MAXI Mushing Workshop – 8 Days/7 Nights
A look behind the scenes, for anyone who wants to understand a little more about the fascination of sled dogs
Join us on a journey into the world of mushers and become part of our team!
- Have you ever wondered how to train sled dogs?
- Have you always wanted to know what goes on at a sled dog kennel?
- How do you take care of dogs?
- How do dogs communicate with each other in a pack?
- How do you equip , manufacture, and repair vehicles and equipment ?
Then this program is just right for you! For an entire week—from early October through mid-December—we’ll show you how we prepare our dogs for the upcoming season. You’ll be right in the thick of it, not just watching from the sidelines.
What to expect:
- Join us for sled dog training.
- Manage your own team.
- Experience this incredible bond between dogs and humans.
- Learn the subtle nuances of dog language and how to interact properly with our dogs.
- Help us with feeding, grooming, and kennel care.
- Discover the art of splicing and sled repair.
- Spend some quality time with our dogs—our senior dogs are always happy to go for a walk!
- A beautiful hike in the nature reserve.
- Stay the night in our wilderness cabin.
Welcome to the Eräkeskus family—welcome to the musher workshop!
You decide how long and how intensively you’d like to help out: whether it’s two hours or the whole day. You don’t need any prior experience or special skills—you’ll learn everything on the spot. A love of nature and an interest in dogs are all you need.
Detailed program
Day 1: Arrival and welcome
On the first day, you’ll arrive in either Kuopio, Joensuu, or Lieksa, where we’ll give you a warm welcome. Alternatively, you can make your own way to the lodge. After checking in and settling into your cozy room, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our team in person. We’ll wind down the evening with a delicious dinner in the cozy atmosphere of our lodge—the perfect start to your adventure.
Day 2: Introduction to Our Kennels and Initial Theory
After a hearty breakfast, your day begins with an exciting activity: You’ll get to help with the morning feeding in one of our two kennels. Afterward, we’ll stay in the kennel, and you’ll get to know our dogs and their unique personalities. You’ll also learn interesting details about how to care for them, groom them, and work with them on a daily basis.
After lunch, you’ll move to the second kennel. Can you spot the differences? Here, we’ll also explain everything you need to know about putting on the dog harnesses, harnessing the dogs, and handling them. After dinner, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the evening feeding or get a glimpse into the training schedule for the next day.
Day 3: Your First Practice Run and Sled Preparation
Today, your first training run with the dogs is on the schedule! After breakfast, you’ll help us prepare the vehicles and training equipment. In a theory session, you’ll learn about the different vehicles (quad, troll, or—depending on the weather—sled) and find out how the training works. Then we’ll harness the dogs, and you’ll set off with your own dog team. If you’re feeling unsure, you can also ride along with your guide. After we return, we’ll reward the dogs, and you’ll help unharness them. In the afternoon, after lunch, we’ll prepare one or two sleds for the winter season. We’ll inspect them thoroughly and make any necessary repairs. We’ll end the day with dinner together at the lodge.
Day 4: Intensive Training in the Wilderness
Today is all about training in the wilderness! After breakfast, we’ll set out with the dogs on different routes, depending on the teams’ fitness levels. If the dogs are ready for longer runs, we’ll take breaks at a laavu or a campfire site. There, the dogs can relax, practice their stake-out, get snacks, and enjoy their well-deserved rest. We’re taken care of, too: We’ll enjoy a lunch cooked over an open fire, coffee, stories about the dogs, and, of course, some cuddle time with our four-legged friends. If a long route isn’t possible yet, we’ll take one or two shorter loops and enjoy our lunch at our grillkota or fire pit at Eräkeskus. In the evening, you’ll have time to relax in our beach sauna—and maybe you’ll even venture into the cold water for an ice bath. Over dinner, we’ll discuss the upcoming hike to the Aittokoski Forest House together.
Day 5: Hike to the Aittokoski Forest Lodge
After breakfast, we pack our backpacks with the essentials. Our transfer driver takes us to the starting point for our hike—which we discussed the day before—and transports the rest of our luggage and food directly to the cabin so we can hike without any worries. Accompanied by a few dogs, we hike along the Karhunpolku—the famous Bear Trail—through the stunning natural landscape. Along the way, we take a break to enjoy our lunch. In the afternoon, we reach the idyllic Aittokoski forest cabin, where you can relax in the wood-fired sauna. We spend the evening enjoying a rustic dinner in the cozy cabin—a real highlight in the middle of the wilderness.
Day 6: Crafts and Return to the Lodge
After a traditional lodge breakfast, you can relax, take a short walk with the dogs, or simply enjoy the tranquility of nature. Afterward, we’ll dive into a hands-on workshop: You’ll learn how to splice tow lines and make the sections for the sleds out of wire rope—a valuable skill for working with sled dogs. After a hearty lunch, we’ll head back to Eräkeskus, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge in the evening.
