Husky Sledding in Rovaniemi: Dog Wellbeing, Best Tours & What to Expect

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Husky sledding is one of the most exciting winter experiences in Lapland, Finland. If you’ve ever dreamed of gliding through snowy forests behind a team of enthusiastic huskies, Rovaniemi is the perfect place to make it happen.

In this guide, we share everything you need to know about husky sledding in Rovaniemi, from choosing the best tours, how they differ, and what to expect.

We also include a short review of our dog sledding experience – one of the best-value husky tours in Rovaniemi.

 

Ethical Husky Sledding & Dog Wellbeing

One of the first concerns many people have when booking a husky tour is the wellbeing of the dogs. First, it’s important to know that huskies are born to run. They absolutely love it and get incredibly excited before each ride. In fact, they enjoy running so much that they can get frustrated when the sled slows down.

On our recent husky safari in Rovaniemi, the dogs were so eager to run that every time we had to slow down, they started bickering and blaming each other. The moment we released the brakes, they were off again, happily dashing through the snow. It was both hilarious and fascinating to watch!

That said, it’s important to choose an ethical provider. A good husky kennel ensures that the dogs are well cared for, get plenty of rest, and only run in safe conditions – meaning enough snow and cool temperatures. This is also why tours may be canceled in the shoulder season when conditions aren’t ideal.

While I can’t vouch for every husky tour in Rovaniemi, from what I saw and read, most operators prioritize husky wellbeing above all else and take excellent care of their dogs. At Apukka, where we did our tour, the huskies were treated like family, with rest days, special treats, and even massages! They also keep retired dogs, allowing them to hang around and interact with the husky puppies.

Good to know: Husky sledding tours aren’t cheap, but keep in mind that these kennels care for their dogs year-round – not just in winter.

What to Expect from a Dog Sledding Tour in Rovaniemi

Husky sledding is an unforgettable experience, but knowing what to expect beforehand can help you choose the right tour. The best dog sled tours in Lapland – including the tour we did and recommend – follow a similar structure:

• Gearing Up: Most husky tours in Lapland provide warm winter overalls and other gear. I highly recommend wearing everything they give you – not just for warmth but also to keep your own clothes dry and free of dog hair. You’ll be sitting on reindeer skin rugs and cuddling huskies, so expect some fluff!

• Introduction & Safety Briefing: Before the ride, guides will explain how to control the sled, basic commands, and safety rules.

• Dog Sledding Experience: Sleds are typically shared by two people—the musher (driver) and a passenger sitting in the sled. On longer tours, you can switch roles halfway, and tour guides might take some pictures for you. Mushing requires some physical effort, so children aren’t allowed to do it.

• Time with the Huskies: After the ride, you’ll usually have time to meet the dogs, take photos, and give them well-deserved cuddles. Some tours also include a visit with husky puppies (if there are any at the time).

• Warm Drinks by the Fire: Many tours end with a break in a traditional kota (wooden hut), where you can warm up by the fire with a hot drink and a small snack.

That said, not all husky sledding experiences are the same! The biggest difference is how much actual sledding time you get and whether you get to drive the sled. The best tours usually take about 2 hours (not counting the time for transfers) and include at least 30 minutes of sledding/mushing. But some tours only offer 5–10 minutes of ride time and you are not allowed to drive. I’ve read quite a few disappointed reviews from people who booked a 30-minute tour expecting that it was the actual time on the sled.

PRO TIP: Be sure to read the tour descriptions carefully (sometimes, you have to read all the tiny letters and also read between the lines), and check customer reviews to understand exactly what you’re getting.

Below, you’ll find more details and an overview of the best-value dog sledding tours in Rovaniemi.

Best Husky Sledding Tours in Rovaniemi

Here is our hand-picked selection of the best husky sledding tours in Rovaniemi, with links for more information and booking.

Best Value Tours

• 2-Hour Husky Adventure. This is the best-value husky sledding tour in Rovaniemi (and the one we personally chose – you can read more about our experience below). This tour includes a 7-10 km husky ride (about 30 – 40 minutes of sledding time), plenty of time to interact with the dogs, and a traditional kota experience with warm drinks and cookies. Transfers from Rovaniemi city center or Santa Claus Village are included, but keep in mind that these add extra time to the total duration (important when comparing with other tours).

• 10-km Husky Safari. This tour offers the longest husky ride in Rovaniemi. That said, it’s significantly more expensive than the best-value option above.

