Husky safari in Saariselkä: duration, price and what to expect
A husky safari in Saariselkä is a trip on which you drive your own husky team across snow-covered terrain with a guide. The Kuukkeli husky safari lasts three hours, of which around one hour is spent driving, and the route is five or ten kilometres depending on your choice. Drivers must be at least 15 years old, and the activity requires moderate fitness and balance, since the sled is driven standing up. The safari departs from the Kuukkeli Shopping Centre in the middle of Saariselkä, and hot berry juice and cookies are served in a kota hut at the end.
What a husky safari involves
On a husky safari, a team of dogs pulls a sled across snow-covered terrain. In Saariselkä the safaris are hands-on: participants drive the sled themselves. The guide travels with the teams and goes through the driving technique before departure.
Each sled carries two adults or a small family: one drives standing on the runners while the others sit in the sled under warm blankets. Places are swapped at the halfway point, so the turn at the reins rotates. This is worth knowing in advance, because driving and riding are very different experiences: the driver stands, brakes and steers, while the passenger can concentrate on the landscape.
The Kuukkeli husky safari: duration, distance and what’s included
| Total duration | 3 hours, including transfers and the equipment check |
| Distance | 10 kilometres, around one hour of driving. A shorter 5-kilometre route is available. |
| Departure point | Kuukkeli Shopping Centre, central Saariselkä |
| Age limit | Drivers must be at least 15 years old |
| Difficulty | Moderate, requires reasonable fitness and balance |
| Guiding languages | English and Finnish |
| Booking | At least one hour before departure |
| Price | From €219 |
The price includes driving instruction, a safety and equipment check with extra gear provided if needed, transport to the safari site and back, photographs taken by the guide at the halfway stop, and hot berry juice and cookies in a kota hut afterwards. There is also time to thank and pet the dogs once the ride is over.
How the safari runs
- Arrive one hour before departure. Guests arrive at the Kuukkeli Shopping Centre exactly one hour before the stated departure time. That hour covers the winter clothing check and the transfer to the safari site.
- Instruction and meeting the team. The guide goes through steering, braking and the key safety points before the teams set off.
- The ride. The route runs through winter forest and is either five or ten kilometres long. It is designed to suit beginners but has enough pace to stay interesting.
- Halfway stop. The teams pause, the guide takes photographs and the driving turn changes.
- Kota hut and return. Hot berry juice and cookies are served in a kota hut at the end, after which the transfer takes you back to the centre.
Who can drive the team
Drivers must be at least 15 years old. Younger participants can join as passengers in the sled, so the safari suits families as long as an adult or an old enough teenager takes the reins.
The difficulty is rated moderate. Standing on the runners and keeping your balance takes reasonable physical fitness, and braking is done by pressing a brake plate into the snow with your foot. No previous experience is needed, and instruction is given before departure.
What to wear on a husky safari
A husky safari means a couple of hours outdoors, and the speed of the sled creates a wind chill. The passenger gets cold faster than the driver, because they are not moving at all. Warm winter clothing matters more here than on most other activities.
- Several layers, with a windproof outer layer
- Warm winter footwear and wool socks
- Thick mittens plus thinner liner gloves, so you can still handle a camera
- A hat and a scarf or neck warmer
Clothing is checked at the departure point, and missing items can be borrowed if needed. Winter gear can also be bought at the Kesport sports shop in the centre of Saariselkä or hired from Kuukkeli’s equipment rental.
When to book a husky safari
Husky safaris run during the snow season, which in Saariselkä typically lasts from December to April. The exact season varies from year to year with snow conditions.
Bookings can be made up to one hour before departure, but during peak periods around Christmas, New Year and the Finnish school skiing holidays, places fill up earlier. If the safari is the main event of your trip, book it at the same time as your accommodation. November and January are quieter, and availability is usually better then.
Kuukkeli’s other winter activities, including the reindeer farm, the aurora hunt and ice karting, can be found on the activities page. Booking several activities at once makes scheduling easier, since they all depart from the same place.
Photography on the safari
Taking photographs while driving is difficult, because both hands are needed to steer the sled. The passenger can photograph more easily, and the halfway stop exists partly for that purpose. The guide takes photographs of the participants and their team at the stop.
Cold drains a phone battery quickly, so keep your phone inside your jacket. Moving a camera from the cold into a warm room causes condensation on the lens, which you can avoid by leaving the camera in its bag until it has warmed up.
Where to stay when booking a husky safari
The safari departs from the Kuukkeli Shopping Centre, so staying in the centre is the most practical option. The departure point is then within walking distance, and you don’t have to factor driving time into the morning schedule. The options can be found on the Saariselkä accommodation page, and our guide to finding the right cabin helps you compare the different types.
After a safari you will have cooled down thoroughly, so a sauna or a hot tub in the evening is welcome. Many Kuukkeli properties have their own sauna, and some also have a hot tub.
A husky safari takes place during the day, so the same day works well combined with aurora watching in the evening. Read more about when and where the northern lights are visible in Saariselkä.
Frequently asked questions about husky safaris in Saariselkä
How long does a husky safari last?
The Kuukkeli husky safari lasts three hours in total. Around one hour of that is driving, and the rest covers transfers, the equipment check, instruction and the time spent in the kota hut.
Do I need experience of driving a husky team?
No. The guide covers the driving technique and safety instructions before departure, and the route is designed to suit beginners. Reasonable fitness and balance are needed, though, because the sled is steered standing up.
Can children join a husky safari?
Yes, as passengers in the sled. The minimum age for drivers is 15, so when someone under 15 rides along, an adult steers the sled.
When do husky safaris run in Saariselkä?
During the snow season, which typically lasts from December to April. The exact season varies from year to year with snow conditions.
How early do I need to be at the departure point?
Exactly one hour before the stated departure time. The winter clothing check and the transfer to the safari site take place at the Kuukkeli Shopping Centre, and that takes the full hour.
How many people fit in one sled?
Two adults or a small family. One person drives and the others ride along, and places are swapped at the halfway point.
Book a husky safari in Saariselkä
The Kuukkeli husky safari departs from the Kuukkeli Shopping Centre, which also houses Bistro & Café Kuukkeli, the equipment rental and the shop. Accommodation, activities and transfers are all arranged from the same place.