WHY YOU´LL LOVE IT
Reach the farm by snowmobile. The journey through snowy forest is part of the adventure, with both marked trails and private trail sections.
Spend real time among the reindeer. Feed the herd and watch how individual animals choose to approach you, each at its own pace. Animal welfare first: no rides, no tricks - the herd on its own terms.
Meet the person who cares for them. Hear Jussi’s stories about reindeer, the changing seasons and his family’s work as herders.
Share a meal around the kota fire. Grill reindeer sausage, then enjoy Finnish pancakes with berry jam and warm drinks.
Try a herder’s skill. Practise throwing a lasso and take home a personal Reindeer Herder’s Assistant diploma.
Enjoy a small group visit. With a maximum of 15 guests, there is room to ask questions and take your time at the farm.
THE EXPERIENCE
Ride through Lapland’s snowy forest to a reindeer farm where the herd comes to meet you. At Jussi’s farm, you’ll hand-feed the reindeer and hear from a local herder about life with the animals through the seasons. Then step into a warm kota to grill reindeer sausage over the fire and enjoy Finnish pancakes with berry jam. Before riding back to Levi, try your hand at lasso throwing and take home your Reindeer Herder’s Assistant diploma.
The snowmobile safari
The safari house is in a private forest location just minutes from Levi. From the moment the transfer arrives, the atmosphere is already different - no crowds, no resort noise, just the tree line and the cold. From there, the route to the farm combines public marked trails with sections of privately owned land that only STG guests can access, covering approximately 25 km in 1 to 1.5 hours of riding. With a sleigh, the group travels at 20-25 km/h. Without a sleigh, the pace is 30-45 km/h.
Part 1 - Snowmobile safari
Adults ride snowmobiles; children under 130 cm travel in a guide-pulled sled. The route winds through snow-covered forest and open Arctic landscape on a mix of public and private trails. The private sections go deeper - away from other snowmobiles, into terrain that few visitors in Levi ever reach.
Part 2 - The reindeer farm experience
The snowmobiles stop and the reindeer are already there. Dozens surround the group in what the herder calls a ‘sea of reindeer’. The farm is run by Jussi, a local herder whose family has kept reindeer across generations. Animal welfare comes first here: no rides, no tricks. The reindeer live freely in nature for most of the year and are brought to the farm in winter for feeding and care. Groups are kept small - up to 15 people, maximum 2 visits per day.
Guests are handed buckets of feed - hay and specially formulated pellets - and move slowly through several feeding stations. Some reindeer come close enough to touch; others keep their distance. That natural shyness is part of what makes the contact meaningful. The herder talks throughout about the animals, the seasonal calendar and what this life actually demands. Guests call it ‘reindeer therapy’ - and it is hard to argue with that after an hour in the stillness of a winter farm.
Traditional Lappish kota meal by the open fire
The kota is pre-heated and warmed in advance, ready for the guests. Our own kota chef serves a traditional Lappish kota meal.
After spending time with the reindeer, the group moves into the warm kota. Wooden benches covered with reindeer hides, open fire. Guests grill their own reindeer sausage - made from locally and ethically sourced ingredients. Then thin Finnish pancakes with arctic berry jam and whipped cream. Coffee brewed in a pot over the fire, hot berry juice, herbal tea. While the guests enjoy their meal, the host carries on - more stories about the reindeer, Sámi-inspired traditions and the realities of Arctic living, and whatever questions have built up over the last hour.
Lasso and diploma
Before the return ride, guests try lasso throwing and each receives a personal diploma of Reindeer Herder’s Assistant. The group then rides back to the safari house by snowmobile, changes out of gear and is driven back to Levi by car or minibus.
Who this is for
Families with children aged 10 and above
Couples and small groups interested in authentic Lappish reindeer herding culture
Anyone who wants to combine snowmobile riding with a genuine animal encounter
Guests looking for a full half-day experience with a proper meal included
Private Option
A private version of this tour means the reindeer farm visit is exclusively for your group - your time with the herd, your kota, your meal. No other parties at the farm during your program. Contact us to arrange.
