- ECO certified electricity from wind power.
- Modern fleet of fuel injected 4-stroke snowmobiles, for lower emissions.
- The company vehicle is a modern fuel efficient diesel with Adblue system to reduce harmful sulfur emissions.
- We participate in projects to supply electric recharge points for electric vehicles in rural areas.
- Buildings built with local wood, geothermal heat exchangers, natural insulation, and partly heated with firewood sourced from our own forests.
- Reduced paper wastage by not using paper-cups, and disposable drying towels, but by using long lasting machine washable biodegradable cups, and cotton hand-towels.
- Separation and recycling of waste and composting dog and kitchen waste.
- Solar panels for summer use and overall reduction of grid electricity.
- Regular transfer services are offered to the clients to contain the emissions and guarantee more safety on the road to the kennel.
- We take part in ecosystem restoration projects in the neighboring lands. By collaborating with the ELY-Keskus, we support concrete habitat restoration actions for fish species which have abandoned the water streams due to the lack of safe nesting spots.
- We have a strict set of animal welfare criteria that we comply with and monitor with scales, measurements and data collection systems.
- Transparent and open concept of the dog kennel: there are no hidden corners, the customer can see how and what we do with and for the dogs.
- New buildings equipped with an underfloor heating system (more energy-efficient).
- We provide modern facilities and tailored equipment to work with.
Responsible Tourism
We're working towards a more sustainable future for tourism in Lapland
Global environmental destruction is getting worse. It is no longer possible to sit on the sidelines and spectate. Our winters are disrupted, the arctic is warming faster than expected and our politicians are moving too slow!
At our location in Sinettä, we decided to do our part and focus on building a sustainable and responsible business.
It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen!
- Offering employment opportunities to the local population as much as possible.
- Assuring fair salaries & insurances for workers.
- Following all Finnish employment laws and regulations.
- Focus on year-round employment to provide people a living wage.
- Educating our personnel according to their needs and providing them with a solid training program before the season starts.
- Offering equal chances and the right to work in our company without discrimination.
- Organizing annual open days to engage the local community in our activities and events.
- Respecting the local reindeer culture.
- Collaborating with local landowners to develop a sustainable network of dog sledding trails.
- Promoting and embodying an ethical use of animals in Tourism: our tours are not only an entertainment, but also educational moments to share knowledge and sensitize guests about sustainable sled dog kennel practices.
- Treating all our customers fairly no matter the country of origin, sex, age or their religion.
- We participate in animal welfare projects and research in cooperation with the University of Lapland to distill knowledge in people about dog sledding culture and animal welfare.
- Results of the latest research we had cooperation with in 2022: Tourists’ Framing of Positive Animal Welfare
- Video contribution to the Interspecies Wellbeing at Work Symposium by Project PAWWS (People and Animal Wellbeing at Work and in Society)
- We have a safety plan for our everyday work and safety matters are heavily included in our orientation and training period. All the employees need to read, understand and apply our safety plan.
- Benefiting the employees with one physiotherapy treatment per month and unlimited gym access.
- Mandating our subcontract mushers to comply with the legislation on worker rights.
- Hosting Trainee Programs (high school, specialization schools and university level).
- Networking with other sustainable local businesses and recommending their services/products to our clients.
- Development of educational visit programs for local schools.
- Participating in regional sustainable tourism planning and development.
- Use our communication channels to share educational contents and valuable information about dog sledding.
- Prohibiting the staff and clients to smoke in common areas (even if outdoor).
- Working with local suppliers in different areas: transportation, building and repairing of equipment.
- Establishing cooperation with local Sinettä and Lehtojärvi tourism companies to support the rural economy.
- Developing year-round products to be able to provide year-round employment and economic stability to the business.
- Promoting off-season services tailored to the off-season audience.
- Proving transparency and authenticity: we market and sell only what we can provide, thus, building true expectations for our guests.
- Collaborating with subcontract mushers as a win-win opportunity: we share the workload and are able to increase the offer.
- By hiring subcontract mushers we financially support small businesses, which need financial stability in order to train for long-distance sled dog races.
- Innovating our marketing strategy and social media communication.
- We have started a new initiative called Project RePaw, a project which is dedicated to re-homing retired or unsuitable sled dogs and giving them the retirement they truly deserve.
- Two second-hand cars were bought and put at disposal of those employees living in staff accommodations to facilitate commuting together towards the workplaces.
- New accommodations have been arranged to welcome the guides arriving for the winter season. This action was taken to offer to the staff safe, clean and comfortable living solutions facilitating their moving and helping them build a sense of community.
- We spent a lot of time and resources in dog behavioral training for the duration of the whole summer.
- We inaugurated our new buildings which include an equipped vet room, a modern dog kitchen, changing rooms for our staff, and equipment storage.
- Maximizing solar panel production on the roof of the new kennel building by finding a solution to cover the whole roof surface.
- Stocking the heat accumulated in the solar panels and using it for charging the batteries.
- Purchasing an electric company van capable of pulling the dog trailer.
- Implementing a uniform control system to reduce the number of uniforms that get lost or do not get returned at the end of the season in order to minimize new equipment expenditure.
- Connecting elements of the walk-in freezer to the drying room and using the produced heat for drying the gear, sledding lines, dog harnesses, and booties.
- From December 2025 including the lunch break into the paid time to encourage employees taking the time to rest and eat everyday.
Certifications
Green Activities
An environmental program intended specifically for nature entrepreneurs, Green Activities is a part of the globally-recognized and respected Green Key. To learn more about Green Activities and their requirements for the certificate, visit their website here.
Sustainable Travel Finland
The Sustainable Travel Finland label makes it easier for travelers to recognize a tourism company and destination that takes sustainability seriously. This label is only awarded to those that have completed the STF program and fulfilled the criteria.
Greene Energy
We are proud to use 100% renewable energy at Bearhill Husky. Distributed by Nordic Green Energy and certified annually, all of our electricity is generated by either wind, water or solar power and is verified in accordance with the European Guarantee of Origin.
Explored by Vaolo
Vaolo believes in inspiring change through travel and human connections. As a Vaolo destination, we have shown our values and commitment to sustainable social, economic and environmental practices including our available accommodations and activities.