Husky Ride at Apukka resort, Rovaniemi, Lapland

I know there’s so much to look into for a trip like this and that it’s often a once in a lifetime adventure - so I hope this helps if you’re looking at Husky Rides in Rovaniemi, Lapland.

We booked our husky ride with the Apukka resort, Rovaniemi. We were already onsite as we were staying at the resort, and turned up in all the snow gear they’d given us at the start of our stay - If you’re not staying on site you’ll arrive earlier so you can get kitted out in all their amazing snow wear before the ride.

The resort is really easy to reach from Santa village  - it’s around 10minutes in the car and Ubers were easy to get.

The friendly Husky adventure team came to greet us at the meeting point and checked that we all had the right clothing on. Mittens were a must - also neck warmers that pull over your face - highly recommended. As you’ll be sitting on the sled for a while, this is a time that ALL the layers are a good idea.

They gave us a safety brief, followed by a guide on how to drive and what to do if we need to stop! Each family had a sled and they let us know who needed to sit where, and how to arrange ourselves for safety and comfort. My husband was the designated driver, we could have swapped half way through but unfortunately I wasn’t feeling up to it that day - Still, I had a nice cosy ride in the sled with the kids so I’m not really complaining.

The dogs couldn’t wait to get going. There was a bit of a curfuffle with the dogs getting excited and tangling the ropes as they were getting ready for us all to go - but it was soon sorted and we were ready to leave.

The moment we were untied and signalled to go was just amazing!! It’s such a feeling to be pulled off at speed by the dogs - deep through the snowy woods. So exciting for the kids too. Our visit was at the very start of December so the snow wasn’t as deep as I’d have loved to have seen it, but there was plenty for the ride and it was still really pretty.

The peaceful surroundings, with the sound of the dogs running and the sleds sliding through the snow is just magical.

A couple of dogs were stopped in their tracks picking up scents but soon got going again - It wasn’t as fast a ride as I remember when me and my husband went for our honeymoon to the ice hotel but  the guide said despite it being minus 15 it’s actually quite warm for the dogs! Perhaps they prefer a few degrees less or some deeper snow.

My husband had a lot of fun driving the sled - despite having frozen eyelashes by the end! The kids loved it, and it was such a unique and memorable experience.

When the ride reached an end we got to cuddle and fuss over the huskies which they loved - one snuggled right in under my arm and lap - it was so lovely!!! The kids loved this part too.

We then headed off for a well needed warm up in the Kota (a yurt type tent)  We were all given steaming lingonberry juice in a traditional Finnish cup called a Kuksa. I loved these so much I actually ended up buying our family a set of them as a surprise Christmas gift to remind us of this adventure.

(For incase you want to get your own when you get home: https://kupilka.fi/en/products/kupilka-21-classic-cup) ….They are amazing (not an ad!)

The guide told us all about how the dogs were looked after and I was so impressed - they even have their own retirement home for the older huskies  - it sounds like the wellbeing of the dogs is paramount and they are very well cared for here. A very important factor for us in anything like this. The dogs were excited, beautiful, and cuddly, and the guide was very passionate - it was great to see.

The resort is beautiful - if you visit for an activity, try one of the restaurants here if you can - they are really very special.

I would recommend this husky ride experience to anyone visiting Rovaniemi, and would love to go back and do it again ourselves - maybe during a night ride would be fun.

Thank you for reading my post, I hope it helps give insight,

Happy Planning!

Kelly

Our Own Path.

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