet the dogs, learn basic commands, and typically drive your own sled for 5-10 kilometers through nearby forests. These tours usually include hot drinks and sometimes a visit to the kennel to meet puppies and learn about the dogs' care. Prices starting from 116 euros per person.
Full-day adventures (5-8 hours) are for those who want to truly experience Arctic wilderness. You'll cover significant distance, often 20-30 kilometers, with breaks for lunch cooked over an open fire. Some tours include opportunities to try other winter activities like ice fishing or snowshoeing. These comprehensive experiences cost around 200-300 euros per person but deliver memories that last a lifetime.
Overnight and multi-day expeditions exist for serious adventure seekers. You'll sleep in wilderness cabins or traditional Lappish huts, care for your dog team throughout the journey, and experience the profound silence of the Arctic night. These intensive experiences range from 400 euros for overnight trips to over 1000 euros for multi-day wilderness expeditions.
Typical Husky Safari Prices in Lapland (per adult)
(Prices are approximate and vary by location, operator, and season.)
Short husky safari (1–4 hours): from €110–€150
Half-day husky safari: from €150–€250
Full-day husky safari: from €200–€300
Overnight husky safari: from €400+
Northern Lights husky safari: from €200+
Browse Husky Safaris and check prices here.
Prices usually include guiding, winter clothing, and a short break with hot drinks. Always check current details with the operator.
What to Expect During Your Husky Safari
Understanding what actually happens during a husky safari helps you prepare mentally and practically for the experience.
Most tours begin at the kennel where you'll meet your guides and, more importantly, the dogs. The huskies' excitement is contagious and often overwhelming - they know they're about to run, which is what they love most, and their enthusiasm shows through barking, jumping, and pulling at their lines.
Your guide will provide thermal overalls if needed, demonstrate proper sledding technique, and explain basic commands. In Finnish operations, you'll typically hear "hyvä" (good) for encouragement and "seis" (stop) when needed, though many dogs respond to English commands as well.
Most safaris pair two people per sled, with participants taking turns driving and riding as passengers. Driving is surprisingly intuitive - you stand on the runners at the back of the sled, use your body weight to help steer around corners, and operate a simple brake. The dogs do most of the work; your job is mainly to help them navigate and show them appreciation for their efforts.
The actual sledding through Lapland's forests is breathtaking. The silence - broken only by the swish of runners on snow and the dogs' panting - creates a meditative quality. You'll travel through tunnels of snow-laden pines, across frozen lakes, and past landscapes that look lifted from a winter fairy tale.
Breaks during longer tours typically involve building a fire, where your guide prepares hot drinks and tells stories about the dogs, the lifestyle of mushers, and Lapland traditions. This is your chance to ask questions and interact more personally with the huskies, who transform from working athletes into affectionate companions once they've had their run.
Choosing an Ethical Husky Safari Operator
I'm attuned to animal welfare, and this matters when choosing a husky safari. Well-cared-for huskies are enthusiastic, healthy-looking, and genuinely eager to run. Here's what to look for in a quality operation.
Happy, healthy dogs should be your first indicator. The huskies should have bright eyes, good body condition (neither too thin nor overweight), and most tellingly, obvious enthusiasm about running. If the dogs seem reluctant or the musher struggles to get them moving, that's a red flag.
Proper facilities matter. Even if you're just visiting for a tour, you'll typically see the kennel. Dogs should have adequate shelter, clean water, and space to move. Many ethical operations now use spacious individual runs or small group housing rather than keeping dogs constantly chained.
Small group sizes often indicate better operations. Tours with fewer sleds mean more attention from guides, less environmental impact, and dogs that aren't overworked by running multiple tours daily.
Knowledgeable guides who clearly love their dogs and can answer questions about the dogs' care, training, and individual personalities demonstrate genuine commitment beyond commercial interests.
Transparent about their practices - quality operators are happy to discuss how they care for dogs in summer (when they can't run), their breeding practices, and how they ensure dogs aren't overworked.
Many Viator tours include reviews from previous participants. Reading these gives you insight into both the experience quality and how the dogs are treated. Look for mentions of the dogs' condition, enthusiasm, and the operator's obvious care for their team.
What to Wear for a Husky Safari
Dressing properly transforms a potentially miserable experience into a comfortable adventure. Lapland winters are serious, with temperatures often between minus 10 to minus 30 Celsius during safari season.
Thermal base layers are essential. Merino wool or synthetic thermal underwear - both top and bottom - create your foundation. Avoid cotton, which holds moisture and leaves you cold.
