Husky Safari from Levi

A husky safari is one of the signature experiences of Finnish Lapland, and Levi has some of the best set-ups for it. You arrive at a kennel, meet the dogs, and learn how a team works before you are seated on or standing behind a sledge. When the dogs take off the barking stops almost instantly and the world goes quiet except for the hiss of runners and the panting of the team. It is as close as most visitors will come to the old working life of the north.Trips are offered in different lengths, typically a short ride of a couple of kilometres and a longer one of five or more, and many products let you choose to drive the sledge yourself or ride as a passenger. The guide will teach you how to brake, lean and stay on the runners. Time at the kennel for stroking the dogs and hearing their stories is usually part of the programme and is often what visitors remember best.

The dogs are the stars. Most Lapland teams use Alaskan huskies, bred for endurance and enthusiasm rather than looks, and they are intensely keen to run. A team of four to six dogs pulls a sledge without strain, and the way they lean into their harnesses as they wait is a joy to watch. Good operators treat the dogs as athletes and companions, feed them well, and rotate them in and out of work.

It is reasonable to ask about the kennel's standards when you book. Driving the sledge is easier than it looks but takes concentration. You stand on the runners with your hands on the handlebar, use a brake bar or pad to control speed, and lean into corners.

The guide leads the way and the dogs follow, so there is little navigation. On a clear day the trail passes between snow-laden spruces and open fell views; in light snow the forest looks like something from a children's book. Passenger seats on the sledge are more comfortable and warm, and suit small children and anyone who would rather watch.Plan for cold. Even on a mild winter day the wind from a moving sledge bites at your face and hands, and standing still on the runners offers little warmth.

Wear thermals, a windproof layer and a warm hat, and keep mittens ready; operators usually supply winter overalls and boots. Allow time after the ride for a hot drink and for meeting the puppies if the kennel has any. Husky safaris combine well with a reindeer experience for a full picture of Lapland's working animals.If you are choosing between route lengths, consider your own appetite and the weather.

A short ride gives a taste of the dogs and the sledge and leaves more time at the kennel, which suits children and anyone nervous about cold. A longer ride lets the team settle into a rhythm and takes you deeper into the forest, which suits adults and teenagers who want the full feeling of travelling behind a team.

Ask whether the price includes the kennel visit, a hot drink and winter clothing. If you are allergic to dogs, tell the operator and consider wearing gloves while handling the animals. Photograph the dogs before the ride, when they are most excited, and remember that the best pictures of yourself come from a friend riding in the sledge ahead of you. Afterwards, wash your hands, thank the musher and leave a good review if the kennel treated its dogs and guests well.