Lapland through the eyes of a deer. A trip to a reindeer farm in Finland Reindeer farms in Finland

In this material we want to tell you about Finnish reindeer. For many centuries now, people and reindeer in Finland have lived next to each other. Therefore, it is not surprising that this particular animal has become a symbol of Lapland, and its population is approximately equal to the population of this northern region. But still, man was only able to tame it halfway. The Finnish reindeer lives in temperate forests and feeds on moss and plants. It must be said that in the wild it can live on average up to 12 years; in captivity this figure increases and can reach about 20 years. A lot of Finnish reindeer die under the wheels of cars, so in Finland you can often see corresponding car signs on the roads.

Farmers and animal advocates are making every effort to protect them from death. For example, their antlers are covered with reflective material, and special barrier nets are stretched along the perimeter of the roads so that animals cross the road surface only in specially designated areas. Please note that a collision with them is very dangerous and the driver should always be on alert. Finnish reindeer are not afraid of cold weather and can easily withstand low sub-zero temperatures. They are reliably protected by thick, warm fur, which is not afraid of even -50 degrees.

Some medicines are made from the horns. As for milk, it is the most valuable of all mammals. It contains 19% milk fat, for comparison, cow milk contains on average about 4%. A lot of delicious dishes and products are prepared from meat, which are definitely worth trying when you come to Finland. Some people are fond of snowmobile safari, and among the Scandinavians one of their favorite winter activities is reindeer racing. A man gets on his skis, clings to the harness and rides after the animal.

Photo: Manfred Werner/Wikimedia Commons

Such races are organized quite often, the routes are different and the route can pass through several settlements at once. Such competitions are always awaited in every corner of the country because these people are believed to bring good luck with them. There are many special farms in Finland that many tourists love to visit. They listen to the stories of the farm owners, feed the animals moss, watch them, and also ride on reindeer sleds. The programs, as well as the prices of such tours, vary greatly.

But for the majority of Lapland's population, especially those living in the north, reindeer herding is considered one of the main sources of income. It should be noted that every Finnish reindeer belongs to a reindeer herder. Twice a year, animals are lured into pens to count the number of herds and brand the young. Even the Finnish Santa Claus chose this inhabitant of the northern latitudes as his assistant. Any little Finn can easily list the names of each reindeer from the big Christmas nine.

It is believed that Finnish Lapland begins to the north after the city of Kemi, and the capital of Lapland is Rovaniemi - this is where old Santa sits with his horde of gnomes. But if you look at the map of Finland, there is a huge space north of Rovaniemi. What's there? The Kingdom of Ice and the Night's Watch as in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire saga? In the winter season there is definitely something similar.

In winter, the sun practically does not rise above the horizon here, that is, it is equally dark almost all day and night, both day and night, and the level of snow is, literally, above your head.

But in the summer the sun does not set below the horizon, so at night it is just as light as during the day, which, out of habit, confuses the consciousness, which finally loses time references. Not only does it become absolutely impossible to sleep, it is also not clear how much time has passed since you laid your head on the pillow. And it’s absolutely amazing to wake up at three in the morning and take photos without a tripod or flash!

Most of Lapland lies north of the Arctic Circle. This is the land of the Sami - a people different from the Finns and having their own Sami language. According to one version, the Sami came to these lands about 8 thousand years ago - even before the great pyramids of Egypt were built. For thousands of years, people here have learned to adapt and survive in the harsh conditions of the north: long nights and merciless cold.

Nowadays Lapland is a popular tourism destination. In winter it means ski holidays, northern lights, husky dogs and reindeer; in summer - all kinds of camping, fishing, cloudberries, crystal lakes and wonderful forests. There is always an atmosphere of calm and clear unity with the planet.

I like to go to a house on the lake, from where the nearest settlement, Inari, is only 15 kilometers away. I'm not even afraid of the lack of running water and electricity. The first is fully compensated by a Finnish sauna and a cool, clean lake, the second by a fireplace and candles, and as a bonus - constant romance. There is such a real fairy-tale forest around, where moss and lichen hang from tree branches, turning ordinary pines and fir trees into magical ones, as in the stories about Leshy and Baba Yaga.

