Seeing the huskies in Rovaniemi and going dog sledding is one of the best activities we did during our Lapland trip! While the history of huskies in Rovaniemi and the Finnish Lapland in general is tied to tourism rather than Sami history, it’s an exhilarating experience that is fun for all ages!
If you are curious about going sledding with huskies in Rovaniemi, here’s some background information and a full write-up of our research and experience:
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Frequently Asked Questions on Huskies sledding in Rovaniemi
What is the difference between husky sledding and reindeer sledding?
Both husky and reindeer sledding involve you sitting on a sled, so initially, I was trying to figure out if I should just do one.
Reindeers have a long history with the Sami, who are indigenous to the area. They are not quite like dogs and aren’t as keen on interacting with people unless they are familiar with them. They were used as a transport method, but the ride isn’t very fast and is mostly for the experience.
Huskies are originally from Alaska, and they are well adapted to the cold and love going out. They are active in the cold, and in our experience, were eager to run. Unlike the reindeers, there are a team of 5-6 huskies on each sled, and it is a fast ride!
Can you do husky ride in Rovaniemi?
Yes, there are many husky sled options in Rovaniemi, and it can be overwhelming to decide on which one to do. There are numerous options you should consider:
- The distance of sledding you want to do – huskies run quite fast so if you do 500m only, it will probably be 5 minutes or less
- Most tours offer self-drive, but if it’s not clear, it’s best to choose
- If the tour offers pick up and drop off
If you are short on time, the best option is the Husky Park by Santa Claus Village.
Are huskies treated well in Lapland?
While I would like to say yes, I have combed through reviews of tours and some people do express concern about the huskies’ welfare on their tour.
What is the best time for husky rides in Rovaniemi?
Late February to March is the gold standard. You get the best of both worlds: thick, reliable snow for the sleds to glide on and much longer daylight hours (and warmer temps) than the dark, freezing “Polar Night” of December. It will also be less cold! But it is an activity you can do during the winter as long as there’s snow.
Are husky rides in Rovaniemi safe for kids?
Absolutely! But you should be aware of two things:
- Seating: Small children usually sit snugly in the sled basket wrapped in reindeer skins while a parent or guide drives.
- Age Limits: Some “drive-your-own” tours have age minimums (often 12-15+), but sitting as a passenger is generally safe for toddlers and up with parental supervision seated together.
What should I wear for a husky ride in Rovaniemi?
Most tour operators provide professional thermal overalls and boots, but you need your own base layers to stay warm.
- Base Layer: Thermal wool or synthetic (no cotton!).
- Mid Layer: A thick fleece or wool sweater.
- Accessories: Thick wool socks, a warm beanie, and a neck gaiter.
- Hands: thick, waterproof/windproof gloves
- No moon boots if you are doing self drive
If you plan to wear your own outfit:
- Waterproof trousers as ice and snow will be sprayed onto your legs when you brake
- Waterproof/splash-proof boots because of the above points
I ended up being ok with my furry boots and regular leggings, but it was not easy to get the caked snow off, and my feet got a bit cold.
Is it possible to see the Northern Lights on a husky ride?
Yes, it’s possible! Many farms offer Night Safaris.
The Experience: You’ll head out into the dark forest away from city lights.
The Reality: While the dogs don’t care about the lights, being in the wilderness increases your chances. Just remember that the sled moves fast, so it’s hard to take photos while sliding!
Is husky sledding worth it?
100% yes. It’s consistently rated as the top activity in Lapland. It’s not just the ride; visiting the kennel to meet the dogs and learn about their training is a huge part of the charm.
Choosing husky ride or sled option in Rovaniemi
There is an overwhelming amount of options when it comes to husky sleds or husky safari in Rovaniemi. Here are some quick tips:
- Pre-book at least a few days in advance, personally, I would say 1 week before is the best to avoid your tour being sold out
- Most tours are on GetYourGuide – use LAUGHTRAVELEAT5 for 5% off your booking
- Decide if you want to drive the sled or would be happy to just sit on the sled. The latter would be cheaper, but driving a sled is also incredibly fun!
