Home to Father Christmas and some of the cleanest air in the world, Lapland deserves a spot on your bucket list. This region spreads across four countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia) and harbours its own kind of icy magic. Aside from exploring in Santa’s sleigh itself, there’s no better way to experience the sights and sounds of this peaceful place than by climbing into a sled pulled by happy huskies and letting them guide you through untouched forests and across frozen lakes. If a husky safari in Lapland sounds like a dream come true, read on for our top tips on how you can make the most of this experience.
Know the Score
Husky safaris can be as simple as hopping into a sled and exploring the winter wonderland with your new furry friends, but it never hurts to get a bit more info on what to expect. Usually, you’ll share a sled with a partner and take it in turns to take the reins (known as ‘mushing’) as you cruise through snow-dusted forests. If you’re not already a mushing expert, don’t worry – before you set off, a guide will give you a lesson on how to make the huskies go, stop and turn corners, and they’ll also accompany your group throughout your journey. If you’re nervous about leading a group of dogs yourself, you can always team up with a partner or guide who’s more confident and simply sit back and enjoy the view. However, for a truly memorable experience, we highly recommend giving it a go yourself. If you’re travelling as a family, you’ll need at least one adult per sledge as, depending on their ages, the children can’t take the reins, but will love the experience all the same. A husky safari in Lapland can last anything from a few hours to a full day, so however much time you have, there’s an adventure out there to suit you.
Wrap up Warm
With a landscape so snowy and mystical it could be Narnia (minus the White Witch and the army of secret wolf police), Lapland is a place where wrapping up warm is essential. When on a husky safari, you not only need to dress for the temperature, but also add a couple of extra layers to combat the windchill that comes from riding in the sled. But before you go searching for fur coats in magical wardrobes, bear in mind that mushing itself can be hard work at times, so when it’s your turn to steer, you might well work up a sweat. The best clothing for the job is therefore plenty of thermal layers that you can add or remove as necessary. Luckily our guides can kit you out in all the right thermal gear before you set off. Make sure to also wear a hat, and don’t forget the most important item of all: a pair of wind-proof gloves to keep your fingers toasty when you take the reins.
Research the Ethics
If you’re an animal lover, you might be wondering whether it’s ethical to let these adorable doggies pull sleds and spend so much time in the cold. Luckily, there’s been plenty of research into the topic which has concluded that huskies are built and bred for this environment and activity. Huskies love the workout that comes from moving across hundreds of miles of snowy terrain, and as you’ll see for yourself, they just can’t wait to get going when they realise they’re about to embark on a sledding adventure. All the husky owners we work with know their furry friends by name, have a great relationship with them and treat them well, so we know that they are as happy as can be. But it’s important to be wary of companies that have limited information about the dogs’ welfare available, and to enquire about how the animals are stimulated and entertained in the summer months. It’s also a good idea to avoid seasonal farms that spring up from different countries to capitalise on demand. These often don’t employ local people, and end up siphoning money out of the country and away from local businesses.
Combine it With Other Activities
If you’re considering booking a husky safari in Lapland, you might be wondering what else there is to experience within the region’s 38,600 square miles, and how to make the most of your time here. If you choose a half-day husky safari, you can spend the other half soaking up the landscape in a snow mobile (a less tiring, though altogether less cute method of transport), ice fishing or snowshoeing. If you’d rather spend the whole day with the huskies, you can count on a warming dinner and a well-earned drink to refuel you when you return to your lodge. Of course, Swedish Lapland is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, so a trip to the darkest areas of this wintry world in the hopes of catching a coveted glimpse of shimmering red, purple and green snaking across the sky is a must. Cross-country skiing, wilderness skills lessons and even gourmet dinners are also on the cards if you’re spending a few nights in this truly special place.