1. Safety comes first

Your safety, and the well‑being of our dogs, are our top priorities. Our Code of Conduct as well as Weather Protocols ensure that we only operate tours in conditions that are safe and enjoyable for all. If there’s insufficient snow cover, if trails are too icy, or the temperatures drop too low, then we may need to adapt or adjust tours accordingly.

 

2. What happens when there’s not enough snow?

In late November and early December there is one concern – and that is the snow cover. We have explained in our previous blog post that the arrival of sufficient snow cover can vary a lot from year to year. So, sometimes we end up in the unfortunate situation that December arrives but the snow does not. How do we proceed then?

• We assess the conditions carefully.
• We try our best to still make your tour happen as planned, however, in that case it will be operated on carts with wheels rather than sleds.
• If the conditions are more variable, we may need to change the duration, distance and/or the nature of the tour. We reserve the right to make small changes to these aspects of the tour without notifying the guests beforehand.
• If we need to make drastic changes to the duration, distance and/or nature of the tour, then we will contact all guests beforehand about this change and we will present two guest-friendly options:
  
  Option 1: Alternative program and partial refund
  If you choose to participate in the alternative program, you’ll receive a partial refund reflecting the difference between your original booking and the adjusted tour.
  
  Option 2: Cancellation and full refund
  Prefer not to proceed? No problem, you’re welcome to cancel the tour and receive a full refund.
  

We will inform you in advance if radical modifications are needed and give you a chance to choose what works best for you. Refunds are processed promptly, though banking timelines may cause slight delays.

 

3. What happens if it is very cold?

When the temperatures drop extremely low, we apply our Cold Weather Protocols to protect both guests and dogs. We closely monitor the official weather forecasts from FMI (Ilmatieteenlaitos), checking the Sinettä station for tours at our main kennel in Sinettä and the Rovaniemi Airport for our Santa’s Husky Rides.

 

At our main kennel (Sinettä):

• –28°C to –30°C → Tours may be shortened in duration, distance, and driving time.
• –30°C to –35°C → Self-driven tours are paused. All rides will be musher-driven, which means you will sit in the sled while a guide drives. We will contact all guests about any changes beforehand.
• –35°C or colder → All tours are cancelled. Every guest receives a full refund.

 

At Santa’s Husky Rides (Rovaniemi Airport):

• –25°C to –30°C → We reserve the right to refuse participation if a guest is not properly dressed. In such cases, you will receive a full refund.
• –30°C or colder → Santa’s Husky Rides are cancelled entirely, and all bookings are refunded in full.

 

We may also adjust the nature, distance, or duration of any tour depending on the prevailing weather. Above all, our decisions are always based on the well-being and safety of the most vulnerable participant – whether that’s a dog or a guest.

 

4. If we cancel because of weather

As you can read in our terms and conditions, if Bearhill Husky has to cancel a confirmed tour due to weather and cannot reschedule, you’ll receive a full refund – 100 % of your booking.

 

5. We encourage travel insurance

Weather can be unpredictable. We strongly recommend having travel insurance, it’s your safety net for unexpected changes or other uncontrollable events.