- Regardless of whether you will be driving the sled, the price will be per person and you will have to share a sled even if you are a solo traveller!
Note: there is usually an age limit for self-driving, and children on the sled would need to be accompanied by an adult.
How to choose the right provider
- Check the review of the tour! Many customers do leave a review and I read through them to check which ones have the best rating and experience, as well as if good treatment of the huskies is mentioned
- Check the time of the tour and the availability – some providers don’t operate on weekends, some run a morning and an afternoon session, while some only have 1 session per day.
- Check the location – if you are short on time or have a tight schedule, choosing somewhere not too far would be better.
- Is pick up included? Most of the tours offer pick up but there is also usually a designated pick up point.
- What else is included? Some offer snacks, some offer photography, choose it depending on your need!
Going on a Husky Ride
All of the husky sled rides under 1km (including 1km) are ride-only, meaning you won’t be the one standing behind the sled to drive it. Huskies run fast, and a 1km ride would likely be over within 10 minutes, and such offers are usually on a running basis for people to get a taste of the experience rather than a full on excursion.
This is also cheaper and ideal for anyone who just wants to try it or won’t have a half day to spare.
Self-Drive Husky Safari
If you want to experience a self-driving husky sled, there are usually two options: 4/5km or 10km ride.
As much fun as husky sledding is, the speed combined with the already low temperature meant that the wind really cut into your face, and it can feel very cold for both the driver and the rider.
A 4/5km ride would be around 20 minutes long, with driver switching midway and was the perfect amount of time for us! Since 10km would mean 40 minutes out in the wind, and as beautiful as the scenery is, your face would probably be unhappy with you.
Combination tour
There are combination tours that have added activities such as with reindeer experience as well, which was definitely something I have considered. Depending on your schedule, it might be a great idea to just do everything in one day!
Self-Drive Husky Safari in Rovaniemi
After careful consideration and taking our itinerary into account, I opt for the 4-5km self drive husky experience, since one of the meet-up locations is at the Santa Claus Village Hotel Reception.
We booked through GetYourGuide, and the operator was very timely in sending us relevant information, and was okay to drop us off at the city center afterwards, so we could go on our northern light tour with enough time to change and grab a bite.
There’s the option to wear their overalls and winter boots, which are stored in the basement of the hotel reception. It doesn’t look too thick, so we kept our own. But if you plan to be a driver and your trousers and or boots are not waterproof, it’s best to take it up.
The grounds are around 15 minute drive from Santa’s village. We were split into activity groups as there are also reindeer rides.
We had 11 in the afternoon group, so we split into 2 sessions, 6 of us in teams of 3 going first, then 5 in teams of 3 later. They ran us through the hand gestures used in steering with the guides on snow mobile at the front, which was go, slow down, and stop.
They also taught us how the brake works. The driver has to keep at least one hand on the rail and each foot on either side of the sled. The brake is in the middle, and you step one foot on it to slow down, and step both feet on it to fully brake.
We can switch drivers in the middle, and they will also help to take your photos. Which, to be honest, wasn’t that good.
So bring a 360 camera! I use the DJI Osmo 360, but the Insta360 X5 is also a great choice.
I didn’t realise how much snow and ice get sprayed on you when you use the brake. We had a strong team on our sled, so we had to brake constantly, which resulted in A LOT of ice and snow caking on my not waterproof or windproof leggings and boots.
It was mad fun, and I think 4-5km was perfect because it does get quite cold. Even if you get your legs covered as the passenger.
They have a small hut with a fire and hot berry juice for us to relax in as we wait for the other team to come back. One of the staff were there to chat with us and tell us all about the kennel, and it was fun and insightful.
The huskies love running and only do this during the snow season. As soon as the temperature rises above 10 degrees Celsius. They will move back down to the main compound a few hours south.
After they did, we were able to pet and interact with the dogs. They are all adorable, each with their own personalities. Frika, who was one of the huskies who pulled our sledge, was super vocal!
We then move to the main restaurants where they have free tea, coffee, and berry juice for us. It was about 15 mins of relaxing before we went on our way, but via Santa Claus village.
Overall, I highly recommend it, and it’s best to book ahead!
