Husky ride in Santa Claus Village

A short passenger ride that starts right in the village. It is the easiest way onto a husky sled in Rovaniemi, though it is no safari.

This tour

Bearhill husky Santa Claus Village Husky Ride

30 minutes in total, of which 7–12 minutes on the sled
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

★ 4.7 (1,587) from €63

Book now

All husky safaris compared

Bearhill runs a husky ride that starts in Santa Claus Village at Joulumaantie 4: 2.5 km on the sled, about 7–12 minutes, with a musher driving the team while you sit in the sled. The whole activity takes around 30 minutes, needs no transfer and includes outer winter clothing. It fits between other plans in the village. Keep in mind that it is a short ride rather than a husky safari.

Photo	Tour	Distance	Time on the sled	Drive yourself?	Total duration	Price	Reviews	Book
	Santa Claus Village Husky Ride Bearhill husky	2.5 km	7–12 min	No, passenger	30 min	€63per person	★ 4.7 (1,587)	Book now

All prices are live from GetYourGuide and Viator and include taxes and booking fees, so the number here is the number at checkout.

The Santa Claus Village husky ride in detail

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Bearhill husky

Santa Claus Village Husky Ride

2.5 km and 7–12 minutes on the sled, right in Santa Claus Village, with no transfer needed.

Duration: 30 minutes in total, of which 7–12 minutes on the sled
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €63 ★ 4.7 (1,587 reviews)

Book on GetYourGuide

Full tour details

Highlights

Distance on the sled: 2.5 km (about 7–12 minutes of riding)
Starts right in Santa Claus Village, so no transfer is needed
A musher drives; you ride as a passenger
Outer winter clothing is included

About this tour

A short husky ride that starts in Santa Claus Village: 2.5 km on the sled, about 7–12 minutes, with a musher driving the team. The whole activity takes around 30 minutes, which makes it easy to fit between other plans in the village.

It is the most-reviewed husky ride on this site. What it is not is a safari. For a longer ride, or to drive the team yourself, look at the 5–10 km tours.

What's included

Sled ride of 2.5 km with a musher
Outer winter clothing

Meeting point

Santa Claus Village, Joulumaantie 4, Rovaniemi.

Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.

2.5 kmDistance on the sled

7–12 minTime on the sled, as stated by the operator

30 minTotal duration of the activity

0 minTransfer: the ride starts in the village

What the ride is

You arrive at the start in Santa Claus Village, put on the outer winter clothing that is included, and take your seat in the sled. A musher drives the team over 2.5 km; you do not drive yourself. After the ride, one reviewer describes tea and a cookie in a kota, a traditional Lapland hut. Because there is no transfer, the share of riding in the total time is high for such a short activity. The half-day safaris include a drive out to a kennel and back.

What visitors say and what to expect

The positive reviews describe a ride that felt long enough for the experience, healthy-looking dogs with protected paws and a guide who talked about rehoming the dogs when they retire. The critical ones come from the same short format: one reviewer had to wait despite a booked time slot, another describes a quick handover to the next group with little said along the way, and a third found the price high for the minutes on the sled.

◈

Book a slot, allow some slack.

The ride runs in slots in a busy village, and one reviewer mentions a wait even with a booked time. Plan it with a buffer before anything with a fixed time, and go in expecting a short ride with the dogs. If you want more time on the sled or to drive yourself, the 5–10 km safaris are the format for that.

Who the Santa Claus Village ride suits

Good fit if…

You are travelling with small children, and the ride is over before anyone gets cold
You are in Santa Claus Village anyway and want a husky ride without booking a transfer
You have little time: around 30 minutes in total
You want a first taste of sledding before deciding on a safari

Not ideal if…

You want to drive a team yourself: self-drive vs. passenger
You want a long ride through the forest: long husky safaris
Unhurried time with the dogs is the main point → a tour with a kennel visit fits better

More in and around the village

Reindeer rides in Santa Claus Village, and the day trips that combine a short husky ride with a reindeer ride and a visit to Santa, are compared on our sister site rovaniemi-reindeer.com. How those combination days compare with a husky ride on its own is on our husky & reindeer page. More about the operator behind this ride: Bearhill Husky.

What visitors to the village ride say

Praise for the dogs and the length of the experience, criticism of waiting and the pace of the handover. Both describe the same short slot-based ride.

★★★★★

“wow amazing, great value for money the dogs seemed and looked healthy. Thier little feet were protected and our guide told us all about their rehoming programme when they retire … the ride even though short felt like a long time and enough for the experience. …”

Holly · United Kingdom · April 2026 Santa Claus Village Husky Ride · Bearhill husky

★★★★★

“Perfect amount of time. Not too long or too short. Great experience.”

Kayla · United States · March 2026 Santa Claus Village Husky Ride · Bearhill husky

★★★★☆

“Good but have to wait for 15mins even booked at specific time”

CL · Hong Kong · April 2026 Santa Claus Village Husky Ride · Bearhill husky

★★☆☆☆

“It's not worth the money spent… You arrive, get on this sled, take your ride without anyone saying anything to you at all, finish the ride, have to run down fast because the people after you are starting, go into the kota, drink a glass of tea, eat a cookie, and then you leave. …”

Verified traveller · Italy · March 2026 · translated review Santa Claus Village Husky Ride · Bearhill husky

★★☆☆☆

“It was disappointing; very expensive for an 8–10-minute experience. The location is amazing, and the experience is great, but I'm not sure if it's worth it.”

Verified traveller · Spain · April 2026 · translated review Santa Claus Village Husky Ride · Bearhill husky

Real traveller reviews from GetYourGuide.

FAQ

Where does the husky ride in Santa Claus Village start?

In Santa Claus Village itself, at Joulumaantie 4 in Rovaniemi. No transfer is needed.

How long is the husky ride in Santa Claus Village?

The ride covers 2.5 km and takes about 7–12 minutes on the sled. The whole activity, including getting dressed and back, takes around 30 minutes.

Can I drive the huskies myself in Santa Claus Village?

No. A musher drives the team and you ride as a passenger. To drive a team yourself, book a self-drive safari outside the village.

Is warm clothing included?

Yes, outer winter clothing is included. Wear warm layers, a hat and gloves underneath, because sitting in the sled is cold even on a short ride.

Is the Santa Claus Village husky ride worth it?

It depends on what you want. For families with small children, visitors with little time and anyone who wants a first taste of sledding without a transfer, it fits well. Reviewers who expected a longer ride or more time with the dogs were less happy. For that, choose a safari or a tour with a kennel visit.

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