The best time for a husky safari in Rovaniemi
The sled season runs through the winter, but not every week gives you the same ride. Here is how snow, light and cold change it.
Husky sled rides around Rovaniemi run in the snow season, roughly from mid or late November into April; the exact dates depend on the operator and on the snow. Before that, in autumn, some kennels run their tours on wheeled carts. Within the winter, three things change what your ride feels like: daylight, cold and the condition of the snow.
Autumn on wheels
No sleds yet: the dogs pull wheeled carts along forest tracks. Wet and muddy days are part of it. If your trip falls here, look at the autumn cart tours.
Deep winter
The sled season starts. Around Christmas the days are very short and the village is at its busiest; January and February bring the deepest cold, when rides can be shortened or called off. Book early for the Christmas weeks.
Light and milder days
Long, bright days and gentler temperatures. The trade-off: in mild spells the snow gets soft and routes can be shortened, and towards the end of the season some tours change format. Check the listing for your date.
Snow: why mild weeks can mean a shorter ride
Sled dogs run best on firm, cold snow. When the temperature climbs, the snow softens and operators slow down, stop more often or switch to a shorter route. Reviewers describe exactly that: one reviewer in March writes that the snow was too soft because the temperature was too high, and another in March that mild temperatures made the original route impassable, so the group did laps on a shorter loop. It is not limited to spring. One reviewer in January was warned the day before that a 10 km ride could be shortened. Rain on a mild day is possible too; one reviewer describes a passenger ride in steady rain.
If time on the sled matters most to you, the weeks from December to February give you the best chance of firm snow and the full route, so dress for the cold instead. In March and April, book with the possibility of a shorter route in mind, and read the operator’s terms for weather changes on the product page. The advertised distance is the plan for good conditions.
Light: short days around Christmas
Rovaniemi lies on the Arctic Circle. Around the winter solstice the sun barely rises, and daylight is limited to a few hours around midday. Rides then take place in blue twilight or in the dark. From late January the days lengthen quickly, and by March they are long and bright. If you want photos of the dogs in sunlight, choose a late-winter date or a midday slot.
Cold: what very low temperatures mean
In deep cold, operators can shorten or call off rides to protect guests and dogs; what happens to your booking is set in each tour’s terms. Sitting still in a passenger sled is the coldest way to experience it. See our what-to-wear page for the layers. Most tours listed here can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the start, which lets you book early and adjust if the forecast turns.
Choosing by what matters most
- The longest ride: December to February, on a long safari.
- Christmas with the family: the short ride in Santa Claus Village, and book early.
- Northern lights as well: the dark months. The aurora season is covered on our sister site rovaniemi-northernlights.com.
- Autumn trip: the cart tours, from about October until the snow.
- Sunlight and milder temperatures: March, with the possibility of a shorter route in mind.
Weather in the reviews
The reviews below are all about the weather: soft snow and mild temperatures shortening the ride, rain, and bad luck with the conditions. They are the reason we point to the cold core of the season for the longest ride.
“… the sleigh ride was short, and we stopped constantly, including due to adverse conditions (temperature too high, so the snow was too soft). …”
“… Unfortunately, the mild temperatures made the original route impassable, and we ended up doing two laps on a route that lasted at most 10 minutes or so. …”
“I love the huskies. It was raining all the time and we had no blanket over us. I did ask if we could change the date … but they made no effort to accommodate, or help us. …”
“We were unlucky with the weather conditions … despite the less favorable conditions, which we understand, we still had to pay the same price. The activity was more of a tourist trap; there were a lot of us on the tour. …”
Real traveller reviews from GetYourGuide.
FAQ
When is husky season in Rovaniemi?
Sled rides run in the snow season, roughly from mid or late November into April; the exact dates depend on the operator and the snow. In autumn, from about October until the snow arrives, some kennels run husky rides on wheeled carts instead.
What is the best month for a husky safari in Rovaniemi?
For the best chance of firm snow and the full route, the cold core of the season from December to February. For long, bright days and milder temperatures, March, with a higher chance of a shortened route when the snow softens.
Can a husky ride be shortened or cancelled because of the weather?
Yes. In mild weather soft snow can shorten the route, and in very low temperatures operators can shorten or cancel rides. The terms for such changes are on each product page.
Is it dark during husky rides in December?
Around the winter solstice daylight in Rovaniemi is limited to a few hours around midday, so many rides take place in twilight or darkness. From late January the days lengthen quickly.
Can I go husky riding in Rovaniemi in October?
Yes, on a wheeled cart. Some kennels run autumn cart tours from about October until the snow is deep enough for sleds.