What our guests say about Bearhill Husky
When we start preparing sleds and harnesses in the morning, the energy in the kennel rises. They see the guests approaching the sleds, and the dogs know that it is now time to run. The air is cold and still, the sled runners make that soft hush on the snow. And off we go. Again and again, guests tell us that this is a moment which they won’t forget and we are grateful every time you share it back with us.
Dogs first – Always!
We are proud to say that the one thing which shows up in nearly every review is this: People notice how we care for our huskies. Guests call out the calm and healthy dogs, the way our guides know every name and every dog’s quirks, and our RePaw retirement program. That trust is the foundation of everything we do.
In summer and autumn, guests also appreciate seeing the kennel at a quieter pace – meeting our oldies, saying hello to youngsters, and understanding how we train outside of the snow season.
One off‑season visitor summed it up in simple words: they “loved it and will definitely go back.”
The people behind the sled
Reviews often describe our guides as welcoming, clear and genuinely passionate about the dogs. This matters on the trail: first‑timers feel safe because the briefing is practical, and help is there if balancing on the runners feels like a bit much. If you prefer to sit and enjoy the ride, our musher‑driven options make that easy too.
A common theme from guests is that our “friendly, knowledgeable staff” makes the whole day better, not just the sledding. And we’re proud of that.
Little touches you keep mentioning
After the husky ride, warming up in the kota with hot berry juice and cookies comes up a lot in your comments. Families also talk about gentle time with the dogs: giving scratches, taking photos, and, when we have them, meeting puppies. (Puppy visits are occasional, not guaranteed, but always special.)
“Short and sweet” or “the full arc”? What guests say about each
Santa’s Husky Rides (2.5 km at Santa Claus Village)
Think of this as a quick taste. Most families love the easy access and the thrill without being outdoors for too long. Many call it the highlight of their day in the Santa Claus Village. The ride is guide‑driven by design and it only lasts a few minutes – exactly why some reviewers who expected more say that it felt short. Knowing it’s a 2,5 Km ride where you sit as a passenger sets the right expectation and makes the smiles bigger. (Tip: Use the restrooms of Santa Claus Village before you join us in our yurt.)
Main‑kennel tours (longer safaris from Viiksjärvi)
These are the deeper dives guests rave about: self‑driven or musher‑driven rides, time with the dogs, and space to ask all your questions. People describe these as the “highlight” of their trip, with scenery you feel as much as you see. Because there’s more time – often 45 to 90 minutes on trail, depending on the program – the experience feels complete.
A few guest snapshots (in their words and ours)
- “The staff was incredibly friendly and passionate about the dogs”. This line appears in different forms across platforms, usually followed by a note about feeling safe on the sled. This mix of warmth and practical helpfulness is exactly what our guides aim for.
- “Sensational” and “a thrilling adventure”. We see these a lot after longer safaris, especially when the trail crosses a frozen lake or winds through the quiet forest.
- Summer & autumn visits. Guests appreciate seeing how the dogs live and train when there’s no snow, several recent off‑season reviews echo the same high marks you give us in winter.
By the numbers
Numbers are only useful if they tell you something real about the day on trail. And we like to think that ours do. Across platforms, your ratings of us have been remarkably steady. At the main kennel we sit around 4.9/5 on both Google and TripAdvisor, based on hundreds to thousands of reviews. Our 2,5Km Santa’s Husky Rides typically lands around 4.5-4.6/5, reflecting its “short and sweet” design.
The cross‑platform spread (e.g., GetYourGuide ~4.5/5 and Manawa 4.9/5) tells us our experiences hold up no matter where you book. That outside confirmation helps us spot patterns early – like any mention of “too short” or missed inclusions – so we can tighten briefings and make sure the promised touches (hot juice, cookies, dog time) happen every time.
These ratings are not just a lucky streak – it’s a large sample that smooths out one-off hiccups and shows the experience is consistently strong across many guides, routes, and seasons. In short, the numbers are our trail markers: they confirm what works, and they point us towards what aspects of our experiences we need to improve or refine.
What we’re working on, because you told us
Your feedback also helps us improve. The most frequent note is about experiences feeling too short, especially at Santa’s Village. We’ve made a point of stating the ride length clearly and reminding guests it’s musher‑driven. It’s a small change that prevents disappointment and keeps the focus where it belongs: on the dogs and on the moment.
For self‑driven husky safaris, we continue to emphasize that it’s an active experience. Our briefings set expectations, and riding with the guide remains an easy option for anyone who prefers it.
Practical tips from us
If you want more time on trail, then we recommend choosing a main‑kennel tour. Many of those include 45–90 minutes of mushing plus warm drinks. Outer clothing is included on most longer programs.
Are you travelling with little ones or short on time? Santa’s Husky Rides is a good fit, just remember it’s a quick, musher‑driven 2,5 Km loop.
We introduce puppies only when it’s right for them. If they’re resting, we let them rest.
A heartfelt thank you
We read every review. The steady flow of kind words and the honest suggestions keep us improving while staying true to what matters: dog welfare, clear guidance, and a simple, well‑run day out in the Arctic landscape. Thanks for letting us be a small, happy part of your travels.
