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Rovaniemi Sledding Experiences Tickets
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION3 hours 30 mins
START POINT
Rovaniemi
1
Lapland
Enjoy a thrilling husky sleigh ride through moonlit Lapland landscapes, as a team of huskies races you into an unforgettable adventure! Savor a hot drink after your adventure.
2
Forest or Lakeside
Your guide will take you to a forest or lakeside for the best view of the Northern Lights, a stunning display of green, pink, and violet dancing in the sky.
3
END POINT
Rovaniemi
Chase the Northern Lights with husky sledding, guided tours, and hotel transfers.
- Enjoy a Husky sleigh ride and a Northern Lights chase! Enjoy a multilingual guide, hotel pick-up/drop-off, and warm winter clothing for a perfect tour.
- To add another layer, get to enjoy a cup of traditional Finnish hot blueberry juice, a delightful treat that warms you up in the Lappish winter.
- Gear up for adventure as you glide through snowy pine forests, frozen lakes, and rivers near Ounasvaara Hill and the Kemijoki on a thrilling husky sleigh ride!
- Sled to the best Aurora viewing spot, guided by expert forecasts, as the magic of the Northern Lights unfolds under the starlit Lappish sky.
Chase the Northern Lights with husky sledding, guided tours, and hotel transfers.
- Enjoy a Husky sleigh ride and a Northern Lights chase! Enjoy a multilingual guide, hotel pick-up/drop-off, and warm winter clothing for a perfect tour.
- To add another layer, get to enjoy a cup of traditional Finnish hot blueberry juice, a delightful treat that warms you up in the Lappish winter.
- Gear up for adventure as you glide through snowy pine forests, frozen lakes, and rivers near Ounasvaara Hill and the Kemijoki on a thrilling husky sleigh ride!
- Sled to the best Aurora viewing spot, guided by expert forecasts, as the magic of the Northern Lights unfolds under the starlit Lappish sky.
Inclusions
- 3 to 4-hour Northern Lights chase with Husky sledding
- Expert English guide (German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese guides on request)
- Pick-up & drop-off to hotel/accommodation (within 15 km from Rovaniemi city center)
- Winter clothes (overalls, boots, and gloves)
- 5 km husky sleigh ride (not self-drive/4-6 pax per sleigh)
- Hot blueberry juice
- Drive to the forest or lakeside (weather permitting)
- Please note: If there is insufficient snow from October to mid-December, the sled ride will be replaced by a wheeled sled for safety reasons, with no changes to the itinerary.
- This tour requires a minimum of 2 people for it to run on weekdays and Saturdays.
- This tour requires a minimum of 4 people for it to run on Sundays and public holidays.
- Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by adults paying the full price.
- Infants aged 2 and under have complimentary admission.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
RovaniemiAnimal experiences Rovanieni
Top things to do in Rovaniemi
Husky experiences in Rovaniemi
Husky sledding
Explore the wilderness of Lapland with a husky sled ride. Few experiences match the thrill of racing through snow-covered forests and landscapes on a sled pulled by a pack of these hardy dogs. You can choose between short 20–30 minute rides, longer circuits lasting 2 to 4 hours, and multi-day safaris. You can even steer your own husky team!
Husky farm visit
Visit a husky farm and spend time with the energetic Siberian and Alaskan huskies who pull your sleds. Take a tour and learn about the training, daily care, and life of these dogs. You’ll also get to interact with mushers (the drivers of sled dog teams) and hear engaging stories about these gorgeous animals.
Husky Northern Lights tours
Pair your husky sledding adventure with a chance to see the breathtaking northern lights. Go on a nighttime husky sled ride through spectacular frozen winterscapes as you search the dark skies for the aurora borealis. It’s the best way to combine two of Finland’s most unique cultural and adventure experiences.