Day 7: Day off and farewell dinner
The last day is yours to enjoy as you wish. You can help with feeding the dogs, take them for walks, or—depending on the season—book additional activities such as a canoe trip, ice fishing, or snowshoeing. In the evening, we’ll heat up the electric sauna for you before we celebrate the end of the week with a festive farewell dinner. As a memento of this unforgettable week, you’ll receive a small farewell gift.
Day 8: Farewell & journey home
Your stay with us ends after breakfast. Depending on what we’ve agreed upon, we’ll arrange transportation to your departure point, or you can begin your journey home in your own vehicle. We’ll say goodbye with our best wishes and hope that your time with us has left you with many unforgettable memories .
Note: This program is an example. Depending on the weather, our group dynamics or other circumstances, the days and activities may change slightly. Flexibility is part of the adventure – but one thing is certain: every day will be special!
Prices
- Per person: €1,450 in a double room.
- Children up to age 16: €1,150 (when staying in a double or triple room with at least one adult)
- A €150 discount for guests arriving on their own (the discount is valid once per family, couple, or group).
- No single-room surcharge
Optional:
- Additional night with full board: 130,- €.
- Full Sled Damage Cover: €50.
Travel Dates
- Available dates: October 1, 2026 – December 13, 2026.
- Arrival and departure are possible every day.
- Check-in for guests arriving on their own: 3 :00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Check-out for guests arriving on their own: by 12:00 p.m.
Services
Included:
- Transportation: From/to Kuopio, Joensuu, or Lieksa, and all necessary transfers during the tour.
- Accommodations: 6 nights at the Eräkeskus guesthouse, 1 night at the Aittokoski Forest Lodge, including 1 sauna session.
- Meals: Full board from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 8 (breakfast, lunch, and a two-course dinner).
- Weekly program:
- Kennel tour and information about caring for, feeding, and training the dogs
- several training runs with the dogs
- Vehicle Science
- Sled Repair
- Splicing
- Hike to Aittokoski and an overnight stay at the wilderness cabin
- Drinks: coffee/tea included.
- Sauna: 1 wooden sauna (beach sauna), 1 electric sauna (in the lodge).
- Free use of bikes, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and skis, subject to availability
- Guide: German, English, Finnish speaking guide.
- Final cleaning: Included.
- Bed linen and towels: are provided.
- Snowsuits and winter boots: will be provided as soon as there is snow on the ground. Available sizes for snowsuits range from XXS to XXL, and for boots from size 36 to 47.
Not included:
- Travel: Flight, train ticket.
- Drinks: Except tea, coffee and water.
- Clothing/Equipment: Weather-appropriate clothing, thermos, headlamp. Please be sure to check out our equipment list.
- Daypack: For hikes or overnight stays at mountain huts.
Tips:
- Money-saving tip: The train route from Helsinki to Joensuu, Kuopio or Lieksa is usually much cheaper than a domestic flight from Helsinki to Kuopio or Joensuu. Train schedules are generally available around 2 months before travel at www.vr.fi. If you would like to arrive by train, please check your arrival time with us in advance so that we can plan the transfer accordingly.
- Pro tip: We recommend taking out cancellation and return travel insurance.
General Terms and Conditions:
Level of difficulty
Eräkeskus 0
The Musher Workshop Week is suitable for anyone in normal physical condition.
You don’t need any prior experience—just a love of dogs and a desire to be active outdoors.
If you need a break, you can take one at any time. We’ll also adjust the hike to the cabin to suit your fitness level. Everything is optional—you set the pace. If you’re unsure or have any questions, feel free to contact us—we’ll be happy to provide personalized advice!
Why you should choose us:
Eräkeskus stands for authentic experiences in the untouched wilderness of Finland – far away from mass tourism and in a family-like atmosphere. You can expect real adventures, a deep connection to nature, and a truly relaxing slowdown.
- A Family-Like Atmosphere – With us, you’re not just guests—you’re part of a small, close-knit community—with personalized service, a warm atmosphere, and very small guest groups.
- Unspoiled wilderness instead of mass tourism – North Karelia is one of the quietest regions in Europe, where you can experience unspoiled nature and the peace of the wilderness.
- Close Bond with the Dogs – We work with passion and respect for and with our dogs—we take their natural instincts and needs into account so that they can live in an environment that promotes their well-being
- Gentle tourism & respect for nature – We focus on sustainable experiences with minimal impact on the environment – for adventures in harmony with nature.
- It’s simple: Because fall and early winter in North Karelia aren’t just breathtakingly beautiful—they also offer you the chance to experience the interplay between people, animals, and nature in a way that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.