Insulating mid-layers trap warmth. Fleece jackets or wool sweaters work well. You want bulk without restriction since you'll be moving on the sled.
Outer layers protect against wind and snow. Many operators provide thermal overalls, but if you're using your own gear, windproof ski pants and a proper winter jacket rated for Arctic conditions are necessary.
Footwear matters enormously. Insulated winter boots rated to at least minus 20 Celsius, with thick wool socks, keep your feet functional. Cold feet ruin any outdoor winter experience faster than anything else.
Hand protection requires thought. You need warmth but also dexterity to hold the sled. Many people use a system of thin liner gloves inside insulated mittens, allowing you to briefly remove the mittens for tasks requiring finger use while maintaining a base layer of warmth.
Head and face protection shouldn't be underestimated. A warm hat that covers your ears, plus a neck warmer or balaclava for particularly cold days, protects vulnerable skin from frostbite. Sunglasses help too, as sunlight reflecting off snow creates surprising glare even in winter.
Don't overdress for the physical portion. Sledding is more active than you might expect, especially when driving. You'll generate heat helping the dogs navigate and using the brake. Starting slightly cool is better than overheating and sweating, which makes you cold later.
Most tour operators provide some cold weather gear, typically thermal overalls and sometimes boots and gloves. Check what's included when booking so you know what you need to bring yourself.
Practical Tips for First-Time Mushers
A few insider tips make your first husky safari smoother and more enjoyable.
Listen carefully to the briefing. Your guide's instructions about steering, braking, and working with the dogs aren't just suggestions. Following them keeps you safe and makes the experience better for both you and the dogs.
Trust the dogs. These huskies are professionals who've run these trails countless times. They know what they're doing far better than you do on your first try. Your job is to support them, not micromanage.
Communicate with your partner if you're sharing a sled. Switching drivers mid-tour works best when you coordinate. The sled needs to stop completely, which means good braking, before switching positions.
Take photos sparingly during the actual sledding. Fumbling with cameras while trying to control a sled is difficult and potentially dangerous. Most tours include stops specifically for photos. Focus on being present in the experience; the memories will last even if you don't capture every moment on camera.
Be ready for the physical aspect. While the dogs provide the power, you're not just a passenger. Helping them around corners, managing the brake on downhills, and sometimes even running alongside the sled on uphills if conditions require it means you'll work up a sweat despite the cold.
Interact with the dogs during breaks. Many huskies are friendly and enjoy attention when they're not working. Ask your guide which dogs appreciate pets and which prefer space. Learning individual personalities adds depth to the experience.
Expect to be moved by the experience. There's something profound about traveling through wilderness in a way humans have for thousands of years, working in partnership with animals who genuinely love what they do. Don't be surprised if you find it emotional.
Combining Husky Safaris with Other Lapland Experiences
Husky sledding fits beautifully into a broader Lapland adventure. Most visitors combine their safari with other quintessential Arctic activities.
Ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing appeal to those seeking active winter experiences beyond motorized or dog-powered options. Check ice fishing trips from here
Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle experiences work especially well if you're based in Rovaniemi. You can visit Santa in the morning and go husky sledding in the afternoon. Book top- rated Santa Claus Village Guided Tour Here
Booking ahead makes sense, especially during peak season from December through March. Popular tours sell out weeks in advance, and advance booking often means better prices.
Compare tour options to see the full range of available safaris, read recent reviews, and understand exactly what each tour includes. Pay attention to details like whether thermal clothing is provided, what's served during breaks, and the total sledding distance.
Look at recent reviews not just for overall satisfaction but for specific details about dog welfare, guide knowledge, and whether the experience matched expectations.
Check cancellation policies since Lapland weather can be unpredictable. Most reputable operators offer reasonable cancellation or rescheduling options if extreme weather makes tours unsafe.
Consider your fitness level honestly. While you don't need to be an athlete, husky safaris do require basic physical capability. If you have concerns, contact operators directly about accessibility.
Book for appropriate times of day. Morning tours often enjoy the best light during winter's short days. Afternoon tours transition into evening, which can be magical as twilight falls but means less visibility for photography.
Ready to Experience the Magic?
A husky safari in Lapland isn't just an activity to check off your bucket list - it's an experience that connects you to Arctic wilderness, traditional ways of life, and the remarkable partnership between humans and working dogs. Whether you choose a quick two-hour introduction or a multi-day wilderness expedition, you'll understand why so many travelers describe their husky safari as the highlight of their Lapland journey.
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