If the above tours aren’t available, here are the best highly-rated alternatives (also including transfers):

• This 6-8 km small-group tour is almost identical to the best-value tour, but at a higher price.
• This 5-7 km tour offers good value and extra time with huskies, but no drinks/snacks.
• 5 km husky sled tour offers a similar experience as the 2-hour tour but with a slightly shorter ride and slightly lower price.

Budget-Friendly & Short Husky Rides

If you’re traveling with young children or just want a short husky ride for photos, consider these options:

• Santa Claus Village Husky Ride. This is the cheapest/shortest husky sledding experience in Rovaniemi. However, the ride is just 8-12 minutes (+-2.5 km) and the sleds are driven by experienced mushers, so you just simply sit back and enjoy.

• All-in Santa Claus Village tour including huskies, reindeer, food, and free time in Santa Claus Village. This popular family-friendly tour includes several of the top winter experiences in Rovaniemi. The husky sledding itself is really short, but if your time is limited, this is a good way to experience the best that Santa Claus Village has to offer in just a few hours.

• Husky Farm Visit + Short Sled Ride. A more authentic and less touristy alternative to Santa Claus Village. You’ll spend more time with the dogs while still getting a short sledding experience (+-800 meters).

PRO TIP: No matter which tour you choose, book your husky sledding experience in advance! These tours are among the most popular in Rovaniemi, and since there’s a limited number of dogs and a limited number of runs they can do each day, tours often sell out.

When we planned our trip to Rovaniemi in March, we found that some husky sledding tours were already sold out two months in advance. We also met people who had hoped to book a husky sled tour on the spot but couldn’t because everything was fully booked. And this was in March – not even during the peak season around Christmas

We also highly recommend booking via GetYourGuide – they feature all the best options in one place, making it easy to compare tours, check availability, and read reviews. The price is normally the same as booking directly, but it’s a lot easier to reserve, modify, or cancel your tour if needed.

READ ALSO: Rovaniemi Winter Itinerary & Tips

Our Husky Sledding Experience at Apukka Resort

After researching and comparing different husky sled tours in Rovaniemi, we chose this 2-hour husky sledding tour at Apukka Resort, and it was one of the highlights of our trip! Here’s what our experience looked like:

The tour began with a briefing where our guides gave an overview of what to expect and explained how to handle the sled. The huskies, already harnessed, were barking with excitement, eager to run. At this stage, we were asked not to interact with the dogs – they were way too excited to start.

Once we set off, the barking stopped, and all we could hear was the sound of the sled gliding over the snow. The ride lasted a bit more than half an hour, taking us through a scenic trail of snow-covered forests.

Along the way, we stopped to check on the dogs and give everyone a chance to switch positions (musher/passenger). The guides took photos and some of the huskies took the opportunity to cool off by rolling in the snow. Meanwhile, two of our dogs were busy arguing – they clearly hated standing still and kept blaming each other for the sled not moving. It was hilarious to watch!

Having done husky sledding several times before (in Tromso and in Svalbard – to mention a few), I found navigating forest paths on this tour in Rovaniemi quite thrilling (vs. other tours where you sled in more open areas). The dogs do all the work, but steering the sled still requires full focus, especially on tight curves.

After the ride, we had plenty of time to thank our husky team with belly rubs, cuddles, and take plenty of photos. These dogs are incredibly friendly and love attention.

Next, we visited the husky puppies which were 12 weeks old at that time – already almost full size, yet still irresistibly cute! Three of the owner’s Labradors were also hanging around, eager to play with anyone willing to give them attention.

To wrap up the experience, we gathered around the fire in a cozy kota, enjoying warm berry juice and cookies while the guides shared more stories about the huskies – how they’re raised and trained, what their summers are like, and more.

Want to book the exact same tour? Check the availability here and reserve in advance! While you can also book directly with Apukka, we used and recommend GetYourGuide as a one-stop-shop for all tours and experiences in Rovaniemi.

To summarize, husky sledding is a must-do winter activity in Rovaniemi! It’s a family-friendly experience that combines a sense of adventure, stunning nature, and close interaction with these incredible dogs.

I hope that this guide gives you a better idea of what to expect on a dog sledding tour, how they differ, and helps you pick the best experience for your trip. No matter which tour you choose, it’s an experience you won’t forget!

TIP: Planning a trip to Lapland? Don’t miss our Rovaniemi winter itinerary! It’s packed with amazing activities and essential travel tips to help you make the most of your time and plan a truly memorable vacation. Check it out!

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