Husky Safaris in Rovaniemi – which one is worth it?

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If you’re visiting Lapland with kids, a husky safari in Rovaniemi is often right at the top of the wish list but which one offers the best experience for your family? The idea of racing through snowy forests behind a team of excited huskies feels like something straight out of a winter film, and for many families it ends up being one of the most memorable experiences of the whole trip. The problem is that once you start looking, you quickly realise there are lots of husky safaris to choose from, and they can vary hugely in price, length and overall experience.

Some are short rides aimed at families visiting Santa Claus Village, while others take you much deeper into the Arctic wilderness for a longer adventure. You might see options with extras like BBQs, aurora hunting or visits to Santa, as well as combination tours which include reindeer rides, snowmobiles and all sorts! So which husky safari in Rovaniemi is actually worth it? In this guide I’ll walk through the main options and what you can expect from each type of tour to help you to decide which of the Rovaniemi husky safaris is the best option for your family.

1. Drive your own husky team

Best for: Families looking for the ultimate engaging husky experience.

For the ultimate husky experience, some providers will allow you to drive your own husky team. Before the ride, your guide will provide full instructions and a demonstration – then you’ll step onto your sled and take the reins of your husky team. Artic GM Experiences OY offer fabulous self-drive husky safaris which take you through snow-covered forests and across frozen lakes in Rovaniemi, with only the sound of sled runners and eager huskies breaking the Arctic silence. Halfway, you can switch drivers to share the thrill and when you return you’ll gather by the fire for hot drinks, grilled sausages and a chat with your guide. If that sounds good, here’s what’s included:

Pickup & drop-off from your accommodation in Rovaniemi
Certified professional guide & musher support
Meet & greet with the huskies
5-8 km self-driven husky safari
Thermal overalls
Hot drinks & barbecue (grilled sausages)
Small groups (max 8 guests)

Click here to check out Artic GM Experiences OY self-drive husky safaris on Get Your Guide.

2. Snowmobile tours with husky & reindeer rides

Best for: Families who want to experience snowmobiling as well as husky and reindeer rides, or those with limited time.

Many families stay in Rovaniemi for a very short time so, if you’re trying to pack in as much as possible, you might want to look for tours which combine snowmobile safaris, husky rides and reindeer sleigh rides. For those with a long Lapland bucket list, a tour which allows you to enjoy all three magical experiences might be just the thing – and combining them all into one booking is likely to save you both time and money too. Certainly, for families visiting only for a day or two, the Snowmobile Safari, Reindeer & Husky Sleigh Ride from NordicUnique Travels is a fantastic way to fit it all in! This experience is suitable for children aged 3 and up – here’s what the combined 4.5 hour adventure includes:

Uncover the wild beauty of the Arctic forests on snowmobile and sleigh rides
Hot drinks and snacks
Pickup and drop-off at the Santa Claus Holiday Village or Nordic Unique Travels office
English-speaking guide
Winter clothes: overalls, boots, gloves and balaclava
1 hour snowmobile ride
Short reindeer sleigh ride
Short husky sleigh ride
If the child is 150 cm or taller, they can be seated on the snowmobile paying the adult’s price
If the child is shorter than 150 cm, they must be seated in the sled

Click here to check out the Snowmobile Safari, Reindeer & Husky Sleigh Ride from NordicUnique Travels on Get Your Guide.

3. Husky safaris at Santa Claus Village

Best for: Short husky rides and families looking for a convenient location.

If you’re looking for a taster experience, there are a number of providers for husky rides at Santa Claus Village – as well as hop on and off trips (literally a lap or two) you can also book slightly longer experiences for a bit more fun without the commitment of the proper safaris. The location is also super convenient – we spent the morning exploring Santa Claus Village and then enjoyed our husky experience in the afternoon. Our particular husky ride was booked through Bearhill Husky via Get Your Guide. We opted for the 2.5km ride which I would recommend – it lasts about 10 minutes which was the perfect amount of time and not too long or short. This experience is located at the bottom of Santa Claus Village and includes:

A 2.5 km Husky ride (8-12 minutes)
Information about huskies
Juice and cookies

Click here to check out Bearhill Husky Rides at Santa Claus Village on Get Your Guide.

