Breaking Down Your Husky Ride & Meeting Experience

Arrival and Getting Ready: 45 Minutes

Your adventure begins when you arrive at Apukka Resort, nestled in the Rovaniemi wilderness. If you're being transferred from Rovaniemi city center or Santa Claus Village, your bus will deposit you at the main resort building. Take time to locate the changing facilities here, where you'll swap your everyday clothes for the thermal gear provided as part of your experience. The resort staff will fit you with a thermal overall, thermal boots, woolen socks, and mittens - everything engineered to keep you warm during your time on the sled and in the open air.

The changing room is equipped with lockers where you can safely store your belongings, bags, and valuables while you're out on the sledding run. This is the moment to leave behind anything you won't need during the 6 kilometers ahead. Once dressed in your winter layers, you'll have time to use the toilet facilities at the resort before heading out. Staff can point you toward refreshments if you'd like to grab something to eat or drink before the ride begins, though it's worth knowing the hot drink is served later, after you return.

The Walk to the Kennels and Safety Briefing: 20 Minutes

From the resort building, it's a short walk to where the huskies are kept. The distance is manageable in your thermal gear, and the path is well-maintained for guests heading to the kennels. When you arrive, you'll meet your team of friendly huskies and have the chance to pet them, getting a feel for the animals you'll soon be commanding. This is your opportunity to calm any nerves and build confidence with your dogs before you step onto the sled.

Before the actual run begins, the experienced team at Apukka will conduct a thorough safety briefing. You'll learn how to steer, how to use the brake, how to give commands, and what to expect once you're moving across the snow. This briefing is essential - it transforms you from a nervous passenger into a confident musher. The staff will answer any questions and make sure you're physically comfortable and mentally prepared for the 6 kilometers ahead. They understand that this is a new experience for most visitors, and they take the time to build your competence.

Suited up and ready: the walk to meet your husky team

The 6-Kilometre Husky Run: 90 Minutes

This is the heart of your adventure. You'll guide your own team of huskies across 6 kilometers of snow-covered terrain, feeling the pull of the sled and the rhythm of the dogs working beneath you. Unlike a passive sleigh ride, you're actively steering, managing the pace, and communicating with your team. The route takes you through forests and open landscapes typical of the Rovaniemi region during winter. The sensation of speed, the sound of paws on snow, and the complete silence of the wilderness create a moment many visitors describe as the highlight of their time in Finnish Lapland.

The actual sledding time of around 90 minutes includes both your outbound run and your return to the starting point. The pace is steady rather than frantic, giving you time to absorb the landscape and enjoy the connection with the dogs. You won't be rushing; instead, you'll be moving at a rhythm that lets the huskies do what they love while you experience the thrill of commanding them. Weather conditions are what make each run unique - some days the snow sparkles, others it falls softly around you, and the light in the Arctic winter creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on Earth.

The Warm Shelter Break and Hot Drink: 30 Minutes

Partway through or at the conclusion of your sledding, you'll make a stop at a warm shelter where the real comfort of the day sets in. Your body will be energized from the ride, and stepping into warmth is a welcome contrast. Here you'll be served a hot drink - a chance to thaw your hands, catch your breath, and process the adrenaline of what you've just accomplished. This isn't rushed; it's a genuine pause where you can sit, relax, and let the experience settle in.

The shelter provides a moment of reflection and social connection. If you're traveling with others, this is when you'll compare notes and laugh about the ride. If you're solo, it's a peaceful moment to sit with the quiet satisfaction of having done something you've never done before. The staff ensures everyone is warm and comfortable, and you'll have access to facilities here as well. This break is built into your 3-hour-30-minute total time, so it's not an afterthought but a genuine part of the experience design.

Return to the Resort and Changing: 30 Minutes

After the warm shelter break, you'll return to the kennels with your husky team, completing the full 6-kilometer route. The dogs will have given their best effort, and you'll have earned the satisfaction of having driven them safely and fairly. Once you're back at the kennels, you can spend final moments with the huskies, petting them and thanking them for the adventure. Many visitors take photos here, capturing the memory of their dogs and the moment they've just shared.

You'll then walk back to the resort building where you started, remove your thermal gear, and return to your regular clothes. The changing facilities remain available, and you can tidy up before your transfer back to Rovaniemi city center or Santa Claus Village. If you've stored items in the locker, you'll retrieve them now. The entire return and changing process takes about 30 minutes, bringing you to the natural conclusion of your 3-hour-30-minute experience.

Facilities and What to Know

Apukka Resort is equipped with the essentials for your comfort. Toilets are available both at the main resort building and near the kennels, so you'll never be far from facilities. The changing room with secure lockers means your belongings will be safe while you're on the sled. The warm shelter on the route provides not just heat but a proper space to sit and recover with your hot drink. If you need to eat before your experience begins or after it ends, you're welcome to look for options at the resort, though you should confirm availability when you book.

The thermal gear provided is designed specifically for Lapland winters and is replaced with fresh sets for each guest. Don't worry about fit - the staff are practiced at getting everyone into the right sizes. Bring sunglasses or goggles if you're sensitive to snow glare, as the reflection off white landscapes can be intense. Most importantly, trust the briefing you receive and the expertise of the Apukka team. They've guided thousands of visitors through this adventure, and they know exactly how to make it safe, comfortable, and unforgettable.

Managing Your 3 Hours and 30 Minutes

The 3-hour-30-minute duration is allocated as follows: 45 minutes for arrival, changing, and preparation; 20 minutes for the walk to kennels and safety briefing; 90 minutes for the actual 6-kilometer sledding run; 30 minutes for the warm shelter break with your hot drink; and 30 minutes for the return journey and changing back into regular clothes. Add in transfer time if you've arranged pickup from Rovaniemi city center or Santa Claus Village, and you'll have a clear picture of how the day unfolds. Start early enough that you can complete everything without rushing, especially if you have other activities planned.

Plan to wear comfortable, warm clothes under your thermal gear, and don't overdress - layering works better than bulk when you're in the changing room. Bring a small day bag with essentials like lip balm or hand cream for after the ride, but remember that anything you carry must go into the locker. If you're traveling with family or friends, everyone moves through the experience together, so there's no waiting around. By the time you're back on the bus heading to your next destination, you'll have completed something that most people never do: commanding your own team of Lapland huskies across a frozen wilderness.

Arrival & Check-In

1. Meet your guides at Apukka Resort

   You arrive at Apukka Resort. Check in with the team and receive your welcome briefing before heading to the changing facilities.

2. Change into thermal winter clothing

   Put on your thermal overall, boots, woolen socks and mittens in the resort facilities. Warm and waterproof, you are now ready for the snow.

3. Greet the huskies at the kennels

   Walk to the husky kennels to meet your team. Spend time petting and bonding with the friendly dogs before they harness up for your ride.

4. Drive 6 km through winter landscape

   Command your own husky team across snowy trails. The dogs lead the way as you experience the thrill of mushing through the Finnish wilderness.

5. Come back to the lodge warm and exhilarated

   Your team brings you back to the resort. Change out of your thermal gear in the facilities as the adrenaline settles.

6. Enjoy a hot drink at the lodge

   Relax with a warming hot drink served at Apukka Resort, reflecting on your adventure before heading to your next destination.

Before you book