Reindeer experiences
Reindeer safari
You can’t visit Lapland without meeting its most iconic animal – the reindeer. For generations, people living above the Arctic Circle have used reindeer-drawn sleighs to travel across the frozen landscape. Today, you can enjoy a gentle reindeer safari through the scenic forests. Accompanied only by the sounds of reindeer hooves, it’s a peaceful way to explore the wilderness.
Reindeer farm visit
Spend time at a reindeer farm and get a glimpse into the indigenous Sámi people’s traditional reindeer herding lifestyle. Visit the enclosures, where you can feed, interact, and take photos with these majestic animals. You’ll learn about what they eat, how they live, and how these semi-domesticated Arctic deer have been an important part of Lapland’s culture.
Reindeer Northern Lights tours
The ethereal beauty of the aurora borealis takes on a new dimension when seen from a cozy reindeer-driven sleigh. It’s a phenomenon the Sámi ancestors have experienced for centuries. Soak in the moment as you travel through the Arctic silence with reindeer while colorful curtains of the northern lights ripple above.
Other Arctic animal & wildlife experiences
Sledding at Santa Claus Village
With Rovaniemi being popularly known as the hometown of Santa Claus, a visit to Santa Claus Village is not to be missed. Get an inside look into the magic of Christmas, followed by exciting reindeer and husky rides. It’s the ultimate Lapland experience!
Snowmobile, husky, and reindeer safaris
For a more action-packed Arctic adventure, combine the speed of snowmobiles with a lively husky sled ride, followed by a relaxing reindeer safari through the Nordic wilderness. Each mode of transport has its own charm and together, they allow you to have an all-encompassing experience of Rovaniemi’s natural beauty.
Ranua Wildlife Park
Get the chance to see rare Arctic animals like polar bears, wolves, lynxes, snowy owls, and arctic foxes at Ranua Wildlife Park. Opened in 1983, the park is home to 50 animal species, many of them endangered. Take a guided tour and learn about the Arctic’s diverse wildlife. It’s a perfect outing for families with kids!
Bear watching safari
If you want to observe brown bears in their natural habitat, a bear-watching tour is a must-do. The bears, which are Finland’s national animal and Europe’s largest predator, can be found in the remote forests north of Rovaniemi. Stay overnight in a log cabin in the wilderness along with an expert guide and get the chance to take amazing photographs of these majestic beasts.
Plan your experience
Getting to Rovaniemi
Best time to visit
Visitor tips
Food & drink
Stay
- By train: Overnight train from Helsinki and other Finnish towns and cities
Nearest stop: Rovaniemi train station
- By bus/coach: Via intercity bus services like Matkahuolto and Onnibus
Nearest stop: Rovaniemi bus station
- By flight: The nearest airport is Rovaniemi Airport
Distance from airport to city center: 9 km
- By car: Rovaniemi lies about 830 km north of Helsinki
Driving routes: Via the E75, E12, or E8 roads
Travel time: 9 hrs 30 mins to 11 hrs 30 mins
The best time to go husky sledding or on a reindeer safari is during the winter months from December to March. You not only get to experience the snow-covered Arctic countryside with these animals, but your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are also high.
- With Rovaniemi located at the Arctic Circle, temperatures usually remain around or below 10°C, except during the summer months (June to August). Dress in layers to stay warm. Winter gear is a good idea all year round, including thermal innerwear, thick winter socks, wool or fleece-lined jackets, gloves, scarves, and warm hats.
- If you don’t have your own winter clothing and gear to bring with you, there are many clothes and equipment rental services in Rovaniemi, where you can rent these items for the duration of your visit.
- If you need to leave your luggage in storage, you’ll find lockers and luggage storage facilities in the Rovaniemi city center and at the train station.
- While going on any kind of animal experience, remember to be kind and respectful of the animals.
Gustav Kitchen & Bar: One of Rovaniemi’s most popular and chic restaurants, Gustav Kitchen & Bar serves contemporary Nordic and Lapland cuisine. Their homemade sourdough bread, beef tartare, and Arctic char with lobster sauce are crowd favorites. Vegetarians and vegans will enjoy the blood orange salad and artichoke risotto. For dessert, the cloudberry sorbet with date cake is a must-have.