4. Aurora husky safaris through the forest

Best for: Families with older children who are keen to see the Northern Lights.

If an aurora hunt is an important part of your Rovaniemi bucket list then you might want to look at night-time husky safaris which offer a magical 2 in 1 experience. Step into a fairytale as you glide through a snow-covered forest and above you, if you’re lucky, the sky will come alive with the magical dance of the Northern Lights. The aurora husky safaris from provider Christmas House Safaris are likely best suited to older kids due to the timing of the activity but children of all ages are welcome – they’ll sit safely in the sled enjoying the thrill wrapped in warm blankets. Afterwards, families can warm up by the fire with a cup of hot berry juice and a small snack. If you fancy an evening husky adventure, this one includes:

Thermal overalls and winter boots
Round-trip transportation
30 minute husky sleigh ride (approximately 5km distance)
Hot berry juice and a small snack
English-speaking guide

Click here to check out the Aurora Husky Safaris from Christmas House Safaris on Get Your Guide.

5. Santa, reindeer and husky experience

Best for: Families with younger children looking for the ultimate festive experience.

Northern Future OY offer a combined Santa, reindeer and husky experience which may appeal to families exploring Rovaniemi with younger children – rather than full safaris you can enjoy short reindeer and husky rides alongside a Santa visit. It also includes a guided tour of Santa Claus Village – for this excursion you’d need to allow half a day. If you’re looking for the ultimate festive experience with little ones then this family-friendly combination tour could be a good option, here’s a bit more detail on what’s included:

Fazer chocolate welcome
Hotel pickup and drop-off
English-speaking guide
Santa Claus Village guided tour
Arctic Circle certificate
Meet Santa Claus
400 meter reindeer ride
500 meter husky sleigh ride
Baby seats (if needed)

Click here to check out the Northern Future OY combined Santa, reindeer and husky experience on Get Your Guide.

What else is there to do in Rovaniemi with kids?

Rovaniemi is an excellent base for your Lapland adventure as there’s loads to do and it’s all within easy reach on foot or via public transport. You could take the kids to Santa Claus Village to see Santa, play in the snow, toast marshmallows and for other experiences like reindeer rides. It’s also home to Snowman World with snow slides, ice-skating, a snow maze and snow art – great fun for a visit with younger kids. Alternatively, you could visit SantaPark – an indoor attraction inside a cavern where you can cross the Arctic Circle, take part in festive activities, watch shows and enjoy a magical train ride. And, your visit won’t be complete without a day spent at Lapland Winter Park – we had such an amazing time there and it offers a really authentic experience. For the ultimate thrill-seekers snowmobiling is brilliant fun, and ice-karting is popular with teens too! For lots of ideas, make sure you check out my article: The 15 best things to do in Rovaniemi with kids.

Is a Rovaniemi husky safari worth it?

I hope that this article has helped you to find the best husky safari for your Rovaniemi trip – there are some incredible tours on offer for families looking for an unforgettable experience. We enjoyed our husky experience with Bearhill Husky and found it to be good length as, travelling with teenagers, the snowmobiling was more of a priority for us. It’s helpful to make a proper itinerary before you travel as the excursions do get booked up quickly (particularly in December) and they can be pretty pricey so you’ll want to take a look at your budget in advance. You can’t visit Lapland without experiencing some of the once-in-a-lifetime activities on offer but, to keep costs under control, look at blending a few of the costly adventures with free or cheap activities like sledging, ice-skating and DIY aurora hunts.

Have a magical time! I’ve got lots of guides for things to do in Rovaniemi, where to stay, general tips for a budget-friendly experience and what to wear etc so make sure you check out my other articles to make your getaway run smoothly: