
Winterweek "Plus" Detailed Program – 8 Days/7 Nights
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
Your adventure begins with your arrival in Kuopio or Joensuu, where we warmly welcome you and transfer you to Eräkeskus. After checking in and settling into your cozy room, you'll have the chance to meet our team in person. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner together in the homely atmosphere of our lodge – the perfect start to your winter adventure.

Day 2: Introduction to Dog Sledding
After a hearty breakfast, you'll receive your gear and a theoretical introduction to dog sledding and working with our dogs. Then it’s time to get hands-on: together, we harness the dogs – a meaningful experience that helps you connect with your team. We’ll then go on our first easy sled ride (approx. 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the group’s skills). Back at Eräkeskus, we care for and reward the dogs before enjoying lunch and sharing our impressions of the ride. The afternoon is free for you to relax, enjoy nature, or warm up with a hot cup of tea.
Day 3: A More Challenging Husky Tour
Today, we take your skills to the next level with a technically more demanding trail. After harnessing the dogs, we head out for a 2 to 2.5-hour sled ride through sparkling snow, silent forests, and vast open spaces. Along the way, you’ll learn to handle the dogs during breaks and solve small issues independently. Back at the lodge, you reward your team with their soup before we sit down for lunch and discuss the upcoming overnight tour. The rest of the afternoon is yours – maybe join a gentle walk with our senior dogs or relax in the sauna.
Days 4: Into the Wilderness – Cabin Life with Dogs
Today we head deep into untouched nature with the dogs – covering more than 30 km. Our goal is the forest cabin Aittokoski – a rustic, remote hut with special charm. Water is collected manually, the cabin is heated with wood, and the sauna (about 50m away) is also wood-heated. You’ll be in the heart of the Finnish wilderness – and the dogs have their own cozy huts, too.
Alternatively, we may head to the holiday cabin in Ruunaa. This option offers more comfort: running water, a dishwasher, heated rooms, and a bathroom. It’s less remote, with some other cabins nearby – ideal for guests who prefer a little more comfort.
Regardless of the destination, teamwork is essential: we care for the dogs together with snacks, bones, and warm soup, prepare straw beds, and then make ourselves at home in the cabin. We light the sauna and cook a tasty dinner, finishing the day with a cozy cabin evening.
Day 5 – Return to Eräkeskus
After a filling breakfast for both humans and dogs, we tidy up the cabin, refill the firewood, and prepare for the return trip. Once the sleds are packed, we head back to Eräkeskus. The afternoon is free – perhaps for a walk with one of the dogs, a nap, or simply enjoying the peacefulness. We end the day with a warm dinner in the lodge.
Day 6 – Free Day
This day is completely yours. Explore the wilderness with snowshoes or cross-country skis – we’re happy to provide the equipment. Or simply unwind by the fireplace or in the sauna. Our dogs always enjoy a walk, especially the seniors who love extra attention. If you like, you’re welcome to help with the morning or evening feeding – a special way to experience sled dog life.
Day 7 – Snowshoe Hike
Today, we’ll go on a snowshoe hike through the protected nature area around the Änäkäinen lakes. You’ll experience a traditional Nordic way of moving through snow and take in the serene beauty of winter from a new perspective. We’ll prepare lunch over an open fire – a true nature experience! In the afternoon, we return to the lodge. Then it’s time to relax and enjoy the sauna.
Day 8: Farewell & Departure
Day 8: Farewell & Departure
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye. We will organize your transfer and bid you farewell with our best wishes. You will travel home with many new impressions, touching moments, and unforgettable memories in your luggage.
Note: This program is an example. Depending on weather conditions, group dynamics, or other circumstances, the order and details of the activities may change. Flexibility is part of the adventure – but one thing’s for sure: every day will be special!
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Want to book? Simply send us an email at office(at)eraekeskus.com with your preferred date! We look forward to your inquiry.
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