It is very easy to achieve a meditative state here. The flow of thoughts stops on its own, the consciousness has nothing to worry about and it becomes silent, merging with the more powerful flow of nature’s energy.

It is more convenient and interesting to travel around Lapland by car. Although it is also possible to get there by plane or train. You can fly to the very north to the city of Ivalo, but the railway only goes to Rovaniemi. And if you have planned a little more than just visiting Santa Claus, then you will have to change to a bus. By the way, Santa receives visitors all year round. And I still highly recommend using a personal car!

When traveling to Lapland by car, it is important to remember two things: speed control and arrogant free-grazing reindeer.

If you drive through the central part of Finland, there is only one route to Lapland. Oulu, Kemi, Rovaniemi, Sodankyla, Ivalo are the necessary names. There is a fairly decent two-lane highway here with speed limits of 100, 80 and 60. It is not worth driving, as there are cameras placed along the road at various distances that photograph a vehicle exceeding the speed limit in a given place. It’s probably not very pleasant to receive a fine of a tidy sum after a wonderful holiday.

Especially after Sodanküla, you should be alert and not exceed the speed limit, because at any moment, out of nowhere, a reindeer or a whole herd of deer may appear on the highway. They know who’s boss here and they’re not going to run in different directions when they see the car. Be polite, don't honk, slow down and move forward carefully. The deer will slowly and reluctantly give way to you. Interestingly, the sight of a standing person has a more convincing effect on them. They don't let you get close to them.

When we were in the Lapland wilderness, deer constantly passed around, alone or in whole families. If you sat and didn't move, they could come very close. But as soon as you reached for your camera or phone, instinct immediately kicked in and the graceful reindeer ran away like a frightened hare.

Yes, proud reindeer like to keep their distance and even an apple or carrot cannot tempt them.

Among the useful road signs you will find Varo poroja!– handwritten in Finnish. This means - Be careful deer!

There will also be signs for campsites right along the route. In summer there are many of them working here. You can drive calmly and stop where you like. Most people travel around Lapland in a trailer or motorhome. We even met cars with Italian license plates. Accordingly, campsites are designed for this type of recreation. But in many there are places where you can stay with your own tent, there are campsites with wooden houses. As a rule, in such places there is no running water or a normal toilet; everything looks clean and decent, but very natural. Information on campsites can easily be found online by searching for lapland camping or in Russian “camping lapland”.
Of course you can stay at a hotel. There are simply luxurious ones in Rovaniemi or Ivalo. But still, in the summer, in order to feel the atmosphere, I recommend being closer to nature. And leave the running water and electricity for the winter trip.

What you must try in Lapland:

Reindeer meat It comes in different forms, but the most popular is thinly sliced ​​​​slices - poronk?ristys - usually served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.

Smoked meat is considered a special delicacy. It can be bought in a store in vacuum packaging. For example, in Ivalo it costs 76 euros per kilogram, and in Inari it’s already 124!!! Any amount of it is eaten in years, because you can’t tear yourself away.

Cloudberry- can be used as a topping for pancakes or pancakes, with Finnish cheese or ice cream, sometimes they serve just a cloudberry dessert - something like jelly or jam.

Local lakes are full of fish, and fishing is a popular activity. Even if you are not a very experienced fisherman, you should definitely go fishing and catch trout, taimen or whitefish, and immediately smoke it or grill it.

Remember that in Lapland it is prohibited to light open fires in the forest. This is a safety measure, the government's way of protecting dry forests from fires. Grilling can be done in specially designated areas and at campsites.

Well, in conclusion, among other animals living here, I would like to mention mosquitoes and midges, which behave like real predators, not disdaining any bare part of the body for the sake of a drop of blood. Standard OFF type insect repellents make you unfit to eat. Stock up in advance! I was also very pleased with the anti-mosquito coil lit on the terrace - I could calmly read, sit, eat and just be without being distracted by the annoying buzzing.

Enjoy your unity with nature!

Where to ride reindeer in Finland with a visit to a reindeer farm

Reindeer safari in Lapland

At the reindeer farm you will meet these semi-domesticated domestic animals. Drive a team of reindeer yourself on a reindeer safari and learn all about reindeer breeding, the most traditional activity in northern Finland.

