The first week of December is the part of the Lapland winter we like most for animal days. Snow is normally established, the lakes are firming up, and the big Christmas crowds have not arrived yet. There is a calm feeling in town that disappears about ten days later, and the huskies seem to love the colder air as much as we do.

If you are choosing one husky tour for that week, the one we would put at the top of the list is the Nulkki Husky Adventure. It is a four-hour outing where you drive your own team for around five kilometres, and it is easy enough for first-timers and families. Below is how we would fit it into a short December trip, what to know about daylight and weather, and who should pick something else.

Why early December works for huskies

Dogs that pull sleds are built for exactly this weather. Once temperatures settle below freezing and snow covers the trails, the huskies are at their happiest, and the experience feels like proper dog sledding rather than a rehearsal for it. Early December is also before the peak Christmas and New Year pricing pressure and the biggest numbers of visitors, so you tend to have more choice of departure times.

Daylight is the thing to respect. In Rovaniemi the sun is low and the day short in early December, so a four-hour tour is best started so that most of it falls in the light. We always tell friends to choose the earliest sensible departure rather than a late afternoon one, because the scenery is half the point.

If you have been wondering whether the snow is reliable yet, our post on husky safaris in November and snow cover explains how the season builds. By the first week of December most years the answer is comfortably yes.

What you actually do on the Nulkki Husky Adventure

The listing describes a five-kilometre husky ride where you drive the sled yourself, with detailed instructions on how to mush safely, information about the huskies, and a guide in English. Other languages are available on request, though availability is limited, so message StayLapland after booking if you need one. The tour lasts about four hours door to door, which includes the briefing, the dogs and a warm-up with cookies and juice.

Winter clothing is provided in adult and child sizes: thermal overalls, boots and gloves. Photos are taken with your own device, so bring a phone you can handle with gloves. Difficulty is rated easy.

Two practical notes. The tour is not suitable for children under three, and in bad weather the guide can turn the ride into a shortened guide-driven experience for safety. That is rare, but it is worth knowing before you plan the whole trip around it.

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Driving your own team: what it really feels like

People expect something dramatic and are surprised by how quiet it is. The dogs run, the sled glides, and the only sounds are paws on snow and the occasional bark. You stand on the runners, keep your weight steady, and learn quickly to use the brake gently on the downhill bits. The guide explains it all before you set off, and the team follows the trail in a line, so nobody gets lost.

The classic arrangement is two people per sled, where one drives and the other sits, then swap halfway. In a family, an older teen or a parent can take the first leg while a younger child rides. If you are nervous, say so at the briefing; guides handle this every day.

Do not expect to race. The pace is steady, the point is the feeling of being pulled through a white forest, and the dogs set the tempo.

Fitting it into a 1–7 December trip

For a short trip we like a rhythm of one big outdoor day, one gentle day and one evening activity. A husky morning, a warm lunch in town, and a quiet afternoon works well. Put the northern lights on a different evening, ideally after a rest day.

If you are arriving in the first week of December, take a look at our three-day December activity plan for first-timers, which shows how to sequence a husky day with a reindeer visit and an aurora night. And if you want to see everything else on offer, our guide to activities in Rovaniemi is the hub for the rest.

Avoid putting the husky tour on the same day as a long journey. Rovaniemi flights and trains are reliable, but delays happen, and you want to arrive for the dogs rested and warm.

What to wear underneath the provided gear

The overalls and boots do the heavy lifting, but what you wear underneath decides whether you enjoy the day. Start with a thermal base layer, add a fleece or wool mid-layer, and wear thick socks. Bring a warm hat and a neck gaiter for the cold wind that appears when the sled starts moving.

Keep your phone in an inside pocket until you need it, because cold drains batteries quickly, and pack a spare pair of thin gloves to wear under the provided ones if you want to take photos. Bring a small snack for children, although cookies and juice are served.

If anyone in your group gets cold easily, tell the guide early. They can adjust the pace of the briefing, give extra time indoors and keep the group moving so nobody stands still too long.

Husky alone or as part of a bigger day?

The Nulkki tour is a clean half-day experience. If you want more, there are two natural upgrades. The Kuoksa Husky & Reindeer Adventure5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 adds a 2–3 km reindeer sleigh ride and a salmon soup lunch in a teepee, for about €349 per adult over five hours. The Lapland Bucketlist Adventure5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is the six-hour day with huskies, reindeer, a snowmobile ride, lunch and a photographer, from €449.

Which one you choose depends on the group. Families with children who love animals often like the husky and reindeer day. Groups of friends or couples who want variety tend to prefer the bucketlist day. Our husky and reindeer combo versus two separate tours post explains the trade-offs.

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Who should pick something else

Skip the husky ride if anyone in the group has strong fears of dogs, if you are travelling with a baby under three, or if you want a fully seated, hands-off day. Reindeer rides are slower and more passive, and an aurora tour requires no physical effort at all.

If you would like animals without the effort of driving, look at the reindeer option or a guided husky experience instead. We also suggest checking whether your trip dates coincide with school holidays, because Christmas week books faster than anything else in the season.

Finally, remember that animals are living creatures, and schedules can change with temperature and conditions. A good guide will always put the dogs first.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Nulkki Husky Adventure?
The listing shows from €189 per adult. The live calendar shows exact prices for your date, and you can use our 5% reader discount at checkout.

How long does it take?
About four hours in total, including the briefing, the 5 km self-driven ride and refreshments.

Is it suitable for young children?
It is not suitable for children under three. Older children usually enjoy it, often riding while a parent drives.

Is there enough snow in early December?
Most years yes, but conditions vary. If conditions are poor, the ride may be shortened or guide-driven for safety.

Is clothing provided?
Yes, winter clothing including overalls, boots and gloves is provided in adult and child sizes. Wear warm layers underneath.

How far ahead should I book?
For the first week of December a few weeks ahead is sensible, and earlier if you need a specific morning departure or a larger group.

Our pick

For the first week of December 2026, the Nulkki Husky Adventure5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is the husky tour we would book: four hours, a self-driven five-kilometre ride, clothing included and an easy rating. Choose a morning departure, book a few weeks ahead, and keep another day free for the weather.

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