8-10km Husky Ride in the Taiga and Visit Other Farm Animals

The dogs’ barking is your soundtrack on this husky sled ride through the snow-covered taiga. You’ll learn how to guide the sled, then take turns driving and riding as the team pulls you along a forest trail or across an iced lake.

I like two things in particular: you get to drive the sled yourself, and the kennel visit includes other animals, from reindeer and Lapland horses to ducks and sheep. After the ride, there’s time by an open fire to ask the mushers about their dogs and training.

The main trade-off is the transfer. The kennel is about an hour from Rovaniemi each way, and you’ll feel the cold more once the sled is moving. Dress warmly, and ask for the supplied winter overalls if you need them.

Key points

• An 8 to 10 km husky ride is the heart of the outing, with a chance to drive and ride in the sled.
• A one-hour transfer each way makes this a half-day trip, not a quick stop near town.
• The farm has more than huskies, including reindeer, Lapland horses, ponies, ducks and sheep.
• A clothing check comes before the sled ride, since warm, windproof gear matters at speed.
• The fire and Lapish BBQ offer a warm finish, with grilled sausage noted as the meal.
• A maximum of eight participants keeps the group small, and pickup is available within 10 km of central Rovaniemi.

Leaving Rovaniemi for the kennel

The tour starts with pickup at 8:30 am from accommodation within 10 km of Rovaniemi city center. From there, an air-conditioned minivan takes you about an hour to the kennel. That drive is worth factoring into your plans: the full outing lasts around four and a half hours, and roughly two hours of that can be spent on the road.

The transfer may feel long if you are eager to get straight to the dogs, but pickup saves you from arranging your own ride to a rural farm. The group is capped at eight, so you are not joining a large busload once you arrive. The tour is offered in English, and an activity guide accompanies the trip.

There is no listed stop on the way, so think of the drive as part of the day rather than extra sightseeing time. If you are planning several activities in Rovaniemi, allow the full half-day instead of trying to squeeze this between tight appointments.

Meeting the huskies and farm animals

At the kennel, you meet the dogs and the people who care for and train them. The atmosphere is lively: the huskies are eager to pull, and their barking is part of the experience before you even set off. If you are fond of dogs, seeing the kennel is a pleasure in its own right. Puppies may be around, too, though their presence is not guaranteed.

The farm visit also brings you close to other animals. The listed residents include reindeer, Lapland horses, Lapland ponies, ducks and sheep, with more animals at the farm. This makes the outing a better fit for families or animal lovers than a husky ride alone, though the tour’s main event remains the sled.

You’ll have an opportunity to ask the mushers how they live with and train the dogs. That conversation gives the ride some context: you are not just taking a fast trip through the snow, but getting a glimpse of the work behind keeping a kennel and dog team. The exact length of the farm visit is not specified, so I would not book on the assumption that you’ll have a long, unhurried animal encounter.

Checking clothes before the ride

Before you are assigned a sled, the team checks that your clothing is warm and windproof enough for Arctic conditions. That is a sensible safety measure, not a fussy formality. A moving sled exposes you to cold air, and the ride can feel colder than standing around the farm.

Winter overalls are included if requested. If you have any doubt about your layers, ask for them rather than hoping your usual winter coat will be enough. One useful approach is to dress warmly underneath as well, since an outer overall helps block the wind but does not replace good base layers, gloves and other cold-weather basics.

The tour description calls for a clothing check, but it does not spell out a full packing list or say which other gear is provided. If you are unsure about what to bring, contact the operator before the day. It is easier to adjust your clothes before the sled leaves than once you are moving through the forest.

Learning to lead the sled

You’ll get instructions on how to lead the sled safely before setting out. Driving adds more to the trip than sitting back for a ride: you have to pay attention to the dogs and the route, while still taking in the white forest around you. The tour’s title gives a ride distance of 8 to 10 km, and the route has been described as about 8 km.

The ride may pass through Lapland forest and over an iced lake. The exact route can vary, so do not count on a particular stretch of scenery. What you can expect is a snowy outing behind a team of enthusiastic huskies, with the dogs’ calls replacing the more familiar jingle of bells.

