Every winter we get some version of the same message before a husky trip: "what do I actually need to wear?" It's a fair question, because the honest answer is layered (literally) — some of what you need is provided, some isn't, and getting it wrong means either sweating under borrowed overalls or standing at the start line with cold hands wishing you'd packed differently.

Joona has spent enough winters around Rovaniemi's husky yards to know exactly what the guides hand you at the start line and what they quietly wish more guests had brought themselves. This is that list, written for a genuinely cold day — down to around −25°C, which is a normal, unremarkable temperature here in January, not a rare cold snap.

What's actually provided vs. what you bring

This is the single most useful thing to understand before you pack. On the Nulkki Husky Adventure, the outer shell — a proper winter overall, boots and gloves, sized for both adults and children — is included in the €189 price. That's the layer that stops wind and blocks the worst of the cold. What it doesn't replace is everything underneath: thermal base layers, a mid layer, your own warm hat, liner gloves for when you need dexterity (adjusting a camera, tying a boot), and proper wool or synthetic socks. On the shorter Arctic Paws family ride, none of that outer shell is provided at all, so you're responsible for the whole system yourself, from the coat down to the boots.

Getting this split wrong is the most common mistake we see: guests either overpack heavy coats that don't fit under the provided overalls, or underpack base layers assuming the overalls alone will keep them warm. They won't, on their own, at −25°C — the overall is one part of a system, not the whole answer. Use code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 for 5% off whichever tour you book, and read on for exactly what goes underneath.

The layering system, from the skin out

Start with a proper thermal base layer, top and bottom — merino wool or a synthetic thermal fabric, never cotton, since cotton holds sweat against your skin and that's how people get genuinely cold rather than just chilly. Add a mid layer on top: a fleece or a light wool jumper works well, and a second thin layer underneath that if you run cold or you're the type who feels the cold in your core first. If you're on the Nulkki trip, the provided overall goes over this combination as your outer shell; if you're on a ride without provided clothing, add a proper windproof, insulated winter coat as that outer layer instead, ideally one rated for genuinely cold conditions rather than a city commute.

Finish with wool socks (a thin liner sock under a thicker wool sock avoids blisters from all the walking around the yard beforehand, and keeps a pocket of warm air against your feet), and a hat that actually covers your ears — this is not the trip for a fashion beanie that sits on top of your head and lets the wind straight through. If you tend to run cold, a second pair of thermal leggings under your trousers is a small addition that makes a real difference over four hours outside.

Check dates for the Nulkki self-drive trip →

Hands, feet, and the bits people forget

Hands get cold fastest when you're actually driving a sled, because you're gripping the handlebar rather than moving around to generate heat the way you would walking. Bring thin liner gloves of your own to wear under the provided mittens — you'll want them on the drive to and from the yard, and for anything needing fine motor control, like a phone camera, before the outer mittens go back on. For feet, the provided boots are built for the cold, but thin, snug wool socks (not thick ones that cramp your toes and cut circulation, which ironically makes feet colder) work better than most people expect. A neck gaiter or buff is worth packing too — it's small, it doesn't come provided, and it covers the gap between hat and collar where wind finds its way in and ruins an otherwise well-planned outfit.

Sunglasses or ski goggles are worth having if it's a bright day, since snow glare at midday is real even with short winter daylight hours, and the light reflecting off fresh snow can genuinely strain your eyes over a few hours outdoors. And if you wear contact lenses, know that intense cold can make eyes water more than usual — not dangerous, just worth expecting so it doesn't catch you off guard mid-ride. A small lip balm with SPF is another easy thing to forget that locals always seem to have on hand.

What the self-drive experience actually involves

The Nulkki Husky Adventure is self-driving, not a passenger ride — you're standing on the runners with your own team of dogs for around 5 km, after a proper briefing on how to mush safely, how to brake, and how to read what the dogs are telling you before you set off. That means you'll be more active and generate more of your own body heat than on a guide-driven ride like Arctic Paws, which is worth factoring into how many layers you actually need; overdressing for an active 4-hour outing can be as uncomfortable as underdressing, especially once you're working to keep balance on the runners. Full details and today's availability are here5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5, including the English-speaking guide, the safety instruction, information about the dogs themselves, and the cookies and juice included afterwards to warm back up.

