Facilities & Equipment


	Facilities & equipment Snowmobiles Eräsetti Safaris has about 140 high quality snowmobiles. All of the snowmobiles seat two people. The average age for snowmobiles is 2,5 years. The snowmobile is a special vehicle designed for driving in snowy forests and on frozen lakes and rivers. They are easy to handle even for the first-timer. Mini snowmobiles Mini snowmobiles are designed for children. However, they are also a great source of fun for adults in different recreational events. Snowmobile sled We have 58 sleds especially designed for snowmobile use. They seat two people. The sleds have a separate shock-absorption system that guarantees pleasant traveling. Pulled by the snowmobile, the sled allows a family of four to travel comfortably. Reindeer sled Traditional reindeer sleds are handmade from wood and one sled seats two people. One reindeer pulls every sled. Husky sled The Husky sled model originates from Canada and Siberia. They are handmade from wood and are pulled by a Husky team of 4-12 dogs. Guests are also permitted to drive the team. Clothing We usually provide thermal clothing for our guests. Our thermal overalls are especially designed for safari use. They are warm and easy to wear. They also resist water moderately. We also provide warm boots, gloves and helmets. Altogether we have about 3500 overalls and 2000 pairs of shoes – thus, larger groups are also welcome. However, guests should also wear normal warm clothes under the overalls - at least 3 layers of clothing including warm, natural materials like wool. Snowshoes Today's snowshoes are easy to wear and use. Being made of plastic, they are light and comfortable to walk in. Tandem skis Tandem skiing is one of the most popular activities in Winter Funtastics! Two people attempt to ski with one pair of skis and two pairs of bindings. This demands good co-operation and a great sense of humor! Kick sled Kick sled has traditionally been used for getting around in winter weather. It has a seat and long, gliding runners which the driver, or should one say ‘kicker’, stands on. The kick sled is a favorite among children and elders even today. All terrain vehicle The Quad, or 4-wheeler, was originally meant for getting around in forests and swamps in the summer time. Eräsetti Safaris uses them in their Winter Funtastic games, as they are also great fun to drive in the wintertime! Kota teepee Reindeer herder families have traditionally used the Kota-teepee when they traveled with their herds. They are light to carry and easy to set up. Although they are no longer used for year-round living, they are still used today by reindeer herders in forests and the wilderness. Kota-teepees are usually made of animal skins, cotton or wood. The round, high structure of the Kota-teepee allows for an open fire to be lit inside. Ice fishing Ice fishing takes place on frozen lakes and rivers. A hole is drilled into the ice and a special ice fishing rod and jig are used to catch fish. River boats Handmade, wooden riverboats are especially designed for river conditions; they have a long and narrow shape. The maximum seating capacity of one boat is 30 people. The age-old model originates in Lapland. All passengers wear life jackets when on the river. Husky dogs In ancient times the Inuits and Native Americans of arctic areas discovered the use of Huskies as sled dogs. The first dog teams were rather small, consisting perhaps of only one dog/sled. At this time, it was customary to walk or ski in front of the animal to show the way and make the trail. A long-lasting and bonding relationship developed between dog(s) and man as mutual trust between them grew. Due to the social nature of the arctic sled dog, it was easy to use several dogs in front of one sled.In 19th century Alaska and North Canada, gold diggers used sled dogs to deliver mail during long, hard winters. Furthermore, sled dogs enable trappers to swiftly travel through the untouched, snowy wilderness. It has been said that an entire Native American village was rescued from sickness and ruin by the diligence of a sled dog team. Obtaining medical supplies from a near-by village was impossible by any other means at that time, but with the help of the sled dogs supplies were brought to the village and the village was saved. Nowadays the most widely used sled dogs are Siberian and Alaskan Huskies. Although Huskies appear to be fierce animals, they are actually very friendly. These arctic animals often have blue eyes or eyes of mixed colors, a thick fur to keep them warm even in the very coldest winter weather, and an unbelievable sense of humor. Co-operation between the dogs and the dog team driver (the musher) is, at its best, a relationship full of trust, respect and the love of nature. Reindeer What is a reindeer Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) are semi-domesticated caribou. It is believed they have been domestic animals in Eurasia for at least 7,000 years, which is longer than the horse (Edwards, 1994). In Eurasia reindeer are classified as either domestic or wild. Life history Their life expectancy is about eight years, usually ending as a result of their final breeding attempt. Breeding takes place in August and September with calving peaking around April 24th. Antlers Reindeer and caribou are the only deer (Cervidae) where males, females, and calves produce antlers. Substantial growth of calf and female antlers can be obtained with good nutrition. Some females can grow small shovels (eye-guards), normally grown only by bulls. Like other deer, reindeer shed their antlers annually. Bulls drop their antlers by January, and pregnant cows and calves retain theirs until spring. New antlers grow in the spring and summer. The primary function of the antlers is for gaining social dominance. Pelage Reindeer fur is extremely dense. The outer coat of long, hollow guard hairs are at a density of 5,000/ sq.in. A fine "woolly" hair at 13,000/ sq.in. ,as an undercoat, makes for an efficient air trap. This thick coat inhibits radiation and allows them to lie on snow without melting it and getting wet. Facial hair extends down to their lips protecting the muzzle when grazing in snow. Reindeer do not get frost build-up from their breath. Bone and cartilage in their nostrils is designed like a "rolled-scroll." This increases the surface area inside enabling their blood to warm cool incoming air. Feeding Reindeer, like all Cervids and Bovids, are ruminants. Free-roaming reindeer search for emerging buds, leaves and flowers of sedges and dig for rhizomes in the spring, followed by willow leaves, forbs, and mushrooms as they emerge in early summer. Reindeer anatomy is specialized for eating and digesting lichen (sometimes called reindeer moss) as a source of energy in winter. Captive reindeer must be fed a balanced diet of commercial grains, forage and supplements. Winter conditions may still exist when calves are born. Reindeer milk is extremely high in protein and fat. Many organs of reindeer are relatively larger than many domestic animals for increased growth rate. These two factors facilitate survival. Weight Female Average 70-80 Kg. Male Average 85-90 Kg.