Restaurant Nili: If you’re an adventurous foodie who’s up for trying unusual cuisine, head to Restaurant Nili. This traditional Finnish eatery located on Valtakatu, Rovaniemi’s restaurant street, serves rare meats like reindeer, bear, and elk. The must-try dishes here include traditional sautéed reindeer, reindeer steak, bear soup, and salmon.
Arctic Restaurant: A highly recommended dining spot, Arctic Restaurant serves authentic Lapland flavors with a modern twist. Sample their reindeer tartare, reindeer steak, moose, and excellent selection of seafood, including salmon pastrami and crayfish soup. For dessert, try the lingonberry cake and Arctic Dessert, which is a filled pastry glazed with white chocolate. The restaurant’s contemporary food matches its modern and stylish interiors.
Snow restaurants: One of the most unique dining experiences you can have at Rovaniemi is a meal at a snow or ice restaurant. Sit on benches made of ice and snow, and enjoy a menu featuring local ingredients like reindeer, fish, and berries. You can savor authentic Lapland delicacies in a beautifully lit-up ice room, surrounded by ice sculptures and snow carvings. Restaurants to try: Ice Restaurant of Arctic Snowhotel, Snow Restaurant at Snowman World, Snowland Restaurant
Budget: Hostel Café Koti, Guesthouse Borealis
Mid-range: Hotelli Aakenus Oy, Arctic City Hotel, Scandic Pohjanhovi
Glass igloos (luxury): Aito Igloo and Spa Resort, Apukka Resort, Glass Resort
Snow igloos & ice hotels: Arctic SnowHotel, Kätkävaara Aurora Apartments and Igloos
Frequently asked questions about husky sledding, reindeer safari, and animal experiences in Rovaniemi
Why is Rovaniemi ideal for Arctic animal experiences?
Rovaniemi’s location on the Arctic Circle and its natural environment, with its snow-covered forests, open fields, and long winter season, provides the perfect backdrop for husky sledding, reindeer safaris, and other animal-related activities.
When is the best time to visit Rovaniemi for husky sledding and reindeer safaris?
Husky sledding and reindeer safaris in Rovaniemi are best done during the winter months from December to March, when there is full snow cover. The longer nights also offer a higher chance of seeing the northern lights.
Apart from husky sledding and reindeer safaris, what other animal experiences are available in Rovaniemi?
Take a trip to husky and reindeer farms, where you can meet and interact with the animals. You’ll also get insights into Sami culture and their traditional lifestyle as reindeer herders. Visit Ranua Wildlife Park to see polar bears, wolves, and other Arctic wildlife, including many endangered species. You can go on safaris and spend time in the wilderness to observe bears, moose, and elk in their natural habitats.
Are these animal experiences suitable for children?
Yes, most husky sledding and reindeer safari experiences in Rovaniemi are family-friendly and welcome children of all ages. Family tours are often shorter, with features like additional blankets and special safety briefings. Some longer tours may have minimum age requirements, so it’s best to check with the tour provider for age restrictions before you book your tickets.
What else can you do in Rovaniemi?
With its remote location and being surrounded by wilderness, Rovaniemi offers excellent opportunities to see the northern lights. You can also go ice fishing and take a snowmobile safari to explore the Arctic landscape. And with Rovaniemi known as the official home of Santa Claus and Christmas, a visit to Santa Claus Village is a must-do.
Should I buy tickets for sledding experiences in Rovaniemi in advance?
Yes, it’s best to book your tickets for Rovaniemi husky sledding and reindeer safari experiences in advance. Rovaniemi’s popularity for winter activities means tours can fill up quickly for the peak winter season (December to March). Purchasing your tickets at least 2–4 weeks in advance will allow you to secure your preferred dates and times.