The whole outing runs around 4 hours door to door once you include the briefing, the ride itself, and time afterwards to meet the dogs properly — plan your day around that rather than just the time on the sled.

If it's a milder or shorter trip

Not every husky trip needs the full −25°C kit. If you're doing the shorter Arctic Paws family ride5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 on a milder day, or you're travelling with young children (it's rated for ages 3–12 and 0–2), the same layering principles apply but you can scale back the intensity — a warm coat, proper boots, a hat and gloves will usually cover a 10-minute guided ride comfortably, especially since that one runs shorter and involves less standing around outdoors beforehand. Check today's availability → Either way, dress for the temperature on your actual date, not for what "Lapland in winter" sounds like in general — some weeks run milder than others.

Booking, timing, and the fine print

The Nulkki trip has a cutoff of 12 hours before the start time, so same-day booking is genuinely possible if you plan ahead by half a day, though we'd still book earlier in busy weeks to guarantee your slot. It's not suitable for children under 3, and in bad weather the operator may run a shortened, guide-driven version instead of the full self-drive experience for safety — that's a sensible call on their part, not a downgrade to complain about. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before, with a full charge inside that window, so keep an eye on the forecast and your own schedule before you commit.

Both tours include an English-speaking guide, so language isn't a barrier even if you're travelling as a mixed group. Use code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 for 5% off when you book either tour, and double-check the meeting point and time on your confirmation the night before — Lapland tour pickup points can be easy to mix up if you've booked more than one activity for the same trip.

Pairing it with the rest of your Lapland kit

If you're building a full winter packing list beyond just the husky trip, we've written up a 5-day Lapland itinerary from Rovaniemi that covers what a realistic winter week actually involves, and if you're deciding between activities, our piece on snowshoe walking in Lapland is a good companion read, since the layering advice there overlaps almost entirely with a husky day. Buy or borrow the base and mid layers before you fly if you can — proper thermal layers are hard to find at short notice once you're already in Rovaniemi during peak season.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to buy expensive thermal gear just for one husky trip?
Not necessarily — budget thermal base layers from any sports shop work fine for a single trip. The expensive gear matters more for people spending many days outdoors in the cold, not one 4-hour activity.

Is cotton really that bad to wear underneath?
Yes — cotton absorbs sweat and stays damp against your skin, which cools you down far faster than a synthetic or wool base layer that wicks moisture away.

Will my hands get too cold to hold the sled handlebar?
Not if you layer properly — thin liner gloves under the provided mittens, and keep moving your fingers occasionally. Most guests are surprised how warm their hands stay once the dogs get moving.

What temperature should I actually plan for?
Check the forecast close to your date rather than assuming −25°C every time — Rovaniemi winters vary week to week, and the guides will tell you on arrival if conditions call for extra layers.

Can I wear my own winter coat instead of the provided overall?
You can on the Nulkki trip if you prefer, though the provided overall is designed for exactly this activity and most guests find it warmer than their own travel coat. On the Arctic Paws ride, since no outerwear is included, you'll need your own coat regardless.

Do children need different layers than adults?
Same principle, smaller sizes — a thermal base layer, mid layer, warm hat and gloves, with the provided overall (where included) sized for children too. Check the age and size details on the booking page before you go.

Our final pick

Bring your own base layer, mid layer, hat, liner gloves, and wool socks whichever husky trip you book — that part is on you regardless of what's included. For an active, self-drive experience where the outer shell is taken care of, the Nulkki Husky Adventure5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is the one we'd book, and for a shorter, gentler ride with young kids, Arctic Paws5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at Lapland Winter Park is the better fit. Either way, code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 takes 5% off, and dressing properly underneath is what actually makes the difference between a trip you remember fondly and one you remember mostly for cold fingers.

Book the Nulkki self-drive husky trip →