Rovaniemi: Snowmobile day tour with guide & campfire lunch

Summary

Chasing winter light by snowmobile in the forests of Lapland

You’ll suit up in real winter gear and ride a snowmobile deep into Lapland’s forests with a local guide from Rovaniemi. Stop for animal tracks, share laughs over accents, and warm up by a campfire BBQ with blueberry juice before heading back — moments you’ll remember long after your hands are warm again.

What’s the experience like?

Pulling on the thick boots and that balaclava (which made me look like some kind of Arctic ninja) in the Rovaniemi office, I could already smell the faint tang of cold metal and wool. Our guide, Sami, handed out gloves and helmets with this easy grin — he told us to double-check our driving licenses before we even thought about the snowmobiles. I was nervous, honestly. The machines looked heavier than I’d pictured, but Sami just said, “You’ll get used to it after five minutes.” He was mostly right.

The first few minutes were all engine rumble and white breath in the air. We followed Sami’s tracks into the forest — birch trees everywhere, their branches creaking under snow. There’s this quiet you only get out here; even with the engines, it felt like we were wrapped up in something soft and slow. At one point we stopped so Sami could show us animal tracks (reindeer? or maybe fox — he wasn’t sure), and I tried to say “kiitos” for thank you. He laughed at my accent but gave me a thumbs up anyway.

Lunch was around a fire Sami built right there in the woods. Chicken breast sizzling on a grill, sweet potato warming up next to it, Lappish bread that tasted smoky from the flames. My gloves smelled like pine sap by then, which I didn’t mind at all. Someone passed around hot blueberry juice — honestly, that stuff is magic when your face is half-frozen. We roasted marshmallows too (not very Finnish maybe, but nobody complained). The sun never really got high above the trees; everything had this blue-grey light that made time feel weirdly slow.

I didn’t expect to enjoy sharing a snowmobile (twin driving), but it turned out kind of fun switching drivers halfway through — though my partner did nearly steer us into a drift once. The whole ride was about four or five hours depending on how fast we went and how many times we stopped for photos or just to listen to nothing at all. Pick-up and drop-off back in Rovaniemi was easy enough; I barely noticed my toes thawing out until we were almost home. Sometimes now when I hear an engine start on a cold morning, I think of that silence between the trees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full Day Snowmobile Safari

• Snowmobile ride through Lapland forest

Top questions

How long is the snowmobile ride from Rovaniemi?

The snowmobile ride lasts approximately 4–5 hours depending on road conditions.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels in Rovaniemi city center.

What do I need to bring for the snowmobile tour?

You need to bring your driving license (or a copy). Winter clothes are provided.

Can children join the snowmobile safari?

Children under 12 can join but must be accompanied by adults paying full price; those under 150 cm will ride in a sledge pulled by guides.

Is lunch included during the tour?

Yes, a campfire BBQ lunch is included with chicken breast, sweet potato, Lappish bread, marshmallow and hot blueberry juice; vegetarian/vegan options available upon request.

Do I need experience to drive a snowmobile?

No prior experience is needed but drivers must have a valid license and be at least 18 years old.

Are winter clothes provided for the tour?

Yes, you’ll get an overall suit, boots, gloves, balaclava and helmet at the office before departure.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from selected Rovaniemi hotels, all necessary winter clothing (overall suit, boots, gloves, balaclava and helmet), about four to five hours riding snowmobiles with an English-speaking local guide (other languages available), plus a campfire BBQ lunch with hot blueberry juice before heading back home.