Finland 

SAFE WINTER ACTIVITES

All our snow mobile and dog sled safaris are operated locally by independent and accredited safari operators. 

Before commencing a snow mobile or dog sled safari the local operator may ask you to sign an indemnity form, which in such case, will be a mandatory requirement in order to participate in the activity. You are also required to present a valid drivers license in order to ride a snow mobile. No driver license is necessary for driving a dog sled.

SNOW MOBILE SAFARIS

The driver of a snowmobile must be at least 18 years old and in possession of a valid driving license. Children under 15 year of age will travel in a sledge pulled by guide’s snowmobile. For your own safety, and safety of others, driving a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol or any other narcotics is prohibited by Finnish law.

Generally, you will be riding with 2 persons per snowmobile. However, it is possible to ride the snowmobile solo by paying a solo riders surcharge. Please ask us for details. 

Before a snow mobile ride your qualified safari guide will always go through general driving instructions and safety. If this for some reason is not done, please be sure to point this out for the guide, as it is a mandatory requirement in order to conduct snow mobile safaris for possibly inexperienced riders.

While riding it is near impossible to hear anything other that the sound of the engine, therefore, the guide will go through a set of hand signals used during the ride. These signals are initiated by the guide and repeated by each rider in the line so as to visibly pass the signal backwards to the last rider.

On snow mobile safaris you will always ride in one line. The guide rides at the front, and you will follow behind keeping a safety distance of at least 20 metres between each snowmobile. The safety distance is designed to allow enough time in the event of a sudden stop. It is prohibited to ride side by side, overtake other machines, or curve or speed up unnecessarily.

The guide carries a first aid kit, as well as an emergency communication devise in case of emergencies. The guide also has the authority prohibit participants from riding if they act irresponsibly, or are otherwise seen unfit to handle a snow mobile.

When we are driving you won’t be able to hear anything else than the sound of the engine and this is why we need to communicate by hand signals. When your guide shows you a hand signal, please repeat it so that everybody in the line knows what is going on.

Make sure you check with your travel insurance company that you are covered for snow mobile rides.

REINDEER SAFARI

Reindeer safaries usually have a shorter duration. You will sit in the sled while the reindeers are either hooked up to each other in a line or they just go around in a fenced area.

DOG SLED SAFARIS

On most of our dog sled safaris you will be the actual musher (driver) of the team of sled dogs. Generally, there will be 2 persons per dog sled; one person mushing (driving); and other travelling as a passenger inside the sled. Switching positions can be done during any of the breaks, but never while the sled is moving. The guide will travel as the first sled, so as to set the pace and not let any teams pass.

It is important to remember that dogs are not machines. They respond differently to trail conditions, weather, people and each other on a moment-to-moment basis. For the professional mushers, this is part of the addiction of dogsledding, as no two runs are ever the same!

Dogsledding is most definitely a team sport, and the musher is part of the team, encouraging the dogs, working with the sled (pushing with one foot or walking behind) when going up hills and steering and braking when coming down hills. By doing this the dogs will gain trust in your abilities, although some may still give you a backward glance with questioning eyes from time to time! While riding as the passenger your job is to enjoy the scenery, the dogs and have fun with a camera!

On days when the temperatures are low and/or trails are very hard and fast, your guides will slow the lead team down. Even though you may wish to go at the top speeds that the dogs would run, it is too dangerous for all. Hard/fast trails can tip sleds easier and dogs are also more likely to get shoulder and elbow/knee injuries running too fast on such conditions.

There are no “reins” on a dog sled; you control your team by voice commands and slow/ stop them with a brake on your sled. The most important part of the mushers job is to make sure the gang line (rope that attaches the sled to the dogs) is tight at all times, meaning the sled is where it should be and the dogs are all strung out in a tight line and working in unison. You must keep both of your feet on the runners and both hands on the handlebar. The driver cannot take any pictures!

It is very important to always keep a safety distance of at least 10 metres between your first dog (running as a leader) and the sled in front of you. You may not pass another sled.

Before a dog sled ride your qualified safari guide will always go through general driving instructions and safety. If this for some reason is not done, please be sure to point this out for the guide.

Changing the drivers: The driver must stand on the brake with BOTH feet. Then the passenger will stand up and come to stand on the brake also. When the new driver is standing on the brake, the other one will go to sit as a passenger on the sledge. The driver will stand on the brake with both feet until seeing the sign “lets go”.

Accidents do happen, and fortunately seldom of any serious nature. The most common is for the musher to fall off, with the dogs and sled, with passenger, heading off into the distance. The dogs will then soon catch up with the sleds in front and stop. The worst thing may be that you have to trudge through the deep snow for a few hundred meters. That is unless the guide or accompanying snow mobile comes and picks you up.

The guide carries a first aid kit, as well as an emergency communication devise in case of emergencies. The guide also has the authority prohibit participants from riding if they act irresponsibly, or are otherwise seen unfit to handle a dog sled team.

Make sure you check with your travel insurance company that you are covered for dog sled rides.

Dog sled touring allows you to feel like you are viewing nature in its purest form, and it is what visiting the northern wilderness is all about. You will have a great time!

Kindly note that you need to be somewhat fit for the dog sled safaris as you might have to help the dogs by running a little bit.

Kindly note that the operations and regulations may vary amongst different suppliers and these are just general guidelines and information.

Winter Clothing

PACKING FOR WINTER TRIPS

As a mantra it is important to always keep your head, hands and feet nice and warm. These are the parts of your body that most easily lose heat.

The largest investment if you normally live in the southern hemisphere is a pair of warm boots and warm wind and water proof jacket. Your boots need to be sizable enough to fit two pairs of thick, warm socks and your jacket large enough to fit thick woolen jumper/ clothing underneath.

Our packing list:

•  Thermal underwear (top and bottom), we like the ones made from bamboo fibre.

•  Hat, scarf and gloves, we love mohair, but it is up to your own preference.

•  Warm outer shell jacket and trousers. Here you might have to go a bit warmer than you do normally, and be sure that it is wind and water proof. The down jackets for sale from outdoor shops are a good choice.

•  Warm socks, once again we love mohair.

•  Warm boots. No need for specific winter boots, good quality waterproof hiking boots do the job just fine, when paired with thick, warm, socks.

•  For the middle layer your normal winter clothes will do. Fleece tops, denim, tracksuit pants etc. Give preference to wool or polyester and avoid cotton.

A few points to remember:

•  Remember to always put on your hat, scarf and gloves before exiting a building.

•  Remember to cover your face and nose when outside. A scarf will do the job, but you could also use a baklava if you prefer.

•  Dress in layers, buildings are warm, so you must be able to remove some of the clothing to be comfortable inside.

•  If you are prone to cold hands and feet, some hand and feet warmers sold at outdoor shops could be helpful.

•  Use a good lipbalm, and apply regularly.

•  Remember to wear a face cream with high SPF.

•  A good nourishing conditioner will keep your hair in control in the dry conditions.

GUIDED ACTIVITIES AND APPROPRIATE GEAR

If you are taking part in a guided activity such as snowmobiling or dogsledding, appropriate winter gear will be provided for the duration of the activity. This usually includes a thermal overall and boots, and depending on the activity you might also get a balaclava, warm mittens, woollen socks, helmet, etc. Note that city sightseeing tours and other lighter tours do not include winter clothing.