Snowmobile Tours in Rovaniemi

6 Best Snowmobile Safaris in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland

Discover the best snowmobile tours in Rovaniemi. From short safaris to full-day wilderness adventures and Northern Lights snowmobile tours in Finnish Lapland.

Snowmobile Tours in Rovaniemi

A snowmobile tour is without doubt one of the most popular winter activities in Rovaniemi. Riding a snowmobile takes you deep into the Arctic wilderness of Lapland, far away from the bustle of the city. You travel along snowy forest trails, across frozen rivers and sometimes even over vast frozen lakes, while the winter landscape stretches out around you. From short introductory rides to extensive full-day wilderness tours, there are many different snowmobile safaris available in Rovaniemi.

^{Discover the surroundings of Rovaniemi by snowmobile}

^{Recommended: Full-Day Snowmobile Safari in the Wilderness}

Since there are many different snowmobile tours available in Rovaniemi, I have made a short selection of the most interesting tours and reliable tour operators. I personally tested several snowmobile tours, and my absolute favourite is this full-day snowmobile safari through the wilderness. Some excursions combine snowmobiling with other Lapland activities such as Northern Lights hunting, ice fishing or a barbecue around a campfire.

1. Standard Snowmobile Tour (1 to 1.5 hours)

The standard snowmobile tour is the perfect choice for travellers who want to try snowmobiling for the first time or have limited time in Rovaniemi. At the start of the tour you will receive a short safety briefing and learn how to operate a snowmobile before heading into the snowy wilderness around the city with an experienced guide. You will then ride for about 1 to 1.5 hours along winter forest trails, past snow-covered trees and sometimes even across frozen lakes, while enjoying the silence and the stunning Arctic landscapes of Lapland. Halfway through the safari there is a short stop in the wilderness to take photos and warm up with a hot drink and a small snack. Afterwards you hop back on the snowmobile for the final part of the ride back to Rovaniemi. This excursion is ideal as a first introduction to snowmobiling in Lapland: the duration is just right to get comfortable riding a snowmobile while still having enough time to experience the beautiful winter scenery.

2. Snowmobile Tour (3 hours) + Ice Fishing

This snowmobile and ice fishing experience is the perfect excursion if you want to combine several typical Lapland activities in one tour. During this snowmobile and ice fishing tour, you first ride a snowmobile through the quiet forests around Rovaniemi and across frozen rivers and lakes. Along the way you will enjoy beautiful winter landscapes before arriving at a remote location on a frozen lake. Here the guide will show you how to drill a hole in the ice and try ice fishing yourself, a traditional activity that has been practiced by the local people for generations. While you wait to see if a fish bites, a campfire is prepared and a simple Lappish lunch is served. Warm drinks and typical Arctic food complete the experience and make for a cosy break in the middle of nature.

3. Northern Lights Snowmobile Tour (2 hours)

A Northern Lights snowmobile tour is one of the most magical activities you can experience in Lapland. During this Northern Lights snowmobile safari, you ride a snowmobile in the evening deep into the snowy wilderness around Rovaniemi, far away from the city lights. In the darkness of the Arctic night, you follow the guide through forests and across frozen lakes, while only the light of the moon, the stars and the headlights of the snowmobiles illuminate the landscape. Along the way you stop at a quiet spot in nature where a campfire is prepared. While warming up with hot drinks and a simple barbecue, you look up at the sky hoping to see the Northern Lights appear. With a bit of luck you may see the green auroras dancing above the winter landscape – an experience you will never forget. Even if the Northern Lights do not appear, the night ride through the silent, snow-covered forests of Lapland is already an unforgettable experience.

4. Full-Day Snowmobile Safari in the Wilderness (5 hours)

One of the most impressive snowmobile tours you can take from Rovaniemi is this full-day snowmobile safari into the wilderness. This is without doubt my personal favourite. During this extensive tour you spend more than five hours exploring the untouched nature around Rovaniemi, discovering vast forests, frozen lakes and spectacular winter landscapes. Because the safari lasts much longer than most snowmobile tours, you really have time to get comfortable riding the snowmobile. After the first few kilometres you gain confidence, which often allows you to ride at higher speeds. Many shorter tours use speed limiters on their snowmobiles, but on this longer safari the pace is usually faster and you experience much more freedom. The tour is slightly more expensive than standard excursions, but if you want to experience the ultimate snowmobiling adventure in Lapland, this is definitely my top recommendation.

5. Snowmobile Tour (1 hour) + Barbecue

This Arctic snowmobile safari with barbecue is a perfect choice if you want to combine an authentic Lapland experience with comfort and small group sizes. During this tour you ride modern snowmobiles along private routes through snow-covered forests and open tundra landscapes around Rovaniemi. Because the groups are small – with a maximum of five snowmobiles per guide – you receive plenty of personal guidance and can fully enjoy riding through the Arctic wilderness. Along the way you stop at a campfire, where you can warm up with hot drinks and enjoy a simple barbecue in the snow. It is a great moment to relax and experience the peaceful silence of Lapland before continuing your ride through the winter landscape. This Arctic snowmobile safari with barbecue offers the perfect mix of adventure, nature and a cosy campfire experience.

6. Snowmobile Tours with Children

A snowmobile tour is one of the most fun winter activities to do with children during a trip to Rovaniemi. Please note that the tours listed above are only intended for adults! During this special family tour, parents drive their own snowmobile through the beautiful snow-covered forests of Lapland, while children travel comfortably and safely in a sledge behind the guide. The pace of the tour is relaxed and specially adapted for families, allowing even young children to fully enjoy the winter scenery. Along the way you will see vast white forests and frozen fields, making the experience even more magical. For many children this is one of the highlights of the trip, as they get to feel like real Arctic explorers for a while. During this fun family tour, children also have the opportunity to ride a mini snowmobile on a safe track, which makes the adventure even more exciting.