The ride has included both driving and sitting on the sled, giving you a chance to experience the team from both positions. You may find the seated part especially cold because you are moving without the same physical effort as the person leading. The outing is supervised, and a previous trip had two guides on snowmobiles watching the group. As conditions and arrangements can change, treat that as a useful detail rather than a promise of the exact setup on your date.

Warming up with a Lapish BBQ

When the sled ride is over, you’ll have time to sit by an open fire and talk with the mushers. It is a welcome pause after the cold ride, and a good moment to ask about training, daily care and life at the kennel. The conversation is a practical bonus for anyone curious about how the dogs work as a team.

Lunch is included as a Lapish BBQ. Expect a simple meal rather than a full restaurant lunch: the food has been described as grilled sausage cooked over the fire. That can be just right after time outdoors, but if you need a substantial meal or have dietary needs, check with the operator in advance. Personal expenses are not included.

The length of the fireplace stop is not fixed in the details, so keep expectations modest. It is a chance to warm up and chat, not necessarily a long campfire session. The fire, food and direct access to the mushers help round out the experience, but the husky ride is the main reason to book.

What the price buys you

At $272.83 per person, this is a significant spend for a half-day activity. The price covers the guide, air-conditioned transport, the husky experience, winter overalls if requested and the Lapish BBQ. Pickup is another practical plus, especially if you do not have a car and would otherwise need to arrange transport to a kennel an hour away.

Value depends on what you want from the day. If you are mainly after a long sled ride, note that the actual run is roughly 8 to 10 km, not a full-day expedition. If you want the broader experience of learning to drive, visiting a kennel, seeing several kinds of farm animals and speaking with mushers, the package gives you more than a brief sled circuit.

The small group cap also matters. With no more than eight participants, the day should feel less crowded than a large coach excursion, though the exact pace still depends on the group and conditions. I would see the price as paying for the whole outing, including the distant farm transfer and animal visits, rather than judging it by the minutes spent on the sled alone.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This tour suits you if driving a husky sled is high on your Lapland wish list and you like the idea of a farm visit as part of the day. It is also a good match if you want pickup and a guide to handle the trip out of town, or if you are curious about the dogs beyond the ride itself.

It may be less appealing if you want to spend most of your time on the sled, dislike long transfers, or are uncomfortable in strong cold. The ride is short compared with the full half-day, and the speed can make the air feel biting. Warm clothes are not optional in spirit, even if the tour provides overalls on request.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity still depends on weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or a shortfall in numbers forces a cancellation, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the husky ride?

Book this if you want the hands-on part of mushing, a close look at a working kennel and a few other Arctic farm animals in one half-day trip. The combination of self-driving, the taiga route and time with the mushers gives the day more character than a quick sled ride alone.

Skip it if you are looking for a long expedition or do not want to spend about two hours in a minivan. Before booking, decide whether the 8 to 10 km ride and the farm visit justify the price for you, then plan your clothing with the wind and speed in mind. Ask for the overalls if you are unsure, and leave room in your schedule for the full four and a half hours.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts about four hours and 30 minutes, including the transfer to and from the kennel.

How long is the transfer from Rovaniemi?

The drive to the kennel takes about one hour each way. Pickup is available from locations within 10 km of Rovaniemi city center.

How far is the husky sled ride?

The tour is described as an 8 to 10 km ride. The route has also been described as about 8 km.

Can I drive the sled myself?

Yes. You’ll receive instructions on how to lead the sled safely, and the ride includes driving and sitting on the sled.

What animals can I see besides huskies?

The farm has reindeer, Lapland horses, Lapland ponies, ducks, sheep and other animals.

Are winter clothes provided?

Winter overalls are available if requested. Your clothing is checked before the sled ride to make sure it is warm and windproof enough.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Lapish BBQ is included, with grilled sausage cooked over the fire described as the meal. Personal expenses are not included.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather or a failure to meet the minimum number of participants causes cancellation, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time.