As a Guest at a Sámi Home and Among the free roaming Reindeer
Everyday Life of a Sámi Reindeer Family
Reindeer Farm Petri Mattus invites you to visit our Inari Sámi reindeer herding family. With us, you’ll get to know our free roaming reindeer during winter feeding or the calving season in May. You’ll visit our home and learn about Sámi culture.
Reindeer herding is a traditional Sámi livelihood that one is born into. It is passed down from one generation to the next. At Reindeer Farm Petri Mattus, the tradition was handed down to Petri from his father, and now the next generation is beginning its own path.
As our guest, you will experience authentic life of a Sámi reindeer family. Reindeer herding is our main livelihood, and the well-being of the animals is our top priority. Visits to the farm are arranged according to the needs of the reindeer. Our reindeer roam freely, but during the winter months we help them to survive by providing supplementary feeding. This is the only way to get close to the free roaming reindeer.
We live in the village of Menesjärvi, about 30 kilometers from Inari. Visits to Reindeer Farm Petri Mattus must be booked no later than the day before your visit.
Wintery Day with Reindeer Herder
In winter, our daily chores include supplementary feeding of the herd in the wild. As our guest, you’ll arrive at our home at the agreed time, and we’ll provide you with warm overalls, boots, and gloves for your trip. We’ll take you to the herd in a sled pulled by a snowmobile, across frozen lakes and through pine forests. The length of the sled ride depends on where the herd is at that time.
At the herd, you’ll get close to the free roaming reindeer. We’ll tell you about reindeer herding and the life of a Sámi reindeer family. Coffee will be brewed by open fire, and we’ll serve a tasty pastry with it.After returning from the herd, we’ll talk more about the Sámi culture at our home.
The trip is suitable for all ages. If you have special health issues, let’s discuss together how can we arrange you a safe visit.
Experience the Miracle of New Life
In May, you can join us for calf marking in our calving area. We’ll leave from our home by snowmobile, ATV, or on foot. During the day, you’ll see and experience the different stages of calf marking and take breaks by the fire, enjoying coffee and a light lunch.
The program lasts the whole day, and we’ll agree on the schedule when you book.
Participants must be able to walk in uneven terrain.
