FAQs about Kit & Clothing

Layering is key: wear multiple thin layers of wool or synthetic rather than one thick layer, and no cotton on your body at any point, i.e. NO JEANS.

Start with one or two sets of thermal underwear, relatively tight, thin and moisture-wicking, ideally merino wool, with one top having a zipped or high neck. Mid layers (e.g. Polartec 100 microfleeces, powerstretch or heavier merino) keep moving moisture and trap warm air. Carry at least one thicker insulating layer (Polartec 200/300 fleece, woollen jumper, or Thinsulate/primaloft). Synthetics dry faster and have a higher warmth-to-weight ratio. A fleece, powerstretch, down or primaloft gillet is also recommended for freedom of arm movement.

We issue snowmobile suits rather than down clothing because sled driving mixes long inactivity with short, intense effort, and their outer fabrics stand up better to wear and tear from the dogs. In warmer temperatures a breathable waterproof shell (e.g. eVent) is ideal, with a down or primaloft insulating layer added at breaks. Since you need this thicker outer layer constantly in colder months, we tend to issue the snowsuits season-round.

For legs, bring two pairs of bottoms of different thicknesses (e.g. one thermal and one powerstretch) to wear under the sallopettes we issue. Jeans (cotton) are NOT OK.

On longer trips we provide snowboots for the mushing itself, but bring winter crocs or hut booties for outside safari time (Finnish people don't wear shoes indoors). Choose your boots from us several sizes too large, wide and high enough for several sock layers. Keep the insides dry, as water transfers heat up to 25 times faster than air.

Bring three pairs of winter sock combinations (thinner and thicker), keeping one spare for wet feet and one for evenings in the huts, plus slippers or crocs for the huts. If you have unusually large or small feet, or children in the group, let us know your sizes ahead of time.

Gloves or mitts on a not-so-cold day is a personal choice, but when it gets colder we recommend everyone swap to mitts, so have both to hand. You also need 2-3 pairs of thin inner 'magic' gloves for harnessing and unclipping dogs. Don't overlook your wrists, make sure mid-layers and gloves cover them well.

Alternate between two thicknesses of hat: a lightweight thermal or woollen one covering your ears and crown, and a thicker, more windproof one (fur trapper-style hats work well and can be borrowed from us). Carry a balaclava or merino/polar buff to cover your face on extreme days. We never allow anyone to drive our sleighs without a good hat.

Bring a lightweight travel towel, a headtorch with spare lithium batteries, minimal toiletries and a small personal or group first-aid kit: continuous-use medications, heat packs, oil-based antiseptic/moisturising cream, lip balm, throat lozenges, Imodium, painkillers, plasters and sun protection from January onwards.

Optional: a point-and-press camera is often more practical than a big one in extreme cold. You cannot use a selfie-stick whilst sledging, and go-pros must be securely attached to your body, not the sleigh. Also useful: spare prescription glasses, a Swiss-army-style pen-knife, a small sewing kit, and a drinks bottle that takes hot water.

We have a reasonably big yard with designated areas for staff parking.

• Parking: please park efficiently, as yours might not be the only tour of the day and we also get large buses and delivery trucks
• Plug-in: if you have your own cable you can connect your car to our meters when on a longer tour (over 20km) or when it is extremely cold (below -30C)
• Timers: the plug-in units run for a maximum of 2 hours, so it is not possible for camper vans to stay overnight