Husky Dog Sledding in Finnish Lapland - An Ultimate Bucket List Adventure

The wind whipped furiously as we trudged through the snow. The morning was cold but bright. The only sight was that of expansive fields of snow. The only sound was that of dogs quivering with excitement. We were in Finnish Lapland, and after a few magical days of cross-country skiing and sighting the Northern Lights, it was time for the activity I anticipated most of all: Husky dog sledding.

PHOTO: Preparing to go dog sledding

I've always adored Huskies, and when I discovered that I could drive my own sled through a pristine winter wonderland, I nearly burst at the seams with excitement. We chose to stay at Harriniva Hotels and Safaris, a lodge in Northern Finland known not only for their winter adventures, but also the 400 Husky dogs they care for on site. Multi-day expeditions through the snowy wilderness are a particularly popular option. As we were on a time crunch, we instead opted for a half-day tour to get to know the dogs and try our own hand at being a musher, or dog sled driver.

PHOTO: Husky dog

Husky dogs love to pull. As the sledges were brought out and the ropes prepared, the dogs began to bark excitedly. Their energy and strength was a bit intimidating, and as our instructor taught us the safety precautions and directions for mushing (or driving) a sled, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. We had to learn how to break, slow down, and use our body weight to control the sledge. Though accidents rarely happen, they are possible, and it was important to clearly understand how to remain in charge at all times. Would I actually be able to control my own team of dogs, zooming through fields and around icy covered lakes? Or would the dogs send me soaring uncontrollably from the back of my sledge?

PHOTO: The vast wilderness of snow covered Lapland

Despite my escalating nerves, there was no backing out. I used all my strength to hold the brake down as the dogs tried to promptly take off running. I waited endlessly for the countdown from the instructor. Then finally, barely audible over the deafening howls of the dogs, I heard the command: 3, 2, 1 ... Go! I slowly began to let up off the brake, and just like that, we were off.

The intimidating barking ceased the moment we began to glide along the trail; the only sound was now the steady patter of the dogs’ feet upon the snow and the sound of the sledge gliding effortlessly behind. The huskies were strong and eager, but leading them was also surprisingly intuitive. As we carried along, I felt all of my stress and anxieties melt away. There was only me, my husky dog team, and the peacefulness of the surrounding countryside. It couldn't have been more glorious.

PHOTO: Mushing through the forest

The experience was mind opening, not only because it provided us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead our own sled of dogs, but also because we learned a vast amount about the dogs and the history of sledding. For example, one of the first things we noticed was that the dogs didn't look like the characteristic Siberian Husky Dogs we always associate with the name.

That's because they are actually Alaskan Huskies. Alaskan Huskies are thought to make the best sled dogs, both for their strength and endurance, as well as their love to pull! Though they might not all have blue eyes or black and white fur, they are just as loveable as their Siberian relatives. Another fascinating tidbit is that dog sledding is thought to be over 500 years old - and is still used as a primary mode of transportation in some rural areas of the Arctic!

PHOTO: Alaskan Huskies

It’s a lot of work to take care of and train so many huskies, but the reward certainly seems worth the effort. When we returned to the kennel, we gave our dogs one last cuddle before parting ways, knowing that though our time with the Huskies had been short, our memories of dog sledding through Finnish Lapland would stay with us for much longer.

PHOTO: Happy Husky

If you are interested in learning how to mush your own dog team, Finnish Lapland is the perfect place to do it. Not only can you spend your days taking care of your very own team of dogs, you can also spend your nights searching for the Northern Lights! Harriniva Hotels and Safaris offers multiple dog-sledding excursions, ranging from just a few hours to a few days.

Have you ever been dog sledding before? What did you think?