Over a cup of aromatic drink, you will hear a story about deer, reindeer husbandry and the history of farms. They will immediately show you how to correctly throw a lasso, with the help of which the deer are separated from the herd (and, of course, they will give those who wish to do this themselves). After coffee, the reindeer herders will corral part of the herd and show you all the types of work that they have to do on the farm every day. Visitors are given the opportunity to take part in caring for the reindeer under the guidance of reindeer herders. At the end of the show, the deer will be released back into the pasture. Finally, you will be able to feed the animals yourself, ride a reindeer sleigh and drink a farewell cup of coffee.

Trip to a reindeer farm in Lapland

1. Jaakkola Reindeer Farm
Located in the town of Luosto. Various recreation programs. Accommodation on a farm.
Farm website: (

Husband. generic name of animals; among us, Cervus tarandus, the reindeer, Lapland or sled deer, is better known; in Altai and the Caucasus there is a union of elaphus, red deer (German) or true, eastern. Sib. red deer, zap., sib. maral; found in places... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

deer Encyclopedia of Mythology

DEER- golden horns. Jarg. they say Neglected About a very stupid person. Maksimov, 287. Deer with spreading antlers. Jarg. corner. Iron. or Neglect A naive, inexperienced person who does not belong to the criminal world. R 87, 245; UMC. The deer wet its tail. Gorky ABOUT… … Large dictionary of Russian sayings

deer- occupied an important place in the mythology and beliefs of the Celts. Thus, the deer was revered as a symbol of fertility and vitality, dignity, speed and aggressiveness. It was also associated with other qualities. Deer antlers were considered a symbolic representation... ... Celtic mythology. Encyclopedia

DEER- DEER, deer, husband. The name of various breeds of ruminant artiodactyl animal with branched horns. Noble deer. Reindeer. Riding deer. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

deer- deer, roe deer, elen, stag, roe deer, fallow deer, wapiti, murrelet, cod, elk, musk deer Dictionary of Russian synonyms. deer noun, number of synonyms: 39 axis (2) ... Synonym dictionary

DEER- DEER, me, husband. A large artiodactyl animal with branched horns. Home o. Wild o. Noble Fr. Stag beetle (special) large beetle of the family. staghorns with horn-like elongated jaws. | adj. deer, ya, ye and deer, aya, oe. Deer horns.… … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

deer- DEER, me, m. 1. A joke that consists of a person walking with an insolent look past a doorman who won’t let him in (usually in a hotel or restaurant) with a gesture imitating antlers, accompanied by the words “beware, deer!” 2. Girl. I am today… … Dictionary of Russian argot

deer- branch-horned (Serafimovich); golden-horned (Meln. Pechersky) Epithets of literary Russian speech. M: Supplier of His Majesty's court, the Quick Printing Association A. A. Levenson. A. L. Zelenetsky. 1913. deer Noble, fleet-footed, fast, graceful... Dictionary of epithets

deer- DEER, stag DEER, cow, Lanka DEER, calf... Dictionary-thesaurus of synonyms of Russian speech

deer- NDP. chorus Adult uncastrated deer, male. [GOST 16020 70] Inadmissible, not recommended chorus Topics livestock for slaughter General terms reindeer EN reindeer DE Renbock FR renne ... Technical Translator's Guide

Books

• Deer August, Evgen Gutsalo. Evgen Gutsalo began writing stories and stories not so long ago, but they have already become widely known. His books were published in Ukrainian publishing houses: “People Among People”, “Apples from the Autumn Orchard”,…

At the ski resorts of Finland you can not only enjoy excellent skiing and snowboarding, but also get to know the locals better: deer, moose and husky dogs.

Ski resorts in Finland are not only a sea of ​​snow, dazzling winter landscapes, impeccable ski slopes, a feeling of joy, freedom and adrenaline. Neither children nor adults will be bored here, because on the territory of the resorts and in the surrounding area there are many opportunities for a wide variety of entertainment! One of them is trips to deer, elk or husky farms. During a trip to the farms, you can interact with “be-be-be-bear” reindeer, fleet-footed moose, and charming, friendly huskies.

