Amy's blog posts

What is dog sledding?

Dog sledding, otherwise referred to as mushing, has been integral to Finnish way of life for thousands of years. In addition to dogs being loyal friends, they were initially a vital form of transport to take goods and people across the snow-covered land, which was otherwise treacherous to travellers. When there were no roads to take, it was the perfect solution to help locals reach other settlements with vital supplies.

The first dog sleds were made of just a single dog pulling a lighter load but as the need to travel further distances while carrying larger loads increased, teams of dogs were introduced.

Due to modern-day life, the need for dogs to transport supplies has reduced significantly. Dog sledding, however, still remains important to these rural parts of the world as now, their primary use is for tourism. The tours allow visitors to gain an exclusive insight into the cultural significance of sledding as well as adding a bucket list activity to their winter adventure.

Which dog sledding tours in Finland can I choose?

There are a number of dog sledding tours in Finland for you to choose from. You could opt for a shorter route to get your first taste of dog sledding, or if you want the full Finnish experience, you could try a multi-day dog sledding tour, covering larger distances and staying in wilderness cabins along the way. We have a range of dog sledding tours on offer so that you can experience this activity of a lifetime.

For example, during our log cabin taster week to Luosto, you’ll get a gentle introduction to dog sledding over a 10km course which includes learning how to harness the dogs and talking to the mushers about their incredible lifestyle. Whereas in Harriniva, you could embark on an epic seven-day expedition where you will cover around 300km with your dogs in remote areas of Finland. For those who’ve experienced husky sledding before but seek more adventure, this is the real deal!

View our holidays to Finland with a dog sledding experience here or, if you would prefer a longer tour, click here to view our overnight husky sledding activities here.

What can I expect during dog sledding?

Dog sledding is a fantastic sport but it can be intimidating trying your hand as a musher for the very first time. With the help of our local experts, you’ll learn everything you need to know before you take to the trails and embark on your adventure across the fells and forests of Lapland.

Though there is an initial force that comes with the dogs taking off, after they settle into their pace, you’ll find that dog sledding is a relatively easy activity. You will probably be surprised at how quickly you get a feel for it as you use your weight to help the sled through the turns.

We provide you with the warm winter outwear for the duration of your stay in Lapland, however, when you travel through the harsh wilderness on a husky sled it can feel much colder, particularly if you are a passenger. Make sure you wear plenty of layers whilst experiencing the activity, and take hand and feet warmers too. To help prepare you for dog sledding in Finland, once you book your holiday with us, we will send you a trip dossier which includes a packing list for this type of environment.

What’s the difference between husky sledding and dog sledding?

The difference between husky sledding and dog sledding is nothing other than the type of dog used to pull the sled. It is a common misconception that all sled dogs are huskies when in fact, there are many different breeds of dog that are used for this sport. The term ‘husky sledding’ should really be reserved for teams that are only made up of this specific breed which is usually associated with a certain area.

The Siberian Husky is one of the oldest breeds of dogs in the world. They are directly descended from wolves and were used for hunting and herding by the Chukchi tribe, located in Russia. The Alaskan Husky is a cross-breed, carefully selected in the 1900s during the Alaskan gold rush for transportation help.

In Finland, the Finnish Lapphund was thought to be originally brought in for racing but was also used for reindeer herding. It wasn’t long until they were being used for mushing too. The Finnish Lapphund are a breed born to run and their obedience makes them brilliant for dog sledding.

In our chosen destinations, our dog sledding teams are often made up of a mix of different breeds.

Local people, local knowledge

We have worked with our suppliers in Finland for many years and having experienced all of the tours and activities ourselves, we can assure you that you’re in very good hands. We ensure that all of our suppliers work to a high level of animal welfare standards and, as we work with local people, you’ll get a truly authentic dog sledding experience.

It’s important to remember that sled dogs are not like the domesticated dogs we know and adore at home. Though the owners love and care for their animals, sled dogs are working animals, and so are treated a little differently. These dogs have adapted to life in the Arctic, and usually, they will sleep outside in purpose-built kennels but with their incredibly thick coats, this isn’t an issue for them!

Whilst these are working dogs, most of them also love a good pet and a cuddle, and you’ll have plenty of time to schedule this into your activity time. However, our top tip from our Artisan Travel Experts is that it’s best to wait until after the tour because beforehand, the dogs are far too eager and excited to get going!

Our dog sledding holidays in Finland

From Jeris to Utsjoki, Vuokatti to Torassieppi, the majority of our winter holidays to Finland feature a dog sledding activity. View all of our dog sledding in Finland holidays here. Alternatively, you can contact our Artisan Travel Experts on 01670 785 085 – we’d love to discuss our own dog sledding experiences with you.

We also feature dog sledding experiences in Norway, Canada, Sweden and Alaska. You can view all of our holidays that include dog sledding here.

 Image credits: Antti Pietikainen

I am due to travel after the transition period ends, will it go ahead?

Regardless of the outcome of the transitional negotiations, the European Commission has stated that no aircraft will be grounded as a result of the changes and we do not foresee any impact on your holiday plans.

However, should any circumstances beyond our control mean you cannot travel as a result of Brexit (unless related to passport validity issues), you will receive a refund of all monies paid to us should no suitable alternative be available. Any package holiday booked with a UK operator will offer you this protection under the Package Travel Regulations. No additional compensation would be payable in this situation, but you can be sure you will get your money back.

This highlights the importance of booking with a fully bonded Tour Operator such as The Aurora Zone which means that you are fully protected financially by ATOL and ABTA.

If you book flights, hotels or other services directly with suppliers then it is unlikely that you will be covered financially.

Will my passport still work?

For travel between the 31^st January and the 31^st December 2020, your passport simply needs to be valid for the duration of your trip.

For those travelling post December 2020, it is likely that you will need six months left on your passport from the date of your arrival in the EU country (and any additional months added to your passport as a result of early renewal will not count towards this six month period). Full guidance is provided here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

Will I need a visa to travel to Europe?

For travel between the 31st January and 31^st December 2020, the rules will not change, and British Passport holders will not need a visa to visit Europe.

Beyond that then initial proposals suggest that UK citizens will not need a visa for any stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

The European Commission has stated that from 2021, all non-EU citizens will need to pay a fee (of around €7) every three years for this visa exemption as part of a new European Travel Information and Authorisation System similar to the US ESTA regime.

Where can I find out more?

ABTA has put together some helpful information on Brexit that can be found here. Or you can contact us on 01670 785 012 if you have any concerns.

Image Credits: Huck Finn Adventure Travel

Terms and Conditions

*Brexit Price Guarantee Terms: Once your 2019/20 or 20/21 booking has been confirmed by us, we won’t apply any surcharges caused by Brexit to your holiday, even if our costs increase due to Brexit. Normal charges apply if you amend or cancel your booking. Guarantee only applies to the basic holiday cost and does not include optional upgrades or ‘personalise’ items. Guarantee can be withdrawn/altered at any time without notice (this will not affect bookings already confirmed). Flight supplements may still apply if they cannot be secured at the time of booking for any reason.