Northern Lights by Snowmobile in Alta: Arctic Night Hunt

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.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 17:45 and 18:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish and Norwegian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with 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.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Norwegian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 12 years). Children under 8 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.

What's the actual snowmobiling like if I've never done it before?

No previous experience is required. You get a thorough safety introduction and driving instruction before the trip starts, and the guide adapts the convoy's speed to match your comfort level. You'll ride in pairs, switching seats halfway, so you get roughly two hours of driving time total.

Will I definitely see the northern lights on this trip?

The northern lights are never guaranteed, even in Alta. The dry, stable winter climate here provides the best conditions in the region, but visibility depends on solar activity and cloud cover. If the aurora doesn't appear, you'll experience a beautiful Arctic night sky instead.

How far from Alta do we ride, and what's the landscape like?

The trip follows the old postal road up to the edge of Finnmarksvidda toward the Beskardes mountain range, far enough from city lights to see the sky clearly. The landscape is winter terrain: snow, mountains, and open Arctic space with minimal light pollution.

What should I bring, and what's provided?

Thermal suits, gloves, insulated shoes and helmets are all included. Bring a valid B-class driver's license for verification before the ride. The guide provides hot coffee and tea, plus snacks during the trip.

How long is the full trip, and how much time do I actually spend snowmobiling?

The full outing is 4 hours from pickup to drop-off in Alta. About 2 hours of that is actual snowmobiling time. The rest covers safety instruction, gear setup, and stops to watch the sky and warm up.

Can I ride if I don't have a driver's license?

Only holders of a valid B-class driver's license are allowed to drive a snowmobile in Norway. If you don't have one, you can ride as a passenger for the entire trip instead, sharing a snowmobile with a licensed driver.