Important Information
Starting from October 1st, 2025, Eräkeskus is heading into a new future – with us, Antti and Bianca, as the new management and our loyal companion dogs, Zeno and Ida, by our side.
We are very excited to take over the business and our sled dogs!
From that date on, we will offer our programs as described on the website directly on site and personally accompany you through all experiences.
All bookings from October 1st, 2025 onwards will be managed directly by us.
If you have any questions or would like to start planning already, feel free to send us an email at office(at)eraekeskus.com – we’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Winter in Eräkeskus
Winter is here – quiet and clear, it settles over the landscape. After the first light snowfalls in late autumn, the white blanket has now grown, covering forests and paths and muffling the sounds of nature. The days are short, the nights long and cold, and with a bit of luck, the Northern Lights dance across the sky. The lakes are now frozen solid, ice crystals glitter in the morning light, and your breath forms small clouds in the cold air. The tranquillity of winter lies over everything – but here in Eräkeskus, the real action starts now. Our sled dogs are full of energy, ready and waiting to run through the snowy forests. For them, the most wonderful time of the year is starting now – and for us too.
Would you like to experience this special winter atmosphere yourself?
Then visit us and join our sled dogs on unforgettable tours through the snowy wilderness. Whether a day trip or a multi-day adventure – our winter programs offer you the perfect blend of nature experience, the joy of dogs, and Nordic coziness.
Our Programs in Keywords:
Winter Fairy Tale in Finland: Christmas & New Year with Husky Sledding! Experience unforgettable holidays in the snowy wilderness of North Karelia. Enjoy adventurous husky sled rides, snowshoeing, ice fishing, relaxing sauna sessions, and more. Celebrate Christmas and New Year's with traditional Finnish food in a cozy atmosphere. Book your unique winter adventure now! More info at Christmas & Newyear.
Curiosity Quest: Your Perfect Short Trip! Ideal for a long weekend or as an unforgettable stop on your car tour. In just four nights, you'll experience the fascination of dog sledding on two days – beginner-friendly and guaranteed to inspire. Could this be the start of your great passion? More info at Curiosity Quest.
Winterweek: Experience a captivating winter week with us in the North – featuring dog sledding, snowshoe hikes, sauna, and abundant nature. Four days packed with activities and two free days offer you the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Ideal for beginners, as we primarily use our calmer dogs for the tours and navigate technically simpler routes. More info at Winterweek.
Winterweek “plus”: Experience everything that makes our winter week special, and then some. The highlight: a dog sled ride to our secluded wilderness cabin, Aittokoski, or to the holiday home in Ruunaa, and an unforgettable night amidst the silence of the wilderness. More info at Winterweek "Plus".
Are you just passing through or looking to experience a special day? How about a dog sled ride through snowy forests, a snowshoe hike, or other winter adventures?Then check out our winter day Tours. More info at Day-Activities.
A note for our loyal Eräkeskus guests:
Due to the company takeover and the development of new trails, our longer dog sledding tours with 2 to 4 overnight stays in wilderness cabins will likely return in the winter season of 2026/2027.
In the meantime, we and our dogs are very excited to welcome you with our current winter programs!
Why Eräkeskus?
Small Groups, Big Experiences: With us, you'll experience the wilderness up close and intensely. Our tours take place in small groups of a maximum of 5 guests, and often there are only 2 to 4 participants. This means:
- Individual Attention: Our guides can perfectly cater to your needs and wishes.
- Personal Atmosphere: We place great value on a familiar atmosphere, also on tour.
- Intense Nature Experience: The peace and vastness of the Finnish landscape feel even more profound in a small group.
Our Dogs' Well-being is Close to Our Hearts:
Our huskies are not just our loyal companions, but also family members. That's why we ensure their health and well-being in every situation:
- Comfortable Accommodation: During cabin stays, our dogs get thick, warming straw beds. The Aittokoski cabin even has its own dog houses. Individual dogs with less dense fur can also come inside the cabin.
- Species-Appropriate Nutrition: Also on tour, our dogs receive the same high-quality food as at home: chicken fat, salmon, dry food, liver – everything is available.
- Paw Care: In harsh snow and ice conditions, we protect the paws of our hard-working runners with special "booties."
Our Cozy Wilderness Cabin Aittokoski: It is our little paradise in the middle of nature. It offers:
- Rustic Furnishings: An outdoor toilet and a separate wood-warmed sauna for authentic wilderness moments.
- Comfort in the Main Building: A kitchen with an electric and wood-warmed stove, a large living/dining/sleeping area with a couch and fireplace (enough space for our cabin dogs!), as well as two small, separate bedrooms.
- Running Water in the Anteroom: From here, we supply the kitchen and sauna with buckets – a little adventure in everyday life!
- Bed Linen Included: Mattresses, beds, and pillows are, of course, provided.
Unforgettable Experiences Through Active Participation: With us, you'll experience the adventure of dog sledding up close!
- Become Part of the Team: You'll support us in caring for "your" dog team: when harnessing, snacking on the trail, unharnessing, preparing the straw bedding, and later feeding.
- Working Together: We all work together on tasks in the cabins, such as making a fire, cooking, heating the sauna, and replenishing wood – of course, only if you want to! If the tour was too strenuous, your guide will gladly take over the tasks so you can relax.
Plenty of Time for Your Own Discoveries: In addition to the exciting dog sledding tours, there's enough time to explore the breathtaking beauty and vastness of the surroundings on your own!
- Free Equipment: Snowshoes and skis are available to you free of charge at any time.
- Our dogs, especially our seniors, appreciate extra cuddles and walks. You are also welcome to join us for feeding in the kennel and spend even more time with our lovable furry friends.
Safety and Best Care on Our Trails: Our extensive trail network offers variety and safety:
- 300 km of Varied Trails: Explore the most beautiful areas of North Karelia on our well-maintained trails, some of which run along the famous Bear's Trail.
- Flexibility: Thanks to numerous shortcuts and extensions, we can flexibly adapt the routes to your wishes, abilities, and current conditions.
- Quick Accessibility: In emergencies, all cabins and most trail sections are quickly accessible by quad bike, scooter, or even by car. Nevertheless, you will experience the undisturbed tranquility of nature along the way.
- Multilingual Guides: Tours can be provided in german, english and finnish.
Important Note: We do not guarantee fixed distances. The routes are always adapted to the current snow and temperature conditions, the abilities of the guests, and the length of the day. The health of our dogs and guests has top priority! Due to weather conditions, the daily plans of our weekly programs may vary slightly or be postponed to other days, whereby we always strive to carry out all tours as planned.
