You’ll ride a husky sled through Lapland’s snowy forests with a local guide at the helm, stopping halfway for hot coffee or tea and a fresh cinnamon roll by an open fire inside a teepee. Meet the friendly huskies, snap photos, and soak up stories from your guide—a morning you’ll remember every time you smell woodsmoke or see fresh snow.
Wool mittens clutched tight, I watched our guide—her name was Marja—kneel to buckle the harnesses on each dog, murmuring something soft in Finnish that made their tails wag like crazy. The air smelled sharp, almost electric, and I could hear the dogs’ paws scrabbling on packed snow while she checked everything twice. We climbed onto the sled (I nearly sat on my own scarf), and then we were off—just the crunch of runners, the dogs’ panting, and that weirdly peaceful silence you get out here near Rovaniemi. It’s about an hour on the sled all told, but honestly I lost track of time after the first few minutes.
I kept thinking I’d be cold, but those borrowed overalls are no joke—plus you’re too busy grinning or trying to catch snowflakes on your tongue. Marja pointed out some old birch trees along the trail and told us how her grandfather used to mush this same route before it was even a “tour.” She laughed when I tried to say kiitos properly (I definitely didn’t). About halfway through, we stopped at their teepee for coffee by an open fire. The cinnamon roll was sticky and warm—tasted like cardamom—and my gloves still smell faintly smoky from holding the mug.
The dogs flopped down in a heap while we sipped our drinks. You can take photos or just sit there listening to them snuffle around in the snow. I scratched behind one dog’s ears (his name sounded like “Tuisku,” but I might’ve misheard), and he leaned into it so hard he nearly knocked me over. After that break, we headed back toward the kennel—another stretch of white woods and quiet except for Marja telling us stories about winters here. There’s something about watching your breath hang in the air while you glide along that sticks with you. Even now, sometimes I close my eyes and hear those runners sliding over snow.
The total time on the sled is about 1 hour, covering roughly 13 km round trip.
Yes, pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included.
You’ll get coffee or tea and a cinnamon roll during a fireside break at their teepee.
Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; infants up to 4 years must sit on laps.
Dress warmly; warm clothes are provided but layers are recommended due to cold weather.
The maximum group size per booking is 4 people; minimum is 2.
Yes, there’s time during the break to meet and take photos with the dogs.
Infants can join using specialized seats or by sitting on an adult’s lap; prams/strollers allowed.
Your morning includes pickup and drop-off from selected points near Rovaniemi, all taxes and fees, warm clothing for the ride, guidance from a local expert musher throughout your private trail experience, plus coffee or tea with a cinnamon roll by an open fire before returning to the kennel.
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