Lapland, in its prime, left me overjoyed and indulged! Braving the -30 degrees Celsius with lungs inflated with crispy air, senses working faster than ever, adventure is all you seek!
Rovaniemi, the heart of Finnish Lapland, transforms into a snow-covered paradise each winter, making it the perfect destination for snowmobile enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a first-timer, snowmobile tours in Rovaniemi offer an exhilarating way to explore the Arctic wilderness. From short rides to multi-hour safaris, an adventure is waiting for everyone.
And whenever I think of that frame, I want to see myself mounted on a snowmobile. Yes, I will always look back on my experience of Lapland in winter as the amazing time exploring the pristine Rovaniemi outdoors, riding a snowmobile across frozen lakes, carefully negotiating the trails skirted by birch and pine.
You don’t mention a winter trip to Rovaniemi if there’s no snowmobile in it!
Best time for snowmobile tours in Rovaniemi
Photo Courtesy: Nordic Unique Travels
Ideally, Rovaniemi and other territories in Lapland start to get good snow from the beginning or mid-November, which becomes a prominent part of the landscape until April. The temperatures drop drastically, and almost all the water bodies turn into toughened ice, which can be a meter thick or even more. Snowmobile becomes one of the preferred tourist attractions, to some extent, local transport for the inhabitants, who prefer it along with any other mode of transportation that has a sledge in it.
Photo Courtesy: Nordic Unique Travels
It’s quite fascinating that you can use one snowmobile for different experiences. So it comes down to your choices and how you tackle your fetish. During my stint as a tour guide and travel photographer in Rovaniemi, I came across numerous travellers who ended up being on more than one snowmobile tour.
Taking budget and other preferences into consideration, you can choose from some of the most popular snowmobile tours in Rovaniemi, which I’m going to suggest. Please keep in mind, Rovaniemi is generally not a budget-friendly tourist destination. You will be spending here in Euros, and tours are generally expensive. But then you know it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so plan it accordingly! 😛
My top 5 snowmobile tours in Rovaniemi in winter
Photo Courtesy: Nordic Unique Travels
1. Snowmobile ride long/short across the lush Arctic forest
Of all the snowmobile tours in Rovaniemi, I recommend the 3-hour ride! It is a super satisfying tour in my opinion. The shorter versions of the snowmobile ride aren’t bad either. It usually lasts around 1.5 hours and covers the beautiful Arctic forest and frozen lake. With clear skies, it can be one of those days that’ll stay alive in your memories for a long time.
Tip: Be prepared for some harsh conditions outdoors, and suit up accordingly. However, almost all the tour operators in Rovaniemi provide overalls, boots, helmets, balaclavas, and gloves. It’s always good to check with them in advance to avoid any last-minute confusion.
2. Sleigh ride on snowmobile tours in Rovaniemi
Photo Courtesy: Nordic Unique Travels
Well, if you aren’t much into riding or you don’t have a driver’s license, then this option will fascinate you. A tour guide will ride the snowmobile pulling the sledge. You can sit back on the sleigh and experience the majestic Arctic world right before your eyes, trying to warm yourself up while being covered in reindeer skin and blankets. All the bumps during the journey and the sharp wind numbing every exposed part of your body are an experience that will stay with you for a long time.
3. Hunting Northern Lights on a snowmobile
A cool snowmobile, cooler Lappish outdoors, quietude all around, a freezing moonlit night with a Milky Way for the company, and the glorious Aurora dancing right above you! That’s exactly how a typical night in Rovaniemi in winter looks, provided the Aurora forecast is good and the skies are clear. Hop on the snowmobile and own those snowy trails as you go out chasing Northern Lights. Rovaniemi’s lakefronts are famed for exceptional Northern Lights sightings.
All you have to do is drive down to the lakeside through the thick forest and wait for the lights to appear. Nothing compares to the experience of making a bonfire in the middle of a frozen lake and enjoying the perfect Lappish barbecue during the midnight hours. Since 9 pm to 12 pm is considered the perfect time for aurora sightings, plan your departure accordingly, or hire a guide if you don’t wanna stress yourself up doing the math.
4. Midnight snowmobile tours in Rovaniemi with Lappish barbecue
There’s still plenty to see and explore with or without Auroras. Everything remains the same, but you don’t have the luxury of polar lights. But all days aren’t the same! Are they? And believe me, when you are out there ready to enjoy the best nature has to offer, the surroundings will consume you, and you’ll savour all those moments forever. For sure, I miss the barbecue sessions out there on the frozen lake.
5. Snowmobile photography tour while hunting Auroras
Photo Courtesy: Nordic Unique Travels
Protip – Either bring your camera or hire a tour operator/professional tour guide that will capture your precious moments.
Because one doesn’t travel to Lapland every day. If you’re there, it means you’ve strived for it, and planned it for a very long time and for sure spent a lot. Don’t miss the crucial part by overlooking the basics. Phones do a pretty decent job these days, but believe me, they aren’t the best for capturing the Northern Lights in their full glory. All the photos of the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi that I have used in this blog and other Lapland blogs have been taken with a professional camera (DSLR). And that’s one souvenir which will adorn the wall of your bedroom for a lifetime.
Photo copyright: Whistling Hound, Nordic Unique Travels
Rovaniemi snowmobile adventure is more than just a ride; it’s an immersion into the magic of Lapland’s winter. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights or drifting on frozen lakes, these memories will last a lifetime. Ready to accelerate your Arctic adventure?
Explore my curated list of top snowmobile tours and find the perfect experience for your winter getaway.
Further read: 12 Handpicked Winter Activities For A Quintessential Lapland Itinerary.
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