Snowmobiling is one of the most exhilarating ways to explore Lapland in winter, taking you far beyond the roads and out into forests, across frozen lakes and through vast snow-covered landscapes.
Our snowmobiling holidays in Lapland range from Northern Lights trips which include a snowmobile safari alongside other Arctic activities to dedicated adventures where you can spend several days travelling by snowmobile.
Whether you’re trying it for the first time or looking for a much bigger Arctic adventure, snowmobiling offers a completely different way to experience the wilderness.
A snowmobile safari takes you out onto established winter trails with an experienced local guide.
After a safety briefing and instructions on how to operate the snowmobile, you’ll head into the Arctic landscape, travelling through forests, over frozen terrain and into areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach during winter.
The experience varies considerably between holidays. Some snowmobile safaris last a couple of hours and form part of a wider itinerary, while others take you much deeper into the wilderness.
You’ll find snowmobiling included on many of our Northern Lights winter holidays alongside husky sledding, reindeer experiences, snowshoeing and dedicated Aurora hunts.
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You don’t need to dedicate your whole holiday to snowmobiling to experience it.
For many guests, a guided safari is the perfect introduction: enough time to get used to the snowmobile, enjoy the scenery and experience the thrill of travelling across the snow.
If you want snowmobiling to be one of the main reasons for your trip, however, there are much more substantial adventures available.
Our Harriniva – Summit Snowmobile holiday includes a five-day snowmobile safari through Finnish Lapland and is designed for guests with previous snowmobiling experience looking for a far more immersive challenge.
Finnish Lapland is particularly well suited to winter adventures, with extensive snowy landscapes and a huge variety of Arctic experiences.
Many of our Northern Lights holidays include a snowmobile safari, allowing you to combine time out on the trails with activities such as husky sledding, snowshoeing and reindeer encounters.
Then, once darkness falls, attention turns to the sky.
Some itineraries even include evening snowmobiling, travelling away from artificial light into darker areas where you can search for the Northern Lights.
Snowmobiles can be useful for much more than daytime adventure.
On selected holidays, they’re also used to travel into remote areas after dark in search of the Aurora Borealis. Leaving settlements and artificial light behind can take you into wonderfully dark Arctic surroundings, where your guide will choose suitable places to stop and watch the sky.
Of course, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can never be guaranteed, regardless of how you travel to see them.
Explore our full collection of Northern Lights holidays to compare the different ways you can search for the Aurora.
Almost all of our snowmobile safaris are designed for people who have never ridden a snowmobile before.
You’ll receive instructions and a safety briefing before setting off, and your guide will lead the group throughout the activity.
Requirements differ between destinations and individual excursions, particularly where guests will be driving a snowmobile themselves, so always check the itinerary for your chosen holiday.
More demanding or multi-day snowmobile adventures may require previous experience.
Families can also experience snowmobiling in Lapland, although the format will depend on the ages of the children and the individual activity.
On some excursions younger children will travel in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile rather than riding as a passenger, while different minimum ages and restrictions apply across activities.
If you’re travelling with children, explore our Northern Lights family holidays or speak to our Travel Experts about the most suitable itinerary.
Not for many introductory snowmobile safaris. Beginners receive instruction before setting off and travel with a guide. Dedicated or more demanding snowmobile holidays may require previous experience.
You do need a valid driving license to drive a snowmobile (you will also need to have it with you on the actual safari, so don’t forget to pack it).
It can range from a shorter introductory activity to a full day or even several days on dedicated snowmobiling holidays. Check the itinerary carefully if the amount of time spent snowmobiling is particularly important to you.
Some holidays include evening snowmobile safaris specifically designed to take guests into dark areas away from artificial light. You may see the Northern Lights if conditions are favourable, but an Aurora display can never be guaranteed.
Warm winter clothing is essential. The equipment and thermal clothing provided vary between destinations and activities, so check the details supplied for your individual holiday before travelling.
Normally, our Snowmobile Safaris are designed for 2 adults to share a snowmobile: One driving and one riding pillion. There will be an opportunity to swap midway through the safari (assuming both have full driving licenses). If you don’t want to swap, that is fine.
If you are travelling solo then please speak to our Travel Experts for more information on the destination of your choice as this varies by location.
To ride pillion, you normally need to be aged approx. 15 years or older, but the local guide will advise the specific policy before the safari begins. Children and adults not wishing to drive or ride pillion will normally travel in a sleigh pulled behind the guide’s snowmobile.
