Snowmobile Safari Rovaniemi: Drive the Arctic Wilderness

Cook your own lunch on an open fire in the Arctic backcountry.

A snowmobile safari in Rovaniemi puts you behind the handlebars for roughly two to two and a half hours of riding through snow-covered forests and frozen rivers, with a guide leading the way. Midway through, you stop to prepare and eat lunch over an open fire in the wilderness. The full outing runs five hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, and you can ride as a solo driver or share a snowmobile with a partner.

The experience

You get picked up from your hotel in Rovaniemi and driven to the starting point in an air-conditioned car. Once there, your guide walks you through how to safely operate the snowmobile, hands you a helmet and balaclava, and you're ready to ride. The route takes you through dense forests and across frozen terrain: roughly two to two and a half hours of actual driving time spread across the five-hour outing. The guide sets the pace and leads the way, so you follow their line through the landscape.

Partway through, you pull off into a clearing where the guide has set up an open fire. This is where you help prepare a hot meal right there in the wilderness, warming up by the flames while you eat local food and drinks. It's the pivot point of the day: a chance to rest, refuel, and sit in the quiet of the Arctic backcountry before heading back.

You can book this as a shared drive (two riders per snowmobile, taking turns or riding together) or as a solo driver (one snowmobile per person). Either way, the guide handles the route and timing. Thermal winter gear, boots, and all snowmobiling equipment are provided. You just need to bring yourself and a valid driver's license if you want to operate the machine. The guide speaks English, with Portuguese, Spanish, and Finnish available on request. Children from age three can join: younger kids ride in a sled towed behind a guide's snowmobile, and kids 140 cm or taller can ride on the machine itself.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within 10 km of Rovaniemi.
• thermal winter overall and children's thermal gear.
• helmet, balaclava, and winter boots.
• snowmobile and all operating equipment.
• roughly two to two and a half hours of riding time.
• a guide in English (Portuguese, Spanish, and Finnish on request).
• detailed safety instructions.
• local food and drinks prepared over an open fire.
• air-conditioned transport to and from the starting point.

Options for this experience

2 options

Adults, shared driving (2 per snowmobile)Guide in English · Available from 15 Dec · 10:30Adults, shared driving (2 per snowmobile), pickup is included

Adults, solo driver (1 per snowmobile)Guide in English · Available from 15 Dec · 10:30Solo driver on a snowmobile, includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to20h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by StayLapland

Is this one for you?Book the solo driver option if you want to control the snowmobile yourself across the frozen landscape. Choose shared driving if you'd rather ride as a passenger and let someone else handle the machine. The guide leads either way, so the difference is just whether you're operating it or enjoying the ride.

Traveler reviews

4.90★★★★★★★★★★

10 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much time do I actually spend riding the snowmobile?

You ride for roughly two to two and a half hours total across the five-hour outing. The rest of the time covers hotel pickup and drop-off, gear setup, instructions, and the open-fire lunch stop in the middle of the route.

What happens at the open-fire lunch stop?

You stop in a clearing in the wilderness where your guide has prepared an open fire. You help prepare lunch there, then eat local food and drinks while warming up by the flames before riding back.

Can I ride the snowmobile myself, or do I have to be a passenger?

You can book as a solo driver and operate your own snowmobile, or choose a shared drive where two people ride one machine. Solo driving requires a valid driver's license. Passengers don't need one. Both options follow the same route with your guide leading.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off within 10 km of Rovaniemi city center, thermal winter gear, boots, helmet, balaclava, snowmobiling equipment, detailed safety instructions, the guide's services in English, and the open-fire lunch with local food and drinks are all included.