Northern Lights by Snowmobile in Alta: Arctic Night Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (45 reviews) 89% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/4

Duration4h

GroupUp to 17

LanguagesEN · NO

Mobile ticketAccepted

Glide along the old postal road to Beskardes’ remote winter silence

Ride a snowmobile from Alta up the old postal road toward Finnmarksvidda and the Beskardes mountain range, chasing the northern lights across the winter sky. The 4-hour trip includes pickup and drop-off in Alta, thermal suits, helmets, and a guide who leads a small convoy at a pace matched to your comfort. You drive half the trip and ride as passenger for the other half, sharing a snowmobile with one other person. No snowmobiling experience is required—only a valid B-class driver's license.

The Experience

You start the evening with pickup from your hotel in Alta. Before the snowmobiles roll, the guide walks through safety and handling—how to steer, how to brake, what to expect on the trail. You'll ride in pairs, driver and passenger switching seats halfway through the trip so both of you get time behind the throttle. The convoy stays behind the guide, who sets the speed to match the group's comfort level. About two hours of actual riding takes you along the old postal road, climbing toward the edge of Finnmarksvidda and the Beskardes range, far enough from city lights that the sky opens up.

The real draw is the northern lights—if they show. Alta's dry, stable winter climate makes it one of the better places in the Arctic to catch them. On clear nights, the aurora dances across the sky in green and sometimes violet bands. On nights when the lights don't appear, you're still standing under a dark Arctic sky, often studded with stars. Either way, you're in a winter landscape stripped of everything but snow and silence. The guide carries hot coffee and tea, and you'll have snacks during the ride to keep warm and fueled.

Thermal suits, gloves and insulated shoes come with the booking, so you're dressed for the cold without bringing your own gear. The helmet is included. What you bring is a valid driver's license—Norway requires all snowmobile drivers to hold a B-class license and present it before the ride starts. If you don't have one, you can ride as a passenger for the full trip instead. Children are welcome from age 8, riding as passengers.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Alta.
thermal suits, gloves and insulated shoes.
helmet.
hot coffee and tea.
snacks during the ride.
a live guide in English or Norwegian.
instruction and safety briefing before the trip.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Æventyr

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here—you'll ride in pairs on the snowmobiles, so the convoy stays intimate and the guide can keep the pace steady for everyone. This suits anyone with a moderate fitness level and a valid driver's license who wants to drive part of the trip themselves; if you'd rather ride as a passenger the whole way, that works too, and children from age 8 can join.