Tag: adventure

Join on a hike and experience the forest of lapland

Posted on by huskypark

🐾 Feel the Magic of Lapland: Hiking Adventures with Huskies

The snow might have melted, but the adventures still continue at Husky Park! As the forests come alive with summer’s glow, our huskies are as excited as ever to explore—and they’re waiting to take you along for the hike.

During the summer, we’re inviting you to experience Lapland in a whole new way with our two summer hiking adventures: Hiking with Huskies and the magical Midnight Hiking with Huskies. Whether you’re a morning hiker or a night owl, we’ve got something special lined up for you.

🌳 Hiking with Huskies: A Daytime Adventure

Our daytime hike is perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to learn more about our incredible huskies.

Your adventure starts with a guided tour of Husky Park, where you’ll get to meet the dogs, hear about their daily life, and maybe even pick up a fun husky fact or two. You also get to join a fenced area where the current puppies get to run freely and you get to play with them! After that, it’s time to hit the trail—a gentle 5-kilometer walk through the beautiful Lapland wilderness, leading up to a viewpoint where the landscape stretches out in all its glory.

This experience lasts about three hours. We don’t recommend this activity to anyone under the age of 12. It’s an easy hike, priced at €120 per person and you’ll share one husky between two people. Just be sure to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes—you’ll want to be comfortable so you can focus on the experience (and all the adorable husky moments!).

Note: If the weather is too hot, we may need to reschedule or cancel to keep our huskies safe!

🌌 Midnight Hiking with Huskies: Under the Arctic Sky

If you’ve never seen the Midnight Sun, prepare to be amazed. Our Midnight Hiking with Huskies lets you experience the unique beauty of Lapland’s summer nights—when the sun barely dips below the horizon and the forest glows with an otherworldly light.

You’ll set off on a gentle hike with your husky companion, soaking in the peacefulness of the night. At the halfway point, we’ll pause at a scenic viewpoint—perfect for photos and a moment of quiet reflection.

This two-hour hike is priced at €180 per person, with one husky per two guests. The same with daytime Hike: we recommend good shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. We also keep a close eye on the forecast to make sure our huskies are safe and happy.

🗓️ Book Your Summer Adventure

Our hiking experiences run from June 1st to July 31st (Midnight Hike) and August 1st to November 30th (Daytime Hike)—plenty of time to plan your perfect summer escape. While walk-ins are welcome, we do recommend booking ahead (especially for larger groups).

You’ll find us right in Santa Claus Village, just 8 kilometers from Rovaniemi city center. Whether you hop on bus number 8 or drive yourself, getting here is easy—and there’s plenty of parking.

Whether you prefer a daytime hike or the calm of a midnight walk., we’d love to share the magic of Lapland with you. Come meet our huskies, breathe in the fresh forest air, and make memories that will stay with you long after summer ends.

🐾 Read more from huskypark.fi! We hope to see you on the trail! 🐾

DIVE IN THE SLED TEAM!

Posted on by huskypark

Welcome to Husky Park’s blog! In this blog, we explore the different roles in a husky sled team and the exciting world of husky safaris!

Building the Husky Team

In husky sledding, each sled dog has a specific role. Lead dogs are in front of the team, behind them are the team dogs, and closest to the sled, we have the wheel dogs. They’re placed in a team from the fastest to the slowest so no one gets run over, and the sled’s weight is efficiently shared between them. Each husky safari team consists of 10-12 strong and well-trained sled dogs, pulling sleds that fit 2-4 people, offering an unforgettable husky adventure.

Lead dogs

Lead dogs are positioned in front of the team. Lead dogs are the most intelligent and responsive sled dogs in the team, knowing the main commands given in Finnish: MENNÄÄN (let’s go), OIKEA (right), VASEN (left), and SEIS (stop). Lead dogs are crucial in guiding the husky sled through the snowy trails, ensuring a smooth and controlled husky ride. The lead dogs communicate with their driver. For example, when getting the command left, they take the left side of the tracks. They’re intelligent, fast, tough, and clear-headed.

There are times when the lead dogs may take a wrong turn after receiving a command. When the sled driver notices this, they apply the brake and give the command again. Usually, the lead dogs correct themselves, but sometimes, the sled driver needs to intervene and physically guide them back on the correct track.

Criteria for Lead Dogs

Lead dogs play an essential role in husky safaris because the sled drivers cannot steer the team without them. They also keep the sled dog team on the right path and push forward with determination. Most lead dogs are small and light-structured, making them fast and agile. They need to be quick so they don’t get in the way of the dogs behind them, ensuring the team moves efficiently through the snowy terrain without getting tangeled to each other.

Training the Lead Dogs

Training lead dogs begins at the age of 1.5 – 3 years. Young huskies are usually paired with older, experienced lead dogs, who show them how to respond to commands and communicate with the driver. This mentorship ensures that the young huskies learn the skills necessary for successful husky sledding and husky safaris.

However, not all young dogs are suited to lead from the start. If a husky struggles in the lead position, it is moved back to work as a team dog. Some huskies develop into excellent lead dogs over time as they gain experience and confidence in husky sledding.

Team Dogs

Team dogs provide the main pulling power in a husky safari team. While they do not have a specific steering role, they work together to ensure a smooth and even pull. A well-balanced husky team consists of 2-4 larger males in front of the wheel dogs, while females and smaller males are positioned behind the lead dogs. In a 12-dog husky sledding team, the six rearmost, bigger dogs act as “horsepower,” while the six frontmost provide speed. This careful placement prevents faster dogs from running over slower ones and ensures effective teamwork during husky safaris.

When forming husky sledding teams, drivers must consider which dogs get along with each other to prevent unnecessary fuss or fights. Conflicts among dogs can stop the entire husky safari mid-run, which is why compatibility and teamwork are essential.

Wheel Dogs

Wheel dogs have the heaviest role in a husky sled team, making them some of the strongest sled dogs. Typically, wheel dogs are large males because their natural strength helps pull the sled and handle the weight of passengers during husky rides and tours.

Positioned closest to the sled, wheel dogs play a crucial role in turning. Since there is no steering wheel on a husky sled, the wheel dogs help the musher steer by pulling the sled in the right direction. Strong and skilled wheel dogs allow the musher to navigate curves smoothly without braking too much, helping the entire team conserve energy for long-distance husky safaris and Arctic adventures.

Whether you’re joining a husky safari, learning about sled dog teams, or simply enjoying the excitement of husky sledding, every dog in the team has a unique and essential role. Stay tuned for more insights into the thrilling world of Husky Park, Arctic adventures, and sled dog experiences!