🐾 OUR STORY: OLD PINE HUSKY LODGE
Our project was born in 2017 from the vision of someone who had lived and worked in Finnish Lapland for many years, combined with a deep desire within the team to change lifestyles and embark on a brand-new adventure.
In 2018, the relocation phase officially began. After leaving behind previous jobs, loved ones, and family, the move to Keminmaa marked the start of an intense year filled with planning, ideas, and projects to shape this dream. After overcoming numerous obstacles and a lot of hard work, the project finally began to come to life in the autumn of 2019.
In December of that same year, our very first winter season officially kicked off: the first safaris, the first excursions in the company of our beloved dogs, alongside the inevitable initial challenges and fears.
🔄 The Pivot and Resilience
Unfortunately, that beautiful dream seemed to come to a sudden halt just a few months later when, in the spring of 2020, Finland and the rest of the world faced total lockdowns and restrictions due to the pandemic. Refusing to give up, we held on until the summer of 2020. Despite the Finnish borders remaining closed to tourism, we decided to bet everything on our small restaurant—initially intended only for winter safari guests—converting it into an Italian café-pizzeria open to local customers.
This intuition not only allowed us to survive the following winter but, above all, enabled us to connect with and become deeply appreciated by the local community, who continue to support us with great affection today.
🏠 The Lodge Today
All of this was accomplished without ever abandoning our love for the dogs, the core heart of our project. On the contrary, our pack has grown steadily, expanding from about 20 dogs in the winter of 2019 to around 49 dogs today.
In December 2021, the renovation of our small hotel was completed. Today, the lodge is ready to welcome you with:
- 6 cozy rooms
- A total of 16 beds
- An authentic experience blending Arctic nature with the warmth of Italian hospitality.
🤝 Current Partners
Today, the adventure continues with the exact same passion as the very beginning, dedicatedly led by the current partners: Simona and Massimiliano