Husky safari in the forest

One of the highlights of our trip to Ylläs in Lapland, was a visit to Rami's Huskies and a husky safari. When I booked the tour, I thought it was a bit expensive, but after learning how much meat the huskies need to eat in order to pull the sleighs, I now understand that they don't overprice at all. 

We arrived at Rami's Huskies half an hour before our time, which was good as we could cuddle the super cute dogs. This also gave us time to get warm boots, wool socks, overalls on top of our winter clothes and huge gloves. Lapland can be extremely cold and sitting in the sleigh with some wind can become quite chilly! It was -15 degrees C this day, but they only cancel the safaris with temperatures of -40!

After a short briefing on how to steer the sleigh with five hard pulling huskies, we were assigned our two person sleighs. K steered ours and I sat down, all the kids were riding with Rami himself. 

And off we went! The huskies apparently LOVE to run and pull the sleighs, because it was super hard to get them to slow down in the curves. It had snowed during the night and there was lots of loose snow, but the huskies did not seem to mind at all. They just RAN really fast! It was absolutely terrific. Midway, we stopped and switched drivers, but although I tried my best to step on the break, I could not contain the huskies, so we had to switch back.

The ride lasted about an hour, after which we returned to base and could go inside the hut with a warm fire going on to defrost. Hot coffee and sausage was served. Then we had plenty of time to cuddle the huskies and take pictures. Warmly recommended! 

Winter wonderland

In February, we took the overnight train to Kolari in Finnish Lapland to enjoy extreme winter. The overnight train is great as you can load your car on the train and then have your own cabin to sleep in with beds and bathroom. The next morning you unload the car and drive to your rental cottage. Lapland is full of self-catering log cabins to rent.

Here are pictures from our first day when we went cross-country skiing in the forest and on the frozen lake. There are small cafés by the skiing tracks where you can stop for warm drinks and a snack, or you can bring a thermos of hot chocolate and sausages and make use of the fireplaces available, called "laavu". The firewood is complimentary and usually the fire is nicely going on already when you arrive for a break.

Lunch is soon ready.

A "laavu" with fireplace for a halfway break.

Fat bike tours in snow have become popular.

Fresh pancakes available at the café in Kesänginkeidas.

I love snow!

There are plenty of log cabins available for rent.

 

Welcome!

I hope you will enjoy my new blog about my travels in Europe. My cover picture is from Finland's beautiful capital Helsinki, taken last August. Summer is a lovely time to enjoy Finland, but wintertime with snow is also a lot of fun. I'll post winter pictures soon!