Deer farms

Did you know that every reindeer in Finland has its own owner? There are special deer farms here where these amazing animals are bred. Moreover, each deer has a mark by which its owner can be identified.

If you come to ski in Northern Finland (for example, in Vuokatti, Salla, Ruka or Ylläs), a great option for entertainment would be to visit one of the reindeer farms. For reindeer riding, it is best to come to the farm during the day, because at night you will not be able to see much. On the farm you can not only ride reindeer, but also feed and pet the animals, and also learn how to drive a reindeer team, and then receive an official document - a license to drive reindeer! Those who want to take something back from Finland with them as a souvenir can purchase some nice local souvenirs that are sold right on the farm.

By the way, deer do not live on the farm all year round. In the spring they are released to graze, after which they disperse throughout Lapland in search of food. Reindeer are collected on the farm only in winter. How do owners determine the location of deer? It turns out that every deer has a GPS transmitter, with which you can easily track where it moves. Interestingly, before the advent of cars, reindeer in Lapland were the only means of fast transportation.

Elk farms

In Finland, moose are also called Scandinavian elephants - they are very respected and valued here. According to Finnish laws, only animals born in captivity can be kept on a farm - that is, moose are not caught in the wild, but are specially bred for keeping on farms. So far, the only elk farm in Finland, Hirvikartano, is located near the resort of Himos in central Finland.

Moose are the largest mammals in Finland, weighing up to 700 kg. The average body length is 3 m, and the height is 2.1 m. What do these amazing animals eat? Moose are fed dried leaves of willow, birch and rowan, as well as potatoes, barley and hay. And the favorite delicacies of moose are apples, watermelons, tomatoes, carrots, rutabaga, bananas and dried fireweed.

During your visit to the farm, you will be able to pet and feed the animals and, of course, take a photo with them. When visiting a moose farm, it is very important not to make noise or disturb the peace of its inhabitants. If you want to take a photo with an antlered elk, you should come to the farm before January-February, when they begin to shed their antlers. New horns grow on them only in May-June.

The moose living on the Hirvikartano farm are friendly. If you wish, you can perform a funny ritual “kissing a moose” - holding a bread crust in your teeth, stretch it towards the furry moose muzzle. At the Hirvikartano farm, the moose have learned to snatch the crust from their mouths so masterfully that it really is a real “kiss.” Be sure to try to catch this interesting moment in your camera frame!

By the way, moose are not the only animals in Hirvikartano. In addition to moose, reindeer and sika deer live here, with which you can also meet and interact. An excellent end to your trip would be a visit to the home-cooked restaurant located here, where you can try delicious elk dishes.

Husky farm

A visit to husky farms leaves neither children nor adults indifferent. Husky dog ​​safaris in Finland are one of the very popular tourist attractions. Farms with these adorable “smiling dogs” can be found in many parts of the country, especially in the north.

There are husky farms near the ski resorts of Ruka, Ylläs, Salla, Vuokatti, and many others. Here you can pet dogs, ride in a high-speed dog train, and after a walk, treat yourself to aromatic gleg with ginger cookies and have lunch in a cat - a Lapland hut. Those who want to ride longer can order safari for longer distances - 5.7 and 13 km.

One can only envy the strength and endurance of a husky! They are capable of running tens of kilometers tirelessly. Did you know that these tireless runners are capable of covering up to 100 km/day? They are not afraid of frost and can sleep right in the snow. In addition, Huskies simply love to race in sled dogs. Such a trip is a real treat for them, because running is their favorite activity!

Harness running requires special skills that are acquired only during training. In addition, to work in a team, the dog must have certain moral qualities - for example, hard work, good nature and sociality.

Before the safari, the dogs are put on special harnesses that help distribute the load correctly. It is very important that the weight of the sled is at least 80 km, because if the load is insufficient, it will be almost impossible to control it. On command, the Huskies start together. The sleigh does not move, but simply “flies” – this is how the four-legged team works together and harmoniously.

If you love speed and are looking for something unusual, a Husky safari is what you need. The sensations and emotions are simply unforgettable, and the memories from such a trip remain for a long time. Communication with four-legged, blue-eyed, fluffy Huskies will give the whole family a lot of positive emotions, and the children will be indescribably delighted!